Seven freezer mistakes that ruin good food
Most freezer problems come from air, heat or missing labels. Seven mistakes, what each one causes and how to fix it.
Photo by David Foodphototasty on Unsplash
The freezer is the most useful tool in meal prep and the easiest one to misuse. These are the mistakes that come up most often, and the fix for each.
1. Freezing food while it is still hot
Hot food warms everything around it and creates steam, which becomes ice crystals. Cool it in the fridge first, in shallow containers so it chills quickly. Food should be refrigerated within two hours of cooking.
2. Leaving air in the bag
Air causes freezer burn, the dry icy patches that make food taste flat. Press bags flat and squeeze the air out before sealing. See how to prevent freezer burn.
3. Freezing in one big block
A large container takes a day to thaw and forces you to use it all at once. Portion into single servings before freezing, so you take out only what you need.
4. Skipping the label
Frozen chili and frozen bolognese look the same. Write the name and the date on every bag before you fill it. How to label meal prep takes ten seconds per container.
5. Filling containers to the brim
Liquids expand as they freeze and can crack lids or glass. Leave about an inch of space at the top of soups and sauces.
6. Thawing on the counter
The outside warms up while the centre is still frozen, which lets bacteria grow. Thaw in the fridge overnight, or use cold water or the microwave and reheat straight away. See how to thaw meal prep safely.
7. Freezing the wrong foods
Salad vegetables, yogurt sauces and fried food lose their texture. Freeze the cooked base and add those on the day. The list is in foods that do not freeze well.
What should you do instead?
- Cool, portion, press out the air, label and freeze flat.
- Put new food at the back and use the oldest first.
- Keep the freezer at 0°F (-18°C) and open it as little as you can.
- Aim to use cooked meals within two to three months.
Which recipes are the most forgiving?
Soups, chili and curry are hard to get wrong. Start with big-batch turkey chili, black bean soup or coconut chickpea curry. For mornings, freezer breakfast burritos are the easiest.
How do you keep track of what is in there?
Keep a list on the freezer door and cross things off as you use them. It stops meals being forgotten at the back until they are past their best.
Where to go next
The whole method is in freezer meal prep for beginners, and every recipe that suits the freezer is in the freezer category.
More freezer guides
See all
Can you freeze cooked rice?
Yes. Cool it quickly, freeze it flat in portions and reheat until steaming. Why speed matters, and how long it keeps.
Freezer bags or containers: which is better?
Bags save space and suit liquids. Containers suit meals you reheat in the same dish. What to buy first, and how to label them.
How to prevent freezer burn on meal prep
Freezer burn is caused by air reaching the food. Remove the air, keep the freezer cold and use food in date order.