The Ultimate Guide to Freezing Food

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Frozen Assets

Everybody is facing the same challenge these days—how to eat better and slash the grocery bill. Happily, there's a solution and it's already in your kitchen: your freezer. To get more familiar with this underappreciated appliance, we called on New York Times food columnist Mark Bittman, author of Food Matters. Bittman swears by his freezer because it enables him to extend the life of foods, save money by buying in bulk, and save time by storing preprepped ingredients for future meals.

Here are his tips for cold storage

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Bread

Freeze whole rather than sliced; reducing the exposed surface area will prevent the bread from drying out. Best used within one month.

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Vegetables

Blanch vegetables like broccoli and spinach in boiling water. Then freeze in plastic bags. Blanching stops enzyme reactions and preserves flavor, color, and texture.

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Beans

Cover cooked beans or grains with a layer of water or oil to make an airtight seal. Make sure the container lid is tight, or moisture will move into the cold, dry air, creating freezer burn.

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Coffee

Freeze coffee, wine, or tea in ice cube trays, then pop out and store in freezer bags. Drop wine cubes directly into sauces; coffee and tea cubes go in iced drinks.

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Nuts

Most nuts, including walnuts and almonds, contain unsaturated oils that can go rancid after a few weeks. Freezer bags make a safe home for up to six months.

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Fruit Puree

Turn fruits that are about to go bad into an applesauce-like puree, then freeze in zippered bags. Thaw and mix into smoothies, or stir into oatmeal for a sweet nutrient boost.

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Soup

Divide soup into single-serve containers. Before you snap on the lids, place a sheet of plastic wrap directly on top of the liquid, so it lightly clings to the surface. This will keep the soup airtight and frost-free. Cool down in the fridge first to prevent ice crystals.

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Leftovers

A few general rules of thumb for last night's dinner: Soups and casseroles are best within two months; fish and chicken last about three months; meat, two to three months; fruits and vegetables, up to a year.

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Tofu

Frozen tofu becomes more chewy and spongy, making it ideal for stir-fries because it soaks up sauces. Drain, slice, and wrap in plastic, or simply stick the whole container straight in the freezer.

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Meat/Fish

To avoid freezer burn, vacuum-seal your food-filled freezer bag by placing it in a large pot of water. Submerge all but the top of the bag, squeeze out the air, and close the bag. The water acts as a natural vacuum, forcing air out the top.

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Rice

Storing pantry basics like rice in your icebox could save you money. That's because freezers work more efficiently when they're full—solids stay cold longer than gases.

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Ten More Foods That Freeze Surprisingly Well

1. Avocado puree (for sauces)

2. Whole lemons

3. Egg whites/yolks (break eggs and freeze whites and yolks separately)

4. Leftovers (that you've already frozen and thawed)

5. Pancakes

6. Berries

7. Plain cooked pasta

8. Butter

9. Pesto (store with a layer of oil on top)

10. Bacon

Try These Recipes

Curried Chicken Stir-Fry with New Potatoes and Snow Peas

Japanese-Style Rice with Pork and Asparagus

Quick-Braised Salmon with Minty Peas and Carrots