Freezers are essential household appliances, perfect for extending food shelf life and storing frozen treats. Beyond the usual suspects like peas and ice cubes, your freezer can handle a lot more — helping reduce food waste, save money, and make meal prep easier.
Tesco Real Food specialists have identified 12 unexpected foods that freeze well. Here’s what you can safely freeze and how to do it:
Milk
If you find yourself with leftover milk, freezing is a smart option. Leave some room in the container for expansion, or transfer it to an airtight container. Defrost overnight in the fridge and shake well to recombine before use.
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Cheese
Firm cheeses like cheddar and red Leicester freeze excellently. Grate the cheese first and store it in containers — this way, you can use exactly the amount you need without defrosting the entire block.
Eggs
Yes, eggs can be frozen—but not in the shell. Crack and whisk whole eggs before freezing them in bags or ice cube trays. Freeze egg whites alone if you’ve used yolks in recipes. Thaw and use for baking or omelettes.
Bananas
Freeze whole bananas or sliced pieces to use directly in smoothies or homemade banana ice cream.
Potatoes
Fresh potatoes last in a cool, dark place but start sprouting after a while. To freeze, peel, chop roughly, and blanch until just tender. Spread on a tray to freeze individually before storing in freezer bags.
Yoghurt
Freeze spare yoghurt in mini containers with popsicle sticks for easy summer snacks, or make frozen yoghurt bites from the end of a tub.
Wine
Instead of discarding leftover wine, freeze it in ice cube trays. Add cubes to gravies, sauces, or stews for extra flavour.
Herbs
Chop soft herbs like basil, coriander, and parsley, place them in ice cube trays, cover with water, and freeze. Use the herb cubes whole in dishes or thaw before cooking.
Butter
Freeze butter in its original wrapper or wrapped in foil. Use frozen butter grated directly into recipes or melted as needed.
Cooked Rice
Don’t waste leftover rice. Pack it into airtight containers and freeze. It’s perfect for quick fried rice meals later.
Avocados
When ripe avocados outnumber your needs, peel and freeze them in chunks. Add frozen pieces to smoothies for a creamy boost.
Bread
Freeze whole or sliced bread wrapped tightly to prevent freezer burn. Toast slices straight from frozen with no loss in taste or texture.
By embracing these unexpected freezer-friendly items, you’ll reduce food waste, save money, and always have ingredients ready for your favourite meals.