Canned bean sprouts which haven’t been opened don’t need to be stored in the freezer. They will do just fine in the cupboard!
On the other hand, if you have leftover canned bean sprouts, it’s best to transfer them to a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer.
This is because once the can have been opened, the food inside is susceptible to changes in quality, texture, and taste.
The fridge isn’t recommendable as a storage method for opened cans, except for several days.
With this in mind, when you don’t plan to eat the leftovers soon, it’s best to transfer them to a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer.
Freezing leftovers helps you prevent food waste and ensures you always have tasty canned bean sprouts for your next meal!
Can You Freeze an Unopened Can of Bean Sprouts?
Freezing helps prolong the quality, longevity, and safety of food. However, unopened cans of food aren’t suitable for the freezer, despite containing food.
Freezing unopened cans of food increases the risk of the can bursting or the seal is damaged.
Consequently, the risk of food poisoning increases once the food thaws. Most canned foods, including bean sprouts, are canned in their own juices and they have water.
Upon freezing, water expands. Its volume increases by around 9 percent. The limited space of the can doesn’t combine well with this increase in volume and results in a major increase in pressure. This pressure may eventually cause the can to crack.
This doesn’t just cause a mess in the freezer, but it also compromises the food and its safety.
Cans are already the perfect storage medium on their own. As such, when they’re not opened, they don’t need to be stored in the freezer. They will do just fine in your cupboard or pantry.
Can You Freeze an Opened Can of Bean Sprouts?
You can freeze an open can of leftover bean sprouts, but it’s not advisable.
Although you may have an open can of bean sprouts that you want to preserve, the fridge or the freezer shouldn’t be your first two choices.
You may think that covering the leftovers with aluminum or plastic foil will preserve the food, but it’s not recommendable.
Closing cans well after opening them is difficult and as a result, the canned bean sprouts will start to absorb the fridge freezer smells and odors. If you cover the can with its original lid, there’s a higher risk of metal leaching into the food.
This happens when acidic foods react with the metal rim of an open can, resulting in the leaching of aluminum, iron, etc. into the food inside.
Though experts advise that this isn’t a serious cause of concern, it’s best to follow safer methods, like transferring the leftover canned bean sprouts into a freezer-safe bag or a container.
How to Freeze Canned Bean Sprouts?
Although we advise against freezing cans, both unopened and opened, this doesn’t mean that freezing the leftovers inside isn’t good.
In fact, it’s highly recommendable!
When you have leftover canned bean sprouts which you plan to eat within a few days, transfer them into a proper fridge-safe container. First, drain any surplus brine or juices.
They will remain safe for consumption for several days if properly stored. But if you don’t plan to eat them or use them in a recipe anytime soon, it’s best to store the leftovers in the fridge.
Transfer the contents into a freezer-safe bag or a container. Close it well and store it in the fridge.
Unlike raw bean sprouts that are usually blanched before they’re frozen to prolong their safety and maintain their texture, taste, and color, the canned ones are already cooked and this step is unnecessary.
When properly stored, canned bean sprouts remain safe for consumption and tasty for up to 10 months.
How to Recognize Spoiled Bean Sprouts?
To decrease the risk of food poisoning, it’s essential to recognize when the bean sprouts have gone bad.
In the case of canned bean sprouts, if you’re not a fan of salt, rinse them because the canned varieties tend to have high levels of sodium.
When you’re unsure if the bean sprouts are safe for consumption, take into account the following factors to determine their condition easier:
- Bad odor
Bean sprouts are generally odorless and known for a mild earthy taste. Therefore, if there’s an intense odor coming from them, especially one that’s sour, fishy, or otherwise unpleasant, it’s a sign that they’re spoiled.
Rinse them well and smell them again to see if the smell is still present.
- Mold
If you notice mold on the bean sprouts, it’s a sign that they’ve gone bad.
Their surface, when they’re safe for consumption, is a bit reflective and shiny.
- Taste
Bean sprouts are crunchy when they’re safe for consumption, although the canned ones may be a bit softer in texture due to the brine or the juices.
Some canned bean sprouts are sour, but their crunchy texture is still present. But, any soggy or too chewy bean sprouts are usually a sign that they’ve spoiled and you shouldn’t consume them!
Final Thoughts
Whether you consume them as a part of a salad or incorporate them into a yummy stir-fry, bean sprouts are an awesome food choice.
Nutritious, versatile, and crunchy, they’re popular in Asian cuisine dishes, but also among people following a plant-based diet.
If you have cans of bean sprouts, it’s good to know that the unopened cans don’t need to be stored in the freezer.
They prefer the pantry or the cupboard. In case of open cans and leftovers, transfer the content into a freezer-safe container before you freeze them.
Never freeze any cans of food due to the risk of the cans bursting and compromising the food’s safety and quality!
