Can Margarine Be Frozen?
You can absolutely freeze margarine without worrying about it spoiling or losing its texture. All you have to do is place it in a freezer-safe bag/container and keep it in the freezer. However, freeze it before its expiration date or when the time till the expiration date arrives is quite long.
When your frozen block of margarine has solidified, you can take it out and put it in your freezer bag for storage indefinitely. This is also the easiest way to do this, since you just have to put your frozen margarine block in a box with no lid, then put that box into the freezer. You can also chop up your margarine into smaller blocks and put each one into a sealable plastic freezer bag. The easiest way to freeze your margarine is simply by placing an unopened tub into a sealable plastic bag, and then putting it into your freezer.
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Whichever way you decide to freeze your margarine, make sure that it is tightly sealed inside the plastic freezer bag so that no air or moisture can get inside, and so that the margarine does not get smells from the other foods in your freezer. If you are freezing large amounts of margarine, you might want to break it down into smaller pieces before freezing, making it easier to defrost later. If you are desperate for margarine, you can also defrost it in a microwave oven at its lowest setting for about 5 minutes.
| Margarine | Shelf life |
| Thawed margarine | 3 months in freezer |
| Plastic wrap or foil margarine | Up to 12 months |
You will not need to wait for margarine to freeze over the course of hours to heat in the microwave. If margarine has only been thawed, margarine will last about 3 months in the refrigerator, unless it has gone rancid. If you have frozen the margarine, then defrosted it, then used it in a cooked dish that you want to freeze later, then you can freeze that cooked dish safely at that time. You can use smaller pieces when needed, not having to defrost the whole tub.
When you freeze your margarine, the shelf life is extended, which means that you will be able to keep more than one tub handy for times you may need it. Frozen margarine can be thawed at room temperature or in the refrigerator, and used like normal, like as a sandwich filling or for baking and baking. Margarine is generally used for baking, but it can be used in cooking as well, and to spread over sandwiches or toast. You can spread undiluted margarine on your toast or bread, as you would regular butter or margarine.
You can also wrap the sticks of margarine in foil and store it that way in your refrigerator. For margarine sticks, a neat trick is to put your spreads into a sealed oil container, which will slow drying out and prevent them from getting smells from other foods in the refrigerator.
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You should store your butter and margarine in the original container or wrapper, but you should consider placing them in an airtight container, since air is another factor that can cause it to spoil. By keeping your butter and margarine in this way, you are keeping it away from exposure to light and higher temperatures that could cause it to spoil and turn rancid.
You will be happy to know that, just like margarine, butter will freeze, and it stores pretty well in the freezer. Butter has a shorter shelf life than margarine, so it does not last quite as long, so freezing it is such a good idea. The added salt to any butter helps keep it colder longer, meaning that if you know that you are going to use it in at least a month, then you do not have to freeze it. If stored correctly, unsalted butter stays fresh for 4-6 months, whereas salted butter may last for a full year.
It is recommended that you store your butter in a freezer for five to nine months, with less time being needed for unsalted butter. Feel free to make large batches knowing that you will be able to freeze the additional formulated butter at a later time. Yes, you can freeze salty butter, but you might prefer not to because salt concentrations may be stronger once frozen.
This means that you can freeze margarine, and then thaw it later, without having to worry that your food will turn sour or become unfit for human consumption. This way, you can keep it on hand and use as needed, not having to worry about quality being compromised or food spoiled too fast. This is because your margarine is able to hold up better under heat than butter, meaning that you can roast your foods without worrying as much about burning your margarine or changing its texture too drastically.
When using margarine in cookies, remember it takes longer to melt compared to butter. In fact, it is one of the best foods to freeze, right next to butter, because of the longer shelf-life. If you freeze your margarine properly, keep it stored at a consistent temperature in your freezer, and tightly cover with plastic wrap or foil, margarine will keep its wonderful quality up to 12 months in your freezer.
Unopened, the margarine typically will last approximately 4-5 months after the expiration date in the refrigerator, and 6-12 months in the freezer. Margarine will last for six to eight months in the freezer, provided that it is frozen through the sell-by date and is tightly wrapped or sealed to prevent freezer burn. As long as you keep it wrapped and protected to avoid absorbing odors from the freezer or being affected by air, it will freeze very well and you will be hard-pressed to tell the difference between frozen margarine and unfrozen margarine.
You may want to buy in bulk and discover you have 5 tubs of margarine in your house, or maybe you spotted an amazing margarine deal in the local supermarket; frozen margarine is going to be your best cheap, waste-free option. Flash-freezing your block of frozen margarine ahead of time will make sure that it does not get lumpy, and you will be able to get some pieces anytime you need them without having to defrost everything. You can thaw frozen margarine by placing it into a bowl, letting it soften, then blend or stir until smooth and creamy.
What happens to margarine when you freeze it?
Margarine’s flavors and qualities won’t be affected by freezing. In the freezer, it can stay fresh for up to a year without losing any of its flavors. Given that it maintains its quality so well for more than a year in the freezer, it is actually one of the greatest foods to freeze.
What is the proper way to store margarine?
Margarine may be kept fresher for longer if it is put in the refrigerator as soon as you buy and consume it. It’s crucial to maintain proper refrigeration at or below 40°F. Margarine should be kept on an inside refrigerator shelf rather than in the door, where frequent openings cause the temperature to change.
How long can you keep margarine in the freezer?
Margarine should be kept in the refrigerator, used within two months of opening, and lasts for three to four months when unopened. Butter can be frozen for up to 6-9 months and margarine for up to 6-8 months. When butter or margarine has a rancid taste or smell, mold, or is discolored, it has gone bad.