Freeze Nuts to Keep FreshYou can freeze nuts. You can even eat them straight from the freezer. A local store has almonds and walnuts at $3.74 a pound. The nuts come in very large packages, so I wouldn't have been able to take advantage if I hadn't known about this tip.
Freeze Green Beans for Stir FryingWhen we first started getting green beans from the garden, I did not have enough to fill the canner so I froze them. If they are small and tender, they are so good stir fried in a little olive oil, salt and garlic powder.
Freezing Sweet PotatoesLast Fall, I experimented with freezing different vegetables. My aim was to cook food ahead and have individually frozen portions ready to thaw, heat and serve. My carrots and baby Lima beans turned out well. I am especially pleased with my sweet potatoes.
How to Freeze Pulled PorkWhen you make pulled pork, you usually make more than you can use at the time. If you put it in containers, there is often too much for when you want it. When I make it, I put it on a cookie sheet in clumps'to equal one serving. That way, you can take out just how many you need and keep the rest frozen.
Freezing ButtermilkI read several entries here on ThriftyFun for freezing regular milk. I didn't see a mention of buttermilk, so here is my account. I hope you can put it to use.
Get the Most from Your LemonI love a fresh lemon slice in my iced tea but the lemon usually spoils before I can use the whole thing. I'd slice it up and put it in the fridge but, by the end of the week, it's slimy and spoiled. Until I thought of this trick.
Freeze BananasEvery so often, we end up with more bananas than we can use before they go bad. That's when I'll take those extra ripe bananas that as you can see are perfectly good inside and I'll freeze them for later use. As long as you freeze them with the peel off, in freezer safe ziplocs, they'll stay good frozen for up to 6 to 8 months.
Yes Virginia, You Can Freeze MilkA few years back, I house shared with a gal who froze milk. She would bring it in, uncap it and take a little out to allow for expansion. Then, recap and in the freezer it would go. I had never seen it and was dubious at best. It was a funky color and well, I doubted it would taste the same. I was young and foolish!
Freezing Store Bought BreadMy husband an I seldom eat a full loaf of bread before it gets stale or grows green stuff. I read where bread that is frozen keeps better than just keeping it in the fridge. But separating the slices became a problem. I decided to put two slices in a sandwich bag. I do this to the whole loaf. Then I put the bagged slices in the loaf bag and re-tie it.
Freezing Guacamole for Breakfast WrapsWhen I started making egg and avocado wraps, I used 1/2 of the avocado to make 1 serving of guacamole and put the other half of avocado in the refrigerator. I had to use it the next day because it does not keep well.
Keep Frozen Bread Tasting FreshI never pay more than $1.00 for 100% whole wheat bread. I frequently pay a lot less. When I find a good deal, I stock up. I recently learned that if you put a paper towel in the bread wrapper before you freeze it, and leave it in place after thawing, the bread will be as soft and fresh tasting as fresh.
Freeze Excess ZucchiniThis time of the year zucchini is all around. You may find that you have too much of it. You may also have some zucchini that was hidden and grew too big to be flavorful. You don't have to waste any of it!
Freezing Corn in a PillowcaseDo not hesitate to stock up on corn when there is a sale. Corn can be frozen, in the husks, in a pillowcase. Load up the pillowcase, fold the top over so it is closed, and place in the freezer. It will stay as fresh as the day it was picked.
Refreezing Thawed MeatGenerally, refreezing thawed meat is not recommended. This is because the quality of the meat will be reduced in this process. Also, if the meat was not thawed in the fridge, there is a strong likelihood that bacteria has started to grow on the meat.
Freezing AvocadosAvocados do not last long, and you can freeze them to take advantage of sales.
Freeze Surplus TomatoesIt seems that tomatoes all ripen at the same time. If you know you cannot use your tomatoes before they go bad, freeze them whole in a freezer bag. They can be used for cooking or making sauce. When you are ready to use them, run them under hot water and their skins will peel right off. Use the skins for tuna melt sandwiches.
Freezing Tortillas Without BreakageWhen I buy tortillas, I may not always use them right away, so I freeze them to keep them fresh and in one piece as the day I bought them.
Freeze Wine in Ice Cube TraysI am one of the few people who doesn't like to drink wine, but occasionally cook with it. After they are frozen, I keep them in a plastic bag and I can take out what I need.
Thawing Frozen BreadI buy several loaves of bread at a time and freeze them. When I take them out to thaw, I put a paper towel inside. This will absorb any moisture and avoid freezer burn texture or taste.
Freezing FoodMy friends and family frequently mention how successful I am at freezing cooked foods. Most of you probably know this already, but air is the enemy of food preservation. If I have a cake or casserole to freeze, I cover it with stretch wrap. I then wrap it tightly with aluminum foil. After that I put it in a 2 gallon freezer bag, pushing out all of the air before sealing.
Stocking Your Camper's FreezerEvery summer, my husband and I load up our camper and head out to explore the USA. Groceries along the way can get expensive. To beat the costs of on the road shopping, I start early in the spring buying small steaks, etc.
Use Your Freezer to Extend the Life of FoodsI always freeze certain foods. You will save money because these foods last so much longer if you freeze them rather than store them in a cabinet or even the refrigerator You won't have to throw out spoiled food and you won't have to buy new items as often.
Freezing Leftovers in Plastic BagsIf you put a plastic bag into a square container then freeze your leftovers in that, you can take out the bag, label it, and store it in your freezer. Square frozen bags take up less room and are easier to stack.
Wrap Meat Cuts IndividuallyIt might look strange but this is our new way of storing our meat strips and cuts into the freezer. How does it work? Well, it is easy to pull out when it's frozen.
Freeze Small Tomatoes WholeWith the abundance of produce coming out of our garden I was thrilled to read that you may freeze small tomatoes whole to use in recipes through out the year!
Freezing FigsWhen I was growing up, I spent a lot of time over at Grandma's house which was across the road and up a long lane. In August, you could find me up the fig tree munching on some of the best brown figs I have ever tasted. I would eat and eat until my belly was full. I still love figs.
Shred Zucchini for the FutureIf you have too much zucchini, shred them in the food processor and freeze for the future. I freeze mine in half cup portions. You can use them in baking or cooking. They can also be substituted for pumpkin purée or applesauce.
Freezing String BeansIn the past, I only canned string beans until I found that they are also good frozen. The taste and texture is different but they are really good sauted in a little olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
Freezing Red PotatoesWe planted a row of red potatoes in our garden. I finished digging them up and prepared them for freezing. This is my first time freezing potatoes. I'm hoping to use them in several different recipes. Wish me luck.
Use Elastic Bands in the FreezerOpen boxes of partly used frozen foods can be a bit of a nuisance in the freezer. They become a difficult shape for storage as one end becomes flattened. Also food can fall out. Taking just one minute to fetch an elastic band and wrap it around the box to keep everything properly in place will save time and frustration later
Freezing Tomato PasteSometimes you only need a little bit of tomato paste, and the rest of the can spoils before you get a chance to use it. The pre-packaged 1-2 Tbsp. pouches are costly. Here is how to use it all:
Freeze Mashed BananasI love making banana bread. It is one of my favorites. I thought I would share what I do with my ripened bananas.
Use Water to Vacuum Seal FoodsTo freeze and vacuum seal foods, try this no cost vacuum sealer. Zip package partway closed, leaving a small opening. Push out air. Slip baggy into a bowl of water until the opening is just above the surface of water.
Freezing BaconI like to purchase bacon in the large package and prefer the thick sliced. If I don't freeze it, it will not hold the flavor until I use it all.
Freeze Basil in Cigar ShapeTo freeze fresh basil, create a cigar shape by overlapping leaves in an 8 inch line on plastic wrap. Continue laying leaves over the original line moving the next line slightly higher so that your line is getting wider. When 4 inches wide or so, use the plastic wrap to help gather the contents from bottom to top.
Pre-Marinating Chicken Before FreezingWhen I shop, I look for sales on family size packages of chicken - legs, thighs, quarters, and breasts. I also love to make my own marinades. This can be done before freezing your chicken.
Storing Food When the Freezer is Too FullWhen you bring your fresh meat home, place it in the coldest part of your refrigerator, usually the bottom right side. Check the time and start counting the days from the time you put it into the refrigerator. Fresh meat is usually good for three days in the refrigerator.
Freeze Food Waste for RecyclingWaste food, used teabags, coffee grounds and so on can be placed in a sealed biodegradable bag and frozen. The food won't decompose, so won't taint other freezer contents, nor will your kitchen or bins smell.
Resealing Frozen VegetablesWhen I open a bag of corn, I use my scissors and cut across the top of the bag, leaving enough that I can use it to tie my bag up with it. The other thing I use is leftover twisty ties.
Using Margarine Tubs for LeftoversThis little 8 ounce container has really come in handy for me. Being flexible, rectangular shape and having a lid make it the perfect container for me to use for freezing turnip salad in a serving size for the two of us. I am so glad that I did not put these containers in the recycling bin.
Onion Snow from Frozen OnionsWhen I cook, I love onion but not in large pieces or strips. None of the kids I know like them that way either. When the Vidalias are in season, I buy several and freeze them whole.
Long Lasting IceAdd salt to the water before freezing to make your ice last longer.
Freezing Pita BreadCostco sells really yummy pita bread, but I find that it can be hard to eat it all before it goes bad. It freezes quite well, so as soon as I get it home I freeze all of it.
Freezing Costco MuffinsOur kids really like Costco muffins, but I find that we have a hard time using them up before they go bad. When we buy them, I immediately cut them in half, put them in a Ziploc bag, and freeze them. They are easy to defrost either ahead of time in the refrigerator or more quickly in the microwave.
Freezing Fresh BlueberriesThe farmer's market had a great deal on blueberries recently, so we bought a flat of them. There were too many to use right away so I decided to freeze some for later.
How To Freeze EggsYou can freeze eggs by cracking them open and mixing them well. Then just put the mixed eggs in ice trays and freeze. Two cubes is equal to one egg. Then just take them out as you need them.
Portion your Meats Before FreezingSuper simple way I save time and money. I buy meats on sale; ground beef, chops and even poultry in larger packages, since it is usually cheaper in larger amounts. I don't have the time nor do I want to pay to rewrap everything in smaller or single serving sizes.
Freeze Gatorade For Hot DaysIf you make gatorade pops for the summer and spring, it will be really good for when the kids come in from a day of activity. Ice cubes are nice too for cups of gatorade so that it won't be diluted down.
Freezing Banana BreadWe can't always eat an entire batch of banana bread before it starts to dry out or mold. Knowing this ahead of time means I can wrap up part of the batch and freeze it for later instead of having to throw it away.
Freezing MangoesIf you find them on sale and want to preserve them, freezing is a great option. Just cut them up in either chunks or dice, or you can puree them and freeze them in ice cube trays.
Freezing FigsI love fresh figs, but when there are too many to eat, a rare occurrence, I peel them, and cook down until I have a fruit syrup. Then I freeze it for future cooking/baking uses.
Freezing Banana BreadCut the whole loaf into serving sized pieces. Butter one side or skip this step if you don't butter yours. Cut each slice in half and fold over (if buttered), butter sides in. Wrap each one in Saran Wrap then put the entire sliced loaf into a freezer container.
Freezing Bulk Ground BeefWhen I buy meat in larger quantities, this is how I package them for the freezer. I patty up my 8 oz. burgers. You can pull them out 2 at a time, for meals that call for a pound.
Coffee Filter for Freezing Chopped Bell...Where I live, bell peppers can be rather expensive. I buy them only when they are on sale. I wash them, chop them, then spread them on a cookie sheet.
Cereal Bags for FreezerThe bags that cereal comes in are great for storing all the leftover veggies in the freezer. I use a clothespin or chip clip to hold it closed.
Freeze Green GrapesJust wash and freeze green grapes. They taste fantastic and - clearly - this makes them last longer too!
Freeze Cooked Pinto Beans for LaterDH and I are southern people and we love pinto beans. For a long time I bought them canned at the super market since there are only 2 of us living here.
Add Oatmeal to Hamburger SlidersThis is a popular food around our home. I like to make lots of these and keep them in the freezer. Even the kids like them after they became used to how they look.
Protecting Ice Cream from Freezer BurnThis is a great and simple tip to save your ice cream from getting frostbitten. Get a freezer zip lock bag and place your ice cream container in it and seal it. And there you go, it is something so simple and will help save your ice cream.
Cook in Bulk And FreezeInstead of cooking daily, why not cook in bulk. Items like rice, meat, poultry, lentils and beans can be frozen after it is cooked.
Freezing Cookie Dough in Ice Cube TraysMix up your favorite cookie dough. Make extra and freeze in ice cube trays. When you want to bake several cookies or more pull out you ice cube tray and pop out as many cookies as you want to bake.
Freezing Cheese DipI decided to try freezing Rotel tomato Velveta cheese dip. It freezes well.
Freezing Green Onions for Later UseThere was a pretty good deal on onions at the farmers market, so I got a few bundles.
Baking and Freezing PiesEliminate one step when baking pies, by freezing them individually "before" baking them. Most often, people bake more than one pie at a time and freeze the extras for another time. Why prepare, bake, freeze, and then reheat again when you can simply prepare and bake them once.
Freezing Zest in Wax PaperMy good friend visited a few days and showed me how she freezes lemon or orange zest and juice from one fruit. She uses a zester or fine grater on waxed paper, then folds it over several times and lays it flat.
Freezing and Using ZucchiniIn July or August it is best to keep your car doors locked or you are apt to end up with a backseat full of oversized zucchini. My solution is both simple and thrifty. For the giant ones, de-seed (using a spoon), peel if necessary, shred with a food processor, and store in two cup amounts.
Freeze Ground Beef as PattiesWhen I prepare ground beef for freezing, I make patties using a hamburger press. I place wax paper on each side of each patty to keep them from sticking together then I stack them in a gallon zip lock bag for freezing and place it on a flat surface in the freezer until the patties are frozen.
Freeze Ground BeefI am not a person who enjoys cooking, so I spend as little time in the kitchen as possible. When I buy a large quantity of ground beef, I always brown it and divide it into quart size zipper bags then put it into the freezer for impromptu pots of chili or spaghetti sauce.
Freeze Homegrown CherriesPit them as you begin to harvest them, put in a freezer bag and freeze. Tastes great months later!
Freeze Soup In Ziptop BagsPut a baggie in your soup bowl, add soup to the baggie. Close loosely. When frozen, remove from bowl and store in freezer. To thaw, you can dunk it in a bowl of warm water until loosened from the bag. Then heat as you would any frozen soup.
Marinate While You FreezeYou can give your meat marinades a little head start by pouring the marinade over the meats when you package them for freezer storage. Then thaw them in the fridge before cooking and they'll be ready to cook when you are.
Freeze Sliced BeetsWhile reading the solutions to the question about freezing cooked beets, I realized I could freeze them like I do fresh berries.
Freeze Foods Before Vacuum SealingI like to purchase or prepare items in bulk and then use my vacuum sealer to either divide into smaller portions or just make them last longer in the freezer.
Freeze Bell Peppers HalvesI slice peppers in half, remove the seeds and then freeze peppers on a cookie sheet. After they are frozen, I place in a freezer bag. Using a straw, I suck all the air out of the bag.
Freeze Soup in Glass BowlsI always make an extra large batch when preparing soup for dinner. I have a set of glass bowls that came with plastic lids. It has about 6 individual serving sized bowls. They are perfect for freezing lunch sized portions.
Freeze Excess Coffee In CubesWhen I have left over coffee that I did not have time to finish, I put it in ice cube trays and freeze, then I put in a ziplock bag. If I feel like having iced coffee or mocha, I put it in the blender. Pour into a glass and enjoy!
Freeze Rice In Serving SizesAfter cooking rice, let it cool, and then put in freezer bags or freezer containers in serving size you usually use. Put in a colander and run hot water over and through it.
Freezing Bulk Chicken PiecesWe live in the mountains, pretty far from the nearest store, so we buy what goods we can in bulk. Chicken breasts are always bought in bulk packages.
Freezing BerriesEvery summer we pick u-pick berries at a local farm. Along with making jam and syrup, I mash up some of the berries and freeze them in ice cube trays. The berry cubes are the perfect size to toss in yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal.
Freezing Bell PeppersI do not know how to dry bell peppers, but I will tell you what I do. If I purchased more than I need at the time I just cut them up (red, yellow, and green), cut up an onion, and fry them with a little olive oil.
Freezing Leftover Turkey In GravyI usually freeze the turkey in the gravy! That way the turkey stays moist.
Freeze Baked Sweet Potatoes in FoilSweet potatoes actually freeze well. I prick them a few times with a fork, then put them in a baking pan and cover it with foil. I roast them at 350 degrees F until they are fully cooked.
Cook Sweet Potatoes Before FreezingI bake them and mash them prior to freezing. I can use them in a casserole or to make pies. For pies I measure the amount needed and freeze in a Ziploc bag.
Freezing Sweet PotatoesWe raise sweet potatoes in our garden. The smaller ones and the ones we cut while digging, I scrub and drop into a large pot and cover with water and boil until they are done.
Store Measured Servings Of Frozen FoodsMy husband and I were preparing to cook a bag of frozen peas, and decided we didn't want to use the whole 1 pound bag. My husband pulled out a 1 quart freezer bag to put the original bag of peas in before using any.
Use Muffin Tins to Freeze Shredded ZucchiniWhen you've shredded zucchini to freeze, use your muffin tins! Simply lightly pack each hole with the shredded zukes. Cover with plastic wrap if desired and put your muffin tins into the freezer until solid.
Freeze Cheese in WrappingFor years I have been freezing cheese, especially when I see the expensive ones on sale or marked down. I leave it in the original wrapper and place them in a freezer bag and into the freezer they go.
Freeze Sauteed Veggies For Quick Cooking LaterIf you think about it, a lot of recipes start the same way, sauteing onions with, depending on the cook, garlic, celery, carrots, or peppers. You probably have your own preference that you use more than any other.
Freezing Cooked PastaRecently my mom and I prepared some pasta. Instead of tomato based sauce, we added mixed greens that had been sauteed in olive oil, lots of garlic and crushed red pepper, and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Saving the HarvestSometimes I find veggies at a super price, but don't have enough cash to buy enough for canning, or I find a small amount at reduced price, but still high quality. Well, freezing them is the perfect solution.
Freezing BananasWhen the banana skins start to get brown, I peel the bananas and wrap each one in plastic wrap. Once I have them all wrapped, I place them in a freezer zip bag and store them in the door of my kitchen freezer.
Freeze Bananas in SkinsFreeze medium ripe, skin-on, bananas in freezer bags. To use, allow bananas to partially thaw at room temperature, 5-10 minutes so skins can be easily removed. These bananas are excellent and handy for baking.
Buy And Freeze Small Spice ContainersWhen spices go on sale, I buy extra and store them in the little shelves in my freezer. I have also discovered that the little jars/bottles of spices are the best buy, as the larger bottles of spices lose their strength.
Use Clip Lock Bags for Freezing LeftoversI really think that the introduction of Clip Lock bags (Freezer Use) are the next best invention since sliced bread! I usually go over the top and make too much of a particular meal/soup sauce (all the kids have now left home and sadly I still cook for 6 rather than 2!).
Freeze Vegetables for Stir FryStock up on day-old red and green peppers on sale or celery, onions, or other veggies. Chop them up and freeze them to use later. You can do the same thing with any vegetable you've bought that seem to be "on the turn".
Frozen Bananas TreatI eat a banana every day, not only because it's delicious, but they are good for you. On these hot days, it's so refreshing to sit in the swing on the porch and eat a frozen banana.
Freezer "Bin System"I've found a way to keep my freezer organized that saves me both time and money. I have plastic bins that fit on the shelves and are labeled as to contents: chicken, beef, fish. I have 2 other bins labeled "prepared food" and "prepped ingredients".
Freeze Leftover Vegetables for SoupsWhenever I have leftover vegetables, especially when it is only a small amount, I put them in a 2 pint plastic container with a lid. I always keep this container on a shelf in my freezer, so it is very convenient.
Freeze Garlic and PeppersI have found that garlic freezes beautifully. Thawed, it is just as good as fresh, but is soft. That works fine for me; I chop it a little, and it breaks down into the food nicely, especially if it is a long-cooking food like soup or stew.
Using Plastic Bags When Freezing FoodsWith gardening season upon us here in Nebraska, it puts canning and freezing produce in mind. We put up a lot of corn at one time and one thing to remember is to cool your vegetables or meat out well before bagging it.
Freezing Corn on the CobThis may be a little early in the season, but as I used the last of my corn from the freezer for dinner tonight, it reminded me to share this with everyone. Over the years, I have tried many times to freeze corn on the cob. Most instructions say to blanch and cool.
Freeze Leftover HamAfter cooking a ham, if you have lots of left over meat, slice and put in plastic bags. Store in the freezer. The next time you are in a hurry, take the ham out of the bags and microwave.
