Coleslaw, a dish comprising shredded cabbage and dressing, is a favorite dish in many homes. However, most people consider it to be a summer dish, but the truth is, you can eat it whenever you want.
This dish is a breeze to prepare at home, and you can make it using diverse techniques. But if you aren’t chanced to prepare it at home, you can buy coleslaw from the grocery store. Store-bought slaws taste as good and fresh as homemade. Unless the dish has expired or wasn’t stored properly.
Now, this leads us to the question, can you freeze KFC coleslaw? What’s the ideal way to store coleslaw to retain its freshness? If you’re seeking information on how to store coleslaw, you have come to the right place.
Keep reading to learn more!
Can You Freeze Coleslaw From KFC?
Yes, you can freeze coleslaw from KFC. However, note that the creamy KFC coleslaw doesn’t cope better than the vinegar-based slaw in the freezer. In other words, vinegar-based slaws freezes well compared to the KFC slaws, though the latter stays fresh in the freezer.
Most people prefer to make their coleslaw at home, which is a good decision, given how simple the dish is. You can also purchase pre-made coleslaws from the grocery store.
But keep in mind that commercially-prepared slaws have a longer shelf-life when you compare them to homemade ones.
How Long Does KFC Coleslaw Last in the Fridge?
KFC coleslaw last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, whether store-bought or homemade. But note that how you package your slaw will determine how long it will last in the refrigerator.
Before putting coleslaw in the fridge, transfer the dish to an airtight container. The reason for doing this is to ensure the coleslaw doesn’t pick up any smell emanating from the refrigerator. When you store your store-bought coleslaw this way, it would last an additional 1 to 2 days past its “best-by date.”
A Handy Tip: When making coleslaw at home, let it remain in the fridge for about 6 hours. For optimal flavor, you can keep it in the refrigerator overnight. Additionally, if you have enough time, stir your coleslaw occasionally. You’ll get the best result from the dish this way.
How Do You Store Coleslaw in the Freezer?
Before you store coleslaw in the freezer, ensure the dish is in good shape and package it properly. When stored properly, your coleslaw’s flavor will remain intact throughout.
Let’s discuss how to store coleslaw in the freezer.
1: Choose fresh pre-made coleslaw or ingredients
If you want your coleslaw’s flavor to remain intact, ensure the ingredients you get from the market are fresh. If you’re going for pre-made slaw, endeavor to choose fresh coleslaw too.
This way, you can rest assured your dish won’t lose some of its original flavors once thawed.
2: Introduce your dressing of choice
You can choose any dressing you want, whether vinaigrette or creamy-style dressing. It is your choice to make.
When dressing the coleslaw, endeavor to add enough dressing to coat the dish evenly.
3: Transfer the coleslaw into an airtight container
It is about time to put your fresh coleslaw into the container. Please, choose a freezer-safe container to ensure your slaw’s flavor stays the same. In addition, ensure the container is airtight to prevent your slaw from picking up any smell from the freezer.
When putting slaw in the container, leave some space at the top. Why? The slaw will expand when it freezes and may spill out when the container is filled to the brim.
On the other hand, if you’re utilizing a freezer bag, endeavor to squeeze out air from the bag before sending it to the freezer.
4: Label the container
After transferring your slaw into the freezer-safe container, put a date on the label to ensure it doesn’t stay in the freezer past its expiration date.
A Handy Tip: Fresh coleslaw will retain its flavor in the freezer for 6 months when appropriately packaged.
Can You Freeze Coleslaw With Mayonnaise in It?
Yes, you can freeze coleslaw with mayonnaise, but it is not recommended, and the reason is simple. Mayonnaise is an emulsion comprising oil and egg. So when you freeze the slaw, both ingredients would separate.
Instead of freezing coleslaw with mayonnaise in it, freeze the coleslaw alone. Whenever you thaw the frozen slaw, you can always add your mayonnaise before eating it. It is not a difficult thing to do.
Does Coleslaw Freeze Well?
Yes, coleslaw freeze well, but you must package it tightly in an airtight container to prevent freezer burn. You can use a freezer-safe container or a freezer bag. You can freeze mayo-based coleslaw too, but note that it is not advisable.
Mayo is an emulsion of egg and oil, so both ingredients would separate when the slaw is frozen.
Additionally, note that you can freeze the creamy KFC and vinegar-based coleslaw, but the latter will perform better in the freezer.
Coleslaw can remain eatable for about 6 months when stored in the freezer and appropriately packaged. But you must play your part by ensuring the ingredients are fresh (for homemade coleslaw) or that your store-bought coleslaw is fresh before freezing.
Additionally, keep an eye on the expiry date of the slaws in your freezer. If possible, eat them before the expiry dates.
Another option is to freeze the ingredients separately. In other words, individually freeze the carrot, cabbage, and red cabbage. By the way, coleslaw is not so difficult to make when the mixes are ready.
Can You Refreeze Coleslaw?
Yes, you can refreeze coleslaw, but it is not advisable to do so because it won’t be as crisp as before you froze it. But if you wish to refreeze, endeavor to transfer the slaw into an airtight container before freezing it.
The slaw you’re refreezing should only remain in the freezer for not more than two months if you want to get anything out of it flavor-wise.
In a nutshell, refreezing coleslaw isn’t the best decision. So, freeze slaws in smaller portions that you can finish whenever you defrost it.
Frozen slaw may lose some of its flavors. So, thawing and refreezing it could be worst. The beauty in every food is the flavor. Once that flavor depreciates, there’s no way you can enjoy eating that particular food.
How To Defrost Frozen Coleslaw?
This is how to defrost regular coleslaw properly. Transfer the container or bag from the freezer to the refrigerator. Here, the ingredients will retain their crunchiness and remain cool.
Don’t make the mistake of thawing coleslaw at room temperature. Bacteria can develop quickly under such a condition.
Once you discover that the coleslaw has thawed in the fridge, get it dressed with the mayonnaise dressing and stir. After staring generously, serve the slaw and eat. But after serving, remember to send the leftover straight into the fridge.
This is how to defrost oil and vinegar-based slaws: The first thing is to transfer the container or bag to the refrigerator. Let it remain in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours.
However, note that coleslaw that has its dressing on will become more watery than it originally was. So, don’t get too surprised when you discover this. There’s nothing wrong with the dish. Just drain out the water and serve your slaw.
A Handy Tip: If you can, avoid refreezing coleslaw. It is not worth it. Additionally, consume thawed coleslaw within 3 to 5 days or lesser.
Does KFC Coleslaw Go Bad?
Yes, KFC coleslaw go bad, but you can improve its shelf-life through proper packaging and refrigerating. Put your homemade coleslaw in an airtight container or freezer bag before sending it to the fridge or freezer.
In the refrigerator, homemade, including opened store-bought coleslaw, will last for 3 to 5 days. But the earlier you consume the one stored in the fridge, the better. In the freezer, it can last up to 6 months.
Unopened store-bought coleslaw will last about 1 to 2 days past their best-by date.
What are the Signs of Spoiled Coleslaw?
The signs of spoiled coleslaw include the presence of mold in the coleslaw. Even if the mold appears on a portion of the slaw, discard it.
Another sign of spoiled coleslaw is discoloration. You’ll discover a dark spot on the slaw. Other signs include awful taste and an off or sour smell.
Conclusion: Can you freeze KFC coleslaw?
Yes, you can freeze the creamy and delicious KFC coleslaw. But keep in mind that the vinegar-based coleslaw freezes better than the creamy ones.
You can also store coleslaw in the refrigerator. It will last for 3 to 5 days there. However, packaging plays a vital role. So put your slaw in an airtight container, and ensure it is packaged tightly before refrigerating or freezing.
When you package the coleslaw adequately before freezing, you’ll prevent freezer burn. Your slaw won’t absorb smell from the freezer too.
We also shared details on the possibility of freezing coleslaw with mayonnaise dressing. Freezing coleslaw with mayo-dressing is possible but not advisable. The simple reason is that mayonnaise is an emulsion of oil and egg. So, both ingredients will separate when you freeze the slaw.
