Are you a fan of black pudding but struggle to finish a whole package before it goes bad? Have you ever wondered if you can freeze black pudding to extend its shelf life?
The good news is that you can freeze black pudding, and it’s actually quite simple. In this blog post, I want to share with you the best ways to freeze black pudding and how to properly thaw, so that you can enjoy it as if it was fresh.
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Can you freeze black pudding? The quick answer
Yes, you can freeze black pudding and keep it in the freezer for up to 4 months.
It is best to freeze fresh black pudding that has been properly refrigerated. You can freeze slices of black pudding or the whole black pudding sausage.
It is important to package the black pudding properly to prevent freezer burn and to make sure that it doesn’t pick up on any oudors from the freezer or rather the other way round. When properly stored, frozen black pudding can be thawed and cooked to taste as fresh as the day it was frozen. Remember to label the package with the date and contents so you can easily identify it later.
What is black pudding?
Black pudding is a type of blood sausage that originates from the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is made from pork or beef blood, mixed with pork fat or beef suet, and a cereal, typically oatmeal, oat groats, or barley groats.
Black pudding is also known as blood pudding or blood sausage and is a popular ingredient in many traditional British and Irish dishes. It is often served as part of a full breakfast alongside other breakfast items like bacon, tomatoes, beans, eggs, and toast.
Can you freeze cooked black pudding?
Yes, you can freeze cooked black pudding providing that it hasn’t been frozen previously. If you’ve prepared far too much of black pudding for breakfast and you’ve already cooked it, you can still freeze it for later.
Make sure that the cooked black pudding is completely cold first and then add greaseproof paper sheet in between each layer of cooked black pudding. The black pudding will freeze without complete separation and you will be able to take out one or two slices – or whatever you need.
When properly stored, cooked black pudding can be frozen for up to 4 months.
Can you freeze a whole black pudding sausage – uncooked?
Yes, you can freeze a whole uncooked black pudding sausage. Just take the uncooked black pudding you have bought and place it in your freezer. Depending on the packaging, you might like to wrap it in another layer of freezer suitable bag to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality. When properly stored, uncooked black pudding can be frozen for up to 4 months in the same way as the cooked black pudding.
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How to freeze black pudding step by step
- Refrigerate the black pudding: Before freezing, make sure the black pudding is properly refrigerated. This will help maintain its quality and ensure that it freezes properly.
- Package the black pudding: You can freeze the black pudding whole in the packet or slice it into portions. If slicing, separate the portions with parchment paper or plastic wrap. Then, wrap the black pudding tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container or airtight freezer bag.
- Label and date the package: Be sure to label the package with the date and contents so you can easily identify it later.
- Freeze the black pudding: Place the wrapped or packaged black pudding in the freezer and freeze it at a constant temperature below 0°F (-18°C). Set your freezer to -5°F (-20°C) or below for best freezing results.
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How to defrost black pudding step by step
- Remove the black pudding from the freezer: Take the black pudding out of the freezer and remove any packaging or wrapping.
- Choose a defrosting method: There are two main methods for defrosting black pudding: in the fridge or in cold water.
- In the fridge: Place the black pudding in a bowl or on a plate and put it in the fridge to defrost overnight. This is the safest method as it prevents bacteria growth and maintains the quality of the black pudding.
- In cold water: If you need to defrost the black pudding quickly, you can place it in a bowl of cold water. Make sure the black pudding is fully submerged and change the water every 30 minutes to prevent it from warming up. This method can take a few hours depending on the size of the black pudding.
- Cook the black pudding: Once the black pudding is fully defrosted, it should be cooked immediately and not refrozen. You can cook black pudding in a variety of ways, such as frying, grilling, or baking.
It is important to note that black pudding should never be defrosted at room temperature as this can cause bacteria growth and spoilage.
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What packaging is best to freeze black pudding?
The best packaging to freeze black pudding is one that is airtight and prevents freezer burn. You can wrap the black pudding tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in a freezer-safe container or airtight freezer bag.
If slicing the black pudding, separate the portions with parchment paper or plastic wrap before packaging. It is important to remove as much air as possible from the packaging to prevent freezer burn and maintain the quality of the black pudding.
Remember to label the package with the date and contents so you can easily identify it later. When properly packaged, black pudding can be frozen for up to 4 months before quality declines.
Can you cook black pudding from frozen?
Yes, you can cook black pudding from frozen, but it is not recommended. While it is safe to cook black pudding from frozen, it can result in dry patches within the black pudding.
If you must cook black pudding from frozen, the best way to do so is in a deep fat fryer for around five minutes. Cooking in the oven is also an option but it can take a really long time and the final result isn’t the best. However, it is recommended to thaw the black pudding first by following the steps outlined for defrosting in the fridge or in cold water to ensure the best quality and taste.
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How long does black pudding in the freezer for?
When properly stored, black pudding can last in the freezer for up to 4 months before quality declines. Black pudding should be frozen at a constant temperature below 0°F (-18°C).
It is important to package the black pudding properly to prevent freezer burn and maintain its quality. When properly stored, frozen black pudding can be thawed and cooked to taste as fresh as the day it was frozen. Remember to label the package with the date and contents so you can easily identify it later.
Is there any type of black pudding that’s not suitable for freezing?
There are no specific types of black pudding that are not suitable for freezing. However, it is important to note that the texture of black pudding can change slightly after being frozen and thawed.
Black pudding that has been frozen and thawed may be slightly drier or crumblier than fresh black pudding. Therefore, it may not be ideal for certain dishes or recipes where the texture of the black pudding is important.
If the black pudding has been previously frozen and thawed, it is not recommended to refreeze it. This can cause the texture and quality of the black pudding to further decline.
This blog post was originally written on 14 September 2023 and last updated on 14 September 2023
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