Your freezer is a good instrument in serving to you to cut meals waste and get financial financial savings. Nonetheless previous the identical outdated suspects, there are a bunch of meals you presumably can freeze that you would be not discover out about. Listed under are a number of of my favourite meals to freeze, along with freezing directions to take care of you correct.

Throughout the UK alone, we produce a staggering 9.5 million tonnes of meals waste yearly. Globally, a jaw-dropping one-third of all meals produced goes to waste every single yr.

It may actually really feel insignificant, nonetheless meals waste is a colossal scenario. Our worldwide meals methods are accountable for as a lot as one-third of all human-linked greenhouse gasoline emissions and gulp down a whopping 70% of the water extracted from nature.

What’s additional, agriculture has been pinpointed as a menace to over 86% of all animals coping with extinction. So, furthermore the obvious financial benefits of trimming down our meals waste, there’s an urgent environmental essential to cut once more on what we toss out.

Your freezer is a key gadget in slicing meals waste. So previous freezing the identical outdated suspects, I’ve put collectively an inventory of meals you presumably can freeze that you would be not discover out about – from modern herbs to baked gadgets and further. To help preserve you correct, I’ve included some freezing options to ensure your meals stays modern and safe.

20 Freezer-Nice Meals

Have to know additional about these beautiful freezer-friendly meals? Use the quick hyperlinks to leap to a selected a part of this submit, or preserve scrolling for the whole info.

1. Cheese

For individuals who’re eager on a bit of little bit of cheese, then you definately undoubtedly’ll be blissful to hearken to that many types of cheese shall be safely frozen.

Arduous and semi-hard cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, parmesan, and feta freeze considerably successfully. However, tender cheeses, equal to cottage cheese, blue cheese, camembert and brie don’t freeze so successfully because of their extreme water content material materials. These dry out throughout the freezer, and don’t type so good. Arduous cheeses, nonetheless, embrace a lot much less water and tolerate the freezing course of quite a bit higher.

To freeze your onerous cheese, wrap it in a freezer bag (attempt my sustainable alternate choices to freezer baggage) or a beeswax wrap, and freeze for as a lot as three months.

To thaw, place it throughout the fridge for 24 hours. As quickly as defrosted, cheese is best used for cooking as its texture tends to range all through the freezing course of. Nonetheless whether or not or not you’re making pizza, nachos or risotto, it’s helpful to have some frozen cheese helpful.

Alternatively, you presumably can grate your cheese, after which freeze it flat on a baking tray. As quickly as frozen, decant it proper right into a sealed tub, as soon as extra, for as a lot as three months. Grated cheese shall be added to dishes to prepare dinner dinner straight from frozen, making it way more helpful.

2. Current Herbs

For individuals who’ve ever bought a bunch of up to date herbs for a recipe solely to utilize a small portion and watch the remaining wilt away, then you definately undoubtedly’ll be over the moon to know that herbs are an essential meals to freeze.

Merely chop the herbs, place them in ice cube trays, cowl with olive oil, after which freeze. As quickly as frozen, change the herb cubes to a bath for easy storage for as a lot as six months. You can then use the cubes straight into your cooking in order so as to add flavour to soups, stews, and sauces, with none should defrost them. It’s a great way to cut meals waste and get financial financial savings.

Uncover out additional in my info to freezing herbs.

3. Plant-Primarily based Milk

Nearly all plant-based milk shall be frozen for later use, nonetheless, it could be a hard one to get correct. The trick to its success is throughout the freezing method – as its texture does change a bit of bit throughout the freezing course of.

Fairly than freezing an entire carton – which when defrosted wouldn’t type so good in your cereal or tea – I uncover it’s best to pour the milk into ice-cube trays and freeze the milk until it’s secure. As quickly as frozen, these shall be transferred to a freezer-safe container for as a lot as three months. The cubes can then be added on to soups, sauces and smoothies, with out the need to defrost them.

4. Cow’s Milk

Similar to plant-based milk, cow’s milk will even be frozen. Although, like its vegan counterparts, the texture of milk does change all through the freezing course of. This suggests it’s best to freeze cow’s milk in an ice-cube tray after which use the cubes straight in your cooking for the right outcomes.

5. Citrus Fruit

Whereas full citrus fruits don’t freeze so successfully, once you’re eager to perform a little little bit of prep work, you presumably can freeze almost every half for future use, for as a lot as six months.

I actually like slicing my leftover citrus fruit into slices for a zero-waste technique of together with ice and a slice to a beverage. Freeze these flat on a baking tray sooner than transferring to a bath as quickly as frozen secure for best outcomes.

You’ll be able to even freeze the juice in order so as to add to cooking. Merely squeeze your lemons, limes, oranges or grapefruits, after which add the juice to ice cube trays for a simple methodology to portion it.

Within the meantime, the zest will even be frozen. Merely grate it sooner than freezing, sooner than together with the zest to an ice cube tray with just some drops of lemon juice to take care of it from drying out. It’s a great way in order so as to add vibrant flavour to dishes and drinks with out the need for modern citrus out there.

See my full info to freezing lemons for all my excessive options.

6. Bananas

Bananas might appear to be an unusual meals to position throughout the freezer, nonetheless they do freeze remarkably successfully for spherical three months.

From experience, I uncover it best to peel bananas sooner than freezing them, as a result of it’s very fiddling making an attempt to peel a frozen banana! Alternatively, slice them into money, unfold the banana slices in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until secure. As quickly as frozen, change the banana gadgets to a container, the place they could preserve successfully for spherical three months.

Frozen bananas are excellent for using straight from frozen in smoothies. For a tasty take care of, you presumably may even make vegan banana ice cream, as soon as extra straight from frozen. Alternatively, you presumably can defrost the banana throughout the fridge, sooner than immediately using it in your baking.

7. Eggs

If you find yourself with leftover egg whites or yolks after baking, don’t toss them out. It’s a little-known indisputable fact that every egg whites and yolks shall be frozen for later use.

Egg whites are the very best to freeze, as they’re usually frozen as they’re. To help with portion administration, pour each egg white into separate compartments of an ice cube tray. Which means you’ll know for future recipes what variety of cubes you’ll need. As quickly as secure, they’re going to then be transferred to a bath.

To utilize in cooking, thaw the cubes in your fridge in a single day. Use them straight after thawing in meals that you simply simply intend to prepare dinner dinner or bake – don’t use them in raw meals and drinks, equal to in cocktails.

Egg yolks need a bit of bit additional work, as they’re going to become gelatinous when frozen. To avoid this from occurring, whisk the yolk of each egg with a pinch of salt or sugar. Then freeze each yolk individually in an ice cube tray, as you’d with the egg whites.

Similar to the egg whites, the yolk should be thawed in a single day throughout the fridge sooner than using them in your cooking or baking. As soon as extra, use them immediately after thawing – don’t depart them hanging spherical throughout the fridge – and don’t use the yolk throughout the meals you intend to eat raw.

8. Cake

When you’ve gotten your cake and can’t eat it, then worry not. Most desserts freeze successfully, nonetheless, it is best to freeze them sooner than they’ve any icing or filling on them.

After baking, allow your cake to sit back and wrap it in an earlier bread bag or associated, sooner than together with a layer of tin foil (as soon as extra, recycled tin foil is best). You can then pop this throughout the freezer for as a lot as three months.

If you find yourself ready for the cake, unwrap it and defrost it at room temperature for just some hours. The cake can then be iced or crammed for a mode take care of.

9. Yoghurt

Like milk, the consistency of yoghurt does change a bit of bit when frozen after which deforested. Nonetheless that’s to not say that you simply simply shouldn’t freeze yoghurt. Any yoghurt, whether or not or not it’s plain or fruit-flavoured, or full-fat or non-fat shall be effectively frozen.

I like mine poured into lolly moulds for a refreshing summer time season take care of – once you eat the yoghurt frozen you don’t uncover the change in texture. Alternatively, you presumably can freeze in ice cube trays in order so as to add to smoothies. Merely make sure you eat it inside two months.

10. Butter

Butter freezes exceptionally successfully and shall be saved for a really very long time – salted butter shall be frozen for as a lot as one yr, whereas unsalted butter shall be frozen for as a lot as 9 months.

To freeze, merely decrease the butter into slices, after which wrap the butter tightly in its genuine packaging. You can then place it in an airtight container. Frozen butter shall be grated for use in baking or cooking, or the slices shall be defrosted. To defrost the frozen slices of butter, place them throughout the fridge for 24 hours, sooner than using it up inside 3 days of defrosting.

11. Double Cream

Whereas double cream shall be frozen, it may separate or become grainy when thawed. To minimise this, whip the cream until stiff peaks sort, then spoon it onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze until secure, then change the whipped cream dollops to a freezer bag or container. Use frozen whipped cream as a topping for desserts or scorching drinks.

I would avoid freezing single cream. Attributable to its lower fat content material materials, it doesn’t tolerate the freezing course of very successfully and should curdle when defrosted.

12. Cooked Pasta

For individuals who’ve ever cooked an extreme quantity of pasta (it’s merely accomplished!), then the good news is that this doesn’t must go to waste. Allow the pasta to sit back a bit of bit, sooner than tossing it with some olive oil to forestall it from sticking collectively throughout the freezer. Pop it in an airtight tub, after which freeze it for as a lot as three months.

Whilst you’re capable of prepare dinner dinner with the pasta, defrost it throughout the fridge, and prepare dinner dinner immediately.

13. Potatoes

Any cooked or partially cooked potatoes – from mashed to boiled or roasted – shall be frozen. As quickly because the potatoes are cooled, merely pop them into a shower, and place them throughout the freezer for as a lot as three months. Whilst you’re capable of prepare dinner dinner with them, defrost them throughout the fridge sooner than cooking immediately.

14. Bread

Bread and baked gadgets freeze remarkably successfully. Whether or not or not you’ve baked a up to date loaf of bread or can’t get by the use of an entire loaf, freezing it would help forestall your bread from going stale or mouldy.

Retailer-bought sliced bread shall be frozen in its plastic bag for as a lot as six months. To eat, take away it from the bag, and thaw it at room temperature. It’s important to remove the bread from the bag, as in another case it traps condensation and makes your bread soggy. Alternatively, you presumably can toast sliced bread straight from the freezer, for a waste-free methodology to benefit from breakfast.

Full loaves of bread will even be frozen when cool. Wrap it up tightly in tin foil (ideally recycled tin foil), and retailer it for as a lot as one month. Whilst you’re capable of eat it, thaw it at room temperature, or reheat it throughout the oven at spherical 160°C for 20 minutes or so. For best outcomes, sprinkle a bit of bit water on excessive sooner than placing the loaf throughout the oven. This helps to take care of the inside tender and chewy.

15. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are one different meals that could be frozen. However, they’ve a extreme water content material materials, which suggests they don’t tolerate the freezing course of very successfully. This suggests, for outcomes, it’s best to prepare dinner dinner them first – I uncover frying them until brown offers the right outcomes.

As quickly as cooled, pop them in a sealed container, and freeze them for as a lot as three months. These can then be defrosted throughout the fridge or used straight from frozen in stews, casseroles and sauces.

16. Tomatoes

Whereas freezing full tomatoes is a gigantic no-no, that doesn’t suggest you presumably can’t freeze tomatoes. For individuals who’ve grown or bought too many, you presumably can blitz these up in a blender, sooner than transferring them to a sealed container and freezing it for as a lot as six months.

Defrost the tomato puree throughout the fridge, and use it to make passata, soup, chutney, soups and further.

17. Wine

For individuals who’ve acquired a bit of bit little little bit of wine left over after an evening with buddies, that you simply simply don’t plan on consuming, then don’t pour it down the sink. Are you aware that pink and white wine can every be frozen for as a lot as three months?

Whereas it’s not so good to drink defrosted wine, it’s ideally suited for use in your cooking. Whether or not or not that’s together with a bit of little bit of flavour to a bolognese sauce with some pink wine, or together with a splash of white wine to a risotto, frozen wine works relatively effectively.

However, I’ve found that wine is a bit troublesome to freeze. Because of the alcohol content material materials, the wine isn’t going to freeze totally secure – it’ll maintain a bit of bit tender. As such, I’ve found it best to freeze wine in an ice cube tray. However, as wine doesn’t totally freeze, it’s best to depart the cubes throughout the ice-cube tray until you need to use them.

There’s no should defrost the cubes sooner than use – you presumably can add them on to the pan. That may help you’re employed out what variety of cubes in order so as to add to your pan, as a info, a daily ice cube is the same as 30 ml or 2 tablespoons.

For additional ideas on what to do with leftover wine check out my helpful info.

18. Nuts & Seeds

Nuts and seeds embrace healthful oils and unsaturated fats which will flip rancid fairly quickly. However, it’s a little-known indisputable fact that freezing them might assist lengthen their shelf life. Whether or not or not you buy nuts and seeds in bulk or have leftovers from a recipe, freezing them is a superb storage decision. Merely place your nuts and seeds in airtight containers or baggage and retailer them throughout the freezer to maintain up freshness.

Seeds and nuts shall be frozen for as a lot as a yr, with no very important changes of their type or texture. This suggests you presumably can snack on them or add them to your meals straight out of the freezer, with none fuss.

19. Rice

I’m on a regular basis cautious about one thing to do with storing cooked rice. It feels very easy to get it mistaken. However, Love Meals Hate Waste says you presumably can freeze rice and I perception their educated opinion.

Love Meals Hate Waste says it’s best to chill any rice you might want to freeze quickly – ideally by placing it in an air-tight container and putting that into chilly water. As quickly as chilly, it should then be frozen – ideally inside one hour. This can be saved throughout the freezer for as a lot as three months.

Defrost the rice by popping it throughout the fridge. As quickly as defrosted it should be used inside 24 hours. Proper right here it’s best to reheat it throughout the oven or microwave until it’s piping scorching proper via. It’s relatively important to not reheat it larger than as quickly as.

Love Meals Hate Waste does not imply freezing and/or reheating rice bought from a takeaway. It is as a result of it may have been pre-cooked and reheated.

20. Tinned Coconut Milk

Tinned coconut milk is my final freezer-friendly meals. It’s so quick and easy to freeze.

For individuals who use canned coconut milk for cooking, and you have adequate left over to make one amongst your favourite dishes that embrace coconut milk (mine’s this vegan macaroni cheese) then you definately presumably can put the leftover milk straight into a shower. This may then go into the freezer for as a lot as three months and be defrosted throughout the fridge. As quickly because it’s defrosted, the milk should be used immediately.

For individuals who use coconut milk in smaller parts, then freeze the milk in ice cube trays. You can then add these on to soups (like this vegan sweet potato, chilli and coconut soup), sauces or smoothies, for a simple and fascinating methodology to chop again your meals waste.

See my info to freezing coconut milk for the whole low-down.

One other excessive freezing options? I’m all ears!