6 Freezer Tips for Better Food Storage
The modern freezer is an exceptional food storage tool that helps you plan healthy meals, follow a better grocery budget, and reduce kitchen waste. However, freezers are the home for unknown leftovers and wasted meals. That’s why it’s important to learn about these vital freezer tips. From learning the best food storage container for each item to understanding how to thaw out your food, follow these freezer tips.
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1. Freeze Foods That Are Forgiving
Not all foods thaw the same way. Know the difference to plan better. You can figure this out by knowing which foods have a high liquid content. High liquid content freezes faster, including soups, stews, baby food, fruit purees, and dishes with sauces. On the other hand, starchy foods often lose their starchy texture in the freezer. Items like cooked pasta or grain are better fresh. Raw bread and pastry dough freeze well, but cooked bread will become dry and dense in the freezer.
2. Use the Right Bag
Plastic bags can be a great storage option. However, it’s important to opt for the thicker bags specially designed for freezers. The thicker layer of plastic better wards off freezer burn. If using plastic bags, always ensure they are BPA free, preferably compostable. Or, better yet, opt for reusable silicone bags.
Squeeze out as much air as possible, and then freeze the food while the bag is lying flat to make the most of your freezer space. When it comes time to eat, a flat-frozen bag of soup will thaw faster too.
3. Organize Portion Sizes Before Freezing
Portion sizes are also important when it comes to freezing. Recipes portion their ingredients to fit families of four. Food manufacturers haven’t figured out that this isn’t the ’50s anymore – today, you may just as likely be preparing a meal for one, two, or eight.
So plan ahead, and sort out your portion sizes before you freeze the food. That way, you can pull out the exact number of organic chicken breasts you need instead of thawing too many.
4. Think About Thawing
Thawing out frozen foods may take up to 24 hours. You can always use your microwave in a pinch, but this method often leads to rubbery, overcooked foods. This is why planning a menu is important. Know what you’re making days in advance to thaw out your ingredients ahead of time.
5. Label Each Item Clearly
It’s easy to think that you’ll just remember what each plastic bag or cluster of foil contains – until you’re standing in front of your freezer, playing a losing memory game with a hungry belly. Don’t waste food – and save your brain space for more important endeavors.
Clearly label each container with the contents inside as well as the date they went into the freezer. If you have similar items, rotate them from the back of the box to the front, so that you use the oldest items first before they go bad.
6. Keep a List
Have you ever forgotten what’s at the bottom of your freezer? This is one of the best freezer tips: Create a list. This prevents messy piles of frozen entrees, vegetables, and desserts from sitting at the bottom for months. Freezers are great for food storage – but they won’t keep things fresh forever.
Keep a list of meals on the freezer door, so that you know exactly what’s inside without having to dig. Cross each item off as you take it out to eat.
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