The KFC gravy is one of a kind. You can pair it with a range of foods, such as biscuits, mashed potatoes, and even the KFC chicken.
The gravy is undoubtedly the hallmark of fast food. Any trip to KFC is incomplete without it.
You can make something similar to the KFC gravy at home if you have the right ingredients. However, most people prefer getting theirs from KFC directly.
Interestingly, KFC makes gravy every single day. So you can always get the fresh gravy to eat. But the question is, how do you preserve homemade or leftover gravy? Is freezing gravy possible, or is there another way to store it?
Here, we will discuss all you need to understand about freezing KFC gravy and KFC chicken itself. So, keep reading to know more.
Is It OK To Freeze KFC Gravy?
The straightforward answer is yes. You can freeze your leftover KFC gravy to increase its shelf-life. However, keep in mind that KFC doesn’t freeze the gravy it sells to customers. The fast-food restaurant tries to produce fresh gravy every day to ensure customers get healthy meals.
Further, keep in mind that prepping is crucial when freezing KFC gravy. You have to put the gravy in the right container to freeze well.
So, what container is the best to freeze gravy? Use a larger container. Why? The reason is to create room for the gravy’s expansion as it freezes.
Again, remember to allow the gravy to cool down before sticking it in the freezer. Don’t try to freeze hot gravy for any reason.
If prepped correctly and stored in the freezer properly, your gravy can stay fresh for many months.
So, it’s okay to freeze gravy. Many people do it almost every day. Frozen gravy also stays fresh when reheated.
How Long Can You Keep KFC Gravy in The Fridge?
You can keep your KFC gravy in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days. It will stay fresh within this period. However, if you could not use the gravy within this period, transfer it to the freezer or discard it.
Now, how long can you keep KFC gravy in the freezer? Your gravy would have a longer shelf-life in the freezer. You can store KFC gravy in the freezer for 4 to 6 months.
Again, how long can you keep KFC gravy on the counter at room temperature? Let your gravy remain on the counter for only a couple of hours. If you plan to use the gravy the next day, transfer it to the fridge or freezer.
In a nutshell, it is not wise to store gravy on the counter. Such a move could backfire. Keep it carefully in the fridge or freezer until you conclude plans on how to use it.
Can You Freeze KFC Chicken?
Yes, you can. If you have a bunch of leftover KFC chicken, consider freezing them right away. The process involved in the freezing of KFC chicken is simple. Just put the chickens in an airtight or Ziploc bag before sticking them into the freezer.
Additionally, only reheat the chicken once, as doing it twice can create room for food poisoning.
When you freeze KFC chicken, it can stay fresh for up to 3 months.
Is it safe to store KFC chicken in a freezer? Here is another question many health-conscious people may want to find out.
Well, the answer is yes. Storing KFC chicken in a freezer is 100% safe. The only factor that can make it unsafe is the packaging.
You have to use an airtight container or Ziploc bag and ensure the bag is sealed properly. Otherwise, your KFC chicken could go bad.
How To Freeze KFC Chicken?
We mentioned earlier that it is possible to freeze KFC chicken. Now the question is, how do you go about it? Follow the steps below.
The first step is preparing the chicken for freezing.
- Give the KFC chicken some time to cool down. Please, do this if the chicken is still warm to the touch. It is not a good idea to freeze warm foods, any food for that matter.
- Place the chicken on a fridge or freezer-friendly tray covered with parchment paper. Please ensure the parchment paper doesn’t cover the chicken.
- Stick the tray (with KFC chicken on it) in the fridge or freezer to drop the chicken’s temperature. It might take hours in the fridge and less time in the freezer.
- When the chicken feels cold and solid, you’re ready to freeze it.
How to freeze KFC chicken is the next step we will discuss.
- Now that your KFC chicken’s temperature has dropped massively, you can start the packaging. Place the chicken in a Zip-top or airtight container.
- Squeeze out the air in the plastic bag and seal it properly. You don’t want air to enter the Ziploc bag as it could cause the stored chicken to go bad faster.
- Label the Ziploc bag before sticking it in the freezer. You need to note the storage date to ensure you don’t store the chicken for too long.
A Handy Tip: Frozen KFC chicken can stay fresh for up to 3 months. So, make sure your frozen chicken doesn’t exceed the suggested expiry date in the freezer.
How To Reheat Frozen KFC Chicken?
You can reheat your frozen KFC chicken using diverse methods. However, refrying proves to be the most ideal method. If you like a hands-off approach, use an oven.
Just desist from using a microwave. It is not a good way to reheat a frozen KFC chicken.
Below are the diverse ways to reheat KFC chicken.
1. Heat in a deep fryer
You can reheat your frozen KFC chicken in a deep fryer. Use neutral-flavored oil that boasts high smoke points. Place the chicken in the oil and start heating.
After heating for 2 to 3 minutes, check with a thermometer or cut the chicken open to see if the chicken warmed through.
If yes, you can take the rest of the chickens off the fryer.
2. Use stovetop
There’s not much difference between the first step (deep-fryer) and the stovetop method. The difference is that you have to keep turning the chicken when using a stovetop.
Now, get neutral-flavored oil that boasts a high smoke point. Let it cover the bottom of your pan.
Heat the oil using low-medium heat, and when hot, pour your KFC chickens into the cast iron skillet (you can use other pans, but a cast-iron skillet is a wise choice).
You have to turn the chicken pieces every 30 seconds and spend at least 2 minutes on each side. Once you are sure the chicken pieces have warmed through, use a thermometer to check or cut them through.
3. Use an oven
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the chicken pieces in a tray covered with a single layer of parchment paper (parchment paper shouldn’t cover the chicken).
Sprinkle the chicken pieces with some oil, then heat in the oven for 10 minutes.
4. Using an air fryer
The process is similar to using an oven. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and place the chicken pieces in a single layer (ensure they’re not touching each other).
Heat the chicken pieces for 4 to 5 minutes, but keep turning them so the heat will warm through. If you’re not happy with the rest, return the chicken pieces to the oven and heat for 2 minutes.
Does KFC Gravy Have Meat?
Gravy is a sauce produced from the juices gotten from meats when cooked. The juice is thickened with corn starch or flour for additional texture.
So, the KFC gravy doesn’t contain meat. Instead, one of its chief components is meat juices.
Can KFC Chicken Be Reheated?
Yes, you can reheat KFC chicken. Ensure you store the chicken properly and heat it to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Only then will it be safe to reheat the chicken.
Best Way To Reheat KFC Chicken
The best way to reheat a KFC chicken is to heat it in a deep fryer. Use any neutral-flavored oil which boasts high-point smoke.
Place your chicken inside the deep-fryer and heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Then check if the chicken pieces have warmed through by cutting one of them open or using a thermometer to check.
Conclusion: Can you freeze KFC gravy?
Yes, you can freeze KFC gravy. Pour the gravy into a container with a super tight lid to prevent air from entering the gravy. Allow the gravy to cool down and place it in the freezer.
In addition to freezing, you can store gravy in the fridge or counter at room temperature. However, keep in mind that your gravy will stay fresh in the freezer for 4 to 6 months and 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
You can also freeze and reheat KFC chicken. You can use deep-frying, a stovetop, and an oven.
