For anyone who loves baking or simply eating sandwiches, margarine is an essential food item. Itâs delicious and versatile as well as available in every grocery store.
However, sometimes itâs best to have more tubs stored in case youâll run out of it. So, this begs the question of whether freezing margarine is possible.
The answer to this question is that you can safely and easily freeze margarine. It contains around 80% vegetable oil, which makes freezing it very easy and efficient. Freezing also allows the margarine to be stored for a long time in case you need to buy more or you know you wonât use up all the margarine that youâve already bought.
Regardless of the reason behind the need to freeze margarine, it comes with a lot of uncertainties and questions that you might want to have answered prior to starting the freezing process.
Remember to read our article on freezing butter as well!
How to properly freeze margarine?
Freezing margarine, just like butter, is a relatively easy task. The easiest way to do it is to cut up your margarine into smaller pieces and place each of them in a zippable bag. Alternatively, you can also wrap your margarine sticks in foil and place them in the fridge that way.
Another way to freeze margarine is to simply place the whole tub in a sealed bag and then freeze it. Regardless of which method youâll choose, itâs important to make sure that the margarine is wrapped tightly since it might go bad faster or absorb other smells from the freezer.
Whatâs the shelf life of margarine?
Margarine has a longer shelf life than butter,- mostly due to its high vegetable oil and low milk content. The expiration date of margarine is usually indicated at the back of the tub. However, if the margarine doesnât smell bad or is not discolored once this date has passed, itâs still safe to consume without any changes in taste and flavors.
Generally, margarine is safe to consume for around 3-4 months in the fridge when itâs unopened, and around 1-2 months once it has been opened. If the margarine has just been defrosted, then it can be kept for around 3 months in the fridge unless it has become rancid.
How long can you keep margarine in the freezer?
Margarine can stay frozen in the freezer for up to 12 months. After that time, it might start to lose its texture and flavor. Moreover, itâs important to defrost your margarine before the expiration date indicated on the packaging since it might become rancid or moldy.
After defrosting margarine, it has to be consumed within 3 months. Moreover, if itâs past the expiration date, but the margarine doesnât show any signs of mold, itâs still safe to eat.
Does freezing margarine change its properties?
Margarine remains fresh and tastes the same for up to 12 months in the freezer. Freezing margarine doesnât change any flavors or properties and it can be safely consumed within that time frame. In fact, itâs one of the best food items to freeze, right beside butter, due to its long shelf life.
How can I tell if the margarine has gone bad?
Margarine that has gone bad will be discolored, usually, light on the inside and dark on the outside when itâs cut in half. Itâs also not safe to consume if the margarine is covered in mold or if it smells or tastes sour.
This generally happens after over 12 months in the freezer or if it has been frozen after the expiration date.
Whatâs the best way to defrost margarine?
The best way to defrost margarine is to thaw it. To do that, simply place your margarine in a bowl and leave it at room temperature. This way, the margarine will defrost in around 4 hours. If youâre not in a hurry, you may also choose to thaw your margarine in the fridge. This method will take approximately 8 hours and is the healthiest option.
If youâre in a dire need of margarine, you can also defrost it in the microwave at the lowest setting for around 5 minutes. If choosing this method, be careful not to melt the margarine completely since it may ruin it.
Can I freeze margarine again once itâs been defrosted?
As a general rule, no food items can be frozen twice. Doing so poses a risk of freezing bacteria with it and might make it go bad faster. Therefore, itâs best to freeze margarine in smaller portions to make sure that it will all be consumed in time and you wonât have to risk having to discard it because it went bad.
What can I use frozen margarine for?
Frozen margarine can be used for various recipes that call for margarine. In order to use frozen margarine for a recipe, itâs best to grate it into small pieces and mix with the rest of the ingredients. Another option is to place the margarine in a bowl and put it in a microwave and only subtly defrost it. Some recipes will bake better if the margarine is slightly harder.
Can I freeze Benecol margarine?
Benecol margarine is safe to freeze unless it says otherwise on the packaging of some versions. Some brands have âStore in the fridge. Do not freeze.â written on the tub, and these kinds of margarine are not freezable. This can be due to a lower fat content or certain additives that can make the margarine turn rancid once frozen.
Whatâs the best place in the freezer for margarine?
While in the freezer, margarine is best stored on the upper shelves. One reason behind it is that it can absorb other smells from the fridge, which will make it less tasty.
Moreover, the temperature at the top shelves is lower and steadier, which prevents any mold and discolorations from forming. Storing your margarine on these shelves is the best way to ensure that it wonât go bad as well as that it will be fresh and tasty once defrosted.
Can You Use the Same Method to Freeze Margarine as You Would for Garlic?
When it comes to freezing margarine, the process is quite different from freezing fresh garlic at home. While margarine can be frozen without any special prep, freezing fresh garlic at home requires peeling and mincing the cloves before storing them in an airtight container in the freezer.
Can I buy Margerine Online In bulk?
Yes, there are actually some on Amazon that I have listed below. So grab your margarine and fill the freezer.
