Can You Freeze Corned Beef Hash?

Did you buy corned beef hash in a larger quantity and wondering if you can freeze them to keep it for longer? Or did you plan to make it ahead and freeze it? Read this article to find the best way to store the corned beef hash for up to 3 months without losing the taste and texture.

Corned beef hash is an excellent breakfast, lunch, or dinner option. It’s easy to make, and you can serve it alongside many different foods, including eggs, potatoes, and toast. You can also use it as the base of a sandwich or wrap it with lettuce leaves.

The traditional way to make this dish is to pan-fry potatoes and add leftover meat and vegetables from your corned beef dinner. Its name comes from the use of corned beef, which is cured with salt and spices.

As you can buy the corned beef, you may consider preparing the corned beef hash in a bigger quantity and to freeze it in order to keep it for longer. If you’re looking for a great way to stretch your budget, this is one of the best ways to do it.

But will it keep its original taste and texture after freezing? Let’s find out!

Can You Freeze the Corned Beef Hash?

Yes, a corned beef hash can be frozen for up to 3 months. After cooling, divide it into portions and store it in freezer bags or airtight containers. To maintain quality, thaw in the refrigerator and reheat thoroughly before serving.

By freezing the corned beef, you will ensure that your delicious meal will stay fresh and tasty for that period without risking growing bacteria growth during storage.

I also like to freeze my corned beef hash in smaller portions. This makes it easy to pull out a single serving for breakfast or dinner, depending on your schedule and needs.

If you’re going to freeze the homemade corned beef hash, ensure it is completely cooled before freezing it. This will prevent any potential freezer burn from occurring.

How to Freeze It?

Wait until the corned beef hash cools to avoid freezer burn. If the beef hash is a little bit warm inside, when you will put it in the freezing bags or airtight containers, there is a high chance that this heat will condensate, and when you put it in the freezer, this water will transform into ice crystals that will break later the texture of your meal.

Because of that, I recommend leaving it on the countertop for about 30 minutes when the corned beef hash cools. Then, you can put it in the fridge for an extra hour or two to ensure that the inner temperature will also reduce. By doing that, the temperature difference between the dish and freezer is lower, and you will have fewer risks. Only after that can you put the meal in the freezer.

Quick Note: Do not overstuff the bag or container. Leave headspace for expansion.

If you use freezing bags, squeeze out extra air and seal tightly. This will help prevent freezer burn on your food items and keep them fresher.

Label items with the date and contents visible for easy identification when you need to serve them again.

Pro Tip: You can place multiple bags inside a larger freezing bag if you want additional protection against freezer burn.

How Long Does It Last in the Freezer?

You can store the corned beef hash in the freezer for up to 3 months in airtight containers or freezing bags. This assumes that you’ve kept it properly and have not been storing it outside for a long time.

If you need to freeze the corned beef hash for longer, you can consider using a vacuum sealer. This will help keep air out of your container and prevent bacteria growth.

A vacuum sealer is an investment that will pay off in the long run.

How to Defrost It?

Place it in the refrigerator overnight to thaw your corned beef hash from the freezer.

You could also run cold water over the plastic bag or the container where you freeze the meal until it has thawed enough to be removed from its packaging.

I don’t recommend cooking the hash right away because it will not taste as good as if you allowed it to thaw first.

If you’re short on time, place the hash in a bowl and microwave on high for 30 seconds, then stir and continue to microwave in 30-second intervals until completely thawed.

Pro Tip: After you thawed the corned beef hash, try to eat it as soon as possible. Don’t leave it for too long in the fridge, as bacteria may start to grow.

Other Ways to Store Corned Beef Hash?

You can store the corned beef hash for up to 3 days in the fridge in airtight containers.

Can You Refreeze It?

It is not recommended to refreeze the corned beef hash as the texture will suffer. It will become mushy, and you will not like the taste.

Also, there is a high chance of growing bacteria, so this refrozen food may poison you and your family.

Because of that, consider portioning the corned beef hash and putting it into multiple smaller airtight containers of the size that you will eat in one sitting without needing to refreeze it.

Conclusion:

Yes, you can freeze the corned beef hash for up to 3 months without losing too much from its original texture and taste. However, you can keep it frozen for longer, but the texture may change a little bit. Make sure you squeeze all the air excesses from the freezing bags.