How to Freeze and Defrost Gyoza: Easy Guide on Techniques

‍Frozen food is an ideal way to cook and store new dishes without much hassle. Freezing allows you to preserve food for a longer period of time, so you can enjoy the meal even when there’s no time to cook. Many gyoza recipes require short preparation time and are easy to freeze.

Let’s see how we can freeze and defrost gyoza! If you are planning on stocking your freezer with delicious homemade gyoza for quick snacks or lunches during the week, read this article first.

How to freeze gyoza?

The best way to freeze gyoza is to transfer the cooked frozen gyoza to a large airtight freezer bag. Gyoza can be stored for up to 3 months, so you can stock up for a large party or for a long lazy weekend.

Alternatively, you can purchase an extra large baking tray with a lid and transfer the frozen gyoza directly to the tray. This prevents the gyoza from being submerged in its own juices. Add a paper towel or a piece of kitchen towel to prevent the tray from rusting.

It is also recommended to freeze the gyoza in single layer to prevent them from sticking together. Gyoza freezes well but loses its texture and colour. In order to prevent it from becoming too dense and chewy, remember to add a bit of moisture during the freezing process.

How to defrost gyoza?

If you choose to Defrost gyoza thoroughly before cooking it ( not needed ). The best way is to transfer frozen gyoza to a large bowl filled with warm water. The water should be warm enough to melt the frozen gyoza but not too hot to cook it.

Alternatively, you can transfer frozen gyoza to a large bowl and place it in the microwave for a couple of minutes until the frozen gyoza are thawed enough to be removed easily.

Be careful not to completely thaw the frozen gyoza as it will be impossible to cook. Once the frozen gyoza are thawed, cook them immediately. If you don’t have enough time to cook them, transfer them to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap until you are ready to cook them.

How to reheat frozen gyoza?

If you want to warm up frozen gyoza, you can transfer the frozen gyoza to a large bowl and reheat them in the microwave for a couple of minutes.

Alternatively, you can transfer the frozen gyoza to a large frying pan and warm them up on low-medium heat as per the video above.

Be careful not to completely over cook them as they should retain a nice crunchy texture. Reheating frozen gyoza will not be as good as freshly cooked ones and will be mostly suitable for lunch bags or quick snacks.

Tips for the next time you want to freeze gyoza

Make sure the gyoza are completely cooked before storing them. This will make them easier to freeze and reheat. If you want to freeze uncooked gyoza, remember to transfer them to a large freezer bag, cover them with a paper towel and add a bit of moisture.

Cook the frozen gyoza as you would normally do. If you want to freeze the cooked gyoza, transfer them to a large freezer bag and add a bit of moisture in the bag.

If you want to freeze gyoza for a long period of time, make sure to use a large freezer bag and transfer them to a single layer. Doing so allows you to use the frozen gyoza whenever you want and avoid opening a freezer stuffed with bags.

Conclusion

Gyoza is a traditional Japanese dish that has become very popular in many parts of the world. Gyoza can be served as an appetizer or a main dish and is a quick and easy meal to make. Gyoza freezes well, so you can make large batches at once and store them in your freezer. Gyoza is a great dish to make ahead and freeze for busy weeknights.