There is nothing worse than going to all of the trouble to prepare and freeze food, only to pull it out with freezer burn, though. Here are a couple of really simple ways to prevent freezer burn and get your through the winter:
- Don’t skimp on the freezer bags/containers. Make sure, at the very least, the bags are labeled “freezer bags”. I personally like Ziploc and have no problem spending the extra money for them.
- Make sure your food is completely cooled before you put it in the freezer. The cooling process can cause condensation on your food, if you throw it straight into the freezer still warm, it will lead to faster freezer burn.
- Consider buying a separate freezer, if you don’t have one already. The freezer on your fridge really is designed for items that will be used up faster, because you open it and close it more frequently. All of that opening and closing causes temperature fluctuations, which lead to…yep, you guessed it: freezer burn.
- Consider double wrapping items that are more prone to freezer burn {think: meat and bread}. Wrap the item with freezer paper and then put it into a ziploc bag. It’s double the protection.
- Make individually sized freezer bags portions. If you freeze all of your items in one large bag, everytime you get it out of the freezer, use some, and then return it to the freezer, you create a fluctuation in temperature.
- When you load your freezer, make sure to put the newly added items toward the back, so you can use the items that have been frozen the longest first.
How about you, how do keep your frozen food fresh?
~Mavis
You might also be interested in How to Freeze Soup, Sauce, and Puree.
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Cecily says
I invested in a food saver and I love it. Between that and our deep freezer (goes to -10) I’ve been able to store meat for as long as 18 months and veggies for years without a hint of freezer burn. I just found a bag of pumpkin puree in the back from 2011 that was perfectly good.
Carole says
DOUBLE. UP. =. 2. LAYERS. OF. . ZIPLOCK BAGS.. PER. UNIT..
I. HAVE NEVER. HAD FREEZER BURN.
NEVER. GET AN. OFF TASTE. THAT CAN AFFECT THE FLAVOR. ….
THIS IS THE. VERY BEST. TIP. I HAVE. EVER. FOUND. IN. PRESERVING FOOD :-))
suzanne hissung says
Can you reuse freezer paper if it’s an inner wrap for a ziploc? I mean if it’s not in direct contact with food.
Connorhundredpermonth says
Freezing in water is the best way I know of. Just top off the zip lock bag, or alternately you can use any old container you have lying around, like yogurt tubs and cut off milk jugs.
I work in a restaurant that has a vacuum sealer, we vac seal things before we freeze them. It seems to work 100 percent of the time to protect material, but we tend to turn things over quick
If you’re really into freezing, I advise a coffin freezer, like one that lays horizantally. That way gravity is working for you, instead of against; keeping the coldness in the unit rather than letting it seep out the door.
Catherine says
Mavis! I had a dream I met you in Virginia at the dollar store last night. A friend told me I must be spending entirely too much time on your blog. (haha! I do love your blog!) Have a great weekend.
Mavis says
Chances are high meeting me at a dollar store, but maybe not in Virginia! Ha!