Freezers are a staple in most households, used not only for frozen treats or ice but also to extend the shelf life of fresh foods. Proper freezing can significantly cut down food waste, save money, and make meal prep easier by enabling batch cooking and bulk buying.
While some foods don’t freeze well, Tesco Real Food experts have identified 12 unexpected items you can safely freeze, making your freezer more versatile than you might think. Here’s what you should know:
Milk
If you often find yourself with leftover milk, freeze it to avoid waste. Leave some space in the container to allow for expansion as milk freezes. Defrost it overnight in the fridge and shake well before use. It’s ideal for cooking, baking, or adding to cereals.
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Cheese
Firm cheeses like cheddar and red Leicester freeze well. Grate the cheese before freezing for easy portioning and use in recipes.
Eggs
You can freeze eggs, but not in their shells. Beat them together and freeze in ice cube trays or freezer bags. Freeze egg whites separately for meringues or other recipes.
Bananas
Freeze bananas whole or sliced for use in smoothies or homemade banana ice cream. They are ready to use straight from the freezer.
Potatoes
If you have a surplus of potatoes, peel, chop, and blanch them before freezing. Freeze on a tray first to avoid clumping, then transfer to freezer bags.
Yoghurt
Freeze leftover yoghurt by adding lolly sticks for quick frozen snacks or freeze in small containers for later use in smoothies or desserts.
Wine
Save leftover wine by freezing it in ice cube trays. Use these frozen wine cubes to enrich sauces, gravies, and stews.
Herbs
Chop soft herbs like basil, coriander, and parsley. Freeze them in ice cube trays filled with water or oil. You can drop the cubes directly into dishes when cooking.
Butter
Freeze butter in its original or foil wrapping. Use it frozen in recipes or grate it directly into dishes.
Cooked Rice
Freeze leftover cooked rice in airtight containers immediately after cooking to use later for fried rice or other meals.
Avocados
Freeze peeled avocado chunks to use in smoothies or spreads. This prevents waste when you have extra ripe avocados.
Bread
Freeze whole loaves or sliced bread tightly wrapped to prevent freezer burn. Sliced bread can be toasted directly from frozen with no loss in quality.
With these freezing tips, you can make the most of your groceries, reducing waste and saving money, all while ensuring a well-stocked freezer.