HappyHealthy Newsletter: Freezer Tips
Selection and Storage
- Fruits and Vegetables
- Freeze from fresh:
- When buying in bulk.
- When growing your own.
- When buying frozen:
- Choose vegetables without sauces or seasonings.
- Choose fruits without added sugar or syrup.
- Freeze from fresh:
- Meats, Poultry, and Seafood
- Freeze from fresh:
- When buying in bulk.
- When processing your own.
- When buying frozen:
- Choose lean.
- Avoid sauces or seasonings.
- Freeze from fresh:
- Leftover Dishes
- Cook once, then freeze for multiple meals.
- Divide into small portions.
- Store in shallow containers or plastic bags with air removed.
- Label and date.
Safety
- Temperature
- Keep freezer temperature at 0ºF or below.
- Tips
- Keep the freezer door open only as long or often as necessary.
- Return food items that need to remain frozen to the freezer as quickly as possible.
- Do not overcrowd your freezer. Open space and circulating cold air are needed for food to properly freeze.
- Place foods you plan to freeze in small containers so they will freeze faster.
- Thaw Food Safely
- Refrigerator
- Slow method.
- Move from freezer to refrigerator to thaw.
- Cold water
- Faster method.
- Place in a leak-proof bag and immerse in cold water.
- Change water every 30 minutes until done thawing.
- Cook immediately once thawed.
- Microwave
- Quick method.
- Cook immediately once thawed.
- Refrigerator
Storage Times
|
Food Item |
Months |
|
Bacon and sausage |
1–2 |
|
Butter |
12 |
|
Casseroles |
2–3 |
|
Cheese |
2–3 |
|
Egg white or egg substitute |
12 |
|
Fish, cooked |
1 |
|
Fish, fresh |
3–6 |
|
Frozen dinners and entrees |
3–4 |
|
Fruits |
2–3 |
|
Gravy, meat, or poultry |
2–3 |
|
Ham, hotdogs, and lunch meats |
1–2 |
|
Ice cream |
2–3 |
|
Meat, uncooked roasts |
4–12 |
|
Meat, uncooked steaks or chops |
4–12 |
|
Meat, uncooked ground |
3–4 |
|
Meat, cooked |
2–3 |
|
Poultry, uncooked whole |
12 |
|
Poultry, uncooked parts |
9 |
|
Poultry, uncooked giblets |
3–4 |
|
Poultry, cooked |
4 |
|
Soups and stews |
2–3 |
|
Vegetables |
8–12 |
|
Wild game, uncooked |
8–12 |
Do Not Freeze
Freezing can cause changes in flavor, texture, and appearance. Some foods do not freeze well at all.
Do not freeze these:
- Lettuce or salad greens
- Mayonnaise
- Cream sauces
- Cottage cheese
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Hard cooked or raw eggs in the shell
For More Information
https://food.unl.edu/free-resource/food-storage
Publication 3606 (POD-01-22)
By Samantha Willcutt and Carly Terp, Mississippi State University Extension Service.
This material was funded by USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - SNAP. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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