When you hear the word pecan, your mind might jump to pecan pie! But why stop the pecan recipes there? You can make all sorts of dishes with this nut, such as praline, bread and biscuits. They are a little sweeter than walnuts and possess fibre, protein, and numerous nutrients… But can you freeze them?
Can You Freeze Pecans?
Yes, you can freeze pecans for up to 1 year. Pecans in their shells tend to freeze better and for longer than pecans that have been removed from their shells, so bear this in mind before deciding how you store them.
Do Pecans Freeze Well? Yes
Can You Refreeze Pecans? No
How to Freeze Pecans
It is great to have the option of freezing pecans to keep them fresh for longer. Thankfully, it is simple and easy to freeze your pecans too. Here is how it is done:
- Let them Cool Down: If you have just finished cooking or heating your pecans, you need to let them cool down to room temperature before freezing.
- Place Each Into an Ice Cube Tray: This keeps each nut separate and ensures that the chances of freezer burn are reduced. Put one nut in each section of the tray, then fill it up with water.
- Remove the Tray and Put it in a Freezer Bag: After a few hours of freezing, you can remove your pecans from the ice cube tray and put the nuts in the freezer bag.
- Remove Excess Air: To keep your pecans fresh and for them to freeze better, squeeze out any excess air that is in the freezer bag without damaging the pecans.
- Label and Freeze: Place a label with the date you are putting the pecans in the freezer on the outside of the freezer bag. Then place your freezer bag in the freezer.
This approach can be used for freezing a range of nuts including walnuts, brazil nuts and hazelnuts.
3 Tips for Freezing Pecans
Now you know how to freeze them, we’ve got our 3 top tips which we strongly recommend following when freezing pecans to have the best results:
Keep Them In Shells
If you remove pecans from their shells, they will begin to perish faster than unshelled pecans. Removing the protective barrier that the shell serves as, reduces the shelf-life of pecans and can open them up to unwanted bacteria.
Use Clear Containers
This saves you from unnecessarily opening up any packaging to check the physical appearance of your pecans. It also allows you to check that your pecans have not cracked as well.
Smell Before Consuming
It is a good idea to smell the pecans before you eat them to make sure you will not be consuming inedible nuts. You will notice a rancid smell if they are no longer good, so it is best to dispose of your pecans if this is the case.
How Long Can You Freeze Pecans?
If you have tightly packed your pecans, you can expect them to remain in good condition for around one year in the freezer.
Pecans, and nuts in general, have a high oil content which can accelerate the perishing of your nuts, making it especially important to package them suitably for storage in the freezer.
Pecans in their shells will typically remain in good condition in the freezer for a year. If you have already processed the pecans in any way, they may not preserve for as long when frozen.
Unshelled pecans can be kept in a cupboard for around 6 months. Once shelled, they will keep for around a month. They do not need to be put in the fridge.
How Do You Defrost Pecans?
To thaw out your pecans, place them in the refrigerator overnight. This is an effective way of defrosting them and reduces the likelihood of harmful bacteria contaminating your pecans by not having them open at room temperature for too long. Place your pecans into a bowl in the refrigerator for best results.
Make sure that your pecans are thoroughly defrosted before consuming or preparing.
Can You Refreeze Pecans?
It is not advised to refreeze pecans because there could be a resulting deterioration in their quality. The pecans could become slimy and smell rotten if you defrost them twice, so it is best to use them straight after freezing them the first time.
This is why it is a good idea to freeze them in ice cube tray compartments first so that they do not clump together and you do not have to thaw them all at once.
Do Pecans Freeze Well?
Yes, pecans freeze very well. In airtight, heavy-duty freezer bags, pecans will stay fresh and keep their delicious flavour for a very long time. Just remember to inspect their quality before cooking or consuming.
The last thing you want is to realise your pecans are no longer edible, having had them frozen for a while. A great way to detect whether they are still intact is the smell test.
Related FAQs
If you’ve still got questions about freezing pecans or pecans in general, then these may help:
Yes, you can freeze pecan pie for around 3 months. Once the pie has cooled down, wrap it in the tin with clingfilm and then place it into the freezer. You can also freeze slices of pecan pie.
Although you can freeze pecan pralines, freezing them will ruin their texture and can make them soggy – not what you want from pralines!
Yes, you can freeze pecan bars. When you have made your bars, cut them up and then place them into a lined Tupperware container. If you need to stack them, place a sheet of baking paper between each layer. Seal the container and then place it into the freezer.
