Can you refreeze celery? What NOT to Freeze? “The good news is that there are plenty of items that are good to go in your freezer,” Jacobs said. “However, there are a handful of items that won’t fare well at all.” Since there are only a handful of foods that aren’t great frozen, we’ll go ahead and get those out of the way. These foods include: Raw eggs still in their shell (when frozen, they can expand and crack); hard-boiled eggs (they can get rubbery and tough); Lettuce and other water-packed veggies, such as cucumbers, onions and peppers (they can get freezer burn, leaving you with limp, soggy veggies); Mayonnaise and cream (they separate and curdle when frozen); Canned vegetables (they can be frozen if removed from can)
Why make freezer meals? Your freezer is one of the most useful tools in your kitchen for make-ahead meals and freezer-friendly dishes.Not only do freezer meals help on those busy weeknights, but they also cut back on food waste and allow you to stock up on ingredients that go on sale. These benefits all add up to saving time, money and calories. Maximize space in your freezer: Use good quality freezer bags to freeze soups, beans and sauces. They save space because you can lay them flat to freeze. Once frozen, you can stack them up on top of each other or keep them in bins upright.
Sour Cream – This one changes consistency, so it’s best to bake or cook with when thawed. It probably won’t make the best topping for your tacos, but it would taste delicious in a casserole! Ricotta Cheese – Be mindful that this also changes consistency. However, there are so many ways to use ricotta cheese after it’s thawed! Lasagna roll ups, anyone? Cream Cheese – This is one that can change consistency. But if you thaw it slow and steady in the fridge, you’ll get the best result! Try to plan ahead when you want to use frozen cream cheese. Cheese, Sliced or Shredded – It’s always great to have cheese on hand! While you can freeze a whole block of cheese, we wouldn’t suggest doing that since it’s hard to use once you thaw it. Slice or shred it before you freeze to make it more convenient for meal prep. Read additional information at Can You Refreeze Chicken.
Don’t: Let Leftovers Sit Out Before or After Freezing A common misconception is that any bacteria in leftovers will be killed by freezing. Unfortunately, that’s not the case, Wu says. “Many foodborne microbes can withstand freezing and pose a problem later when the food is thawed, especially if it’s not subsequently cooked sufficiently,” says Wu. “This is why, for example, not every fish can become sushi fish.” The U.S. Food & Drug Administration also points out that it’s unsafe to let food thaw at room temperature because bacteria can multiply rapidly and create toxins that will survive the cooking process — even if the food is cooked to temperatures that kill the bacteria themselves.