Can You Freeze Aloe Vera Juice? | Storage Guide

Aloe vera is perhaps the most widely used medicinal plant in the West, and for good reason. However, knowing how to store it properly is a common concern.

You can freeze aloe vera juice. Store-bought aloe vera juice can last for up to 5 years in the freezer. Aloe vera juice made from fresh leaves can last for up to 8 months.

Here’s all you need to know to make your aloe vera juice or gel las for a long time.

How Do You Defrost Aloe Vera?

To defrost aloe vera, move it to the refrigerator and leave it there for two to three days. Then let it thaw at room temperature for 24 hours.

You’ll need some time to defrost and soften the aloe. If you are in a hurry, take the gel out of the freezer and let it sit out until it is thawed, which could take four to five hours. However, this may not be enough time for the gel to get soft. 

Alternatively, move the gel from the freezer to the refrigerator. It will last for up to three days if you don’t open it. 

After refrigerating it for two or three days, remove the gel from the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 24 hours. At this point, the gel should be soft enough for you to scoop it out or use a knife to cut out what you need. 

Where Should I Store Aloe Vera Juice?

You should store aloe vera juice in a cool, dark place. A basement, pantry, or cupboard will all work. When stored in the pantry, unopened aloe juice should last for a year or more. Once opened, it should last for about a week in the fridge. 

Natural aloe vera juice has a short shelf life and must be refrigerated after opening to keep its freshness and benefits. Aloe vera contains antioxidants and other compounds that are known for their health benefits but are sensitive to heat and light exposure. 

Most juice manufacturers go to great lengths to protect those compounds by adding preservatives, which allow the juice to be sold at room temperature and extend its shelf life. 

If you’re not sure how old your aloe juice is, look for signs that it has gone bad before drinking it. Toss it out if it has an “off” smell, thick consistency, or sour taste. 

How Long Will Aloe Vera Last in the Fridge?

Aloe vera gel or juice bought at the store will last for 2-3 weeks in the fridge after opened. If unopened, it can last for 2-3 years. Freshly cut aloe vera will last for three days in the fridge.

If you cut up a fresh plant leaf, store the aloe vera gel in the refrigerator, place the gel in an air-tight container, and put it in the fridge. 

Fresh aloe vera gel won’t keep long, so don’t expect to make a big batch and keep it for weeks or months. If you have an aloe vera plant, though, you’ll have more than enough gel to use as needed. 

How Long Does Aloe Vera Juice Last Unrefrigerated?

Aloe vera juice can last up to a month unrefrigerated as long as it’s sealed. Unsealed aloe vera juice will last between 1 and 3 days.

The amount of time aloe vera lasts when unrefrigerated depends on what type of aloe vera juice you are drinking. For example, commercial brands of aloe vera juice contain preservatives, which means its shelf life will be longer than that of a homemade juice from freshly cut leaves of an aloe vera plant. 

How Do You Store Aloe Vera for a Long Time?

To store aloe vera for a long time, extract the gel from the leaf and freeze it. Adding vitamin E to the gel will preserve your aloe vera gel for up to a year. You can also dry it out to make a powder.

If you have an aloe plant and want to store some of the gel for later, slice off one of the leaves at the base of the plant with a sharp knife. You can cut off as many leaves as you need. 

If you’re going to use up all of the gel right away, slice off just what you need and apply it directly to your skin or hair. If you want to keep it at hand for the future, here are some ways to store aloe vera for a long time: 

Freeze It

Pour the aloe vera gel into ice cube trays and freeze them. Pop out the frozen cubes and store them in freezer bags. When you need aloe vera, take out what you need and let it thaw. The frozen aloe vera cubes are great for burns, skin irritations, and bug bites. 

Dry It Out

You can dry out your aloe vera gel and then store it in a glass jar with a tight lid until ready to use again. You will want to strain off any pulp before drying/storing your gel.

To dry the gel, you can use the dehydrate and powder method. Dehydrate aloe slices or chopped gel pieces, then grind into a powder using a coffee grinder or food processor. 

Add Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil will help preserve your aloe vera gel for up to one year. You can add about five drops of vitamin E oil to 100 ml (3.38 fl oz) of aloe vera gel. Make sure to mix it well. Adding vitamin E will help keep your homemade aloe vera gel fresh for a long time. 

To store, make sure you keep your aloe vera gel in an air-tight container. Glass bottles work best as they don’t interact with the ingredients in the homemade gel. 

Make sure that you keep the bottle in a cool, dry place and away from direct sunlight. It is also recommended that you refrigerate your homemade aloe vera gel if possible.

How To Preserve Aloe Vera Gel With Coconut Oil?

Here’s how to preserve aloe vera gel with coconut oil: 

1. Cut the aloe leaf and squeeze out excess liquid. 
2. Slice off its edges. 
3. Scoop out the gel with a spoon.
4. Add one tablespoon (15 ml) of coconut oil per two tablespoons (30 ml) of aloe vera gel. Mix well. 
5. Store in a jar and place in the refrigerator. 

Here’s an alternative method you can also use:

1. Cut the aloe vera leaves into pieces. Wash and peel off the skin. 
2. Blend the aloe vera gel.
3. Strain them with a strainer or cheesecloth to get the pure juice or gel. 
4. In a bowl, add coconut oil the aloe vera.
5. Stir well until both ingredients are well incorporated into the mix. 
6. Store in a glass jar with an air-tight lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. 

Conclusion

Keeping and storing aloe vera is relatively simple when you know the correct methods of preserving it.

Store-bought aloe vera may be the most convenient alternative, but if you have your own aloe vera plant, there’s no reason to use that instead. Whichever way you choose, you’ll be able to keep your aloe vera juice or gel usable for a long time.

For more, don’t miss Does Elderberry Syrup Need to Be Refrigerated?