How often have you hankered for sweet and spicy gingerbread or wanted to make your favorite ginger tea? You sprint to the kitchen to grab a chunk of ginger, only to find its shriveled remains in the corner of your fridge.
Ginger’s aromatic and pungent flavor makes it a star ingredient in many recipes, but you rarely use the entire pod all at once. So, you either put the rest back in your fridge or, more often than not, throw it away.
But it doesn’t have to end that way. There are a number of effective ways of storing this healthy root for months.
Here are some popular methods for storing raw ginger.
Contents
Method 1: Freezing
Freezing ginger is no Herculean task. All it takes is a little effort and a small corner of your freezer, and you’ll end up with a stash of fresh ginger for months. Frozen ginger is easy to grate and can be stored for a period of 3 months.
# Sliced Ginger in a Zip Lock Bag
Things you’ll need:
- Ginger roots
- Zip lock bags
- Vegetable peeler
- Knife or spoon
- Small bowl
Step 1. Remove the peel from the ginger
- Cut off the smaller knobs of ginger to make it easier to peel.
- Use a vegetable peeler to scrape off the skin. Alternatively, you can use a knife or spoon with a thin edge.
Step 2. Cut the ginger into slices
- Cut the ginger into thin slices.
Step 3. Put them in a zip lock bag
- Put the slices in the zip lock bag.
- Press out all the air and seal it.
Step 4: Store in the freezer
- Keep it in the freezer and use it as needed.
# Ginger Root in Plastic Wrap
Things you’ll need:
- Ginger roots
- Plastic wrap
Step 1. Seal the ginger in plastic wrap
- Place the ginger in plastic wrap and cover it gingerly from all ends, pun intended.
- Push out the air and seal it tight.
It’s a good idea to store multiple smaller sizes wrapped separately, rather than one big chunk so that you don’t thaw the remaining part.
Step 2. Store it in the freezer
- Keep it in the freezer and use it as needed.
# Grated Ginger Cubes
Things you’ll need:
- Peeled ginger roots
- Grater
- Ice tray
- Small bowl
- Jar for storing
Step 1. Grate the ginger
- Carefully grate the ginger into a small bowl. Make sure to scrape the pod against the sharp edges of the grater.
- Alternatively, you can cut the peeled ginger into smaller pieces and mince them in a food processor.
You can peel the ginger before grating or mincing as described in Step 1 of Method 1.
Step 2. Put the grated ginger in an ice cube tray
- Put a spoonful of grated ginger into each section of the ice cube tray.
- Level them out evenly. You can also add a little water to it if needed.
Step 3. Freeze the ginger cubes
- Place the ice cube tray in your freezer for a couple of hours.
Step 4. Store the cubes in a jar in your freezer
- Remove the cubes from the tray.
- Put them in a jar and store it in your freezer.
Method 2: Storing in Vodka
If you don’t go gaga over the mushy texture of defrosted ginger, you can try storing it in your refrigerator in vodka. It is a win-win because you have fresh ginger for weeks and also ginger-infused vodka that you can use to make zesty martinis or add to your savory dishes.
You can use sherry instead, but vodka is preferable because it does not alter the taste of the ginger and keeps it fresh the longest. Ginger preserved in vodka can last for 3 to 6 months.
Things you’ll need:
- Peeled ginger roots
- Vodka
- Storage jar with a lid
Step 1. Put ginger pieces in a jar
- Place the ginger pieces in the jar, one by one.
- Cut the ginger pods into smaller pieces if needed to fit into the jar.
Step 2. Pour vodka into the jar
- Pour vodka into the jar. Make sure that the pieces are immersed completely in the alcohol.
- Close the jar tightly with the lid.
Step 3. Store the jar in the refrigerator
- Keep it in the refrigerator and use it as needed.
Tips
- Always use fresh, organic ginger. Select pieces that are mold-free, have smooth skin and are heavier for their size.
- If you are short on time, you can simply wrap ginger in a paper towel and store it in your fridge. The ginger will last up to 3 weeks.
- When stored in vodka, if you notice any cloudy formation, discard it to avoid any allergic reaction.