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Burgers, chips, even a Sunday roast if you’re anything like my Nan… What am I talking about? Ketchup, of course! But what happens when you have an excess of the condiment? Can you freeze tomato ketchup? And what will happen when you do?
Why don’t we take a deep dive and find out?
Can You Freeze Tomato Ketchup?
Yes, you can freeze tomato ketchup.
Tomato ketchup in an unopened bottle lasts for quite a long time (up to 2 years), so it’s not common practice to freeze the condiment. That doesn’t mean you can’t do it, though.
How to Freeze Tomato Ketchup
You will want to freeze your excess or leftover tomato ketchup in a way that works best for you. There are a number of approaches you can try.
Individual Serving Sizes
Freezing ketchup and other sauces in individual portions is a genius idea for several reasons. One of the most important is that there will be less waste. If you get the whole tub, bag, or container out of the freezer and defrost the contents, you then need to use it all before it goes bad. With individual portions, you only take out what you need, preventing you from wasting it.
If you have a spare ice cube tray, use that. You can also use silicone moulds, cake or small jelly moulds, or whatever you have to hand. Get creative. (Just be safe.)
Once the individual servings have frozen in the tray, take them out and transfer them to a bag. You can then freeze another batch, and you’ll have freed up some freezer space.
Bulk Freeze: Airtight Container
If you have a freezer-safe container with an airtight lid, you can use that to freeze tomato ketchup in bulk loads.
You will, of course, need to take out and then defrost the whole lot at once, but there’s nothing to stop you transferring it to a clean bottle, jar, or squeezy container once it’s thawed out. You can then use it in the same way you would a regular bottle of ketchup you just bought from the shops.
Bag Freeze: Freezer Bags
If you don’t have airtight, freezer-safe containers, you can freeze tomato ketchup in a freezer bag instead. As long as you can seal the bag and it is airtight, it can be used to freeze ketchup as well as a wide range of other things.
You will need to ensure that you squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible. The sauce inside will expand as it freezes. If you don’t expel the air, there’s a chance the bag could explode and make quite the mess.
Can You Freeze Tomato Ketchup in the Bottle?
Nope. No. Definitely not. Do not do this.
A glass bottle will probably crack, smash, or explode when the sauce inside starts to freeze and expand. A plastic bottle may also explode, but it will be less problematic than glass. Either way, you might end up with a big ol’ mess that you’ll need to clean up. (Good luck with that!)
Some people have successfully frozen ketchup in plastic bottles, particularly the squeezy ones. I’m not a fan of the practice, personally. Do you want to open up the freezer one day and end up covered in half-frozen ketchup? No, me neither.
How Long Does Tomato Ketchup Last in the Freezer?
This condiment will probably last forever in the freezer, but I don’t recommend testing that for yourself… just in case.
Most experts agree that tomato ketchup will last for up to 8 months in the freezer.
For what it’s worth, tomato ketchup will usually last for up to 6 months after opening if stored in the fridge, and up to 1 year in a cool, dark place, such as the cupboard, unopened. That’s what the experts suggest, anyway.
How Long Does Frozen Tomato Ketchup Last When You Defrost It?
Once you’ve defrosted your ketchup, it will last for up to 2 weeks.
You should keep it in an airtight container, in the fridge, only getting it out as and when you need it. If you find that you have too much leftover and end up disposing of it, freeze it in smaller portions next time.
What Happens to Tomato Ketchup When You Freeze It?
As with most sauces, tomato ketchup can become more watery and thinner in consistency after it has been frozen and then defrosted.
The sauce has a high-water content, and that water turns into ice when it freezes, expanding as it does so. That ice then melts as the ketchup is thawed out, which adds more wateriness (fluid) and causes it to become thinner.
You may also find that the ketchup is a bit lumpy. Once your tomato ketchup has thawed out, give it a good shake or stir. You’ll find it goes right back to almost normal ketchup consistency in no time at all.
Does the Flavour of Tomato Ketchup Change When You Freeze It?
No, the flavour of ketchup does not change when you freeze it.
Well, that’s my opinion, anyway. I freeze ketchup often, and I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a change in flavour once the condiment is thawed out.
I’m sure someone out there will disagree with me there, but that’s my answer and I’m sticking to it.