This guide provides tips for properly storing various foods in the freezer. It lists foods grouped by category and recommends storage times ranging from 1-12 months. For each food, it specifies preparation instructions for freezing, notes about texture after thawing, and suggestions for uses in cooking. The goal is to help people cook more and save more by understanding freezer storage best practices.
This guide provides tips for properly storing various foods in the freezer. It lists foods grouped by category and recommends storage times ranging from 1-12 months. For each food, it specifies preparation instructions for freezing, notes about texture after thawing, and suggestions for uses in cooking. The goal is to help people cook more and save more by understanding freezer storage best practices.
This guide provides tips for properly storing various foods in the freezer. It lists foods grouped by category and recommends storage times ranging from 1-12 months. For each food, it specifies preparation instructions for freezing, notes about texture after thawing, and suggestions for uses in cooking. The goal is to help people cook more and save more by understanding freezer storage best practices.
This guide provides tips for properly storing various foods in the freezer. It lists foods grouped by category and recommends storage times ranging from 1-12 months. For each food, it specifies preparation instructions for freezing, notes about texture after thawing, and suggestions for uses in cooking. The goal is to help people cook more and save more by understanding freezer storage best practices.
This guide has everything you need to know about how to properly store food in your freezer, so that you can cook more and save more.
KEY BUTTER CHEESE EGGS MILK YOGURT APPLES
6 TO 9 MONTHS 6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3 TO 6 MONTHS 1 TO 2 MONTHS 12 MONTHS
PRODUCE Whole or portioned, Shredded, portioned Beat with a pinch of salt, and Portion into serving size Portion into serving size Make into applesauce by FREEZE DAIRY
wrapped tightly into bags pour into ice cube tray containers with space for containers with space to cooking and puréeing. liquid to expand expand Cool and portion into Taste and texture the same Hard cheeses will be Yolks get thick like paste, bags or containers as before freezing, if used crumbly, soft cheeses will be which is why salt added Milk will have separated Thicker yogurt will THAWED within 6 months of freezing grainy before freezing slows down into chunks and water, so separate into chunks and Taste and texture will be the thickening shake well before using water, so whisk together the same as before Use as you would use fresh Pastas, soups, bakes, frittatas freezing butter Frittatas, omelets, breading Creamy soups, oatmeal Baked goods, oatmeal, USE IN veggies or meats smoothies, dips, sauces Baked goods, oatmeal
8 TO 10 MONTHS 4 TO 5 MONTHS 8 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS
Blanch 2-4 min, spread on a Peel and mash or puree with Chop or mash, and portion Cook and cool. Chop and Spread on a tray. When Chop, blanch 3 min, portion Chop, blanch 2 min, portion tray. When frozen, transfer a bit of lemon juice into bags portion into bags or frozen, transfer to bags and into bags into bags to bags and refreeze containers refreeze Surface will turn brown Frozen bananas will turn Taste and texture will be the Taste and texture will be the Taste and texture will be the brown Taste and texture will be the Berries will get mushy and same as when blanched same as when blanched same as when blanched Dips, spreads, baked goods same as when cooked release liquid Baked goods, oatmeal, Sautés, stir-fries, soups, Sautés, stir-fries, soups, Sautés, stir-fries, soups, smoothies Soups, sautés Baked goods, smoothies, stews, bakes, frittatas, stews, bakes bakes fruit soups omelets
CAULIFLOWER CELERY CORN GARLIC GRAPES GREEN BEANS HERBS
6 TO 8 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS 10 TO 12 MONTHS 3 TO 5 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS 12 MONTHS
Chop, blanch 3 min, portion Chop, blanch 3 min, portion Remove kernels and blanch Peeled or unpeeled Spread on a tray. When Blanch 3 min, portion into Remove stems, chop, pack into bags into bags 4 min. Spread on a tray. individual cloves. Or peel, frozen, transfer to bags and bags tightly into ice cube tray, and When frozen, transfer to chop, and double bag to refreeze fill with water, oil, or broth. Taste and texture will be the Celery will lose its crispness bags and refreeze prevent odors from escaping Taste and texture will be the Once frozen, pop out of trays same as when blanched and turn soft Taste and texture will be the same as when blanched and store in bags or containers Taste and texture will be the Garlic will lose its same as before freezing Sautés, stir-fries, soups, Sautés, stir-fries, soups, same as when blanched crunchiness, but still have its Sautés, stir-fries, soups, Taste will be the same as stews, bakes, frittatas stews, bakes strong flavor Eat frozen like a popsicle or bakes, frittatas before freezing Sautés, stir-fries, soups, use in smoothies bakes, frittatas, omelets Use as you would use fresh Add to sautés, stir-fries, frittatas, garlic omelets, bakes, soups, stews
helping home cooks live To get more tips on how to cook on a budget, happier, simpler, smarter in the kitchen visit cooksmarts.com/budget 2
FROZEN FOOD STORAGE
This guide has everything you need to know about how to properly store food in your freezer, so that you can cook more and save more.
PRODUCE (CONTINUED) LEAFY GREENS
KEY (SPINACH, KALE, CHARD) MELONS MUSHROOMS OKRA ONIONS PEAS 8 MONTHS 9 TO 12 MONTHS 9 TO 12 MONTHS 8 MONTHS 3 TO 6 MONTHS 12 MONTHS
Remove stems, blanch 2-4 Chop and spread on a tray. Cook, cool, and portion into Blanch 3-4 min, portion into Chop and double bag to Shell, blanch 1-2 min, FREEZE min, squeeze out all excess When frozen, transfer to bags or containers bags prevent odors from escaping portion into bags water, chop, portion into bags and refreeze bags Taste and texture will be the Taste and texture will be the Onions will lose their Taste and texture will be the Melon will become soft same as when cooked same as when blanched crispness and release water same as when blanched THAWED Taste and texture will be the same as when blanched Smoothies, fruit soups Sautés, stir-fries, frittatas, Gumbo, stews, sautés, fried Soups, stews, stock, sautés, Sautés, stir-fries, soups, omelets, bakes, soups, stews stir-fries frittatas, omelets, bakes Smoothies, soups, bakes, USE IN frittatas, omelets
PEPPERS, SWEET ZUCCHINI & WINTER BACON & BEEF
TOMATOES DELI MEATS BELL & HOT SUMMER SQUASHES SQUASHES PANCETTA COOKED 2 TO 3 MONTHS 3 TO 4 MONTHS 2 TO 3 MONTHS 3 TO 4 MONTHS 8 MONTHS 9 TO 12 MONTHS 6 MONTHS FRESH 6 TO 8 MONTHS
PROTEINS Stem, remove membranes, Cut out the 'scar' where the Chop, blanch 3 min, then Cube and cook by In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag or chop, spread on a tray. When stem was attached. Portion portion into bags roasting, steaming, or container container container frozen, transfer to bags and into bags or containers boiling. (Optional: puree refreeze Summer squashes will or mash) Taste and texture will be Cooked - will lose some Same as before freezing Peppers will develop ice Tomatoes will become become a little soft the same as before moisture; Fresh - same as crystals, so for best quality, use mushy Taste and texture will be freezing before freezing Grilled cheese sandwiches, as soon as possible. They will Soups, stews, bakes, sautés, the same as when cooked melts, chopped for omelets, get soft the longer they freeze. Dice or puree for soups, frittatas, omelets Cooked - sautés, stir-fries, frittatas, bakes Use as you would use stews, sauces Soups, stews, bakes, dips, fresh bacon soups, stews, bakes; Sautés, stir-fries, soups, bakes, baked goods (pumpkin) Fresh - use as you would frittatas, omelets unfrozen
GROUND MEAT FISH PORK POULTRY SAUSAGES,
HAM NUTS COOKED 2 TO 3 MONTHS COOKED OR FRESH COOKED 2 TO 3 MONTHS COOKED 4 MONTHS COOKED 6 TO 8 MONTHS 1 TO 2 YEARS FRESH 6 TO 8 MONTHS 6 TO 9 MONTHS FRESH 6 TO 8 MONTHS FRESH 9 TO 12 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS
In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag, so that In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag or In an air-tight bag or container container container odors will not get in container container container
Same as before freezing Same as before freezing Cooked - will lose some Toast to add crispness, but Cooked - will lose some Cooked - will lose some Taste and texture will be the moisture; Fresh - same as taste and texture will be the moisture; Fresh - same as moisture; Fresh - same as same as before freezing Use as you would use fresh Burger patties, meatloaf, before freezing same as before freezing before freezing before freezing ham sautés, soups, stews, Use as you would use frittatas, omelets, bakes Cooked - sautés, stir-fries, Salads, baked goods, and Cooked - sautés, stir-fries, Cooked - sautés, stir-fries, unfrozen cooked sausages soups, bakes; Fresh - use as garnish on sautés, stir-fries, soups, stews, bakes ; Fresh - soups, stews, bakes ; Fresh - you would unfrozen frittatas use as you would unfrozen use as you would unfrozen
helping home cooks live To get more tips on how to cook on a budget, happier, simpler, smarter in the kitchen visit cooksmarts.com/budget 3
FROZEN FOOD STORAGE
This guide has everything you need to know about how to properly store food in your freezer, so that you can cook more and save more.
PROTEINS (CONTINUED) BREAD & BROTH / STOCK
KEY SHRIMP TEMPEH TOFU BEANS BAKED GOODS (MEAT, VEGGIE, FISH) 6 TO 8 MONTHS 12 MONTHS 3 TO 5 MONTHS 9 TO 12 MONTHS
PREPARED FOODS 3 TO 6 MONTHS 4 TO 6 MONTHS
In an air-tight bag or In original packaging. If Wrap in a few layers of Cook, cool, and portion into Pour into ice cube trays or FREEZE container opened, wrap in plastic and plastic wrap or foil, and bags or containers small bags or containers put into a bag or container place in an air-tight bag with space for liquid to Same as before freezing Taste and texture will be the expand Taste and texture will be the Any ice crystals that form same as before freezing THAWED Use as you would use fresh same as before freezing on bread or baked good Taste and texture will be the shrimp will make them soggy Use as you would use cooked same as before freezing Use as you would use beans unfrozen tempeh Enjoy as is; bread Use as you would use USE IN pudding, croutons unfrozen stock (bread)
PESTO CANNED TOMATOES CASSEROLES PASTA & NOODLES PIZZA RICE & GRAINS SOUPS & STEWS 8 MONTHS | WITH 2 TO 3 MONTHS 3 TO 4 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS 4 TO 6 MONTHS 4 TO 6 MONTHS 6 MONTHS CHEESE 4 MONTHS
Portion into ice cube trays, Freeze without toppings. If Cook, cool, and portion into Portion into ice cube trays. Wrap in a few layers of Cook, cool, and portion into Portion into serving size bags, or containers casserole is cooked, cool before bags or containers When frozen, transfer to plastic wrap or foil, and bags or containers containers with space for freezing. Use a freezer-friendly bags and refreeze place in an air-tight bag liquid to expand container that is also oven-safe, Taste and texture will be the Depending on how long it Taste and texture will be the and wrap tightly same as before freezing was in the freezer, it will Taste and texture will be the Crust will be chewy and not same as before freezing, if Taste and texture will be the have dried out some same as before freezing as crisp used quickly same as before freezing For uncooked casseroles, Use as you would use baking time will need to be unfrozen canned tomatoes increased. Sautés, stir-fries, soups, Sautés, soups, stews, Enjoy as is Fried rice, soups, stuffed Enjoy as is bakes omelets, frittatas, bakes veggies Enjoy as is
TOMATO PASTE TORTILLAS
2 TO 3 MONTHS 6 TO 8 MONTHS
Spoon into ice cube trays. Separate each tortilla with a
When frozen, transfer to piece of wax paper or bags and refreeze. Or put parchment. Wrap in a few into bags and break off layers of plastic or in an pieces as needed air-tight bag
Taste and texture will be the Tortillas will dry out a bit same as before freezing Use as you would use Use as you would use unfrozen tortillas unfrozen tomato paste
helping home cooks live To get more tips on how to cook on a budget, happier, simpler, smarter in the kitchen visit cooksmarts.com/budget
