Freezing food: Our top tips on how to properly freeze food

Prepping your meals and putting the freezer to good use has many benefits, from saving time to significantly reducing food waste. This also means we can buy in bulk, save money and always have a healthy option on hand – rather than reaching for the easier option in the cupboard. That is why we’re giving you our top tips to freeze food properly!

With a love for functionality, ease of use and maintaining an organised space we recommend getting started with our Cook+ range. Whether it’s cooking your favourite dish, heating up leftovers or storing food in the fridge or freezer, the Cook+ range has you covered.

Which food is suitable for freezing?

It’s essential to be aware of which foods are good to freeze and which ones are better off sticking to the fridge. Whilst you can essentially freeze all foods, some products don’t cope well with the process.

Some of the best food groups for freezing include fruit, blanched vegetables (the process of briefly boiling vegetables before cooling and freezing), meat (raw or cooked) and sweet treats such as cupcakes and cookies. Likewise, casseroles, soups and stews are all great recipes you can freeze.

However, be aware of fruits and vegetables with high water content, such as lettuce, cucumber or watermelon, as these will become soggy when thawed. Similarly, dairy products such as yogurt, custard or cheese will separate and lose their consistency.

Guidelines to stick by when freezing food

Before freezing your food, there are a few guidelines you should always stick by. Ensure that you keep your freezer at zero degrees or below – check this by using a fridge or freezer thermometer. Next, you should always allow food to cool completely before placing it in the freezer. Putting warm foods in the freezer can cause surrounding items to thaw and, therefore, alter their taste and texture.

It is also vital that you correctly store your foods by either wrapping and sealing tightly or using appropriate containers. As mentioned earlier, the ClickClack Cook+ range is an excellent option for keeping food fresh in every circumstance, from fridge to freezer. Keep in mind: When freezing items using a container, leave enough space for liquid to expand.

We also recommend storing foods in smaller quantities, as this not only helps it freeze quicker but also means you’re only defrosting what you need. Similarly, keeping your freezer organised and avoiding over-crowding will also enable quicker freezing.

When it comes to defrosting food, the best course of action is to allow enough time for it to thaw out in the fridge.

How long can food be stored in the freezer?

The best thing about using the freezer for leftovers and meal prep is how long it extends the shelf life of each item. However, it’s important to keep track of when food was stored as it won’t last in there forever.

The best practice is to label any food you plan on freezing with the item name, date frozen and recommended use-by date. The maximum freezer storage time varies for each food group and should always be cross-checked beforehand.

Tips for meal prepping

We love meal prepping and utilising the space in our freezer for those days where you’re short of time or can’t decide what to have! Not only is this a simple back up but it is a lifesaver, particularly when you’re short of time during the week.

Keep a stash of frozen fruit stored away – chop up some banana, mangos and mixed berries for all of your smoothie needs! You may also like to keep separated blanched vegetables, so they’re always on hand for future cooking.

Otherwise, you may also like to spend some time on a weekend prepping some meals you can defrost and eat during the week. This may include options such as soup, stir fry or casserole.

What are some of your favourite recipes to prep and freeze for future use? Let us know by getting involved on our Facebook and Instagram.