How To Store Chopped Ginger To Make Weeknight Cooking Faster

Whether you're a new or experienced home chef, realizing you need to chop fresh ginger for your next meal may cause you to groan. Oftentimes, processing ginger can be a headache due to its extra-thin peel and fibrous texture. Still, since this flavorful root vegetable carries a range of flavors — including spicy, sweet, and savory — it remains a staple ingredient for many dishes. Consequently, to be more efficient in the kitchen, you need an easier way to prepare and store fresh ginger. Luckily, there's more than one efficient storage solution.

If, for example, you're planning to make shrimp and eggplant stir-fry and a fresh Asian salad with peanut dressing in the same week, peeled-and-chopped ginger can be stored in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container in your refrigerator for up to seven days. However, for a longer-lasting storage solution, utilize your freezer. Truth be told, processing multiple pieces of ginger at once and storing individual portions in your freezer may be the most convenient way to use freshly chopped ginger on a daily basis. First, swap out your knife to peel ginger effectively and instead use the rounded edge of a metal spoon. For chopped or minced ginger, slice and chop all your ginger by hand (or pulse the slices in a food processor). Then, spoon small, minced portions onto a lined baking sheet and freeze. Store frozen mounds of ginger in a freezer-safe plastic bag and remove portions as needed.

Even though you can house minced ginger in your freezer, there may be an easier solution that requires less preparation. Sliced ginger can also be stored in your freezer, and it's surprisingly easy to process come mealtime. Simply peel and slice ginger into manageable portions and store them in your freezer in one flat layer in a freezer-safe plastic bag. Break off a slice or two as needed and grate the frozen ginger against a microplane. Sure enough, frozen ginger may be easier to grate than fresh.

While you can certainly store sliced or chopped ginger in your freezer for up to six months, there's an alternative way to keep it fresh for longer than a week. If you're committed to storing ginger in your refrigerator, whether you're working with peeled knobs or chopped portions, store it in small glass jars covered in vodka or sherry. It's best to store fresh ginger in alcohol because the added spirits prevent the root from losing flavor and texture. As long as the alcohol remains clear, you can easily store peeled or cut ginger in select spirits for many weeks at a time. Alternatively, you can pickle ginger in rice vinegar and spices. Just keep in mind that the flavor of pickled ginger is quite distinct, and far more tangy, than ginger preserved in vodka or brandy.