10 Foods I Freeze to Save Money and Reduce Waste
Description: Reducing waste in the kitchen is one of the most important ways to keep your food budget in check. Tossing uneaten food into the garbage is just as good as throwing handfuls of cash in the trash, and I don’t know anyone who can afford that (if you can, feel free to throw it in my direction instead of into the garbage, k thx.). Freezing food gives you more time to find uses for your food before it spoils, so I’ve experimented with freezing all sorts of foods and ingredients over the years. After plenty of hits and misses, these are the 10 foods I freeze most often to save money and reduce waste in my kitchen.
Ingredients
- Cheddar cheese (shredded and block)
- Feta cheese
- Swiss cheese
- Monterey jack/pepper jack cheese
- Chevre (soft goat cheese)
- Fresh ginger
- Fresh spinach
- Tomato paste
- Fresh lemons
- Fresh limes
- Bread
- Dinner rolls
- Garlic bread
- Biscuits
- Muffins
- Croissants
- Quick breads (like banana bread or zucchini bread)
- Tortillas
- Carrots
- Celery
- Onions
- Bell peppers
- Pesto
- Cooked rice
- Cooked bulgur
- Cooked quinoa
- Leftover wine
Instructions
- Wrap food tightly, use heavy duty plastic, and remove as much air as possible from bags when possible.
- Chill hot food completely in the refrigerator before transferring it to the freezer.
- ALWAYS label and date your food.
- For cheese: Divide large bags of shreds into smaller portions (usually 2 cups) and freeze individually. For block cheese, divide into 8oz portions, wrap tightly in plastic, then place in a freezer bag.
- To thaw cheese: Transfer to the refrigerator one day before use.
- For fresh ginger: Wash well, peel if desired, then place in a freezer bag. For less frequent use, wrap tightly in an extra layer inside the freezer bag.
- For fresh spinach: Place the whole bag right into the freezer in a sealable bag. No prep needed.
- For tomato paste: Portion out into one tablespoon scoops, place on a parchment-lined baking sheet or plate, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag.
- For fresh lemons and limes: Freeze whole.
- For bread and baked goods: Ensure items are completely cooled before freezing. Slices of bread can be popped straight into the toaster from the freezer.
- For leftover vegetables: Chop and freeze for use in soups, stews, or other dishes. Can be frozen raw or sautéed.
- For pesto: Spoon into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Alternatively, spoon into a freezer bag, remove air, and spread flat.
- For cooked rice and grains: Cook a large portion, divide into single serving portions, chill completely in the refrigerator, then transfer to the freezer.
- For wine: Pour into an ice cube tray and transfer to a freezer bag once solid.