ᐅ • How to Store Ginger for a Long Time (after cutting too)

Ginger is a tuber used as a condiment in sauces and dishes. Its consumption is increasing yearly based on its nutritional properties, making it vital to know how to store ginger correctly.

At room temperature, ginger can only remain in good condition for about two days. However, if it is refrigerated, it can last between 4 and 6 weeks, and if you freeze it, it can last 1 to 3 months.

If you want to know the different methods to preserve ginger, keep reading.

Store ginger at room temperature

Ginger does not last long at room temperature. However, if you plan to use it soon, you can leave a small amount in the pantry as follows:

Step 1: Do not peel the ginger.

The only way ginger can stay at room temperature is if it preserves its skin. If a part is exposed, it will begin to develop mold.

Step 2: Put the ginger inside a container.

Put the ginger inside an airtight container, although you can also use an airtight bag.

Step 3: Store the ginger in a dark place.

In addition, the place must be fresh and free of moisture. This way, the ginger can be in good condition for two days. After this time, the ginger will begin to dry and lose its taste and aroma. [1]

Keep ginger in the fridge

One of the best ways to preserve ginger is to refrigerate it, as it extends its shelf life a few more weeks while maintaining its flavor and texture. To do this, you only have to take into account the following steps:

Step 1: Put the ginger inside an airtight container or bag.

In this way, ginger will not absorb the smell and taste of other foods, apart from the fact that it will not affect the humidity that the refrigerator can have.

Step 2: Label the container.

As you will store it in the refrigerator for a long time, it is advisable to put the date of storage of the ginger in the container or bag.

Step 3: Store the ginger in the fridge.

If the ginger is not peeled, it can be in the fridge for between 4 and 6 weeks. However, if the ginger is peeled and chopped, it can only be kept in good condition in the refrigerator for 1 or 2 weeks.

Freeze ginger

Can ginger be frozen? Yes, of course. You can freeze ginger, and here is how you should do it:

Step 1: Put the ginger inside an airtight bag.

You can store the ginger whole or peeled and chopped inside an airtight bag.

Step 2: Transfer it inside another bag or container suitable for freezing.

This will protect ginger from frostbite burns.

Step 3: Write the storage date.

Write about the bag or container the day you stored the ginger in the freezer.

Step 4: Save the ginger in the freezer.

This way, the ginger can be frozen between 1 and 3 months, depending on how fresh it has been before freezing. It could be longer in the freezer but will begin to lose its flavor and texture.

How to preserve pickled ginger?

Another way to preserve ginger is in a pickle. In this way, it will add flavor, although it will change its texture. To prepare it, you must:

Step 1: Sterilize the bottle.

The jar you will use to store the pickled ginger must be made of glass with an airtight or threaded lid.

To sterilize it, heat water in a pot, put the jars with their respective lids, and boil for about 10 minutes.

Step 2: Remove the jars with tweezers.

Remove the jars from the water using tweezers and leave them on paper towels or a grid until all the water drains and dries.

Step 3: Peel and chop the ginger.

Using the back of a spoon or a vegetable peeler, remove all the skin from the ginger, then cut them into thin slices. You can add some radishes by chopping them into pieces if you want.

Step 4: Prepare the brine.

Mix equal parts of water, rice vinegar, and sugar with a tablespoon of salt (although the mixture may vary according to your taste) in a pot and place it on the stove over low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved.

Step 5: Put the ginger and brine inside the jar.

Add the ginger slices (and radish if you like) inside the jar and leave them there for a while, and then add the brine until the ginger is completely covered, leaving at least one finger free.

Step 6: Seal the bottles under pressure.

In a thick bottom pot, arrange a tea towel to prevent jars from colliding with each other or the pot when it is boiling.

Add water to cover the jars, and boil for 20 or 30 minutes. So, all the air will come out of the jar.

Step 7: Wait for the water to cool before taking out the jars.

To make it safer, take out the jars with ginger, wait until the water cools, and then take out the pots and leave them on the counter, away from sunlight, for 24 hours.

Step 8: Tag.

Write the storage date on the jars or attach a label.

Step 9: Store the jars with pickled ginger in the fridge.

This way, if the jars are kept sealed, you can keep the pickled ginger for an entire year. However, if you open it or do not want to perform the sealing process, you will preserve the pickled ginger for two months.

How to dry ginger?

If you dry or dehydrate ginger, you can also extend its shelf life considerably, giving you the chance to store ginger without a fridge. You only need to do what I tell you in the following tutorial:

Step 1: Cut the ginger.

Remove all the skin from the ginger with a vegetable peeler or the back of a spoon. Then, chop it into thin slices.

Step 2: Arrange the ginger on a tray.

Put parchment paper on the tray and arrange the ginger slices, leaving a little space between one and the other.

Step 3: Bake at the lowest temperature.

Put your oven at the lowest possible temperature, put the tray with the ginger, and after half an hour, check its condition. When it is ready, it has to be crisp and brittle to the touch.

If it is not ready, leave it longer in the oven and check every 10 minutes. If you have a food dehydrator, use it at a low temperature for about 12 or 24 hours.

Step 4: Transfer the dried ginger to an airtight container.

You can leave the ginger slices and store them in an airtight container. Or you could blend it to make ginger powder and put it inside an airtight container.

Step 5: Label the container.

Write down the date of storage of ginger.

Step 6: Store the dried ginger in a dry, dark place.

Also, the place should be cool. This way, you can preserve dried ginger for 1 or 2 years at room temperature.

How to preserve candied ginger?

Ginger is also used in pastries and can even be turned into an exquisite sweet like candied ginger, which also serves to preserve it for a good season:

Step 1: Cut the ginger.

Using a vegetable peeler or the back of a spoon, peel the ginger and then cut it into thin slices.

Step 2: Cook the ginger.

In a pot of water, boil the ginger until soft. Then drain it.

Step 3: Prepare syrup.

For every 300g of sugar (one cup and a half), you should add 400ml (2 cups) of water. Put them inside a pot and bring them over low heat until the sugar dissolves. Then, add the sliced ginger and cook for 90 minutes or until the syrup dissolves.

Step 4: Remove the ginger.

Carefully place each slice of ginger on a tray with parchment paper until it cools.

Step 5: Overflow the ginger with sugar.

Add the ginger slices to a cup with 100 grams of sugar so the sugar sticks to it.

Step 6: Put the candied ginger in a glass jar.

After overflowing the ginger with sugar, put it inside a glass container with an airtight lid.

Step 7: Label the container.

Stick a label or write the storage date on the bottle.

Step 8: Store the candied ginger in the fridge or pantry.

If you have a climate below 20°C (68°F), you can store the candied ginger at room temperature, in a dark, dry, and moisture-free place, for six months.

If your climate exceeds 20°C, it is best to store the candied ginger in the fridge for six months.

How do you know if ginger got bad?

To determine if ginger is in poor condition, it must have these characteristics:

Mold: Mold is small black or white spots (or lint) that appear on food and indicate that it has already been contaminated and is not safe to ingest.

Being dry: if the ginger is extremely dry, it loses its freshness which you can check by feeling the weight of the ginger. If it is too light for its size, it is dry.
Lack of smell: if ginger does not have its characteristic aroma, it is dry and old, so it loses its properties.
Too soft: if taking a piece of ginger feels too soft, it means that it was not stored correctly and probably is bad.

How long does ginger last?

Product	Duration
Ginger at room temperature	1 – 2 days
Ginger in the fridge	4 – 6 weeks
Peeled and chopped ginger in the fridge	1 – 2 weeks
Frozen ginger	2 – 3 months
Pickled ginger in the fridge (sealed)	1 year
Pickled ginger in the fridge (opened)	2 months
Dehydrated ginger at room temperature	1 – 2 years
Candied ginger at room temperature or refrigerated	6 months

What is the best way to preserve ginger?

The best way to preserve fresh ginger is to store it in the fridge, as it maintains its texture, flavor, and aroma for weeks. If it freezes, it could lose a little of these characteristics, and if stored at room temperature, it could dry out.

Drying or dehydrating ginger can be another highly effective method to preserve it for a long time.

Candied ginger is an excellent way to take advantage of it and make a sweet that lasts a long time.

If you are interested in knowing how to preserve any other food or product, check the following posts.