If you store Napa cabbage the right way, you can keep it fresh and crunchy for quite a while. Whether you’re using your fridge, a cool basement, or even the freezer, there’s a method for everyone. Depending on how you store it, your cabbage can last anywhere from a week to several months.
Storing in the Fridge or Freezer
Most of us probably just toss our Napa cabbage straight into the crisper drawer after a grocery run or a harvest. It’s definitely the easiest way to go! In the fridge, it’ll stay fresh for about a week, as long as you follow a few simple rules.
First off, never wash your cabbage before putting it in the fridge—excess moisture is the enemy and will make it rot faster. Just give it a quick look-over to make sure there aren’t any stray slugs or bugs hitching a ride. To keep it extra crisp, I recommend wrapping the head in a layer of plastic wrap before tucking it away.
If you don’t think you’ll get around to eating it within a week, you can always freeze it. You won’t want to freeze the whole head at once, though. Instead, shred it into strips, give them a good wash, and pat them dry. Pop them into a freezer bag, and they’ll stay good for several weeks.
Cellar Storage
If you have a basement or root cellar, you can store your Napa cabbage there right after harvest or purchase. You just need a spot that hits these three marks:
- Cool
- Dry
- Dark
To keep it fresh for the long haul, wrap the cabbage in newspaper and place it in a wooden crate. It should stay good for several weeks this way. Just be sure to check for any brown spots or pests before packing it away. If you’re harvesting it yourself, try to keep the roots attached—it actually helps the cabbage last much longer! Just clean the roots thoroughly and check for insects. If you stick those roots into a pot of damp sand, your cabbage can stay fresh for four to eight weeks.
Make sure to give the sand a little water every now and then so it doesn’t dry out completely. Another cool trick? You can actually hang the cabbage in your cellar. Just wrap it in newspaper and hang it upside down. Again, just make sure it’s free of pests and soft spots before you hang it up!
