Yes. You absolutely can, same as the duck fat. Whether it is a home-cooked goose, or even a store bought canned goose fat. In fact, I highly encourage it. Since I am the biggest advocate for limiting food waste and conserving as much as we can. I was all for trying to freeze goose fat.
Besides the fact that, it is not that common as an ingredient. I mainly use it as an ingredient in cooking roasted potatoes during Christmas time, so I often find myself with a lot of extra goose fat that probably goes to waste!
Benefits of Freezing Goose Fat
Freezing offers several advantages when storing goose fat:
Extends Shelf life.
Properly stored, frozen goose fat can last 6–12 months in the freezer. This is much longer than refrigerating it, which only keeps it fresh for a month or two. Freezing prevents goose fat from going rancid quickly.
Easy Long-Term Storage
Freezing allows you to buy goose fat in bulk when prices are lower. Store what you don’t immediately need in the freezer. This ensures you always have goose fat on hand for cooking.
Retains Fresh Flavor
Freezing locks in the fresh flavor of goose fat. It will taste the same when thawed months later. Refrigeration can cause goose fat to absorb fridge odors over time.
Prevents Waste
Freeze leftover goose fat from roasting geese to save it for future use. Freezing prevents waste and helps utilize all of the goose fat you paid for.
Convenient for Cooking
You can take out just the amount of frozen goose fat needed for a recipe. The rest stays frozen for longer storage.
How to freeze goose fat:
You will be surprised how easy it is to freeze goose fat. It doesn’t require any sort of effort, since goose fat already starts to solidify at room temperature without any interference. However, what you will need to keep in mind is the form you want to freeze it in.
I prefer to freeze goose fat in a silicone ice cube tray, so that it is easier for me to just defrost whatever number of cubes I need without having to thaw a whole block of fat just to use a small portion of it. It is even better to use it as a measuring unit when making soup or broth.
- In case you have goose soup, wait for the fat layer to form, then scoop as much of the fat as you can while it is still relatively warm.
- Place the container of scooped goose fat on a counter until it cools completely.
- You can freeze the goose fat in a silicone ice cube instead of a regular freezer-friendly container. However, do it in a two-step process, where you first freeze the silicone ice cube tray containing the fat for a few hours, then transfer the cubes to a freezer bag that you will later keep all the goose fat cubes in.
- Label the freezer bag or the container with the date of freezing and contents of the bag so that it is easier for you later on distinguish it from all the other food kept in the freezer.
How to defrost goose fat:
Just transfer the frozen goose fat from the freezer to the fridge and allow it to thaw overnight or at least for a few hours.
Another alternative is to just throw the frozen goose fat cube directly in a hot pan and let it reheat until it liquefies.
An extra tip that you need to consider when dealing with goose fat. Avoid any, even the slightest, contact of water with goose fat. The results won’t be pretty, as they don’t mix well at all.
How long does goose fat last in the freezer?
If you want to guarantee a no change in quality whatsoever, then a year is your maximum bet when it comes to freezing goose fat. But don’t worry, cooking with goose fat that was kept in the freezer for more than a year is still safe!
Ways to use goose fat / cooking with goose fat
Here is a list of different meals that go really well with goose fat:
- Roast potatoes – Obviously. I mean, Christmas is simply not the same if there isn’t a large dish with some extra crispy and delicious roasted potatoes that are especially cooked with goose fat!
- Yorkshire pudding – Trust me. The simple addition of goose fat to this traditional Sunday meal takes it to a whole new level.
- Cooking meat – And here I mean absolutely any type of meat. Red meat or poultry. It simply adds an extra delicious taste to the food.
FAQ About Freezing Goose Fat
How can you tell if frozen goose fat has gone bad?
Signs of spoiled frozen goose fat include an off smell, a change in color, liquid at the bottom of the container, or a rancid taste after cooking with it. Discard goose fat immediately if it shows any of these signs upon thawing.
Can you reuse goose fat after cooking?
Yes, reused goose fat imparts a delicious flavor. Strain out any food particles and store in the fridge for up to one month. Frozen, reused goose fat keeps for 6 months. Discard it sooner if it smells or tastes rancid.
Should you thaw goose fat before frying?
You can add frozen goose fat directly to a pan. It will melt and thaw quickly over heat. There is no need to thaw first. Cubed fat thaws faster than a block.
What happens if you freeze and thaw goose fat repeatedly?
Multiple freezes and thaws degrade the quality of goose fat. Flavor and shelf life diminish with each cycle. For best results, freeze in smaller portions that you’ll use up quickly.
Can you substitute goose fat for other fats?
Due to its rich flavor, goose fat can be substituted for duck fat or pork lard in equal amounts. Adjust for its lower smoke point compared to oils. Goose fat makes an excellent roasted potato or confit fat.
Is frozen goose fat safe after a power outage?
If goose fat partly thawed during an outage, then refroze hard, it can safely be refrozen. Discard if meat temperatures exceed 40°F for more than 2 hours. When in doubt, throw it out.
Conclusion
Freezing is an easy, cost-effective way to store goose fat for many months. Follow proper freezing and thawing methods to enjoy goose fat’s delicious flavor and versatility for your cooking needs.
Hi, I’m Julie, the passionate foodie and founder of Juliesfamilykitchen.com. I created this blog out of a drive to prove someone wrong, and then I realized how much I truly enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. In my free time, when I’m not running around after my kids or spending quality time with my partner, you can usually find me in the kitchen experimenting with new dishes.