Mastering the art of freezing food can save you both time and money, preventing your freezer from becoming a dumping ground for food that eventually ends up in the trash. In this guide, we’ll share essential freezer tips and storage ideas, along with helpful food preparation techniques to ensure your meals stay fresh and flavorful. Whether you're already familiar with freezing or are looking to learn new tricks, this guide will help you make the most of your freezer. Keep reading to discover the best ways to store food and keep it fresh for longer.

How to Freeze Food the Right Way

It may seem simple, but only freeze foods you enjoy. There's no point in freezing things you don’t like or won't use. While freezing can preserve food and maintain its quality, it’s important to remember that no food tastes exactly the same once it’s been frozen and thawed. With the right tips, though, you can extend the shelf life of your food and minimize waste.

Choose the Right Containers

When freezing food, it’s essential to use containers and wraps designed for the freezer. These are thicker and better at retaining moisture while keeping freezer odors out. For example, the Rubbermaid Brilliance Pantry Food Storage Container Set is an excellent choice. Avoid using regular sandwich bags or kitchen wrap, as they aren't durable enough for long-term freezing. Instead, opt for reusable, freezer-safe storage bags.

If you prefer glass containers for freezing, make sure they’re tempered or specifically labeled as freezer-safe, like the ones used for canning. Since food expands during freezing, always leave about 3/4 inch of space between the food and the lid to avoid cracks. Both glass and plastic containers can be used, but glass is often the more eco-friendly option, as plastic isn’t as sustainable or durable.

Slice Before Freezing

To make future meals more convenient, slice items like bread and bagels before freezing. This way, you can easily grab a single serving when needed. For bagels, place the halves back-to-back in the freezer bag to prevent them from sticking together. You can also slice fruit before freezing it, making it easier to thaw and use, especially for smoothies.

Squeeze Out Air

Excess air in your freezer bags or containers can lead to freezer burn. For items like sliced bread, make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing. However, when freezing liquids like sauces, soups, or stews, leave a bit of space at the top of the container to allow for expansion without spilling over the lid.

Allow Food to Cool Before Freezing

Before freezing hot foods, allow them to cool to room temperature. This helps prevent excess moisture in your freezer, which can affect other stored items. Also, give the container some breathing room in the freezer—leaving space around it ensures that cold air circulates efficiently, speeding up the freezing process. Once frozen, you can stack the container with other items.

Freeze Liquids Flat for Quick Thawing

Maximize freezing efficiency by using shallow, flat containers. Freezing broths, sauces, and other liquids in freezer bags and laying them flat helps them freeze faster. Once frozen, stand them up vertically to save space. These flat-packed foods will thaw quickly when submerged in a bowl of hot water or held under hot running water.

Freeze in Smaller Portions for Faster Thawing

To make thawing easier and more efficient, freeze food in small portions. Smaller portions freeze faster, which helps retain flavor and texture when thawed. For example, freeze soups, spaghetti sauces, and lasagna in one- or two-serving containers. This way, you can thaw exactly what you need without wasting food or waiting too long for larger portions to thaw.

What to Freeze

Your freezer isn’t just for storing leftover chili or a stash of ice cream. Think of it as the icy extension of your pantry—a place where you can keep essentials and even some specialty items to make your cooking life more convenient and fun. Let’s explore what you can freeze and the best ways to do so.

Fruits and Veggies

If you’ve got ripe peaches, melons, berries, mangoes, or bananas that are about to go overripe, freeze them! These fruits make fantastic ingredients for smoothies or frozen margaritas. Simply spread them out on a baking sheet, freeze them until firm, and then transfer them to a resealable plastic bag. This method ensures the pieces won’t stick together.

Vegetables can also be frozen for later use. Items like kale, avocados, and celery freeze well and can be added to soups, stews, or smoothies. While blanching some vegetables before freezing can extend their shelf life, it’s not always necessary.

Meat and Seafood

Freezing meat and seafood is a great way to buy in bulk and store it for future meals. Different meats and seafood have different best practices for freezing, but generally, it’s best to freeze them if you’re not cooking them right away and before the “freeze by” date on the packaging.

You can also freeze cooked meats—think rotisserie chicken, ham, or fish—for quick meal prep. These can be used later in dishes like stir-fries, soups, or stews, saving you time on busy nights.

Eggs

Eggs are freezable, but they need to be out of the shell. Beat them first and store yolks and whites separately in resealable plastic bags. If you’re freezing just the yolks, mix in a teaspoon of sugar to help preserve their freshness. To thaw, place them under hot running water or leave them in the fridge overnight.

Dairy

Certain cheeses, especially firmer ones like mozzarella, Parmesan, Romano, and aged provolone, can be frozen for long-term storage. Grate them before storing them in a resealable plastic bag for easy use later. Soft cheeses, however, don’t freeze well due to their moisture content.

You can also freeze milk, so you’re always prepared for a busy week ahead. Just remember that the milk will retain the best flavor and texture if you freeze it while it's still fresh—so don’t freeze an already opened container.

Baked Goods

Many baked goods, including desserts, can be frozen, making it easy to enjoy your favorite treats for days. This is especially useful if you're preparing for a holiday or hosting a gathering: bake in advance, freeze, and thaw when you're ready to serve.

You might already know that cookie dough can be frozen, but did you know you can freeze baked cookies too? Just make sure to let them cool completely before freezing.

For frosted cakes—whether whole or sliced—place it in the freezer uncovered until the frosting firms up (about two hours, depending on the type of frosting). After that, wrap the cake in plastic wrap, then foil. To thaw, remove the plastic and foil, and shape the foil into a tent over the cake. Let it thaw in the fridge overnight, and bring it to room temperature before serving.

Leftovers

When you have more leftovers than your fridge can handle (Thanksgiving, anyone?), your freezer is your best friend. From rice to soups and sauces, freezing leftovers is a great way to reduce waste and save money.

For soups and stews, cool them before freezing. If your dish has noodles, rice, or croutons, freeze them separately from the base to avoid a soggy mess. Leftover sauces, broths, and even liquids like milk or juice can be frozen in ice cube trays—pesto, tomato paste, coffee, tea, or even wine (for cooking purposes) can be frozen this way too. Once solid, transfer the cubes to a resealable bag for storage.

Breakfast items like pancakes and waffles are also great for freezing. Cook them in batches, let them cool, and separate them with wax paper to avoid sticking. Freeze them in resealable plastic bags, and when you want to reheat, just pop them in the toaster oven—no need to thaw.

Make-Ahead Meals

Meal prepping is a huge time-saver, especially when you freeze dishes to cook later. Preparing meals in advance helps busy folks eat healthier while saving money. Some of the best freezer-friendly meals to prepare ahead include casseroles and baked pasta.

To freeze casseroles and pasta dishes, don’t leave the casserole dish in the freezer. Instead, line the pan with foil, assemble the meal, wrap it, and freeze until solid. Once frozen, lift the block out of the pan and transfer it to a freezer bag. This way, your dish will be ready to thaw and cook whenever you need it.