How to Freeze Zucchini
Three are three basic ways to freeze zucchini that I plan to share in this post. Each one varies in the amount of prep time involved and are best suited to specific uses after freezing. We’ll cover how to freeze zucchini without cooking it, how to freeze shredded zucchini, and how to freeze blanched zucchini—and how to use each of them once frozen. Plus, there are tips for our favorite zucchini recipes to make whenever you’re ready. (You may also like How to Freeze Tomatoes or Baked Zucchini Fritters.)
Ingredients You Need
To freeze zucchini, all you need is zucchini. Any traditional or heirloom variety of green zucchini will work with these methods, as well yellow summer squash. Sign up for our email updates to get tips and ideas sent to your inbox. If working with a very large zucchini, you may find very large seeds inside. You can skip grating that part of the interior of the zucchini if you prefer.
How to Freeze Zucchini for Baking
If you primarily want to preserve zucchini to have it on hand for baked goods like Zucchini Bread, Zucchini Carrot Muffins, and Chocolate Zucchini Muffins, freezing shredded zucchini in the amounts you typically use in your recipes is the easiest option. The main goal with this method is to remove the water in the zucchini to prevent the baked goods from being too wet on the inside.
Recipes to Try with Frozen Grated Zucchini
How to Freeze Raw Zucchini
If you want to do as little work as possible, freezing sliced zucchini without cooking it is my go-to method. Once frozen, you can add zucchini to smoothies—any kind is fine, though it’s great in this Chocolate Smoothie or Blueberry Smoothie. Or, you can add directly to a pan to cook into Zucchini Pasta Sauce. Since that sauce is pureed at the end, the texture of the zucchini doesn’t matter. (Raw zucchini that is frozen and then cooked can be a little mushy or squeaky.)
Recipes to Try with Frozen Raw Zucchini
Below are some of our favorite zucchini recipes that you can make with frozen zucchini.
How to Blanch Zucchini for Soups, Stir Fries, and More
If you want to use frozen zucchini in Ratatouille, Veggie Soup, Zucchini Stir Fry, or any recipe where it will not be blended, this is your best bet. To blanch and freeze zucchini, here’s what you’ll do:
Recipes to Try with Frozen Blanched Zucchini
How to Store
Add the prepped zucchini to a freezer bag in a flat layer. Seal almost all the way, then remove the air with your mouth or a straw. Seal. This creates a sort of DIY vacuum seal. Freeze for up to 1 year.
Best Tips for Success
Discard the stems of the zucchini before preparing. Use yellow summer squash or green zucchini. Remove as much liquid as you can from the shredded zucchini before freezing. This will make it ready to use in your baked goods. Let frozen shredded zucchini thaw and remove any moisture you see before adding to a baked good recipe. Add frozen raw or blanched zucchini directly to recipes still frozen.
I’d love to hear your feedback on this post, so please comment and rate it below!
Banana Baked Oatmeal with Zucchini
How to Freeze Tomatoes
Easy Zucchini Carrot Muffins
How to Freeze Kale (and Greens)
