Spicy, aromatic ginger is one of the best ingredients to have on hand. It is packed with health benefits and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The other good news? It’s also delicious! Ground ginger adds bite to a batch of gingerbread and ginger-spiced molasses cakes, and complements fresh summer peaches in fried peach-ginger hand pies. The fresh stuff can be used in even more ways: mix it into marinades for grilled meats and kebabs, add it to salad dressings, blend it into smoothies or vibrant ginger juices, pickle it, throw some into jam, and the list goes on!
Many people call it “ginger root”, but the truth is that ginger is not actually a root. It may look like one, but it’s really the underground stem of a flowering plant. At the grocery store, fresh ginger is typically found in the produce section, sometimes refrigerated and sometimes not. Skip the jars and stir-fries of minced ginger and grab a packet of whole ginger instead. It is the more economical choice and it also has a stronger taste! These jar products often have added ingredients, but if you buy a bud and do the chopping yourself, you’re guaranteed nothing but the good stuff. Look for ginger with a smooth outer skin and be sure to give it a close look to make sure there is no mold on any pieces. If you don’t cook with it daily, it may take a while to use up the entire packet, but don’t worry—when stored properly, ginger can last a month or even longer. Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to keep it fresh!
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What is the best way to store fresh ginger?
A ziplock plastic bag and the crisper drawer in your fridge is all you need to keep a stick of unpeeled ginger fresh and aromatic for a while. When you get home from the supermarket, simply transfer the ginger to a resealable plastic bag, squeeze out as much air as possible and drop it in the drawer. It’s that easy! If you were overzealous about peeling ginger for a recipe, just wrap the peeled ginger in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. It lasts like this for about a week. Similarly, minced ginger can be stored in a jar in the fridge for about a week.
Should peeled ginger be refrigerated?
Pioneer Woman Floral Medley Spice Jar Set
Pioneer Woman Floral Medley Spice Jar Set
It doesn’t have to be, but if you want to keep it fresh for as long as possible, it’s best to store ginger in the fridge. Stored on your counter in a cool, dark place, a piece of unpeeled ginger will last about 10 days, but stored in the refrigerator it can last more than a month.
Can you freeze whole ginger?
Yep! You simply wash and dry the ginger, put it in a freezer bag or other freezer-safe container and store it in the freezer. It will last about five months. When you’re ready to use it, you don’t even have to thaw it; just cut or tear it from the frozen! You can also freeze chopped ginger in a freezer bag so it’s ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Senior food editor/writer
Georgia Goode is the Senior Food Editor/Writer at ThePioneerWoman.com. When she’s not editing recipes and sneaking bites from the test kitchen, you can find her scouting out the best eateries around town and dreaming up dinner menus with friends.
