Can turmeric root be frozen?

The saying “a little goes a long way” is very true of turmeric root, and while it is a handy root to always have in the kitchen, it is not something that is used in every dish.

You can often find fresh turmeric in packets with lots of bits of root in it, a very cost-effective and efficient way to buy the spice.

Unfortunately, as with all vegetables, it starts to lose potency the longer it sits on your counter.

What options do you have? Can turmeric root be frozen?  Yes, you can freeze turmeric root for up to 3 months. You will need to cut or slice it into portions and wrap it in a dry paper towel when storing and freezing it.

In this article we’ll briefly talk about what turmeric is and its many benefits, and then get into the nitty-gritty of how to properly freeze it so it lasts.

What is turmeric?

Turmeric is best known for its deep yellow color, the pigment that identifies many Indian dishes.  It is most commonly sold in powdered form, but as its popularity increases, it is becoming more common to see the root in grocery stores.

You’ve probably even seen it yourself, though if you haven’t looked closely, you’ll have guessed it’s ginger.

The two roots, or rhizomes, look almost identical to the untrained eye, but the turmeric is smaller and, when you cut it, bright orange under its papery covering.

That orange color stains anything that comes in contact with it almost instantly, so be careful.

However, it is well worth the risk, because in addition to having a pungent, earthy, and slightly bitter taste that adds depth of flavor to savory dishes, it is also one of the most powerful natural medicines known to mankind.

If you’ve never heard of these health benefits, you may have heard of curcumin, the most researched active ingredient for its many healing properties.

Turmeric Benefits

Turmeric has been used in herbal medicine throughout history to heal a wide variety of wounds, infections, and skin conditions.

Today, it is more frequently prescribed as a long-term anti-inflammatory agent and is even being fully investigated for its promising cancer-fighting potential.

To maximize all the health benefits of turmeric, make sure to always consume it along with some black pepper. The piperine in black pepper helps the body absorb curcumin.

Turmeric’s skin benefits also include reducing inflammation, calming skin conditions, and potentially even reducing scarring. Inflammation is also closely linked to obesity, and many studies show that it can help with weight loss as well.

How to freeze turmeric root

Turmeric root freezes well, although it won’t be as firm when thawed. For best results, simply make sure the roots are clean and dry and wrap them in a piece of kitchen paper.

It is best to break or cut the roots into 1- to 2-inch pieces that you can use as a single serving. That way you don’t have to pull out the whole root to get what you need and put the rest back in the freezer.

It is better that you only take it out of the freezer when you are going to use it, because it starts to defrost immediately. If you put it back in the freezer, the quality will be compromised.

Place the turmeric wrapped in kitchen paper in a freezer-safe bag and squeeze out as much air as possible. This will protect it from freezer damage.

Store it in the main drawer of your freezer, not on the door. Like we said, turmeric thaws quickly, so you don’t want it exposed to hot air every time you open the freezer door.

Freeze Turmeric Paste

Turmeric paste is usually made with ground turmeric, although if you make your own you can also use fresh turmeric. It is usually mixed with high-quality oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or even ghee, a little black pepper, and other spices to your liking.

It freezes well, and one of the best ways to section off portions is to use an ice cube or freezer tray.

Before filling in the gaps with the paste, line the entire tray with plastic sheeting, leaving extra length along the sides. This will prevent the tray from turning yellow. Next, place 1-2 teaspoons in each crevice.

Use kitchen scissors to cut through the plastic wrap so that you can individually seal your small packets of turmeric paste. Once they’re all individually wrapped, you can place them together in a freezer-safe Ziploc brand bag for further protection.

When you’re craving a Golden Milk or other turmeric concoction, just pull a single packet out of the freezer.

How long does turmeric last?

Stored carefully in the freezer, fresh turmeric will last for 3 months, if not longer. In the fridge, it will keep for up to 3 weeks, as long as the skin is not too damaged and does not attract moisture.

Ground turmeric will last up to 3 years if stored properly, in a cool, dry place.

How to store turmeric out of the freezer

If you prefer not to freeze it, you can store fresh turmeric root in the fridge.

The biggest danger to your root is moisture, as it will grow mold quite easily. To prevent this, wrap it loosely, preferably with a paper bag or paper towel.

Place the paper-wrapped root inside a Ziploc bag or Tupperware container, but do not seal. You want airflow to keep moisture from building up.

If you plan to store turmeric root in the fridge drawers, make sure the humidity level is low to control humidity levels. Again, this will prevent it from rotting.

If you notice some black spots on the root, just scrape it off and use the rest of the root without worry. It is not dangerous or toxic.

Really fresh turmeric root can even be planted in a pot. With rich soil, it will start to grow. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t use it at will, just dig up and cut a portion when you need it.

Ground ginger should be stored in a dark glass container with a tight-fitting lid and stored in a cool, dry place, such as your pantry or spice drawer.

How to use frozen turmeric rhizome (root)

If you’ve frozen individual servings, simply take a piece of turmeric root (rhizome) out of the freezer when you need it.

If you let it thaw completely, it will be much softer than normal fresh roots. If you are going to add it to a blender, this is not a problem.

If you plan to grate it, do so immediately to use the hard, frozen state to your advantage. It will be less messy, although it will still stain.

How to cut turmeric root

Some people peel turmeric before using it, but doing so has few advantages and one major drawback.

The yellow pigment in turmeric loves to stain anything that comes close to it, so the more exposed the meat is, the more staining potential your turmeric has.

To prevent your fingers from turning yellow, simply leave the skin on and use a Microplane to grate the turmeric directly into the dish you are cooking. The metal of the grill will not stain and this minimizes the rest of the contact.

Recipes with fresh turmeric

Fresh turmeric can be substituted for ground turmeric in any recipe, although significantly more fresh turmeric is needed to get the same color and flavor.  Substitute ½ teaspoon of ground turmeric for about 2 tablespoons of grated fresh turmeric root.

If you’re not working from a recipe, but just want to add fresh turmeric to your day, here are some of our favorite uses for fresh turmeric:

• Fresh Turmeric Tea or Golden Milk
• Added to smoothies and/or fresh juice blends
• Cooked with rice or other whole grains
• Stewed in soups, curries or stews
• Mixed with scrambled eggs or crumbled tofu, a great vegetable alternative to scrambled eggs

Related questions

Can ginger root be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze ginger root. In fact, the similarities between ginger root and turmeric root are such that all of the turmeric freezing recommendations you just read in this article apply to ginger root as well.

Can you eat the skin of turmeric?

Yes, you can eat the skin of the turmeric , although the older the root, the tougher it will be. Most people will buff it from the roots, or peel it if it gets too thick.

If you’re going to make a tea, paste or puree, make sure the root is clean and don’t worry about the skin, especially if it’s young.

If you’re going to cut it so that it’s somewhat whole, you may want to scrape the skin down for texture. Most people simply use a Microplane, garlic press, or other type of grater, with the skin.

How long does it take for turmeric to take effect?

Turmeric does not have a specific job to perform, so depending on what you expect to see as a result, your current state of health, and numerous other dietary and lifestyle factors, turmeric can take anywhere from 1 to 3 days. months to make a difference in your life.

Most people supplement with turmeric as an anti-inflammatory. It is not suitable for short-term, instant relief as it takes time to build up in your body. With daily use, you should start to notice changes in your inflammation after about 4-6 weeks.