I’m a home cook. I’m always trying to gather new ingredients, create new recipes, and pass on leftovers to friends and family. Since there is only so much food I can give to my friends, I am increasingly using the freezer. I’m not alone. Recently, members of an online forum discussed the freezer hacks they use to save money, time, space, and ingredients. Here he presents 12 of their best suggestions.
1. Freeze single serving sizes
Freeze food in small portions rather than in large quantities. That way, you won’t have any problems when defrosting the entire casserole pan when all you need is one piece. This hack is great when you have a night left or when a lot of people in the area want to eat a variety of things.
2. Label everything
When food is frozen and piled up, it can be very difficult to keep track of which food goes in which container, especially if you’re using a chest freezer. Labeling your food eliminates the question of what you were storing. I use blue painter’s tape and keep a roll in my cupboard for easy access. Remember to write the date you frozen the food on the label.
3. When in doubt, use a ziplock bag
Use Ziploc bags to freeze small amounts of food, such as leftover raw chicken tenderloin or a single hamburger patty. You don’t waste food and save space.
4. Keep surface area in mind
Be sure to flatten anything you plan to freeze, whether it’s in a bag or a reusable container. Food thaws faster and more evenly. Perfect when you’re in a hurry.
5. Freeze sauce using bags
Gone are the days of bottles. Put the sauce in a waterproof bag, fold it in half to make two flat pieces, and freeze. The next time you’re craving spaghetti, grab half a bag of sauce and make extra.
6. Use an ice cube tray
It’s no longer just for ice. This is one of my favorite hacks of his. Since we use a lot of stock, it will go bad if you put it in the refrigerator after opening. In some cases, you may not need the entire carton. In such a case, put the leftover stock in the designated ice cube tray and freeze it. Once the stock has set, transfer the cubes to a 1-gallon bag. Be careful not to freeze the sauce or make ice in the same tray. gross.
7. Freeze fresh herbs
Fresh herbs taste better than dried herbs. That is an indisputable fact. One commenter recommended removing the herbs from the stems and placing them in the freezer (in a container). When ready to use, remove the container and season. Be careful not to thaw frozen herbs too long or your hands will become sticky.
8. Invest in a vacuum sealer
If you want to make it more fancy, buy a vacuum sealer. You can reseal lots of items, from meat to vegetables and everything in between. You’ll pay a hefty upfront cost, but it may be a price you’re willing to pay to stay organized and reduce food waste.
9. Freeze on a sheet pan
I love making a big batch of meatballs at once and freezing what I don’t need that day. Spoiler alert: If you bag up a bunch of meatballs or fruits and vegetables before taking a nap in the freezer, they’ll solidify and turn him into one giant food brick. Instead, freeze fruits, vegetables, meatballs, or whatever you like on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Once set, remove the pot and transfer the food to a bag.
10. Remove the shelf
If you want to live on the edge, remove the shelves from your freezer. You’ll have more space and be able to organize your items more efficiently. We recommend this, especially if you need to preserve large pieces of meat.
11. Group foods by type
This one needs no explanation. Store it with vegetables. Store fruit with fruit. Save it with the source. If you go through your freezer and try to find the one thing you know you have, it will be much easier to find.
12. Freeze bacon slices individually.
This is a niche hack, but very important. If you only want to cook a portion of a package of bacon, you can save time, money, and cleanup.
sauce: (reddit).