There is a right and a wrong way to safely store your frozen foods. Not all groceries you put in the freezer (fruits, vegetables, and meats) should be treated the same. If done correctly frozen food storage can save you time and money as well as reduce food waste. Once you’ve learned the best techniques for frozen food safety you’ll be able to make the most of their expiry dates.
You’ll also master how to defrost and thaw out your inventory for your future meals and avoid food borne illness:
1. What can you freeze?
No. Foods that come in cans you should not freeze unless you remove them from the can and place them into plastic storage bags, aluminum foil or Tupperware and seal them tightly. Make sure to write what’s in the storage containers as well as expiry dates to avoid food borne illness.
2. Safe temperatures for freezing
In order to ensure frozen food safety store your food at 0°F. This is the optimal temperature that will extend the life of your food.
3. Microorganisms, bacteria, and parasites
As long as you freeze your food at 0°F when it’s at its ripest or peak time in the quality you’ll be okay. The problem comes when you defrost and thaw out meat too long. Make sure you keep an eye on your food because you don’t want to forget you have meat sitting sinking in the sink or the counter. Make sure it’s still cold and not room temperature when you begin to prepare for it.
4. Can freezing destroy nutritional value?
No. As long as you freeze, store and thaw it properly the nutritional value should stay intact. Just make note that the two most devastating enemies to frozen food are air and time.
5. Freezer burn
Freezer burn is the damage done to food that is frozen in the freezer. It is caused by air dissipating on improperly packaged food. It will cause discoloration and a nasty stale taste to the food. If you detect that your food is freezer burnt you don’t have to throw it out. Although freezer burn might make your food look unappealing it’s still safe to eat.
6. Freeze A.S.A.P.
If you know you intend to freeze your groceries due so as quickly as possible. This will lock in the freshness and add time to the shelf life of your food. Make sure that your freezer is delivering 0°F and that your refrigerator is set to at least 40°F. Make sure when you store your food that you pack it tightly ensure all the air is out of the containers.
7. Refreezing thawed food
Yes. You can refreeze previously frozen food but it’s possible that it will suffer from some nutritional loss. Cooked food (leftovers) is doable, but you shouldn’t refreeze for a long period of time.
Your freezer is your kitchen’s most important tool, so learn how to use it properly. Hopefully, with all these techniques and tips you’re ready to safely store your frozen foods.