Mary-Anne Metcalfe31 foods you can freeze to save time and money
Updated: Jan 16
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Well, hello there!
Did you know that approximately one-third of food produced worldwide is wasted each year?
This is approximately 1.3 billion tonnes of food that could be out to better use.
If you have too much leftover food, don't worry! There is a surprising amount you can freeze for up to nine months.
Here is a little guide to help you freeze those little bits that might not get used up.
Top Tips for Freezing at Home
Place everything you cook into a well-sealed container or freezer bag.
Make sure you label and date foods. I like to use a sharpie pen.
Food hygiene is essential, and some things should not be frozen, such as already defrosted meat and fish. Here is a guide to help you with storing food leftovers.
If you are serious about reducing your food waste, The Zero Waste Cookbook might be for you. It contains 100 recipes, to support your cooking.
The book is an excellent staple for seasoned chefs, newbies and everyone in between who wants to save money and reduce food waste.
Let's get to the list!
Eggs and Dairy
Dry Cupboard and Baked Goods
Fruit and Vegetables
Cooked Meals
Meat and Fish
Eggs and Dairy
Cream is not a staple in our house. I only need a small amount for a recipe when I am cooking.
Now I know I can freeze it; I save money and reduce waste.
Food | Freezing Tips | Defrost Time | Maximum Freezer Life |
Eggs | Beaten eggs (white and yolk), egg white, egg yolks DO NOT FREEZE Cooked eggs, eggs in shells | Store in fridge overnight, do not cook from frozen | Up to 1 year, but best used within 4 months |
Milk | Whole milk, skimmed milk, semi skimmed milk, condensed milk, coconut milk (do not freeze in tins, cartons or full bottles as milk evaporates). *Soya milk and Oat milk quality degrades when frozen by can be used in smoothies or baking | In the fridge, until defrosted (may take several hours) When using for cooking, milk can be used from frozen | 3 months |
Butter | Salted and unsalted | In the fridge overnight. Grate from frozen. Great for sautéing but not baking | Unsalted 6 months Salted 12 months |
Cream | Single Double and whipping can be frozen, but are trickier due to high fat content I find that whipping them first is the best way | Overnight in fridge. Do not use from frozen | Unsalted 6 months Salted 12 months |
Yoghurt | All | A couple of hours in the fridge. Can be used in smoothies from frozen | 3 months |
Cheese | Hard and semi-hard cheese work best. Stick to cheese you would use in cooking. Leave in blocks or grate | Defrost in the fridge for 7-8 hours. If grated can be used from frozen | 6-9 months |
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Dry Cupboard and Baked Goods
For me, freezing food is a time-saving hack. I spend less time cooking, don't have to worry about portion size or food waste, so I save money!
Food | Freezing Tips | Defrost Time | Maximum Freezer Life |
Pasta | Cooked pasta, ensure pasta is cooked al la dente, no more | Overnight in the fridge. It can be defrosted in hot water | 3-6 months |
Rice | All rice should be cooked first. All rice can be frozen, including fried rice with meat and vegetables in | Can be cooked from frozen or thawed in microwave. Make sure rice is piping hot before serving | 1 month |
Bread | Stale bread can be grated and frozen as bread crumbs | Toast from frozen, or defrost in fridge until soft | 3-6 months |
Tortillas | Separate if using as single portions, or they will all stick together | A couple of minutes in the microwave | 1-3 months |
Sweet Bread | Muffins | Slice into single portions | A couple of hours | 1-3 months |
Cake | Unfrosted cakes freeze best | A couple of hours | 1-3 months |
Pancakes | Waffles | Make double the batch and freeze half | Microwave from frozen or place under grill | 1-3 months |
Pastry Dough | Wrap tightly in cling film, place in freezer bag and freeze | Overnight in fridge | 3-6 months |
Cookies | Make double the batch and freeze half | A couple of hours | 1-3 months |
Cookie Dough | Roll into balls, make sure they are separate or they will stick together | Bake from frozen adding 1-3 minutes to the baking time | 1-3 months |
Fruit and Vegetables
Most fruit and veg can be frozen.
This includes compotes and pie fillings too.
I have added some obvious ones but also some less obvious ones to the list.
Food | Freezing Tips | Defrost Time | Maximum Freezer Life |
Banana | Freeze in skin or peel, slice or mash and then place in a freezer bag | Less than 1 hour | 6 months |
Berries | Wash first | Less than 1 hour but can be enjoyed frozen | 3 months |
Grapes | | Less than 1 hour but can be enjoyed frozen | 3 months |
Citrus Zest | Juice | Place zest in a freezer bag, juice in ice cube trays | Less than 1 hour but can be enjoyed frozen | 3-6 months |
Avocado | Slice and sprinkle with lemon juice to stop it browning | 1-2 hours | 1-3 months |
Courgette | Grate and freeze | Less than 1 hour | 3-6 months |
Garlic | Whole or individual cloves | Use from frozen | 3-6 months |
Potato | Mash it and split into portions | 1-2 hours | 3-6 months |
The Food Storage Guide give you tips from preserving to freezing and would be another excellent staple to help you learn how to keep your food waste down. It is broken down into step by step instructions, so is beginner friendly.
Cooked Meals
If you have never tried meal prep before, this is the perfect time to start.
Make twice as much as you were planning on making and then place the extra into the freezer.
This will also help prevent the it temptation to order a takeaway if you don't fancy cooking. Just defrost your meal in the microwave.
Food | Freezing Tips | Defrost Time | Maximum Freezer Life |
Soups | Separate into portion sizes first | Overnight in fridge | 3-6 months |
Broth | Stock | Gravy | Place stock in ice cube trays | Stock can be used from frozen. The rest will depend on the portion size usually within 3-6 hours | 3-6 months |
Casseroles | Separate into portion sizes first | Overnight in fridge | 3-6 months |
Mince Dishes | Separate into portion sizes first. You could even add excess grated cheese to these dishes too! Remember you can freeze the cooked rice and pasta separately | Overnight in fridge | 3-6 months |
My preferred method is bulk cooking made up meals. The Good Food: Family Freezer Meals has a great selection, plus you could portion size to match your family size and account for fussy eaters.
Meat and Fish
The most expensive item usually falls under this category. This is also the category people freeze incorrectly and get food poisoning from.
Remember to follow the guidance at the top of the page to help you get it right.
Food | Freezing Tips | Defrost Time | Maximum Freezer Life |
Lunch meat | Pork products are more susceptible to freezer burn | Will vary on portion size. Ensure food is defrosted before using | 1-3 months |
Cooked meat | Bacon can be cubed and used in other dishes | Will vary on portion size. Ensure food is defrosted before using | 1-3 months |
Raw meat | Buy in bulk and split into portions | Will vary on portion size. Ensure food is defrosted before using. | 4-6 months |
I hope this list helps you with your meal planning and food waste. If you have any items that you like to freeze, let me know in the comments below.
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