You’re Storing Ginger Wrong — Never Let Ginger Go Bad Again With This Clever Hack

Keep ginger on hand at all times.

There are few ingredients that can replace the zesty, fresh spice ginger has. Whether I am cooking, baking, or whipping up a cup of comforting tea, it’s nice to have the flavorful root around for a wide range of recipes calling for ginger . What isn’t nice, though? When I need it and reach for it, only to see that it’s wrinkled up like a raisin on my counter, or worse — gone moldy.

I can only buy big pieces at the grocery store and never seem to go through it fast enough. So, when I learned about the hack of chucking it in my freezer, my world honestly changed. I now have fresh ginger at my fingertips at all times, with way less prep work. It grates easily when it’s frozen, and you don’t even need to peel it (in fact, you shouldn’t). I have found that storing it correctly in the freezer is essential — otherwise, it won’t last as long. It can last for months at a time when properly sealed based on how I’ve prepped it. That’s why I rounded up some key picks for storage below; that way, you can do the same. Shop picks starting at $18, and thank me later.

Best Ginger Storage Solutions for the Freezer

• Stasher 2-Piece Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bag Set , $18, originally $21
• Souper Cubes 2-Piece 2 Tablespoon Silicone Freezer Molds Set With Lids , $30
• Snapware 4-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set , $19
• Rubbermaid Brilliance 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set with Lids , $22 with coupon, originally $30

Stasher 2-Piece Silicone Reusable Food Storage Bag Set

$21

$18

While having a set of these silicone bags is perfect for reducing single-use plastic, I want you to forget that. These are ideal to have on hand because they’re a much more effective way to store anything in the freezer — in this case, ginger. The thick silicone material is like wrapping something in cling film two or three times. It creates a protective barrier and seals against the cold, icy air, keeping food fresher for longer. This two-piece set with a snack and sandwich-size bag will do the trick for storing ginger. I use a larger bag for a whole piece, though sometimes I do like to cut it down into 1- and 2-inch knobs, which is where a smaller bag can come in handy. Oh, and these bags are one of our favorite freezer containers , so we know you’ll love them.

Souper Cubes 2-Piece 2 Tablespoon Silicone Freezer Molds Set With Lids

$30

If you want to grate and freeze a whole bunch of ginger for easy grabbing, you’ll want this Souper Cubes mold (another brand we love). Each divot is two tablespoons, so they’re pre-portioned, and you can drop it right into a recipe whenever you need. What’s especially nice about these is the nifty lid, which will help keep the root fresher for a bit longer. It also means that you can stack the molds on top of each other or overtop other containers without worrying about ginger getting everywhere. With two on hand, you can also use it for other prep hacks, like pre-grated garlic or cubes of lemon juice. For more long-term storage, I’d use the molds to freeze them, then pop them out and put them in a container or silicone bag for a more airtight seal. Either way, it's a genius hack.

Snapware 4-Piece Glass Food Storage Container Set

$19

You can’t really beat a glass container , especially for the freezer — they’re durable, thick, and easily get an airtight seal. I love my Snapware containers for a whole lot of things, but they’re especially great for keeping ginger fresh in the freezer. The glass is stain-, odor-, and scratch-resistant. The lid has a silicone gasket to ensure a proper seal, while the locking tabs keep everything even more secure. The 4-cup option is great for bigger portions of ginger, while the smaller 1-cup option is great for standard prep. I just cut knobs off of the bigger root, pop it in the container, seal it, and stow it until I’m ready for it. The key is to avoid too much air in the container, so opt for the smallest one possible.

Rubbermaid Brilliance 10-Piece Food Storage Container Set with Lids

$30

$22

Don’t get me wrong, though — I love a plastic option, too. Rubbermaid’s Brilliance line is by far my favorite plastic storage container (and one of ours, too). It’s the most durable plastic option I’ve tried, with a thick material that stays lightweight. It’s stain- and odor-resistant, too, which you can’t say for all plastic options on the market. The best thing about these containers is that the seal is so airtight you can hear the air whoosh out. They’re also incredibly low profile, so they’re great for places like the freezer where you’re trying to maximize space. I’d grab this set because it has the 1.3-cup containers I’d recommend using for ginger, with a few extra pieces for your collection. To me, it's just the best bang-for-your-buck option.

For more Food & Wine news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Food & Wine .

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation.