Can You Freeze Chicken Salad With Mayo? Explained

Last Updated on July 14, 2024 by Shari Mason

Most people enjoy chicken salad, a common dish at social gatherings. It consists of chicken, lettuce, and mayonnaise dressing, with the option to add any preferred fruits.

It is also common to have some leftovers. That’s why some ask – can you freeze chicken salad with mayo? Let’s find out.

Chicken Salad With Mayo: Can You Freeze It?

No, you can’t freeze chicken salad with mayonnaise. But there is an alternative way of freezing it by separating the mayo from the other ingredients.

Mayonnaise will emulsify and become too greasy if you freeze it. Particles of egg yolk and oil will separate, and you’ll notice that the whole chicken salad will be oily.

Thawed chicken salad is still safe to eat, but the texture might be different from the freshly-made salad because of the changes in the mayo.

Is It A Bad Idea?

Generally, yes. Freezing chicken salad is a bad idea because it contains mayonnaise that is not advisable to freeze. 

Mayo is made of ingredients that can’t be mixed: egg as the emulsifier, and lemon and vinegar are the ingredients that can’t be mixed together. 

The texture of the chicken salad will change if you improperly freeze and thaw it with mayonnaise. But is it okay to freeze canned green beans?

How To Freeze Chicken Salad With Mayo?

If you’re planning to make a chicken salad in advance and need to freeze it, it is better to freeze the ingredients separately and just refrigerate the mayo jar.

All ingredients except celery can be frozen. Put the chicken and other ingredients in an airtight container, except mayonnaise, and freeze them.

If you want to eat the salad, thaw frozen chicken and other veggies in the refrigerator and add the mayonnaise afterward. Learn if you can freeze ranch dressing here.

Factors To Consider

Texture of Ingredients

Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise is one of the main ingredients in making chicken salad. Make sure that the mayonnaise you use is within its best-by date.

Ensure that the mayo is not frozen too. Frozen mayo may look fine, but the changes and emulsification will change once it is thawed.

Greens

Use fresh vegetables if you’re planning to freeze your chicken salad. Also, avoid including vegetables that could easily spoil in low temperatures.

Make sure that all your veggies are thoroughly clean to avoid contamination.

Eggs

If you’re using hard-boiled eggs in your chicken salad, it is better not to freeze it because the egg white might get hard and chewy.

Boil eggs before preparing your chicken salad to maintain its perfect texture and taste.

Storage

Storage is one of the most important factors in freezing chicken salad. Ensure that the container you use is food-grade and airtight to prevent air from entering and contaminating the ingredients.

It is also best to use a vacuum seal when freezing the ingredients of your chicken salad to prolong its shelf life.

Duration 

The freezing duration of chicken salad should be taken note too, because the quality and taste of the ingredients depend on how long you’ll freeze it.

It is better to consume chicken salad ingredients within three weeks for great quality, texture, and flavor.

Tips & Tricks For Freezing Chicken Salad With Mayo

• Do not freeze the salad with mayo.
• Do not freeze the mayonnaise; refrigerate the sealed jar at a low temperature.
• Seal the chicken in an airtight container before freezing.
• Before freezing, place the chicken and/or other ingredients in a vacuum seal.
• Consume the frozen salad within three weeks.

How To Tell If It Has Gone Bad

Molds

Molds are a noticeable sign that the food is not safe to eat anymore. If there are changes in the color of your frozen chicken salad, better dispose of it immediately.

Smell

If your chicken salad developed an unpleasant smell, it might indicate that the bacteria has contaminated your food. Do not eat it to avoid health risks and food poisoning. [1] 

Texture

Spoiled chicken salad often has a slimy texture. It means mold and bacteria have developed, and it is better to dispose of them immediately.

Loss of Flavor

Salads taste sour because of mayonnaise and flavorful because of chicken and other ingredients. It is already spoiled if it doesn’t taste like a chicken salad anymore.

FAQs

How long can you keep chicken salad in the freezer?

You can keep chicken salad in the freezer for three weeks if you store it properly. If it’s a leftover salad and you refrigerated it properly, it can last up to a week.

What happens if you freeze chicken salad with mayonnaise?

If you freeze chicken salad with mayonnaise, the fat ingredients will be greasy. The mayo itself will emulsify after thawing, soaking everything with oil.

In Conclusion 

Generally speaking, it is not advisable to freeze the chicken salad with mayonnaise. 

It is better to separate the mayonnaise from the chicken and the other ingredients if you’re making a salad ahead of time and planning to freeze it.

Following the proper way of freezing the chicken salad is recommended to avoid spoilage.

Reference:

1. https://now.tufts.edu/2014/12/15/why-does-rotting-food-smell-bad