• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Get our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide
freezer meal quick start guide

Get Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide

Loading

About
Free Resources
Contact

Instagram

Facebook

Pinterest

YouTube

TikTok

Thriving Home

Food & Lifestyle

  • Recipe Index
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Lunch & Dinner
      • Sides & Salads
      • Soups & Chilis
      • Appetizers
      • Snacks
      • Desserts
      • Baked Goods
      • Beverages
      • Condiments
    • Method
      • Freezer Meals
      • Stovetop
      • Oven
      • Slow Cooker
      • Instant Pot
      • Grill or Smoker
      • 6 Ingredients or Less
    • Diet
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Vegetarian
    • Ingredients
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Beef
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Pasta & Pizza
    • Holiday
      • Birthday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
      • Valentine's Day
    • All Recipes
  • Freezer Cooking
    • Start Here
    • Freezer Meal Recipes
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Cookbooks
  • Menu Plans
  • Shop
    • Cookbooks
    • 1 Hour Freezer Prep
    • Shop Our Favorites
    • Gift Guides
Search...
Home Freezer Cooking

How to Freeze Zucchini

Polly Conner
By: Polly ConnerPosted: 4/10/23Updated: 4/10/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

When you have an abundance of zucchini, no need to let it go to waste – freeze it! Here is how to freeze zucchini so you can use it months down the road.

3 zucchinis
Contents hide
Tip: How to Pick the Best Zucchini
How to Freeze Zucchini
Freezing Tip: Measure Out the Portions
FAQ
Zucchini Recipes
What Else Can You Freeze
Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour

If you’re someone who loves to grow zucchini, you know that it’s a very fast-and-furious vegetable.

In fact, it’s not uncommon to end up with more zucchini than you know what to do with! One great way to preserve your fresh zucchini is to freeze it.

Because of the high water content in zucchini, it won’t keep its firm texture through the freezing and thawing process, blanched or not. This is why I skip over the blanching step that many others recommend.

If find that it’s not worth the extra time and effort – especially when you are going to use the shredded zucchini in baked goods like zucchini muffins, chocolate chip zucchini bread, or zucchini pancakes.

Tip: How to Pick the Best Zucchini

When it comes to freezing zucchini, you want to choose zucchinis that are young and tender. These zucchinis are less likely to have tough skins or large seeds. Look for zucchinis that are about 6-8 inches long and have a diameter of 2-3 inches. Bigger is not always better.

How to Freeze Zucchini

Like freezing green onions, freezing zucchini is super easy.

  1. Wash – Give the zucchini a good wash in the sink to remove any dirt or debris.
  2. Shred – Cut off the stem end and the opposite end of the zucchini. Using a box grater or a food processor with a shredding attachment, shred the zucchini by running it over the large holes of the grater or through the shredding attachment.
  3. Squeeze the water out – Place the shredded zucchini between paper towels and press as much water out as possible.
  4. Freeze – Place shredded zucchini in airtight freezer bags or freezer containers. Pick a freezer container that minimizes air exposure.

When you want to use your frozen zucchini, let it safely thaw, squeeze any extra moisture out and use as directed.

Shredded zucchini ready for the freezer

Freezing Tip: Measure Out the Portions

Before freezing the zucchini, measure it out in small portions and write it on the bag.

I like to freeze my zucchini in two-cup increments because that seems to be a common amount for a recipe. It can be hard to break apart once it’s frozen so you don’t want to put a ton into one big bag.

freezing zucchini in a plastic bag

FAQ

How much shredded zucchini will I get from 1 vegetable?

I found that one medium zucchini ends up being about two cups of shredded zucchini.

How long will frozen zucchini last in the freezer?

Much of this depends on how it is packaged. A general rule is the less air, the better. If the shredded zucchini is packaged well, it will easily last 8-10 months before the quality starts to diminish.

How long will frozen zucchini last in the freezer?

Sometimes after you thaw your grated zucchini, it needs to be drained a bit. Just depends on how much water your zucchini had before shredding it up.

Now when you have a hankering for some delicious baked goods that require zucchini, just pop a bag out from the freezer and get cooking!

Do I need to blanch zucchini before freezing?

I may be in the minority on this one but I never do. While some say blanching can preserve some color and texture, I don’t find the extra step worth it. Especially since I only use frozen zucchini in baked goods.

Zucchini Recipes

Here are recipes that would work great for using up that frozen zucchini!

Zucchini Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies

Zucchini Pancakes

Double chocolate zucchini bread

Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread

chocolate zucchini waffle stacked on a plate topped with banana slices

Chocolate Zucchini Waffles

What Else Can You Freeze

    Wondering what else you can stock up on and freeze? Here are more well-researched and well-tested articles we wrote from our experience.
  • How to Freeze Tortillas
  • How to Freeze Butter
  • How to Freeze Muffins
  • How to Freeze Bananas
  • How to Freeze Zucchini
  • How to Freeze Rice
  • How to Freeze Avocados
  • How to Freeze Cheese
  • How to Freeze Pesto
  • How to Freeze Quiche
  • How to Freeze Chicken Pot Pie
  • How to Freeze White Chicken Chili
    dump and go freezer meal email cta
    Try 1 Hour Freezer Prep Today!

    Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour

    1. Shopping & equipment lists
    2. Step-by-Step instructions & video tutorial
    3. Serving suggestions & dietary substitutions & more

    Try Session 18 (a $6.99 value) for free!

    Loading

    439 shares
    • Share
    • Email
    Polly Conner

    Polly Conner

    As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

    Read more...

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

    Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. AvatarChristina says

      Posted on 9/8/16 at 6:46 pm

      My question is : after you shred do you have to squeeze out excess water before you freeze it?

      Reply
      • PollyPolly says

        Posted on 9/9/16 at 9:56 am

        I never do and it’s worked fine!

        Reply
    2. AvatarJoyce says

      Posted on 7/23/16 at 10:03 am

      Has anyone ever frozen breaded and/or plain baked chips, spears? Also, regarding the frozen slices of zucs, wouldn’t it possible be okay if you were putting them in a casserole, stir-fry, etc.? Anything that is heated?

      Reply
      • AvatarMeg says

        Posted on 8/16/16 at 10:41 am

        I made the mistake a few years ago of freezing all of my zucchini and yellow squash as slices. When I thawed them out they were complete mush and disintegrated when I added them to whatever it was I baked them in.

        Reply
    3. AvatarMark says

      Posted on 6/7/16 at 1:26 pm

      Crystal stole my question. We’ve had really good luck with zucchini, squash, eggplant, etc. But no way to freeze it to use as just zucchini planks or slices.
      I’m looking at a freeze dryer to get.more out of my seasonal veggies.

      Reply
      • PollyPolly says

        Posted on 6/8/16 at 9:42 am

        Yep! That is why I shred it. I only use it for baking after it’s frozen.

        Reply
    4. AvatarCrystal says

      Posted on 8/16/15 at 9:22 pm

      Can you store it just sliced too? I have a ton I don’t even know what to do with!

      Reply
      • PollyPolly says

        Posted on 8/17/15 at 9:18 am

        Honestly, I don’t think you’ll like the results of doing that. Zucchini has a very high water content and when unthawed, it will be pretty mushy. I’d recommend using it pretty much for only baking of mixed into another dish after freezing it.

        Reply
    5. AvatarLori says

      Posted on 1/29/15 at 12:13 pm

      Can you freeze your zucchini whole?

      Reply
      • RachelRachel says

        Posted on 1/29/15 at 1:23 pm

        Lori, I don’t think that either of us have tried that. Because of the high water content, I think you’d be left with a mushy mess when you thaw it in order to shred or dice it later.

        Reply
        • Avatarbrandy says

          Posted on 7/11/15 at 6:44 am

          How long does it last in the freezer?

          Reply
          • RachelRachel says

            Posted on 7/11/15 at 8:48 am

            Up to 3 months for sure, but from my experience it can last much longer. REmember to seal it very tight and press out any air. Air is your enemy in the freezer.

            Reply
            • AvatarKelly says

              Posted on 1/8/19 at 7:47 pm

              I have froze zoodles in the past and they were perfect when I thawed and heated them up.

            • PollyPolly says

              Posted on 1/9/19 at 10:44 am

              Good to know!

    6. AvatarPierre says

      Posted on 10/11/14 at 5:27 am

      Hi,

      Can I cut up into Zoodles and freeze them? Will I still be able to use them as a pasta replacement after thawing?

      Reply
      • RachelRachel says

        Posted on 10/12/14 at 9:53 pm

        I’ve never tried that, so I’m not sure I’m qualified to answer. Sounds like a decent idea though!

        Reply
      • AvatarTabitha Teeter says

        Posted on 6/27/15 at 8:38 am

        I’ve heard you can dehydrate zoodles. Freezing would probably give mush.

        Reply
    7. AvatarKristen @ Joyfully Thriving says

      Posted on 8/16/14 at 4:55 pm

      Our zucchini did well this summer, too! I’ve made 16 loaves of zucchini bread already and have enough shredded for 12 more cups in the freezer. I freeze it just like you do!

      Reply
    8. AvatarTania Belkin says

      Posted on 8/11/14 at 9:42 am

      Thank you for the advice. I think, I will do that. We are blessed with an abundant zucchini crop this year, they grow faster than we can consume them, so I am looking for alternatives.

      Plus those zucchini muffins and zucchini bread recipes look good. I happen to have many takers for baked goods in my house. 🙂

      Reply
      • PollyPolly says

        Posted on 8/11/14 at 9:44 am

        We had a TON of zucchini this year as well! I just made some zucchini bread (in recipe index) and it turned out great. Good luck!

        Reply

    sidebar

    polly and rachel

    Welcome

    We’re moms, cookbook authors, and freezer cooking evangelists. Our mission is to help your home thrive, one delicious meal at a time. Let’s make the most of your time in the kitchen! Read more.

    Follow Us On Instagram!

    freezer cooking

    Order On:

    Amazon • Target

    Autographed Copy

    Learn More

    freezer to table

    Order On:

    Amazon • Target

    Autographed Copy

    Learn More
    dump and go freezer meal email cta

    Make 6 Dump-and-Go Freezer Meals in 1 Hour

    1. Shopping & equipment lists
    2. Step-by-Step instructions & video tutorial
    3. Serving suggestions & dietary substitutions & more

    Try Session 18 (a $6.99 value) for free!

    Loading

    Trending Recipes

    crock pot taco soup

    Crock Pot Taco Soup

    chicken nuggets dipped in honey mustard dipping sauce

    Homemade Chicken Nuggets

    Chicken Lettuce Wraps

    Cooked Honey garlic chicken kabobs on a white plate

    Honey Garlic Chicken Kabobs

    Grilling Recipes

    seasoned cooked steak that is sliced on a wooden cutting board

    The Perfect Grilled Steak

    The Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich

    Finished shot of Cilantro lime chicken marinade - grilled chicken on a plate

    Cilantro Lime Chicken Marinade

    overhead shot of grillled peaches with balsamic drizzle

    Jane’s Grilled Peaches

    Popular Round-Ups

    7 Chicken marinades side by side - 1

    7 BEST Chicken Marinades

    freezer meal

    100+ Best Freezer Meals on the Planet

    6 mason jars with various overnight oats in them

    7 Overnight Oats Recipes

    smoothie packs

    7 Frozen Smoothie Packs (+ Printable with Shopping List)

    freezer meal update
    New to freezer cooking?

    Grab Our Freezer Meal Quick Start Guide!

    5 days of recipes & tips from freezer meal experts.

    Loading

    Instagram

    Facebook

    Pinterest

    YouTube

    TikTok

    About
    About Us
    Work With Us
    Press
    Recipes
    All Recipes
    Freezer Meals
    Menu Plans
    Shop
    Cookbooks
    1 Hour Prep Sessions
    Gift Guides
    Explore
    Free Resources
    Shop Our Favorites
    Facebook Group
    Privacy Policy
    Accessibility
    Disclaimers
    Contact
    © 2023 Thriving Home
    Site Credits
    Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
    Back to Top
    439 shares