Can You Freeze Enchiladas? Easy Guide to Freeze Enchiladas

Ayub KhanandRehmat DietitianMarch 16, 2023Last Updated: April 12, 2023

5 minutes read

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In this article, you will know the answer to the query “Can You Freeze Enchiladas? Easy Guide to Freeze Enchiladas“.

World-famous Mexican cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines in the world.

Mexico conjures up images of relaxed, happy people enjoying their lives to the fullest with their families and friends.

While Mexican cuisine is based on Spanish cooking, it also incorporates influences from other cultures, including French, Italian, and Arabic.

In Mexico, one dish that demonstrates the diversity of its culinary heritage is enchiladas, a corn tortilla rolled around a filling, and then covered in a sauce made from chili peppers or tomatoes (or both).

Enchiladas can be filled with any number of ingredients-ground beef, chicken, pork loin, or even vegetables.

Cheddar cheese and sour cream are typically served on top.

Enchiladas can either be frozen individually (i.e., rolled around a filling) or assembled into a casserole and topped with cheese and sauce before freezing.

The two methods of freezing them are individual enchiladas and already assembled enchiladas.

The methods discussed in this article, as well as the steps involved in their preparation, will be discussed.

Why Consider Freezing Enchiladas?

The best part about enchiladas is that they freeze well–they can be reheated in the oven or microwave for later consumption without fear of them getting dry.

Moreover, they can be prepared and frozen up to one month in advance, so you don’t have to worry about making them at the last minute.

As well as being easy to make, they are also delicious.

Due to their red surface, enchiladas offer a spicy taste and an eye-catching appearance because they are made with chili sauce and tomatoes.

The following are some reasons why you should freeze enchiladas:

Preparing food ahead of time is possible. Prepare the enchiladas in advance, whether they’re cooked or uncooked if you’re planning a party or get-together. You can freeze them for up to one month without worrying about spoilage.
Buying in bulk is usually cheaper. A real advantage of buying bulk food ingredients and preparing it yourself is freezing the finished product. Food can also be bought in bulk, cooked half of which can be frozen for later consumption.
There will be no waste in your daily meals. When you normally throw away leftovers, freezing them is a great way to ensure that you don’t have to do so again.
Buy in bulk and freeze ingredients to save money. When planning a big celebration or holiday meal, it can be beneficial to buy vegetables and meat in bulk and freeze the extra.
This will keep the food fresher longer. Imagine all those leftover containers from last month’s meals that have been sitting in your refrigerator and freezer.

Does Freezing Affect Enchiladas?

As far as freezing enchiladas are concerned, the main concern is how long they can be stored and if they will still taste and look good after being thawed.

As a general rule, freezing food does not adversely affect it unless it is exposed to extreme temperatures.

Basically, if the temperature fluctuates from cold to hot or hot to cold, then your food will lose its last freshness and taste.

When freezing food such as enchiladas, maintain a constant temperature of -18 degrees Celsius.

The frozen enchiladas can also be safely thawed in the refrigerator instead of on the counter.

How to Freeze Enchiladas?

In addition to freezing your enchiladas individually, you can also freeze them assembled into a casserole. Here are the two options.

Freezing Individual Enchiladas

For each individual enchilada to be frozen:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and then place them on the sheet.
Cover several of your enchiladas either with aluminum foil or plastic wrap once they have been prepared.
Put them in a freezer bag after they have been flash frozen.

You can prepare enchiladas according to the number of servings you need by freezing them individually.

As an example, if you are going to a potluck party, remove a few “units” from your freezer bag and heat them in the oven or microwave once at the venue.

Individual tastes for enchiladas can be accommodated through this method as well.

Don’t forget to mark the date and contents of the bag when you store it in the freezer.

Freezing Assembled Casserole

By freezing assembled enchiladas in a casserole, you can make several at once and freeze them together.

You should cover the bottom of your casserole dish with enchiladas, then top it with sauce and cheese.

Put several layers into the dish until it is full. After flash freezing, place it in a freezer bag or casserole dish.

Before freezing the container, wrap it in plastic wrap.

You can heat frozen enchiladas at once by freezing them as a casserole since you don’t have to remove individual portions from the freezer.

There is no limit to how many people you can feed with it.

In addition, since everything is already ready to eat, preparing it won’t take much time.

When removing frozen enchiladas from the freezer, you need to label them so that you can easily identify what they are.

Your labeling can include the quantity and preparation date so you’ll have all the information you need later.

How to Thaw and Reheat Frozen Enchiladas?

There are two methods you can use to reheat enchiladas.

Thawing your enchiladas in the fridge overnight or using the microwave oven are two ways to do it.

Thaw Enchiladas Using the Refrigerator Method

In order to freeze the casserole of an enchilada in your refrigerator, please take it from the freezer and transfer it to the refrigerator.

Depending on how long your frozen enchiladas have been stored in your freezer, it may need to rest there for 8 to 12 hours.

The casserole can be microwaved or reheated in the oven after it has been thawed.

To thaw your enchilada casserole, you must ensure it is completely thawed.

Reheat Frozen Enchiladas Using the Microwave

Microwave-safe dishes are best for reheating frozen enchiladas. Place the casserole in a microwave-safe dish and heat for about 3 minutes.

Make sure the casserole is heated evenly by turning it every one minute. Before serving, be sure to check its interior.

If the casserole is still not hot enough for your taste, heat it for one minute more. Reheating it for longer than five minutes will result in sogginess.

How Long Does Enchiladas Last in Freezer?

In the right conditions, you can freeze enchiladas for up to three months.

Although you can no longer tell how they taste, it is best to use them before the said period.

Moreover, freezing your leftovers preserves their nutrients since only a small amount of air enters the packages when freezing and thawing.

Ensure that the quality and flavor of your enchiladas are maintained by following the steps and tips in this article.

Conclusion

Therefore, enchiladas are a versatile dishes that can be served in a variety of flavors and forms.

It is best to prepare enchiladas in large quantities since they freeze well.

The dish may be frozen individually or assembled in a casserole.

Both methods can be reheated and eaten. Before thawing or heating the dish, there are a few things you should remember.

If you learn how to freeze enchiladas and reheat them, you can provide your family with delicious and safe meals without having to spend time preparing them from scratch.