How to Freeze Common Foods

Keep Your Freezer Cold

The quicker foods freeze, and the fewer fluctuations in temperature once frozen, the better. Your freezer should register 0 degrees Fahrenheit or colder; use a thermometer to check. A survey of test kitchen staff's home freezers showed temps ranged from 5 degrees to -10 degrees. Make sure your freezer is at the coldest possible setting (unlike your fridge, where the coldest setting is normally too cold). 

Portion Liquids

Liquids can be frozen in ice cube trays and then transferred to a zipper-lock bag.

Minimize Headroom

In hard-sided containers, fill to ½ inch from the top and place plastic wrap on the food’s surface before attaching the lid.

Double Wrap

For solid foods you’re wrapping in zipper-lock bags, first wrap in plastic wrap and then put the food in the bag, pressing out as much air as possible before sealing.

Maximize Airflow

To help cold air circulate, keep food away from freezer vents. For more efficiency and to maintain colder temperatures, vacuum filters and coils of your refrigerator/freezer periodically (unplug your fridge before doing so). 

These pantry ingredients can be frozen and thawed with virtually no noticeable change in quality.

1. Anchovies, Bacon

Prep: Coil up individually (to prevent sticking and to minimize surface area for freezer burn), freeze on plate, and transfer to zipper-lock bag.

2. Applesauce

Prep: Portion in ½ - to 1-cup containers to freeze; transfer to zipper-lock bag.

3. Beans (Soaked and Canned)

Prep: Rinse soaked dried beans (we brine ours for better flavor and texture) and drain canned beans. Pat all beans dry with paper towels and transfer to zipper-lock bag. To save space, lay flat to freeze. Cooked homemade beans don’t freeze as well as canned beans; the latter contain calcium chloride, which protects against ice crystal damage.

4. Bread

Prep: Wrap sliced loaves tightly in plastic wrap, wrap unsliced loaves in foil, and seal each in zipper-lock bag. Thaw individual slices at room temperature; no need to thaw slices before toasting. Place frozen loaves, still wrapped in foil, in 450-degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes; remove foil and return loaves to oven for 1 to 2 minutes to crisp crust.

5. Broth

Prep: For smaller amounts, freeze in ice cube trays or muffin tin cups; transfer to zipper-lock bag. For larger portions, line 4-cup liquid measuring cup with zipper-lock bag and pour in broth. Seal bag, seal in second bag if desired, and lay flat to freeze.

6. Canned Tomato Paste

Prep: Open ends of can, push out paste, and freeze in zipper-lock bag. Cut off only as much as needed from frozen log.

7. Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce

Prep: Freeze spoonfuls of chiles and sauce on parchment paper-lined baking sheet; transfer to zipper-lock bag.

8. Coconut Milk

Prep: Portion into ½ - to 1-cup containers to freeze; transfer to zipper-lock bag. After thawing, process with immersion blender for 30 seconds to re-emulsify before use.

9. Cooked Grains

Prep: Spread cooked grains (we tested wheat berries and long-grain white and brown rice) on baking sheet to cool, transfer to zipper-lock bag, and lay flat to freeze. No need to thaw before use.

10. Tortillas

Prep: Separate corn or flour tortillas with waxed paper or parchment paper and place in zipper-lock bag. To thaw, defrost stacks of 3 to 4 tortillas in microwave at 50 percent power, 10 to 20 seconds per stack.

11. Used Frying Oil

Even strained, used frying oil contains microscopic particles of food that make it go rancid quickly at room temperature.

Prep: Freeze in airtight containers.

12. Wine

Prep: Freeze 1-tablespoon portions in ice cube tray; transfer to zipper-lock bag. Use only in cooking since freezing causes many of wine’s organic compounds to precipitate out as solids (heat reintegrates them).

We found that freezing dairy products and eggs didn’t affect flavor, only texture. Liquids seemed thinner and separated; yogurts and some cheeses were grainy. That’s because freezing causes the water and proteins to separate; the water then forms ice crystals while the proteins clump. Blending liquids with an immersion blender will eliminate some but not all clumps, so it’s best to use thawed dairy in baked goods where it’s not a primary ingredient. (Freezing also separates water and protein in egg yolks. But we came up with a great fix: stirring a simple syrup into the yolks. The dissolved sugar interferes with ice crystal formation and also prevents clumping.)

1. Cream Cheese

Prep: Seal in zipper-lock bag. Don’t use as spread or in recipes where grainy texture will be noticeable, such as in cheesecake. Fine for biscuits and pound cake.

2. Cultured Dairy (Buttermilk, Sour Cream, Yogurt)

Prep: Portion in ½ - to 1-cup containers to freeze: transfer to zipper-lock bag. Not good for custards, puddings, and most uncooked applications. Greek yogurt is the exception—since freezing thins its texture, it can be swapped for regular yogurt in uncooked recipes. Thawed buttermilk mixes well in salad dressings that include emulsifying agents (e.g. mayonnaise).

3. Eggs

Whites: Freeze individually in ice cube trays; transfer to zipper-lock bag. Thawed whites will whip more quickly than fresh since freezing begins the process of unwinding their proteins that whipping continues.

Yolks: Prepare syrup of 2 parts sugar to 1 part water; stir into yolks using ¾ teaspoon syrup per 4 yolks. Syrup will not impart noticeable sweetness; yolks are fine even for savory applications such as hollandaise sauce.

4. Hard and Semisoft Cheeses

Prep: Wrap cheese (cheddar, Brie, Pecorino Romano, mozzarella, and Parmesan all freeze well) tightly in foil; seal in zipper-lock bag.

5. Milk and Cream

Prep: Portion in ½- to 1-cup containers to freeze; transfer to zipper-lock bag. Avoid using in uncooked applications; custards and puddings; and coffee, cocoa, and other hot beverages. Fine for baked goods and mashed potatoes. Thawed heavy cream can be whipped but use it immediately or it will start to weep.

Freezing alters the texture of many types of produce, but their flavors can remain remarkably intact.

1. Bananas

Prep: peel and then seal in zipper-lock bag. Best for quick breads (thaw first) and smoothies (keep frozen). Avoid pies, puddings, or any recipe where banana needs to hold its shape.

2. Citrus Zest

Prep: Freeze in packed ½-teaspoon mounds on baking sheet; transfer to zipper-lock bag. Avoid using as garnish since color fades.

3. Chopped Onions

Prep: Seal in zipper-lock bag. Freezing turns onions mushy. Use only in cooked applications (no need to thaw first).

4. Garlic

Prep: Mince garlic, combine with ½ teaspoon vegetable oil per clove, and freeze in heaping teaspoons on baking sheet. Transfer to zipper-lock bag.

5. Fresh Herbs

Prep: Chop parsley, basil, tarragon, or cilantro; transfer by spoonful to ice cube trays, top with water, and freeze. Transfer to zipper-lock bag. Add frozen cubes directly to soups, sauces, and stews. Herb flavor won’t be quite as strong as when fresh.

6. Ginger

Prep: Grate ginger (frozen whole ginger turns spongy), freeze in 1-teaspoon portions on baking sheet, and transfer to zipper-lock bag.

There are a few ingredients that we always put directly in the freezer to preserve freshness and flavor and prevent spoilage.

1. Bay Leaves

Stored in the freezer for three months, bay leaves were far more flavorful than those stored at room temperature for the same amount of time.

2. Butter

If kept in the fridge longer than a month, even unopened sticks of butter can pick up off-flavors. Freeze extra sticks sealed in a zipper-lock bag.

3. Coffee Beans

Unless coffee beans are sealed in unopened, airtight containers, their flavor deteriorates noticeably after 10 days at room temperature. Before freezing, portion extra beans in one-day allotments to minimize exposure to air and moisture.

4. Nuts

The high fat content of nuts means that they can turn rancid surprisingly fast at room temperature. There’s no need to thaw them before use.

5. Whole Grain Flours, Oats, and Cornmeal

Freezing prevents fats in whole grains from oxidizing and producing off-flavors; transfer items to airtight containers first. Bring them to room temperature before baking with them.

• Freezing All-Purpose Flour
• Freezing Dough for Thin-Crust Pizza
• When to Freeze Bread Dough
• Freezing Homemade Gnocchi
• Should you Brine Chicken Before—or After—Freezing?
• How Long Can You Freeze Chicken?
• When to Freeze Tofu
• Why You Shouldn't Freeze Fresh Chiles