Is it safe to freeze raw garlic in vacuum-sealed (FoodSaver) bags?
I'm generally aware of the botulism-related dangers of storing raw garlic in anaerobic environments at room temperature (or even in the fridge), but couldn't find much info on whether it was safe if vacuum-packed then frozen.
My question: we have a lot of raw, peeled garlic cloves that we've put in FoodSaver bags, vacuumed & sealed, and put in the freezer. Will these be safe long term?
Thanks!
Best Answer
Clearly, your concern is clostridium botulinum. Freezing does not kill the spores, which potentially produce the toxin that causes botulism. However, it does stop their growth, as long as you freeze quickly, and your freezer remains below 0 degree F (-18 C). Therefore, freezing is safe for the storage of garlic.
You will need to take care when thawing. It is best to use the refrigerator if you plan thaw the whole package.
Now, while the vacuum bag is not a safety issue in this circumstance, there are probably more convenient ways to freeze your garlic so that you don't have to put a bunch of garlic through freeze thaw cycles, which not only will destroy the texture of the garlic, but will also create a higher risk of spoilage. These include, (a) just place whole cloves in smaller zip freezer bags, and freeze flat so that you can remove a clove or two at a time and keep the rest frozen, (b) chop and freeze flat in zip bag, then grate or chop off what you need, or (c) blend with 2 parts oil and freeze in a container (do not keep this at room temperature). This should remain soft and allow you to scoop out what you need to use.
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Quick Answer about "Is it safe to freeze raw garlic in vacuum-sealed (FoodSaver) bags?"
Freezing does not kill the spores, which potentially produce the toxin that causes botulism. However, it does stop their growth, as long as you freeze quickly, and your freezer remains below 0 degree F (-18 C). Therefore, freezing is safe for the storage of garlic.Can you vacuum seal garlic and freeze it?
Frozen garlic can turn mushy when thawed, but the good news is that most of the flavor remains. It's best used in sauces or dishes that don't need chunks or pieces of garlic. Store in the Christopher Ranch bag or any airtight plastic or vacuum-sealed bag (get all the air out first) and freeze for 3 to 6 months.Can I vacuum seal fresh garlic cloves?
Each garlic clove is cut at the root of the clove and sealed within a small vacuum bag consisting of one or more separated cloves. A plurality of the small vacuum bags are placed within an outer container stored within normal fresh vegetable conditions.Is it safe to vacuum seal garlic?
Do not vacuum seal: raw mushrooms. garlic.How do you store vacuum-sealed garlic?
At home, if you are going to vacuum-seal it, you should store it in the freezer. Never store vacuum-sealed garlic (home prepared or purchased) at room temperature. Hope this helps!Foods That Cannot Be Sealed | Foodsaver®
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