Do you tend to have too much food left over after meal planning?
In addition to forgetting a ton of things on my grocery list, I also sometimes OVER-plan and have too much. Whether it’s a full meal or maybe half a bag of an ingredient, I don’t want to waste it!
Did you know that you can freeze a huge variety of foods? Below is my Master List of blog posts that describe, in full detail, how to freeze most items.
This is NOT an all-inclusive list! I’m constantly adding to it, so make sure you bookmark this page and keep checking back.
How can you freeze foods?
Certain foods freeze better using certain methods. With all of these, make sure your food is at least at room temperature or cooler before sticking in the freezer!
Here are 3 ways I typically freeze my items:
Freezer safe bag
I use gallon-sized Ziploc freezer bags to freeze soups, slow cooker meals, and baked goods.
Soups are great because you can freeze them flat, which creates more space in the freezer.
When I freeze baked goods, I first place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This will “Flash freeze” them so they don’t stick together. And then I’ll put them in a freezer bag!
Airtight containers
Rubbermaid makes a really good freezer-safe container. I use these for individual meals, like if I need an emergency lunch but have nothing in the fridge.
Ice cube trays
I use ice cube trays for pureed fruits and vegetables, chicken broth, tomato paste, and even some fresh herbs.
Freezing these foods in ice cube trays is a great way to just use a little at a time. Do you ever use like 2 tablespoons of tomato paste in a recipe and throw away the rest of the can? One ice cube is about 2 tablespoons; so freezing foods like this can help reduce food waste!
How long does food keep in the freezer?
When stored properly, most foods have a shelf life of 3-6 months in the freezer. They’re still safe to eat after that; but the longer they stay in the freezer, the bigger risk they have of getting freezer burn.
What foods freeze well?
This is not an all-inclusive list. I’ll be adding more as time goes on, but each post goes into detail on how to freeze those specific items!
Cooked Quinoa
In my freezer cooking sessions, I’ll sometimes make a big batch of quinoa and freeze in 2-serving portions.
Gogurt
Yes, our kids’ favorite yogurt treat is actually meant to be frozen, too!
Zucchini Bread
This post is specifically for zucchini bread, but it also applies to banana bread, pumpkin bread, and pretty much any other sweet bread.
Bananas
I ALWAYS end up with super brown bananas at the end of the week. Here’s how to freeze them for smoothies and baked goods!
Bagels
Bread items freeze SUPER well, as long as you store them properly!
Spaghetti and Meatballs
This is perfect for if you have too many leftovers, or have planned a full freezer cooking session!
Soup
Soup is one of the easiest meals to freeze, and the best way to freeze it is using gallon-size Ziploc bags.
Ground Turkey
You can freeze ground meat raw OR cooked! I do it both ways, depending on how I want to use it later.
Meatballs
Similar to ground turkey above, but the hard part of the main dish is now already done!
What other foods are you curious about freezing? Leave a comment and give me ideas!
Jaime is a Nutrition Coach through the ISSA and professional writer. She has 4 years experience coaching and 9 years experience in writing. She enjoys cooking easy meals, running, and learning more about food.
Jaime specializes in helping women with ADHD learn to meal plan and cook healthier meals without getting overwhelmed.