Mango puree is a delicious way to enjoy mangoes year-round. By freezing mango puree, you can have quick access to mango flavor for smoothies, desserts, sauces, and more. Learning how to properly freeze mango puree will help retain the bright color, sweet flavor, and smooth texture.
Why Freeze Mango Puree?
Freezing mango puree allows you to:
- Enjoy mangoes year-round, not just when they are in season.
- Cut down on food waste by preserving bumper crops or ripe fruit.
- Save money by buying mangoes in bulk when they are cheap.
- Add convenience with ready-made mango puree for recipes.
- Make nourishing baby food or smoothies quickly.
- Maintain quality and nutrition better than freezer-burned whole fruit.
Tips for Selecting Mangoes to Puree and Freeze
Picking the right mangoes is key to a delicious puree.
- Choose ripe, ready-to-eat mangoes. Underripe mangoes will taste sour when thawed.
- Select mangoes free of bruises, spots, and mold. Damaged fruit can impart off-flavors.
- Handle mangoes gently to avoid bruising the delicate flesh.
- For the best flavor, opt for fragrant varieties like Ataulfo, Kent, Keitt, or Honey.
- Frozen mango puree made from standard grocery store mangoes still tastes great.
How to Puree Mangoes
You can use a blender, immersion blender, food processor, or sieve to puree mangoes. Here are some tips:
- Wash, peel, and chop mangoes into 1-inch cubes first. This makes pureeing easier.
- For a smoother consistency, strain the puree through a mesh sieve after blending.
- Add a tablespoon or two of water or juice to reach the desired consistency.
- Puree in batches for easier blending and to avoid spilling.
- Fill the blender only halfway for best results.
- Start at low speed to avoid splatters, then increase as needed.
- Blend until completely smooth, about 1–2 minutes per batch.
Freezing in Ice Cube Trays
For small portions of mango puree, freeze in ice cube trays:
- Line a standard ice cube tray with parchment paper or foil for easy removal.
- Fill each compartment 344 full. Leave room for expansion when freezing.
- Insert popsicle sticks if making mango puree popsicles.
- Freeze overnight until solid.
- Pop out the frozen cubes and transfer them to a freezer bag or container.
Ice cube portions thaw quickly for smoothies, yogurt, oatmeal, and more.
Freezing in Bulk
For larger batches of mango puree:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
- Spread the puree in an even 12 to 1-inch layer on the pan.
- Freeze until firm, about 2–3 hours.
- Break up the frozen puree into pieces or chunks.
- Transfer to labeled freezer bags, removing as much air as possible.
- Freeze for up to 6 months.
Breaking up the puree first prevents you from needing to thaw the whole block to access some puree.
Thawing Frozen Mango Puree
- For ice cube portions, simply pop out a cube whenever needed.
- For bulk frozen puree, break off a chunk from the bag while it is still frozen.
- Thaw larger blocks of puree overnight in the fridge or for a few hours at room temperature.
- Avoid thawing in the microwave, as this can create hot and cold spots.
- Gently break up chunks or give it a quick stir after thawing.
- Use immediately after thawing for the best quality. Do not refreeze thawed puree.
Recipes Using Mango Puree
Frozen mango puree shines in:
- Smoothies: add a cube or two for a nutrition boost.
- Yogurt parfaits: layer with Greek yogurt and granola.
- Overnight oats: stir a few cubes into the oats and refrigerate overnight.
- Popsicles: blend with coconut water or juice for homemade pops.
- Sauces: puree straight or blend with other fruits to make a quick sauce.
- Curries, chutneys, and salsas add sweet mango flavor.
- Ice cream: blend into homemade or store-bought ice cream.
- Drinks: Blend with citrus juice and coconut water for a tropical beverage.
- Baked goods: fold into muffins, cakes, and tarts for moisture and fruity sweetness.
The convenience of frozen mango puree makes it easy to add the benefits of mangoes to more meals and snacks!
FAQ: Freezing Mango Puree
How long does mango puree last in the freezer?
If frozen properly in airtight bags or containers, mango puree will retain its flavor and color for 6–8 months. Ground freezer burn may start to diminish quality after that.
Can you freeze mango puree without sugar or citrus?
Yes, it is not necessary to add sugar or citrus juice to mango puree before freezing. The fruit has enough natural sugars to freeze well on its own. Citrus juice is sometimes added for flavor contrast in recipes but is not needed for preservation.
Does mango puree need to be heated before freezing?
No. You do not need to cook mango puree before freezing. In fact, heat can degrade the fresh fruit’s flavor. Simply freeze freshly made puree within 2 hours for best quality and food safety.
Can you freeze mango puree in glass jars?
It’s best not to freeze mango puree in glass jars, as the puree will expand during freezing, which can break the glass. Use plastic containers, freezer bags, ice cube trays, or lined baking sheets instead.
Is it better to freeze mango puree in small or large batches?
It depends on your usage. For single-serve portions, ice cube trays work well. For larger amounts needed for baking or big batches of smoothies, freezing bulk puree in bags is more efficient. Combine methods based on your needs.
Can frozen mango puree be refrozen after thawing?
No, thawed mango puree should not be refrozen, as this increases the risk of quality loss and food safety issues. Thaw only what you plan to use within a day or two.
How do you know if frozen mango puree has gone bad?
Discard frozen mango puree if it smells fermented or off, has changed color, or shows excessive ice crystals. Edges may darken over time in the freezer, but the interior color should remain vibrant orange when thawed.
What is the best way to thaw frozen mango puree?
For small portions, letting ice cube trays thaw at room temperature works well. For larger blocks, thaw overnight in the fridge for food safety or on the countertop for a few hours if using immediately after. Avoid the microwave, as it can create hot and cold spots.
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.