Meal prep requires multiple tools in your arsenal; one such is your freezer. However, frozen foods can spoil more quickly than you might realize.
Watching carefully prepared food go to waste can be heartbreaking. Save both money and reduce food waste with these freezer and storage best practices.
1. Keep it cool
Your freezer can serve more than just as a place to store that leftover turkey from last Christmas’ sale; by properly freezing food items you have on hand when they become necessary and making healthy meals easily accessible when the time is right, your freezer becomes an asset that provides healthy meals when needed.
Waiting until frozen meals have completely cooled before storing them will help prevent freezer burn and keep the contents cold enough to reduce bacterial growth. Storing warm foods directly in the freezer raises their temperatures, potentially defrosting or refreezing other items in their contents and compromising texture and flavor.
Plastic containers or resealable bags should be used to store food in your freezer, as glass may break in cold conditions and should only be kept frozen temporarily.
2. Label it
Freezer meals can be an invaluable help on busy days, but only when they can be found easily. Labeling your frozen meals will prevent you from pulling something mysterious out from the back of the freezer when needed.
Be sure to write on labels clearly and on a dry surface (wet, greasy, or food-splattered surfaces may smear ink), leaving sufficient headspace for food that expands when frozen such as soups, stews casseroles, and cookies.
Consider employing the FIFO (First-In, First-Out) method when organizing your freezer contents; this will reduce waste while making sure to use up older foods first.
3. Divide it up
Freezing foods is one of the best ways to both reduce food waste and save money, but before throwing kale stems or leftover chicken soup into your freezer there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Most of us understand that meat and poultry should go in the freezer, along with fruits like berries, bananas, and ice cream. Certain items don’t freeze well if accidentally frozen; such as eggs and dairy products which lose consistency upon defrosting. Keep these kitchen-altering freezer tips in mind to maximize the effectiveness of your freezer!
4. Freeze it right
Freeze-dried meals can be an economical and delicious meal option, but improper storage could result in freezer burn and spoil the flavor of their contents. There are some easy steps you can take to help avoid freezer burn and keep foods tasting their best.
Liquid foods should be stored in resealable plastic bags rather than containers to maximize space efficiency and make use of stackable square bags that provide airflow between items in your freezer bag. Flat items, such as patties and burgers can be placed directly onto a baking sheet before being transferred into freezer bags for long-term storage. Regular labeling and organization of your freezer may also help.
5. Keep it clean
There’s nothing worse than watching food spoil in front of your eyes, whether stored in the fridge or freezer. Proper storage techniques can extend their lives significantly.
Make use of clear, airtight plastic bags, containers, or canning jars so that the contents can be seen easily, thus reducing food waste. Label foods or rearrange your freezer/cupboard in such a way that items with early best-before dates (FIFO method) are stored first in order to avoid older food becoming forgotten and wasted; plus making reusing/repurposing leftovers easier which saves both time and money!
6. Keep it dry
Proper food storage is key to prolonging the longevity of your hard-won food preservation efforts, particularly those related to fresh, perishable items like dairy, fruits and vegetables, or leftovers.
Air is the enemy of food, so make sure your freezer bags and storage containers are airtight before filling them up with foods such as soups and stews for the best results when freezing. Leave some room for expansion when freezing liquid-based items such as broth.
Just think: by getting rid of those old slices of bread lingering in your freezer and creating lunches from leftovers for next week, these tips can help your meals stretch further while stretching your grocery dollars even further.
7. Keep it fresh
Unwell-stocked freezers save both time and money in the kitchen. Proper storage ensures you make the most of your pre-prepared recipes like soups, stews, and casseroles.
Make sure the food has fully cooled before placing it in the freezer. Placing hot foods in there could increase temperatures, leading other frozen items to defrost more rapidly, which would alter their texture and flavor.
When freezing food in a container, use a lid to help ensure freshness. Remove as much air from your bag or container as possible to minimize freezer burn and place foods that may develop bacteria (like meat) nearer the back of the freezer where temperatures are more consistent.
8. Keep it organized
As we all know, food waste can be heartbreaking. By following some basic storage tips and extending their lives as much as possible, you can avoid food wastage.
One effective strategy to help maintain order in both your pantry and freezer is reorganizing regularly to follow the motto, “First In, First Out.” This will allow you to use up food quickly without waste. When organizing freezer meals together use baskets, plastic bins, or even flat Styrofoam lids as storage units while using netted garment bags as dividers.
9. Don’t forget about it
Many ingredients such as meats, fruits, and veggies can be frozen for long-term storage, saving both time and money when preparing meals and storing for later consumption. According to Kelly Jaggers of MSU Extension Food Safety Services, you should check your freezer frequently, freezing only food that will be eaten within its recommended storage period.
Meal planning can reduce food waste significantly; freezing batch ingredients such as ground meat, shredded chicken, rice, and cheese in airtight containers and thick zip-top bags designed for this purpose is one effective strategy.
