Here’s everything it’s crucial that you know before you freeze your leftover chicken salad.
It might seem like second nature to freeze most leftovers, especially if you havea lotleft over.
However, not all leftovers freeze equally.
Credit: Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox
It’s a fixture of any great Southernbarbecue or cookout, but can you freeze it?
The short answer is yesbut with several important caveats and considerations.
The good news is that chicken salad recipes are both endless and endlessly versatile.
Credit:Caitlin Bensel, Food styling: Torie Cox
Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
In the spirit of saving food, freezing chicken saladdressed or notis plenty feasible.
What Are Common Problems With Freezing Chicken Salad?
But many of chicken salad’s other common ingredientsdon’t fare wellin the freezer.
Produce like freshceleryandonionshave high water content and will become somewhat mushy once thawed from the freezer.
While boiled egg yolks are okay frozen,boiled egg whitescan become rubbery and watery.
It does not freeze well," he notes, “and will develop ice crystals over time.”
Once thawed, this can make for a chicken salad that’s oily, gummy, and separated.
Some mayo alternatives aren’t any better.
Yogurt, for example, can become watery and grainyand develop an acidic tastewhen thawed.
I would strongly advise against freezing chicken salad as a complete recipe."
Once the chicken salad is thawed, add your mayonnaise and use it as you normally would.
If freezing leftover chicken salad with mayo, keep your quality expectations low.
Label and date your salad and place it in the freezer.
Use within three months, Hunt says.
For best results, use a vacuum sealer and proper vacuum bag.
So Should You Freeze Chicken Salad?
University of Georgia National Center for Home Food Preservation.Thawing and Preparing Foods for Serving.
