Can you freeze dahl? If you love Indian cuisine then you’re probably familiar with dhal. Dhal is an Indian term for lentils, beans, and peas. The term also refers to a type of appetizer made from lentils and beans. As a dish, dhal is often eaten as a side dish; it pairs great with flatbread or with rice. This soupy dish is loaded with lean protein and soluble fiber so it is quite filling and energizing.
Dal Makhani takes a long time to cook and making the dish isn’t as simple too. That’s why making a huge batch of dahl is perfect if you love this dish.
As you know, cooked lentils and beans can keep in the fridge for a day or two and chilling dahl is not recommended for long-term storage. The good news is, you can freeze leftover dahl so you can enjoy this dish whenever the craving strikes!
If you freeze dahl properly, it will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months! But when kept in the fridge, it will only stay fresh for two to three days tops.
However, it’s worth considering that cooked beans and lentils are prone to spoilage especially when stored improperly. If you made a large batch of dahl and you’re wondering how can you freeze dhal, here’s a step-by-step guide how:
How to Freeze Dahl?
When freezing dahl, it is mighty important to do freeze it only when the dish has cooled completely. The drastic shift in temperature could set spoilage in, causing the dahl to go rancid much faster.
Once the dahl has cooled at room temperature, get several freezer-safe resealable plastic bags. Scoop a small amount of dahl into one plastic bag, making sure to leave a few inches of space so the dish could expand as it freezes.
Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing the plastic bag. Get a marker and write the name of the dish and the storage date before sticking the dahl in the freezer.
How to Defrost and Reheat Dahl?
To thaw frozen dahl, simply take the frozen dish out of the freezer and leave it to defrost in the fridge for a few hours to overnight. Thawing slowly is critical for these kinds of dishes.
Once the dahl has been thawed completely, you can reheat the dish. Our advice is to freeze the dahl in serving portions. This way, you can simply defrost a serving size of the dish and not thaw the whole thing.
Defrosted dahl shouldn’t be frozen a second time because there will be a noticeable difference in flavors and texture once the dahl has been left sitting too long at room temperature.
In terms of reheating dahl, there are so many ways to do this. You can transfer the bag of thawed dahl in a saucer and reheat it in the microwave for a minute or two. You can also simmer the defrosted dahl in a saucepan, stirring constantly until the dish is piping hot and ready to serve. When simmering the dahl, always check the liquids, make sure the dish won’t dry out.
Summary
Now that you know how to freeze, defrost, and reheat dahl, you can make a large batch of this dish and not worry about spoilage during storage. We hope that this step by step guide on how can you freeze dahl has been helpful to you! Now go ahead and make your favorite dish and save all the leftovers for later!