Can You Freeze Turkey Stock? The Complete Guide

Turkey stock is a delicious and nutritious staple that no cook should be without. But with the time and effort it takes to prepare a batch of homemade turkey stock, some people are unsure if freezing is an option The good news is that yes, you absolutely can freeze turkey stock!

Freezing is actually one of the best ways to preserve your homemade turkey stock so you can enjoy its benefits for months to come. In this complete guide, I’ll explain everything you need to know about successfully freezing and storing turkey stock

Why Freeze Turkey Stock?

There are several excellent reasons to freeze extra turkey stock

• Convenience – Having pre-made turkey stock ready in the freezer saves you time when cooking. You don’t have to make stock from scratch for recipes that call for it.

• Waste reduction – Freezing allows you to use up turkey bones, carcasses and scraps after the holidays so nothing goes to waste.

• Money saver – Making stock at home is far cheaper than buying pre-made stock or broth. Freezing it saves you even more money long-term.

• Flavor – Real homemade turkey stock simmered from bones has better richness and depth of flavor than most store-bought varieties. Freezing preserves that fresh flavor.

• Nutrition – When you simmer bones and vegetables to make stock, it extracts valuable collagen, nutrients like magnesium and potassium, and immune-boosting compounds. Freezing locks in those nutrients.

How to Freeze Turkey Stock

Freezing turkey stock is easy, but following best practices ensures safety and maintains quality:

• Choose good containers – Opt for plastic freezer bags, rigid containers with tight lids, or freezer-safe glass jars. Leave headspace.

• Cool completely first – Chill stock in the refrigerator before freezing. Don’t transfer piping hot stock straight to the freezer.

• Remove fat layer – Once cool, scrape off any solid fat from the surface. Leaving it will cause the stock to spoil faster.

• Portion into smaller amounts – Freezing in 1-2 cup portions makes thawing easier.

• Label with date – Always mark containers with the freeze date and stock type/amount.

• Leave headspace – Liquids expand when frozen, so leave 1/2 to 1 inch of headspace in containers.

• Exclude herbs and spices – For longest shelf life, freeze plain stock without added seasonings. Their flavors intensify with freezing.

• Press out air – Exclude as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. For bags, use the water immersion method. Wrap rigid containers in plastic wrap before sealing.

Storage Time

Frozen properly, turkey stock keeps well for 3 to 6 months before quality starts to decline. For best flavor and texture, use frozen stock within this timeline. Discard if frozen for over a year.

Always inspect stock before using after long freezer storage. Look for ice crystals, off odors, separation, and other signs of damage. If in doubt, it’s safest to toss it.

Thawing Frozen Stock

You can safely thaw frozen turkey stock:

• Overnight in the refrigerator
• In a bowl of cold water, changing the water every 30 minutes
• In the microwave using the defrost setting
• As part of cooking, such as adding to soup

Avoid thawing stock at room temperature, which can allow bacteria growth.

Bring thawed stock to a boil before using for extra safety. This also recombines any separated liquid and solids.

Tips for Using Frozen Stock

Here are some great ways to use your frozen homemade turkey stock:

• Simmer to concentrate flavor before adding to recipes.
• Use in place of water when cooking rice, quinoa or other grains.
• Make turkey noodle soup with frozen stock, veggies and egg noodles.
• Mix with shredded turkey, cream and peas for quick pot pie filling.
• Substitute for half the water when baking bread.
• Whip up gravy by combining stock with roux.
• Add to any recipe that calls for chicken broth or stock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still have questions about freezing turkey stock? Here are some common FAQs:

Can you freeze stock in glass jars?

Yes, if they are freezer-safe jars. Leave headspace and chill stock first. Improper freezing can crack glass.

Does turkey stock freeze well?

Yes! Turkey stock freezes beautifully if packaged in airtight containers. It will keep for 3-6 months without compromising quality.

Can you freeze stock with vegetables?

You can, but vegetables may become mushy when thawed. For best results, strain them out before freezing stock alone.

Can frozen stock be reheated?

Absolutely! Thawed frozen stock can be safely reheated and used multiple times in recipes. Discard if it smells or looks off.

Should fat be removed before freezing?

Yes, skimming off the fat layer before freezing is highly recommended. The fat can go rancid if left in the stock.

Can stock be frozen in ice cube trays?

Yes! The small portions thaw quickly. Pop out cubes to add to recipes as needed.

Conclusion

Freezing is an easy, convenient way to preserve homemade turkey stock so you can enjoy its delicious flavor and nutritional benefits for months. Follow proper freezing procedures for best quality and food safety. With a supply of frozen stock ready and waiting, you’ll always have the rich, genuine turkey flavor needed to enhance soups, grains, gravies and other dishes any time!