P3606

HappyHealthy Fact Sheet: Freezer Tips

Helping Mississippians live happier, healthier lives!

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.
Meats, Poultry, and Seafood
- Freeze from fresh:
  - When buying in bulk.
  - When processing your own.
- When buying frozen:
  - Choose lean.
  - Avoid sauces or seasonings.
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.

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.

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