Can you freeze vodka sauce?
In this article, we will answer the question “Can you freeze vodka sauce?”, and how to freeze vodka sauce?
Can you freeze vodka sauce?
Yes, you can freeze the vodka sauce. Freezing extends the shelf-life of the vodka sauce up to 3 months. It is recommended to use it as soon as possible to enjoy it while it is still in its best quality.
While the flavor of the vodka sauce remains unaffected after freezing, you can expect a slightly grainy texture after the sauce thaws. This happens because of the phase separation of water and fat in the vodka sauce.
How to freeze vodka sauce?
First and foremost, you need to let the vodka sauce cool down to room temperature. Letting the steam escape is important or else it will build up inside the storage container and cause spoilage. It also triggers freezer burn.
Since the vodka sauce contains dairy ingredients like cream or milk, you should not leave the sauce on the counter for too long. The next step after cooling the sauce is to divide it into portions.
Portioning the sauce is important as it allows you to thaw just the right amount of sauce at a time without dealing with any leftovers. The next step is to choose a storage medium.
You can either use a freezer bag or an air-tight container as a storage medium for vodka sauce. You can choose whatever is available in your kitchen. In comparison, freezer bags are a better choice since they take up less freezer space and give more room for expansion.
If you opt for an air-tight container, make sure to leave a 1-½-inches headspace to allow the sauce to safely expand during freezing. If you went with the freezer bag, squeeze out as much air as possible from the bag after filling it with the vodka sauce.
Last but not the least, put a clear label on whatever storage container you chose. This helps you in identifying the frozen sauce and keeping track of its shelf-life.
How to defrost vodka sauce?
In the fridge
This is the safest way to thaw vodka sauce but it may be time-consuming. All you have to do is to leave the frozen vodka sauce in the fridge overnight or for several hours. Then nuke the thawed sauce in a saucepan until it is thoroughly warm.
On the counter
This is a rather quick method and saves you time. So, if you forgot to pop your vodka sauce into the fridge overnight, you can rely on this method to quickly thaw your sauce.
Put the frozen vodka sauce onto a plate and leave it on the counter for several hours. If you thaw your vodka sauce using this method, you cannot refreeze or refrigerate it. You must use the entire portion of the thawed vodka sauce in cooking.
This is because leaving the sauce to thaw on the counter may give harmful bacteria a chance to grow. These bacteria will grow to unacceptable levels if you further freeze or refrigerate the sauce.
In the microwave
Though this method is not recommended, it is the quickest. So, if you are pressed for time, use this method to thaw your vodka sauce.
Take out the vodka sauce onto a microwave-safe plate or bowl and microwave it on defrost setting or low power. Stir the sauce after every 30-60 seconds interval to prevent the sauce from burning.
How to make vodka sauce at home?
Ingredients
- 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ tsp. red pepper flakes
- 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
- ⅓ cup vodka
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ cup fresh chopped basil
- ½ – ¾ cup half and half
- 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
- 16 oz. penne pasta
- Fresh black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a saute pan and cook the onions and garlic on medium heat until soft. Then add the red pepper flakes and cook for another 1 minute.
- Stir in the vodka and tomatoes and cook for another 5-7 minutes until the volume slightly reduces.
- Then add the tomato paste, and balsamic vinegar. Season with some salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the mixture for about 20 minutes with a lid slightly ajar.
- Boil pasta as per the instructions.
- Blend the tomato mixture with some parsley.
- Then pour the mixture back to the pan. Stir in half and half, starting with only ½ cup.
- Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes then toss in the parmesan.
- Garnish with basil and sprinkle some cheese.
Conclusion
In this article, we answered the question “Can you freeze vodka sauce?”, and how to freeze vodka sauce?
