Exactly How to Freeze 10 of the Most Popular Kinds of Leftovers (2023)

FAQs

What is the best method for freezing leftovers? ›

Freeze large batch recipes in smaller, sensibly-portioned containers for easy cooling, freezing and defrosting. Use bags to save space. Freeze soups, sauces and other leftovers in reseable bags, then lay flat until frozen. These flat, frozen sheets can be stacked horizontally or vertically to maximize storage capacity.

Keep in mind that the FDA states that leftovers can be safely stored in the freezer indefinitely, but “can lose moisture and flavor” when stored for too long. They suggest freezing leftovers for a maximum of three to four months for freshness, but we've noticed that some items start to degrade a bit quicker.

Any leftover food should be put in the freezer or fridge within two hours of being cooked. This is to prevent the spread of harmful bacteria. In what? All leftovers should be stored in sealable, shallow containers as this will help them to cool quicker.

The most important thing is to avoid exposing frozen meat to outside air. While a vacuum-sealer is ideal for ensuring that meats are packaged correctly, you can get by just fine with double wrapping cuts of meat with freezer paper, plastic wrap, aluminum foil or airtight zip-loc bags.

How to freeze left over cooked pasta? Left over pasta can be frozen with or without sauce. Let the pasta completely cool before adding to a freezer bag. Once in the bag, remove any air and place in the freezer until ready to use.

Schmidt tells us that, for best results, you can keep mashed potatoes in "a freezer set to 0°F or colder" for "up to one year." At this temperature and for this length of time, frozen mashed potatoes can be thawed and reheated without losing texture or flavor (and without risking the transmission of foodborne bacteria) ...

Glass is an excellent way to store food, whether it be in the pantry, the fridge, or even the freezer. It is perfectly safe and very easy to freeze food in glass, but there are are few things to keep in mind.

Yes! You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

You can freeze just about any vegetable except celery, watercress, endive, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber and radishes. These foods have a high water content and become soggy and water-logged when thawed.

What is the safest thing to freeze food in? ›

Food grade materials, such as aluminum foil, heavy freezer-weight plastic bags, heavy plastic wrap and parchment or freezer paper are excellent choices. It is safe to freeze meat or poultry directly in its supermarket wrapping, but this type of wrap is thin and lets air in.

Tea towels can also spread bacteria so it's important to wash them regularly and be mindful about cross contamination when using them. Remember, if you wipe your hands on a tea towel after you have touched raw meat, this will spread bacteria to the towel.

It is safe to reheat frozen leftovers without thawing, either in a saucepan or microwave (in the case of a soup or stew) or in the oven or microwave (for example, casseroles and combination meals). Reheating will take longer than if the food is thawed first, but it is safe to do when time is short.

Rice can be frozen both cooked and uncooked.

Freezing rice uncooked helps to prolong its shelf life so it will keep for longer, especially for brown rice on account of the small amount of natural oils in its kernels!

A foil is also better for storing things in the freezer. It is more airtight around foods and prevents freezer burn. Although, it is recommended to wrap foods in plastic wrap first and then finish with a layer of foil for long-term freezer storage. Tip: Don't use foil when wrapping acidic foods, like tomato or berries.

Zip-top bags are especially good for freezing food because you can more easily get all the air out of them than out of rigid containers. You can use them for everything from blanched spinach to chicken thighs and, after laying them flat to freeze, stack them to economize space.

All Ziploc^® brand Containers and microwavable Ziploc^® brand Bags meet the safety requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in microwave ovens, as well as room, refrigerator and freezer temperatures.

Yes! You can freeze the pasta together with meat sauce, pesto, or with whatever freezer-friendly sauce you have. You'll want to reheat this in the oven, in an oven-safe dish.

In the freezer, cooked pasta will last up to three months. When you're ready to defrost the pasta, transfer it to the fridge to thaw. Then, dump the pasta into boiling water (or pop it in the microwave) to reheat.

Freeze Cooked Spaghetti and Meatballs Together

The easiest way to freeze this dish is to transfer the cooked pasta, meatballs and sauce as a combined mixture to a freezer-safe container or storage bag, glass jars or an airtight container. Freeze for up to six months for best results.

Do mashed potatoes taste good after freezing? ›

Yes, you can totally freeze mashed potatoes—in fact, it's one of the most freezer-friendly potato preparations out there. The key is to coat your potatoes with plenty of butter and cream. This dairy duo ensures that your potatoes not only freeze well, but also reheat creamy and flavorful.

Quick tip: If your mashed potatoes are too watery after reheating, Atanasova says they probably just need more cooking time for the liquid to evaporate. You can also try adding a small amount of cream cheese thicken them.

Can you freeze mashed sweet potatoes? This Mashed Sweet Potato Recipe can be frozen. If you make a large batch and are wanting to save them for a later date add the finished sweet potatoes into a large freezer resealable bag or a freezer safe container. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Plastic containers can release chemicals when frozen just as they can when heated. For better food safety, opt for glass. The right glass containers are freezer and refrigerator safe, meaning they won't release any harsh chemicals or break if frozen.

Yes, you can! Mason jars are great for space-saving storage in your freezer- absolutely perfect for soups, jams, sauces, stocks, and even leftovers!

If you're trying to avoid excessive use of plastic in the home, glass mason jars are a great reusable option that you likely already have around. You can freeze liquids in mason jars and store them for several months in the freezer.

Because they contain so much water, raw potatoes don't freeze well and can turn mushy, watery or even grainy. Cooking before freezing might seem like a hassle but instead think of it as a time saver.

The types of potatoes that freeze best include baking potatoes, waxy boiling potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Baking potatoes contain less moisture and enough starch to hold up well when blanched and frozen without turning mushy.

Another storage option for hard-boiled eggs is to freeze them and keep the cooked yolks. If you freeze the entire egg, the whites will become tough and inedible. Storing the yolks will allow them to be used as a fun and tasty garnish on many different dishes.

Fruits that don't freeze well include watermelon and citrus fruit. While you may find these fruits frozen, however, you'll notice the texture is totally different when thawed.

Can you freeze eggs? ›

Yes, you can freeze eggs. Eggs can be frozen for up to a year, although it is recommended to use them within 4 months for freshness. Many people find themselves being left with spare egg whites or yolks after a recipe requiring just one or the other, or even throwing out unused eggs when the box hits its expiry date.

Citrus fruit and watermelon are both fruits to avoid when freezing. You will find that the texture will be completely mushy once they thaw.

Ziploc® Containers with lids feature easy-to-use, leakproof Smart Snap technology. They are BPA free and safe for use in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer and fridge (when used as directed). Use them to store food, organize supplies, or while on the go.

Liquids in glass containers, cans, and plastic containers are also susceptible to exploding in the freezer, according to Murphy. Certain dairy products like milk and sour cream do not freeze well, said Murphy.

While shelled eggs and canned foods are the only things that aren't safe to freeze, there are a handful of other foods that don't freeze well. These include: Fruits and vegetables with high water content - (celery, cucumbers, lettuce, radishes, melon). They'll be limp and soggy when thawed.

Meats. There are quite a few options for meat that don't have to be kept cold and make for great additions to camping meals. Cured meats like summer sausage, pepperoni or turkey pepperoni, and salami are safe to take camping without a fridge.

Information. Yes, it is safe to refreeze any food remaining after reheating previously frozen leftovers to the safe temperature of 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

Yes, freezing is one of the safest ways to store food and, when done correctly, will lock in flavour and nutrition. Some leftovers don't freeze well due to loss of texture and appearance (see list below). How soon can you freeze food after cooking? To ensure food stays safe, cool cooked dishes quickly before freezing.

Freeze or consume leftovers within four days.

Once frozen, leftovers remain safe indefinitely — although food quality can suffer between two and six months later. Safely thaw leftovers in the refrigerator and, after thawing, eat them within 3 to 4 days — or refreeze them.

How many times can you reheat the same leftovers? ›

There are no limits to how many times you can safely reheat leftover home-cooked meals. However, best practice is to limit the number of times you do so. More often than not, you wouldn't need to reheat one type of dish more than once. If you are making meals in bulk, separate and store them in individual portions.

Refrigerate or freeze leftovers within two hours of preparation (or one hour on days over 90º F) to reduce the chance of bacteria growing. Any perishable foods sitting out at room temperature for longer than two hours should be discarded. Leftovers can also be immediately frozen for reheating later.

In the freezer, cooked pasta will last up to three months. When you're ready to defrost the pasta, transfer it to the fridge to thaw. Then, dump the pasta into boiling water (or pop it in the microwave) to reheat.

The USDA says that chicken is safe for up to four days in the fridge before you need to throw it out. If you're on day five, it's time to toss it.

Freezing to 0 °F inactivates any microbes — bacteria, yeasts and molds — present in food. Once thawed, however, these microbes can again become active, multiplying under the right conditions to levels that can lead to foodborne illness.

A common culprit of food poisoning linked to reheated foods is Staphylococcus aureus which many people carry in their nose or throat. It produces a heat-stable toxin which causes vomiting and diarrhoea when ingested. Food handlers can transfer these bacteria from their hands to foods after cooking or reheating.