Can You Freeze Zucchini? Here's the Best Way to Do It

Can you freeze zucchini? You bet! In fact, if you find yourself with a glut of zucchini and not enough time to cook it all, don’t worry, because you can easily pop it in the freezer for another time. Just know that frozen-then-thawed zucchini will have a softer texture than it had in its original state, so don’t use it for dishes like a Zucchini Salad With Scallions, Chile, and Parsley, where you want a little crunch. 

Keep reading for our tips on freezing zucchini so you can use it for all sorts of tasty recipes throughout the year.

How to Freeze Zucchini

Freezing zucchini couldn’t be easier. Unlike some other vegetables, you don’t need to blanch zucchini before freezing it, so you can do it quickly, with very little hands-on work. Zucchini has a high water content and will always be soft post-thaw, so blanching is an unnecessary extra step. For the best way to freeze zucchini, follow the steps below.

For sliced zucchini:

1. Slice zucchini into pieces of roughly the same size. 
2. Lay out the zucchini on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
3. Freeze the zucchini for 1-2 hours, or until frozen solid, then transfer it to an airtight food storage container.
4. Return the zucchini-filled container to the freezer, where it’ll keep well for several months.

For grated zucchini:

1. Grate zucchini, then squeeze excess moisture out of the grated zucchini with a piece of cheesecloth. 
2. Store the grated zucchini in an airtight container, and transfer it to the freezer, where it’ll keep well for about three months.

How to Defrost Frozen Zucchini

Place the airtight container of frozen zucchini in the refrigerator overnight to defrost. To speed up the process, you can submerge the container in cool water. For even quicker results, you can warm up the frozen zucchini in a microwave or in a skillet over medium heat. Whether the zucchini is sliced or grated, the same guidelines apply.

What Can You Use Frozen Zucchini For?

Thawed zucchini will have a softer texture than zucchini that hasn’t been frozen, so it’s best added to dishes like soups, smoothies, and baked goods, such as zucchini bread. You can also try it in Zucchini Pie, Grilled Turkey-Zucchini Burgers, and Zucchini-Butter Spaghetti.