10 Foods You Should Be Freezing

Freezing food is an effective way to extend its shelf life and preserve its freshness and usability. As a result, you can reduce food waste and save money on your grocery bills. Most homes rely on a refrigerator with a freezer compartment for their freezing needs, but if you have the space, it may be best to invest in a chest freezer. Having more freezer space means you can store more food and, in some cases, even optimize the storage of your pantry staples.

Apart from ice cream and raw meats, you can stock your freezer with other foods that you and your family typically consume. You may already have these items in your cupboard or fridge, but freezing can be an even better way of storing them, as subzero temperatures stop the growth of bacteria that cause food to spoil. If you want to keep your food delicious and fresh for longer periods, consider keeping these 10 items in the freezer instead:

Bread

Buying bread in bulk is more practical than getting it per piece. It also saves you from making frequent trips to your local bakery. However, you might be worried about being able to consume the entire loaf before its expiration date, especially if you have a small household. Freezing your bread will allow you to safely eat it for up to 6 months after its production date because the cold makes it impossible for mold to grow. When you’re ready to eat, simply pop the bread into an oven or toaster, and they’ll taste just as good as when you bought them.

Cooked Grains

If you’re like many Filipinos, meals aren’t complete without rice or some sort of grain like brown rice or quinoa. But if you’re usually in a rush and don’t have time to prepare fresh rice for every meal, you can cook a big batch and freeze it. Portioning out the rice before freezing will make reheating it easier. Simply take out what you need and heat the rice in the microwave oven with a splash of water.

Milk

Milk is a popular pantry staple, but it’s also a food item that spoils very easily. Extend the shelf life of your milk by freezing it. However, before storing milk in the freezer, remove about a cup from each pack. The space allows the milk to safely expand, so the carton doesn’t burst when it freezes. Once you’re ready to use the stocked milk, bring it out and let it thaw. Then, shake the container to redistribute the fat, and the milk will be ready for consumption.

Butter

Whether you use butter to cook or to make your morning toast more delicious, stocking up on a few blocks while they’re on sale can help you save on your groceries. If you’re worried that they might go bad, simply freeze the extra butter blocks until you need them.

Bananas

When bananas get too ripe for your preference, you don’t have to rush to consume them. You can still enjoy the fruit later by peeling and freezing it. While frozen bananas can be enjoyed on their own, they are also perfect additions to smoothies and other healthy treats. You can also thaw the bananas and put them in your bread and pancake recipes.

Apples

Apples are another fruit that can be frozen to keep them fresh. If you don’t plan on eating them yet, store the apples in your freezer. Depending on what the recipes require or how you prefer to enjoy your apples, you can stock the fruit in the freezer whole, sliced, peeled, or unpeeled. This storage technique also makes food preparation quicker, as you can easily add pre-cut pieces to your recipe.

Tomatoes

With fresh produce prices rising, it’s more cost effective to buy in bulk and freeze it for later use. You don’t have to make any special freezing preparation when it comes to stocking tomatoes. Wash and dry whole tomatoes and place them into freezer-safe bags before storing. Then simply take them out when you need them. Frozen tomatoes can be used for multiple recipes, such as sauces, soups, and even salsa. They’ll taste fresher (and possibly cost less) than using pre-made tomato sauce from a packet.

Herbs

Herbs are often sold in large bunches, but they can be too much to use in a single recipe. If you want them to last longer, freeze the herbs. Do this by chopping the herbs and mixing them with olive oil. Then, fill an ice cube tray with the mixture and freeze them. When you’re ready to use the herb, simply toss a cube or two into your pot or pan.

Garlic

While it’s still safe to consume sprouted garlic, it can change the flavor and affect your recipes. If you want to keep your garlic from sprouting, keep your alliums in the freezer. You can store them as whole bulbs or individual cloves. You can also peel and chop the garlic before storing it in the freezer. This will make them easier to use and help you save time on cooking.

Ginger

Fresh ginger can be difficult to peel, but keeping it in the freezer makes the task easier. It will also help keep them usable for a long time. Since most recipes don’t need the whole ginger root, break it into several small pieces and place them in a resealable plastic bag. When you need a bit of ginger for your recipe, let the piece thaw before chopping or grating it.

Apart from the usual frozen goods, there are many different foods that you can keep in your freezer. The ability to freeze these items allows you to buy them in bulk or take advantage of good deals, lowering your food costs. With a bit of preparation, plus plenty of freezer-safe containers, you can keep them fresh for longer and avoid wasting food and money.

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