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Home » recipes
4.8 from 27 reviews

How to Freeze Zucchini Without Blanching

5 minutes
zucchini
By: Pamela Reed
Posted:9/11/19
Updated:8/13/21
Jump to Recipe

Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!

Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!

If you have a garden you know that the end of Summer brings you lots of zucchini!  Actually, even if you don’t have a garden, but have a friend or family member with a garden, then you probably have a counter filled with zucchini too!  Zucchini, it’s the plant that keeps on giving!

Now what are you going to do with those 15 zucchini? Ok, I have some recipe ideas for you.  There’s Zucchini Nuggets.  Yum. There’s Zucchini Bread with Lemon Glaze.  Classic yum.  And there’s Zucchini Cookies.  More yum.  But you still have 10 zucchini left.  What are you going to do?

Don’t worry – you can freeze zucchini, keeping it to use for a year!  And even better, it’s so easy to do! 

Can you freeze zucchini without blanching?

Yes, you absolutely can!  This method saves you time without having to bring a big pot of water to a boil and then doing a water bath.  The secret is that instead of chopping it into pieces, you want to shread it.    This allows you to freeze the zucchini without blanching!

This is my favorite method to freeze zucchini, one I’ve been using for years.   I’m known to make homemade zucchini bread every single month in the year, so I love being able to pull a bag of shredded zucchini out of my freezer!

Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!

How to Freeze Zucchini

  1. Hold up, take a step back, and admire that garden beauty if you grew it.  God damn, it’s gorgeous! High 5! This is one of our MASSIVE zucchini. I actually got 8 cups of zucchini from this guy! WOWZERS!
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  2. Chop off the the top and bottom of the zucchini.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  3. Now it’s time to shred this up.  You can use a grater for exercise, or you can use a shredding blade with the food processor. I needed some exercise so I hand grated it.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
    You’ll probably have a big bowl of shredded zucchini by the time you’re done.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  4. Decide how you want to separate it. I like to separate it into 1 and 2 cup bags.  Most of my recipes call for 1 or 2 cups zucchini, so this makes it easier to use instead of freezing it all together.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  5. Place the shredded zucchini into freezer bags.  (I always buy these in bulk during the Summer).
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  6. You really want to try to get all the air out of the bags.  For this, I like to use the straw trick where you suck the air out of the bag with the straw and then zip it.  It works perfectly!
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  7. Write on the bags to label what it is, and how many cups are in each bag.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  8. Now freeze it!  Wasn’t that easy?

How to Defrost Zucchini

Now it’s time to take the zucchini out of the freezer and cook with it.  Defrosting zucchini is easy, here’s how.

  1. Take the zucchini out of the freezer.  To show you how fresh it stays and the color it keeps, this is zucchini that is 5 months old.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  2. Place the zucchini either in the refrigerator to defrost naturally overnight, or pop in the microwave to defrost in a couple minutes.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  3. Once it’s defrosted, add the zucchini to a strainer and gently press down on it.  Your zucchini probably has some added water in it, so we want to make sure we get rid of all that extra water, especially if we’re baking with it.
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!As you can see, there was quite a bit of water we squeezed out of it!
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
  4. Now you have your fresh zucchini defrosted to throw in recipes!
    Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!

How long does frozen zucchini last for?

Shreded frozen zucchini can easily last for a year.   Since it’s shredded, you won’t find the texture weird when baking it in breads, or cooking it in casseroles or nuggets.  It also makes a great zucchini soup!

Hope this “How to Freeze Zucchini” post helps you with your many zucchini you’ve harvested!

More Freezing Tips

Need help freezing green beans? Make sure you check out my How to Freeze Green Beans post  and How to Freeze Fresh Corn too!
Here’s how to freeze bok choy.
Love peaches? Here’s how to freeze peaches.
Not garden related, but here’s my favorite method on how to freeze cake.

Pin for later:
Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!

 

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4.75 from 27 reviews

How to Freeze Zucchini Without Blanching

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Easy step by step instructions on how to freeze zucchini without needing to blanch it. This quick method saves you time and freezes zucchini for up to a year. Perfect for making zucchini bread and treats with!
By: Pamela Reed
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • Zucchini

Instructions

  • Take a step back, and admire that garden zucchini if you grew it.  God damn, it's gorgeous! High 5!
  • Chop off the the top stem and bottom of the zucchini.
  • Now it’s time to shred this up. You can use a grater for exercise, or you can use a shredding blade with the food processor.
  • Decide how you want to separate it. I like to separate it into 1 and 2 cup bags. Most of my recipes call for 1 or 2 cups zucchini, so this makes it easier to use instead of freezing it all together.
  • Place the shredded zucchini into freezer bags.
  • You really want to try to get all the air out of the bags. For this, I like to use the straw trick where you suck the air out of the bag with the straw and then zip it. It works perfectly!
  • Write on the bags to label what it is, and how many cups are in each bag. Freeze it.
  • Time to defrost the zucchini? Take the zucchini out of the freezer.
  • Place the zucchini either in the refrigerator to defrost naturally overnight, or pop in the microwave to defrost in a couple minutes.
  • Once it’s defrosted, add the zucchini to a strainer and gently press down on it. Your zucchini probably has some added water in it, so we want to make sure we get rid of all that extra water, especially if we’re baking with it.
  • Now you have your fresh zucchini defrosted to throw in any recipe you want!
Author: Pamela Reed
Keyword:how to freeze zucchini
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.

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  1. Dr. G says

    August 21, 2022 at 1:30 am

    Thanks for the tip! Sorry the self righteous bible thumpers felt the need to dump on you. I mean, get over yourselves, people. If there is a God, I’m sure he/she/they has/have bigger things to worry about.

    Reply
  2. DTO says

    August 19, 2022 at 11:50 am

    Don’t think it was necessary, and down right classless to use G..D… in the zucchini recipe. Very offensive language.

    Reply
  3. Betty Colletti says

    July 28, 2022 at 7:35 pm

    I was fine untill you cursed God ! Will not follow.

    Reply
    • Stephanie M. says

      August 13, 2022 at 7:43 pm

      goodness. God does not care one iota if we swear. language is socially constructed and not dictated by religion. get a grip.

      Reply
      • Kati says

        September 18, 2022 at 1:34 pm

        I love you. 🙂 The language has nothing to do with the legitimacy of the information we’re here for. Personally, I loved the personality in the instructions so much I laughed and read it aloud to my husband. 🙂 Let them move on and free up this site for the rest of us.

        Reply
  4. Barbara Stotler says

    July 23, 2022 at 5:11 pm

    Well, I was totally disappointed and you lost me as a supporter with the “G_d damn it, it’s gorgeous!” Just saying….so inappropriate.

    Reply
    • Stephanie M. says

      August 13, 2022 at 7:47 pm

      what is inappropriate is thinking God polices language. get a grip.

      Reply
  5. Jody says

    July 16, 2022 at 1:27 pm

    I’m looking forward to trying this! Thanks so much for the recommendation:) I’ve got lots of zukes to use up;)

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth Eldridge says

    June 26, 2022 at 5:29 pm

    Do you really need to blaspheme Gods name in your post? I wont be following you.

    Reply
    • Barbara Stotler says

      July 23, 2022 at 5:12 pm

      Thank you….I couldn’t agree with you more. Totally inappropriate and I won’t be following her either.

      Reply
    • Stephanie M. says

      August 13, 2022 at 7:45 pm

      Do you really need to impart your weird religious language views on the rest of us? if you think God cares about something a blogger writes, you need to go back to the Bible. this kind of language policing is about control.

      Reply
      • Kati says

        September 18, 2022 at 1:36 pm

        Personally, I’m offended by all the self-righteous bible thumpers. Can’t go anywhere these days without them being so uptight, judgemental and offensive! There are actually less people who are offended by this language than not, but they are SO LOUD and OBNOXIOUS! Gah!

        Reply
  7. Larry Brown says

    September 22, 2021 at 5:02 pm

    I am going to freeze a bunch of 1 cup bags of zucchini relish in Food Saver vacuum bags.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      September 23, 2021 at 3:30 pm

      Awesome, enjoy your zucchini! Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Carrie says

    September 14, 2021 at 9:34 pm

    God dammed right you are!

    Reply
  9. Jane says

    September 2, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    Love the tips! Don’t listen to the negative comments, they’re just whiny old karens! I bet they say things like “God damn it” and “Oh my god” all the time.

    Reply
    • Kati says

      September 18, 2022 at 1:44 pm

      Yeah, even if they don’t utter those words the commandments say THEY shouldn’t take the name of G-d in vain, not that anyone who does is a horrible person. Always gotta have arrogance and assume that THEIR religion is THE religion and anyone who believes otherwise is… well, whatever they think. Personally, I find THEIR comments and judgement is offensive. Hmmm….I think I may have been triggered. lol

      Reply
  10. Susie says

    August 25, 2021 at 1:20 pm

    Thank you for the tips! I know by how you used the words that people are commenting about that it is probably done out of habit (not that it really matters). If you believe in God you shouldn’t say it. If you don’t, you probably know from the comments how offensive it is to a lot of people and consider taking it down.

    Reply
    • Stephanie M. says

      August 13, 2022 at 7:49 pm

      I’m offended by how many people are trying to force their language and God views on me in these comments. you should consider deleting this since it’s offensive.

      Reply
  11. Randall says

    August 23, 2021 at 8:15 pm

    Good tips on the zucchini and omg what a bunch of cry babies about using the lords name in vain,I believe very much in God but it was over a garden give us a break don’t be such a whine ass people

    Reply
    • Sheilah Scott says

      June 26, 2022 at 10:18 am

      Thank you, thank you for making my summer dreams come true!
      And interesting of how many comments about God’s name.
      I’m a born again believer of Jesus, God’s son. So I am not whining about it, just standing up for MY beliefs. And yes I’m very much offended.
      But I’m signing up for your future tips too cause I’m a NC farm girl!!!

      Reply
  12. Cheryl says

    August 15, 2021 at 2:36 pm

    I was very disappointed that you made that comment about God. I will have nothing to do with you, but I will pray for you.

    Reply
  13. Lisa says

    July 20, 2021 at 3:05 pm

    I like your post, helpful – but your use of the Lords name in vain is something I can’t tolerate. Hopefully this is constructive criticism – I guess I’m not “your people”.

    Reply
  14. Mary says

    July 5, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Don’t appreciate using the Lords name in vain talking about freezing zucchini!! Have never seen this before, and hope to never again!

    Reply
  15. Glenda says

    July 5, 2021 at 10:59 am

    I was enjoying reading your recipe and comments until I read my Lord’s name in vain, that is not alright. God has been to good to me.

    Reply
    • S J Smith says

      August 21, 2021 at 2:26 am

      Which God are you referring to ?

      Reply
  16. Debbie says

    June 29, 2021 at 2:06 pm

    Help!!! I have zucchini that is 3 years old… it has been frozen n im thawing it to bake with… its it still good??

    Reply
    • Esther Ost says

      September 13, 2021 at 1:33 pm

      Freezing some fried and unfried. Will defrost & eat this weekend to see which turns out better. Already have a winter’s worth of 1 cup & 2 cup bags of shredded zuchinni in freezer for baking. Welcome this idea for using the continuing crop. Thank you.

      Reply
  17. Alina says

    June 28, 2021 at 6:58 am

    I do it the same way. The tip with the straw is awesome, thanks!

    Reply
  18. WMorgan says

    June 3, 2021 at 4:02 pm

    Don’t like the language, GOD didn’t dam it he blessed it, seen that… didn’t read or try the recipe.

    Reply
    • S J Smith says

      August 21, 2021 at 2:25 am

      Which God are you referring to ?

      Reply
  19. Margaret Wardhaugh says

    January 13, 2021 at 9:46 pm

    That is my valid email address

    Reply
  20. Marie says

    October 31, 2020 at 4:16 pm

    So glad I found your website – thanks for the instructions, can’t wait to discover more.
    To the church club of righteous ladies – tolerance goes both ways FYI. If you don’t like something (unless it’s life-threatening and needs to be acted upon) – just scroll past. Kindness (NOT snarky comments) is the way, pretty sure Jesus would agree!

    Reply
  21. Dolores Fisher says

    October 27, 2020 at 11:17 pm

    After freezing and than thawing you said strain to get the juice out. Do you still have a cup for the recipe after you strain the juice out?

    Reply
  22. Mitzi Vollenweider Hund says

    October 14, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    I love this. I always have lots of zucchini.
    When I froze 2 cups of the zucchini in bags and then drained it I had only 1 cup of zucchini. My recipe calls for 2 cups. Do I need to put in another cup?

    Reply
  23. Dallas says

    October 7, 2020 at 3:32 am

    So glad I found this doing a Google search. I was like god damn!?!, What am I going to do with all this zucchini before it goes bad!! Thank you!! I will give your zucchini recipes a try when I get around to baking. Have a blessed day.

    Reply
    • Pamela says

      October 8, 2020 at 8:37 pm

      I’m so happy this method helped you Dallas! Thanks for commenting! 🙂

      Reply
  24. Diana Helton says

    September 24, 2020 at 9:42 am

    Going to grate my zucchini today , good idea on using a straw to get the air out. . I was offended on why you took Gods name in vain, didn’t see any reason or need to say his name like that. He blesses us so much .

    Reply
    • S J Smith says

      August 21, 2021 at 2:24 am

      Which God are you referring to ?

      Reply
  25. Donna says

    August 23, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    Get over it people. Why don’t you worry or take action about something that really matters and perhaps changes the world to make it a better place?

    Reply
    • Kathy owens says

      July 17, 2021 at 12:46 pm

      Taking the Lord’s name in vain is one of the ten commandments . Hearing someone else say it is easier to overlook. When you read it, it’s like saying it yourself. I would never read a book with this language. Unexpected in a recipe.

      Reply
      • Lillian Grey says

        September 9, 2021 at 8:44 pm

        Get a life and stop being a Karen over this. God damn it. YOU do not own the word God and I and everyone else can use it anyway they see fit. You don’t like, move on and don’t preach to others

        Reply
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Hi! I'm Pamela, an artist Mom who shares family recipes. My farm is a 1,000 sq ft apartment in NYC. Let's make dinner together.

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