Freezing Hot DogsWhen buying hot dogs, open the package put all the wieners on a cookie sheet, then freeze them. Once they are frozen put them in a freezer bag. Then when you want one or two, they will already be separated.
Freeze Soup in Stackable ContainersFreeze your homemade soup in plastic brick shaped containers. When they have frozen, turn them out and wrap in cling film or freezer bags. This shape is easy to stack, and the containers are free to reuse.
Freeze Berries on a Baking PanI have found that the berries keep better and do not stick together in a big lump by first spraying a baking pan with cooking spray, then placing the berries in a single layer on the pan, and freezing until firm.
Freeze Leftover Holiday ChocolateIf you have too much chocolate left over from Easter and the kids lose interest or you want them to ease off, here's what you can do. You can cut it into little pieces and freeze it.
Freezing for the Soup PotSteak, roast and poultry bones can all be frozen until needed for soup stock. You can always have instant soup stock if you pour pan juice into ice cube trays and freeze after they set up you can neatly store them in plastic ziplocs.
Freeze Cut Lemon for DrinksI enjoy having cut up lemon in my Coke, lemonade, water, etc. However, often before I get the whole lemon used up, it becomes brown and soft.
Make Big Batches and FreezeWhen I make spaghetti sauce, I always double or even triple the recipe. After we've eaten a meal from the batch, I freeze the rest in freezer bags and lay them flat to conserve space.
Reusing Plastic Water BottlesI try not to purchase bottled water but sometimes I forget my water mug. I wondered about what I could do with them since the apartment building I live in doesn't have recycling bins and and I have no room to store them.
Keep Lemon Wedges in the FreezerI wash and dry fresh lemons. Cut them into wedges and de-seed them. Toss them into a freezer proof bag or container. Whenever I need a lemon in my drink, I add the frozen wedges.
Wrap Salmon in Plastic Wrap Before Vacuum SealingWrap gooshy stuff, like salmon steaks, in plastic wrap before packing with a vacuum sealer. No more non-sealing bags or vacuum-sealers full of juice! Eliminating waste is well worth the use of the plastic wrap.
Freeze Bananas in Their PeelWhen the last bananas in a bunch get over ripe, I just put them in the freezer "as is" to save for when I want to make banana bread. The bananas get horrid looking when they are frozen; black and wrinkly, but the insides stay perfectly good.
Minimizing Freezer BurnFreezer "burn" is caused by air getting into freezer containers. Unless you vacuum seal, there will be air in any container. Any small air space will cause freezer "burn". The longer the item is kept in the freezer, the more freezer "burn" there will be.
Freeze Homemade Broth in Ice Cube TraysWhen making homemade chicken broth, after it cools down, freeze it in an ice cube tray. Then when frozen, take the cubes and put in freezer bags. This is handy when you want to add a small amount to rice, mashed potatoes, and noodles.
Freeze Chopped OnionsWhat to do with all those bulk onions? I almost always buy my onions in the 3 lb. bags, but used to end up on the losing end when half of them went bad. I've found a solution to that!
Measure Fruit Before FreezingIt's the season for fresh fruit. This is just a quick tip for freezing fruit. When I put the fruit in baggies for the freezer I put 2 cups of fruit in each bag.
Freeze Bell PeppersWhen sweet peppers are on sale, I buy different colored ones, chop them up and freeze them on a cookie sheet. When frozen, I put them in a freezer container.
Make And Freeze Leftover Soup As CasserolesI find that when I make a soup with pasta in it, the pasta gets very soft when trying to serve the soup as a leftover. When I have a lot of leftover soup, I will now put it directly into a casserole dish and freeze it.
Puree and Freeze Excess VegetablesIf you have an excess of carrots, or some that are wilting, cut them in slices and boil until tender. Then puree them in your blender, using a bit of the water. Freeze the puree in ice cube trays and use it as baby food, or as a substitute for pumpkin in muffins, etc.
Double Bag to Prevent Freezer BurnI love using zip lock bags for freezing meats and sauces, but do not like the expense. I also double the bags when freezing to prevent freezer burn. So, I first put the sauce or meat into a recycled plastic or waxed bag, and close it with tape or twist tie.
Make Two Meals at OnceI always save time and gas in the summer by cooking two meals at once. Instead of separating my meats, I cook the whole package. That way one night we have pasta.
Freezing Whole TomatoesAll we do with them is rinse them off and blot dry, Put in Ziploc bags and freeze. To use them, I drop into hot liquid, and use my Chinese spider strainer to pull out of broth, slip off skins and core or not.
Storing Sweet CornRemove corn from the cob and blanch them. Cool and store in airtight container and freeze.
Mash and Freeze Sale PotatoesI buy potatoes when they are on sale. Then I boil them, mash them, and seal them in serving size containers and put them in the freezer. It's so nice to be able to just take out as much as I need and microwave it.
Mix and Match Frozen SoupsI have a tip that I have been doing for many years now. Every late fall through winter I enjoy making huge pots of soup and freezing it into individual containers. Then when I want one, instead of having the same soup over and over again, I do some mixing and matching.
Use Foil to Prevent Meat Freezer BurnWhen freezing meat, take it out of original packaging. Wrap first in plastic wrap, then in a sheet of aluminum foil. This will keep your meat fresh without freezer burn.
Freeze Cupcakes Without FrostingMake cupcakes and freeze without frosting. Put in individual plastic bags when freezing. Add to lunches; they will thaw out in time for lunch.
Freeze Extra Bread For LaterBuy several loaves of bread at a time and freeze them. It saves many quick trips to the store just to get a loaf of bread. To prevent the bottom of the loaf from being soggy or hard, DO NOT place it on the counter to thaw.
Freeze Roasted Garlic ClovesIf you find yourself with more garlic than you can use up, try roasting it and freezing for later. I usually cook them at 350 degrees F for about an hour. It is usually done when you start to smell the roasting garlic.
Freeze Your Ham Bone for SoupWhen cooking a ham for the holidays and you've eaten all the meat, save the ham bone to freeze. Later you can pull it out of your freezer, throw in some beans with your frozen bone, and make a nice soup.
Prep and Freeze Veggies for Scrambled EggsI like to freeze chopped bell peppers, in little sandwich bags to put in eggs when I make them.
Freezing Lemon and Lime JuiceMy husband and I are big on being frugal. It began out of necessity, but now it is like second nature to us. To save a few cents (and every cent helps) in the kitchen, we buy lemons and limes when they are marked down.
Keeping Ice Cream FreshIce cream will keep better after it has been opened if a piece of waxed paper or plastic wrap is pressed against the surface of the ice cream left in the box/pail and then resealed.
Freezing Cooked PastaI usually make too much pasta when I am serving spaghetti, not wanting to run short. I never know if the child who ate two plates full last week will do so again this time.
Freezing Percolator PunchDuring the holidays or for serving guests during the cold winter weather, I make Percolator Punch in a large 32 cup coffee maker. This one is dedicated to punch to keep the taste free of coffee after taste.
Create Extra Freezer SpaceTo save space and make extra room in my freezer, I remove the supermarket packaging. I cut out the label, and place the product and label, into a clear "snap lock" type sealed bag.
Make Extra Baked Potatoes to FreezeWhen I bake my potatoes, I always make extra to freeze. I scrub them well and dry; pierce them and wrap in tightly in foil. Any leftovers are cooled in the foil, then bagged in a freezer bag.
Freeze Leftover Tomato Sauce in Ice CubesSometimes when you have to use a small can of tomato sauce, you may not need more than 3-4 tablespoons. Instead of keeping it the fridge, "just in case I need it" and then finding it after a month moldy, I pour the remaining sauce into ice cube trays and freeze them.
Freeze Bread and Rolls in Serving SizesWhen buying breads and rolls, I put serving sizes in small plastic zipper bags and freeze. When we eat the bread I return the empty bag to the freezer to be used over and over.
Make Extra Lasagna and FreezeWhenever I make a lasagna I make 1 large one and 2 small ones to go in the freezer. Then I have something when I am sick or don't have time to cook.
Make Soup Ahead and FreezeA good time saver when you just don't feel like cooking. Make ahead of time, a good hearty pot of soup with chunky vegetables that will freeze well. Then when you have no time to prepare a meal or you just don't feel like it, just defrost the soup add a wholegrain bun.
Freeze Bulk Ground Beef In Flat Serving SizesWhen we buy burger in large packages, we part it out, usually in 1 pound packs. We put each section into a gallon size freezer bag, then flatten it out in the skillet like a large burger, zip the bag and freeze. This makes thawing, cooking, and browning so much easier.
Freeze Recipe Ingredients TogetherMy best tip for me is to have all the ingredients for a dish all in a bag. I freeze onion, green peppers, celery and okra in a bag along with chicken cubes. Toss in a pot with chicken broth, garlic. canned tomatoes and you have soup, serve with rice that has been frozen.
Freeze Grated CheeseMy granddaughter bought a big round of cheddar cheese. It was too much to use at once. so I grated it today to put in the freezer. I sprayed a small amount of cooking spray on the grater for easier clean up.
Freezing CelerySelect crisp, green, tender stalks, free from coarse strings. The ribs should be firm and rigid, snapping crisply when broken in half. Wash thoroughly, trim and cut stalks into l-inch lengths. Stalks can also be left whole for tray freezing.
Freezing EggsUntil a good friend shared this tip with me, I did not know that fresh eggs can be whisked together and frozen for up to six months. I have been doing this for over a year now.
Flatten Ground Beef Before You FreezeI used to buy 5 lb rolls of ground beef, cut them into 5 portions, wrap and freeze them in solid hunks. But it was not conducive for quickly thawing, and if one fell out of our well-stocked freezer, it could break a toe. Now I freeze it "flat" in thick freezer bags.
Freeze Lemon Juice As Ice CubesSqueeze fresh lemons and put the juice in ice cube trays. Freeze them, and then store in a plastic bag in the freezer. Want a glass of ice water? Just throw a couple in a glass of water, and voila!
Styrofoam Egg Cartons for Ice CubesI saw the best tip on TV the other day; use your styrofoam egg cartons to make ice cubes. I usually buy eggs in the cardboard cartons, but occasionally I end up with the 18 pack styrofoam cartons (like now, I have 2 in my fridge).
Break Frozen Ground Beef In SectionsFill a zippered plastic bag with raw meat, press flat and seal. Score the meat into equal sections by pressing a chopstick over the bag, tic-toe-style,then freeze the grid flat. The next time you need ground beef, simply break off enough for your recipe.
No Mess Frozen RollsFind a good dinner roll recipe that states it will freeze well. Cut the rolls and place one dinner's amount inside a wax paper pocket and insert into a freezer zipper bag. Tomorrow, this weekend, next week, you just pull out one of the bundles to thaw.
Using Storage Bags for FreezingBaggies are essential in your kitchen. When bringing home those large frozen meat "specials" divide them into meal portions as soon as you get home instead of putting the whole package of meat in the freezer.
Freeze Dumplings for SoupDid you know you can freeze dumplings? I make homemade dumplings. I roll them out flat, put them in the baking pan I bake biscuits in, let them freeze, then put them in an empty plastic cereal bag.
Use Frozen Water Bottles to Quickly Cool FoodI have a tip for all of you who, like me, like short cuts and saving money. As you know many foods have to be blanched before freezing and then cooled down to stop the cooking process before putting it in the freezer.
Freeze Yogurt for SmoothiesThis is a way to save that uneaten yogurt that is near its expiration date. I toss the yogurt container in the freezer and add it to smoothies in the blender as needed. Yes, it will expand a bit as it freezes, but I have never had a lid pop.
Buy and Freeze Corn In SeasonI just got finished cutting some corn off the cob and thought I'd share my thoughts on that. I have gotten to the point where, when it is on sale, I buy a few more ears of corn than we can eat at one time and cut it off the cob to freeze for later.
Freezing Cottage CheeseI buy cottage cheese on sale and stock up when it is marked down. I use it for baking. I simply put the package in the deep freeze and thaw it in the fridge when I need it. After thawing, drain the watery liquid and stir in some sour cream, so it isn't dry.
Freezing ChilesWhen using part of a can of chipotle chiles with adobo sauce, simply spread the remainder into a quart size Ziploc bag, and freeze flat in the freezer. When frozen, simply break off what is needed for your recipe, and refreeze.
Frozen Grapes for a Sweet TreatThis summer I wanted to cut down on sugar consumption when grandkids visited. I put assorted colored grapes on wooden skewers and froze the individual skewers. Voila! Grapesicles!
Freezing Liquids In Freezer BagsIf you find that the soups and sauces you put in plastic freezer bags fall through the wire rack of your freezer, try this freezing technique for liquids. Cool your leftover soups, sauces, etc. in the refrigerator then pour them into a resealable plastic freezer bag.
Keeping Ice Cubes from Melting TogetherWhen storing ice cubes in a bag, try using a paper sack instead of plastic. The ice cubes won't stick together, because the paper absorbs the extra moisture.
Use Frozen Peeled GarlicI love cooking with garlic, but do not like peeling it. So my answer is to buy it in the bag already peeled. I keep the bag in my freezer and when I need garlic, I remove a clove from the bag.
Reuse Plastic Jars for Freezing FoodNever buy plastic containers again! I wash and reuse all the larger plastic jars (with plastic screw-on lids) that mayonnaise, peanut butter, and such come in. I use them for freezing soups, sauces, gravies, and any leftovers. They work great!
Freezer Storage TipsI needed organization and room in my freezer. I use quart size freezer bags for storing all foods. The trick here is to fill the bag per portion you want, holding the opening up so food does not spill out.
Place Ice Cube Trays on Cookie SheetIf you are like me and still have to freeze your own ice cubes, a cookie sheet under the ice cube trays used to carry them to the freezer saves a lot of messes. I leave mine right in the freezer.
Make Frozen Pesto from Home Grown BasilUse as much of the harvest from your garden as you can, freeze, can, and dry. My basil went crazy this year! I made 10 cups of pesto and still had some left to dry.
Store Fresh Ginger in FreezerI love to make Asian food, and I like to make it with fresh ginger. I found if I blanch the root in boiling water, peel it using the edge of a spoon, then freeze the chunk in a zip lock bag, I have fresh ginger whenever I want.
Using Press And Seal For FreezingI use Press and Seal when I want to freeze things like sauces and casseroles for future use. First I put the wrap in a microwave safe dish. Then put what you want to freeze in the dish. Place in freezer until frozen. Remove the food from the dish and put in a freezer bag.
Soups to Last All WinterEvery fall, I pull out my large crock pot and start cooking. First I make 2 pots of chicken soup, then 2 pots of vegetable beef soup, then 2 pots of chili.
Prepare and Freeze Rice in AdvanceMake big batches of rice and freeze in meal sized portions to use later when preparing quick meals. When freezing individual sized portions, freeze leftover vegetables, meats and sauces for hassle free and cheap work lunches.
Freeze Single Portions in Yogurt ContainersI love turnip salad but have to limit the amount I eat as it contains vitamin K which I can't have a lot of due to taking blood thinner. So when freezing it, I freeze it in small amounts so it will not get wasted.
Store Leftover Chips in the FreezerWe often have left-over potato chips and I hate to throw them out, but they eventually get stale and end up in the garbage. That was, until my friend told me about putting them into your freezer. Yep, just clip the bag shut, and throw it in there.
Buy and Freeze Discount EggnogBuy eggnog that been marked down after the holidays and freeze it for later. It doesn't affect the flavor or texture.
Keep an Inventory List of Your Freezer ContentsOne great tip I've found very useful is to make a list of what I put in my freezer and place it on the front of my refrigerator with a magnet.
Freeze Extra Tomato Paste In Ice Cube TrayAfter opening a fresh can of tomato paste, put whatever you don't use in a small freezer bag, press out the excess air, flatten it until about 1/8 inch thick, and seal. Once the paste is frozen, you can break off a piece whenever you need it.
Make and Freeze Extra Pie DoughWhen you make a pie, make a double or triple batch of dough and freeze it in portions to thaw and roll for a quick dessert. Simplest is to roll it into a big flat circle, cut it into strips or shapes, and bake it like that.
Prevent Freezer Burn On Ice CreamIce-cream won't form ice crystals in the freezer if you cover the container tightly with a plastic wrap before putting on the lid.
Freezing Loaves Of French BreadI can have fresh French Bread anytime! Buy loaves of French Bread at your grocery store (ask for those right out of the oven). Insert fresh bread, without paper wrappers, into Zip Lock plastic bags and suck out excess air to shrink wrap them.
Freezing CasserolesI came along this wonderful tip as I was looking up ideas for freezing pasta dishes for make ahead type meals. Very clever! If you don't want to tie up your baking pans in the freezer, line them with plastic wrap before filling.
Freeze Blended Celery and OnionsI don't use a lot of onions or celery, so I found them going bad before I could use them. It's much more expensive to buy smaller quantities, you are just paying for someone else to do the chopping when you buy it already cut up.
Various Meal Ideas From Homemade Beef SoupPrepare your own favorite basic beef soup recipe. I normally make mine with bite-size pieces of lean pot roast in a huge soup pot so I can make enough to freeze and last me all winter long.
Freeze Extra Barbecued MeatMake extra barbecued meat and freeze in paper cupcake liners. Place in the freezer. When frozen, place in a large gallon freezer bag. When you want a quick meal, take one out, microwave until hot, and place meat on a bun.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
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.
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".
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!).
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Freezing Leftover Turkey In GravyI usually freeze the turkey in the gravy! That way the turkey stays moist.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
