31 Things You Can Freeze To Save Time and Money!
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Freezing food is a fantastic way to save money, time, and effort while keeping your meals fresh and delicious. Many everyday items that you might not think to freeze can be stored this way, allowing you to buy in bulk, avoid frequent grocery trips, and enjoy seasonal produce year-round.
Here are 31 surprising foods you can freeze, along with tips on how to do it.
1. Cheese
- How to Freeze: Shred hard cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella before freezing. For soft cheeses, portion them out into small, airtight containers.
- Tip: Use frozen cheese within six months for best quality.
2. Milk
- How to Freeze: Pour milk into airtight containers, leaving space for expansion. Thaw in the fridge and shake well before use.
- Tip: Freeze milk in smaller portions for convenience.
3. Butter
- How to Freeze: Wrap sticks of butter in aluminum foil or place in airtight containers.
- Tip: Butter can last up to six months in the freezer.
4. Yogurt
- How to Freeze: Spoon yogurt into ice cube trays or small containers.
- Tip: Frozen yogurt works well in smoothies or as a cool snack.
5. Bread
- How to Freeze: Slice bread and place it in freezer bags. For rolls or buns, wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag.
- Tip: Toast slices directly from the freezer.
6. Tortillas
- How to Freeze: Place a sheet of wax paper between each tortilla and store in a freezer bag.
- Tip: Thaw tortillas in the microwave or at room temperature.
7. Pasta
- How to Freeze: Cook pasta al dente, cool, and toss with a bit of olive oil before freezing in airtight containers.
- Tip: Reheat frozen pasta directly in boiling water or a microwave.
8. Rice
- How to Freeze: Cook rice, let it cool, and freeze in portions in freezer bags.
- Tip: Microwave or steam frozen rice for a quick side dish.
9. Potatoes
- How to Freeze: Blanch potato wedges or fries before freezing on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags.
- Tip: Bake or fry directly from the freezer.
10. Eggs
- How to Freeze: Beat eggs and pour into ice cube trays or muffin tins. Alternatively, freeze yolks and whites separately.
- Tip: Use thawed eggs in baking or scrambled eggs.
11. Nuts
- How to Freeze: Store nuts in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Tip: Frozen nuts can be used directly from the freezer in recipes.
12. Herbs
- How to Freeze: Chop herbs and freeze them in ice cube trays with water or olive oil.
- Tip: Add herb cubes directly to sauces and soups.
13. Garlic
- How to Freeze: Peel and freeze whole cloves or minced garlic in freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen garlic directly in cooking.
14. Ginger
- How to Freeze: Peel and freeze ginger in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Tip: Grate frozen ginger directly into recipes.
15. Avocados
- How to Freeze: Mash avocados with a bit of lemon juice and freeze in airtight containers.
- Tip: Use in guacamole or smoothies.
16. Tomatoes
- How to Freeze: Blanch, peel, and freeze whole or chopped tomatoes in freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen tomatoes in sauces and soups.
17. Berries
- How to Freeze: Spread berries on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen berries in smoothies, baking, or as a snack.
18. Bananas
- How to Freeze: Peel bananas and freeze whole or in chunks.
- Tip: Use frozen bananas in smoothies or baking.
19. Citrus Fruits
- How to Freeze: Slice or segment citrus fruits and freeze in airtight containers.
- Tip: Use frozen citrus in drinks or recipes.
20. Grapes
- How to Freeze: Wash and dry grapes, then freeze on a baking sheet and transfer to freezer bags.
- Tip: Frozen grapes make a refreshing snack.
21. Apples
- How to Freeze: Peel, core, and slice apples, then freeze in freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen apples in baking or cooking.
22. Peaches
- How to Freeze: Peel, pit, and slice peaches, then freeze in freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen peaches in smoothies, baking, or desserts.
23. Vegetables
- How to Freeze: Blanch vegetables like broccoli, carrots, and green beans before freezing in freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen vegetables directly in cooking.
24. Spinach
- How to Freeze: Blanch and freeze spinach in portions in freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen spinach in smoothies, soups, or sautés.
25. Mushrooms
- How to Freeze: Slice and sauté mushrooms before freezing in portions.
- Tip: Add frozen mushrooms directly to recipes.
26. Peppers
- How to Freeze: Slice peppers and freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen peppers in cooking.
27. Corn
- How to Freeze: Blanch corn kernels and freeze in portions in freezer bags.
- Tip: Add frozen corn directly to recipes.
28. Green Onions
- How to Freeze: Chop green onions and freeze in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Tip: Use frozen green onions directly in recipes.
29. Broth
- How to Freeze: Portion broth into ice cube trays or containers.
- Tip: Use broth cubes to add flavor to dishes.
30. Sauces
- How to Freeze: Freeze sauces like tomato or pesto in ice cube trays, then transfer to freezer bags.
- Tip: Reheat frozen sauce cubes directly in a pan.
31. Baked Goods
- How to Freeze: Freeze cookies, muffins, and cakes in airtight containers or freezer bags.
- Tip: Thaw baked goods at room temperature or in a microwave.
Good Reasons to Stock Your Freezer with Food
- Saves Money: Buying in bulk and freezing what you don’t use immediately can significantly cut down on food costs.
- Convenient: A stocked freezer can help you avoid unnecessary trips to the grocery store.
- Saves Time: Cook meals or prep ingredients ahead of time and freeze them for quick meals or snacks later.
- Fresh and Delicious: Freeze your favorite fruits and vegetables when they’re in season to enjoy the delicious bounty of summer any time of the year.
Freezing food is a simple and effective way to make the most of your grocery purchases, reduce waste, and ensure you always have delicious ingredients on hand. With these tips, you can easily stock your freezer with a variety of everyday items and enjoy the benefits of a well-prepared kitchen.