Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper (moist ingredients will stick to bare metal), arrange items in a single layer so they’re not touching, and then put the sheet in the freezer.
For foods that you want to freeze in bulk but plan to use little by little, the key is to use the dry-pack method. Use the dry-pack method to prevent clumping. Packing components separately will reduce freezer burn and improve the quality of the reheated meal. Do this if you’re freezing a meal with several components that will freeze and thaw at different rates, such as chicken and broccoli. You should generally leave about half an inch of room, but the amount varies based on what you’re freezing and the kind of container you’re using.įreeze different kinds of food separately. Water expands when it freezes, so when you are putting anything in a jar, a container, or even a bag, leave some headspace to prevent cracks or rips. Warm foods in a cold freezer will cause condensation to form, which is bad for frozen-food quality, according to Andress.įor liquids, leave enough headspace. Packing smaller portions will also help speed up freezing times. Avoid adding a ton of non-frozen food to your freezer at once, and consider lowering the temperature the day before freezing a lot of food. The slower the freezing process, the more likely it is that larger ice crystals will develop, making foods soggier or tougher when you reheat them. We have some tips:įreeze foods as quickly as possible. In addition to the containers and bags you use, the way you pack foods will change how they freeze and thaw. We recommend the easy-to-use Anova Precision Vacuum Sealer Pro, which offers powerful suction and has several useful settings. Nearly all of our test items came out with minimal freezer burn after spending several months in the freezer. Vacuum sealers get as much air out of a bag as possible, which helps reduce freezer burn.įor our guide to the best vacuum sealers, we sealed ground beef and bone-in cuts of meat using 12 different machines. People who frequently freeze items or buy food in bulk may want to invest in a vacuum sealer to keep ingredients fresher for longer. Heavy-duty bags for freezing and stacking flat The right packaging staves off that dreaded aftereffect by limiting the amount of air, odors, and moisture vapor allowed in, said Elizabeth Andress, food safety specialist and professor of foods and nutrition at the University of Georgia.īelow, we’ve rounded up our freezer-storage recommendations to help your food taste better for longer. They both cause freezer burn, which creates a tough or rubbery texture after food is thawed. The biggest enemies of frozen foods are air and ambient moisture. The key to ensuring your food tastes great after it’s thawed is how you store it: Food stays freshest when it’s frozen in airtight containers and thick, durable wrappings. (You can read our other tips for reducing food waste here.) Below, we share the best gear and techniques for packing, thawing, and organizing so you can reap the rewards of your freezer while also living more sustainably and saving money. One of the simplest ways to reduce food waste is to freeze food, because it helps stretch your leftovers and raw ingredients. It also comes with major financial costs: According to the USDA, the average family of four in the US will lose $1,500 annually to food waste. And food waste is the biggest methane emitter in landfills. (To put that into context, aviation accounts for about 2% of global CO₂ emissions.) In the United States, about a third of food goes to waste, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Globally, food waste accounts for an estimated 8% to 10% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Plus, freezing food is one of the easiest things you can do to minimize food waste, save money, and reduce your environmental impact. And in the dead of winter, you can draw on summer’s bounty of basil, berries, and stone fruit. You can bake homemade cookies a few at a time, defrost an emergency brownie or two, and toast fresh bagels.
You can throw a fresh-tasting dinner together without taking a trip to the store.
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It’s empowering to have a freezer full of ingredients and premade meals.
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