4 Favorite Food Freezer Hacks | MONEY SAVING TIP | I love freezing these foods! 

Me too Trisa. So very convenient when making a meal. A cup of this already chopped item, a 1/2 cup of that, etc. We also make our own pasta (just flat sheets like a lasagna/cannolinni, or broad like linguine/stroganoff, smallest is like spaghetti) so whenever I make a pasta dish, I run the leftover raw dough thru as a stroganoff noodle spin to a ball, and freeze it with other previous left over pasta. This allows me to make a delicious healthy and nutritious noodle soup in 10-15 minutes. A variety of previously chopped and frozen veggies, a ball or 2 of frozen pasta, a broth (here I do cheat with 1litre of no salt Campbell’s beef/chicken broth), and a fast ‘stir-fry’ meat. Spice to taste. We haven’t bought canned soups since our first child was a baby. And buying in bulk is more cost effective. I’ve found at Costco a nice pork loin, I rinse it, slice it to a thickness I want (3/4”), nice boneless chops. Then like you mentioned, lay them flat and flash freeze, then transfer to a ziplock freezer bag. This started for cost but also because I like a thicker chop for barbecue. I do same with beef. Can’t find a nice steak, and price of stew beef is insane. Buy a roast, slice a few steaks off to your desired thickness, then cut the remainder into pieces for stir fry, stews, or stroganoffs (the pieces I portion to suit our recipes for portioning in medium freezer bags). This is no different than people that buy hamburger in large bulk, then portion it to suit their recipes (1lb goes with most recipes, and it’s easier to grab 2 packs than to try to split 1 big frozen lump).

Cheese. Don't forget to slice or shredded your cheese before you freeze it. Don't freeze a whole block.

OMG! Trisa, never thought of the potato thing. I almost always have them for too long and they go bad. I'm going to do this from now on.

@@amyjohnson7729 it's a game changer for sure. I sometimes do a small roast in the crock-pot with an excessive amount of potatoes considering it's just me. I do it because crock-pot potatoes make the BEST mashed potatoes. LOL

I chop my veggies n throw in gallon bags in the freezer. Shake them every thirty minutes up to every hour. Then throw into quart size bags for storage.

Confit garlic. Wonderful stuff

I do this too! LOVE having lemon juice ready in my freezer. I also freeze cilantro in ice cube trays, w a little water. VERY HANDY! ✌😉

Great tip! Thanks so much for sharing!

I am one of those people who think cilantro tastes like soap! At the end of basil season, I like to preserve it, though, because dry basil tastes and smells nothing like fresh basil! I preserve it in the same way I would make pesto So....I wash, dry and put into the processed with some EVOO. FIll sterile jars , making sure there are no air pockets and make sure there is a layer of oil on top. I always use a clean spoon to get some out and always make sure there is a thin layer of oil on top. As long as air doesn’t touch the basil, it won’t oxidise and will remain bright green and fragrant for a long long time. Sometimes I also pop a few cloves of garlic into the processor with the basil. If I want to make pesto, I just freshly toast the pine nuts and grate the cheese. It is so much fresher this way than bottling the pesto, completely made. This method works for all soft herbs like parsley too.

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Awesome, thanks.

I won't do it again.The Volumen lost at least half of them. It loses its shape and becomes muddy.

​@@handyich7832 I tried cutting them into chunks and then storing them in a glass jar that has cold water and keep it in the fridge. I notice the celery won't even lose it crunchiness.

@maialso6096 Yes, you are right. So long it's in water, it doesn't matter in room temperature or fridge, even don't need to cut. But since in the freezer, they lost their structures and are tasteless.

Great idea! Yes, having celery for soups is my favorite!

I can’t make spaghetti without chopped garlic and celery. Trying to grow celery.

I do the same! Even the tops of the celery make great veggie bullion!

Add slightly chopped parsley to the "soup bag." This is great, thank you everyone! With frozen "soup bags" and prepared and frozen meat, just grab it all with some broth and you're done! Quick, easy, non-wasteful, yummy!!

@@homemaker.on.a.budget (

Hi, how does garlic taste after freezing? Does it taste good or lose it’s smell and taste?

I buy over-ripe bananas, get them home and peel them, cut in half and place in freezer baggies. Doesn't take long to peel them and so much easier than waiting once they're already frozen. Oh, and I freeze the peels for when I get those nasty fruit flies. They're attracted to banana peels!

​@@barbiek3987What do you do with the peels to reduce fruit flies, I would think it would just attract more?

@@pamh.5705 Exactly, they do attract them. I place a piece of the peel in a small bowl and add some Apple Cider vinegar. then I cover the bowl with plastic wrap, punching some holes in the top with a fork. The fruit flies are attracted, get in through the holes, but then can't get out and drown (😥) in the vinegar. The vinegar also helps to attract them. I've found that the vinegar alone doesn't attract as many as the peel with the vinegar does.

@@barbiek3987great to know. I’ll try this

That's if you can even find it later

👍 me too.

I have been freezing my roasted garlic. Does really well.

U

The only pre peeled garlic I can buy is from China😮 I don't buy any food from China now.

I add white vinegar to my first wash water and let things soak for at least 20 minutes. The water is filthy and the vinegar helps cut dirt and pesticides,then I rinse I clear water several times.

Add some ice to that water and it will perk up any spinach about to wilt.

@@steelgirl6566 actually add a little lemon juice with the ice water. It’s a restaurant trick/tip.

I have a home ozone machine ($45 from Amazon) and treat a gallon of water for 20 mins and wash ALL my veg in it, then freeze or it will also extend the life of produce in the fridge by a couple weeks. That’s what restaurants do. They rarely throw away produce and have big vented ozone machines. My son was a chef in a Michelin star restaurant and that’s what they did. Plus ozone water is reputed to be super healthy because it has an extra molecule of oxygen. Don’t treat the water in an unventilated area-the ozone fumes can damage your lungs. It smells like lightning!

I hate when I watch videos and they don't wash things. Im like you it doesn't matter if says it's washed. How do you know it really has been.

Celery lasts much longer in the fridge if you take it out of the plastic wrapper and wrap it in tin foil. Carrots last longer in fridge if you take it out of the bag, wipe any condensation out, wrap small portions of carrots (3-4) in paper towels and put them back in the plastic bag. Replace paper towel once a week. Carrots stay really nice much longer. Last one works well with radishes also.

I just put them in the freezer then take them out rinse and clean.

Great tip!

Pre-rinsing your blueberries toughened the skins. Freeze them fresh, then rinse clean when you are ready to use them

@@lorik8923 I've never noticed tough skins.

Yes, buy on sale and freeze.

😭😭😭😭😭☺️😄💯

this site has just saved me so much money. no more wasted food

Annie Oakley: Dont eat slimy spinach. 🤣 You’re eating for your health, for the nutrients in the food.

If the spanich is slimy it's no good....yuk

I believe she is saying that she won't have slimy spinach anymore because she will have frozen some before it gets slimy.

Sounds delicious!

From my freezer- frozen celery with frozen mushrooms, lightly seasoned, with a minimal amount of olive oil and butter, sautéed and serve. I was amazed how much celery and mushrooms complimented each other.

I add mushrooms if I have them. I love this dish.

@@lyndabeckham2340 - ‘If I have them’ , but Lynda that’s the whole point. mushrooms are one of the veggies that freeze very well. You just pre-chop them to your most commonly desired size, spread on a cookie sheet to flash freeze, next day remove from cookie sheet, place in ziplock freezer bags, and store. I have 3 large bags in my freezer of shrooms, 2 of chopped onions, 2 of chopped bell peppers (mixed colors), 2 of chopped celery, and 1 of minced garlic. My basics for many dishes. I buy in bulk, but cook for a few days with them fresh. As soon as I see them aging, they get chopped and froze. Zero waste. And close to fresh, always on hand, plus pre-prepped. (Big fruit bowl on table too, but as the uneaten fruit gets old, I chop and freeze for various dessert/baking. I hate throwing away spoilage)

@@dericksmith2137 ,

We squeeze out the lemon juice and pour into ice cube trays. Once frozen pop em into a big freezer bag and keep in freezer for anytime. No peels or seeds to deal with later. 👍🤘

I buy a 5kg or 10kg bag of onions - much cheaper. They last in a cool dry place for months. I give some away.

@@whatthe3131 0

I squeeze my lemon or lime juice and then fill ice cube trays full!

@@judyellis4198 I do the same with huge watermelons at the end of season. Melon ball as much “meat” as possible, while using ice tray for remaining juice. Goes great in fruit smoothies, or as ice in my teas.

So very true :)

The smell also keeps little weevils away. You can used dry citrus peels placed into your cupboards for that.🍋🍊🍋🍊🍋🍊🍋🍊🍋🍊🍋

Good idea

I’m so glad you said that- that’s what I was thinking🤓 -why waste-

My grandma used to freeze lemon juice in cubes we would lick them with sugar or use them as needed.

Great tip!

If you use garlic and onions, you need a soapstone! It's not soap or stone; it's a steel oval that, when rubbed over any surface under cool running water, miraculously removes even the most pungent odors. Cutting board, food processor, food storage containers or hands--all will smell like nothing at all in just seconds. So much better than soap + garlic fragrance! 😜

Spinach can not be frozen no more then 4-5 days in the freezer It must b blanched to save Nutrients I have friends who have their PhD and have taught me about freezing in this is what they tell me

Why do you turn hot soup in a jar upside down in a fridge?

@@kayBTR when cools I put them in the fridge. Putting upside down it is like a canning and keeps the soup good to consume longer. I do not use Mason jar just regular one.

Yes. I have used the "roll it up" idea. I did it with single strips of bacon, but I suppose two-at-a time would also work. It is sooo much easier to use the bacon from the freezer after storing it in this way.

I cook about 4 packs of 16oz bacon, once a month or so. I cook it on an electric griddle l. I scrap the grease off while cooking. Then let the bacon cool. Then I put it in a silicone freezer bag. Been doing thar for about a year now. That way you only take out what you need.

@@lovepugs05 And you made bisquits with that delicious bacon grease?

@@vintage6346 not yet ! I do save the grease.

@@lovepugs05 Okay. Well done. 😊

I do have his also. The small bags into one large freezer bag to avoid smell.

I do the same!

Thank you for sharing . I’m going to try this tip

Cool tip! Worth keeping a spray bottle with vinegar on the counter.

Oh wait, is that full strength vinegar bath?

@@fairlind I'm wondering same. Do you soak in bowl with water and vinegar or spray fruit and rinse?

Great idea..just be mindful microwaving destroys all the nutrients tho.

Kathleen..thank you! Now I can freeze mushrooms purchased on sale to make cream of mushroom soup.

Hi Kathleen. This sounds like a good idea but I'm not completely clear on the steps. It says, "...to allow liquid to cover as much of the mushrooms as possible." My question is what liquid is covering the mushrooms?

@@alldaymusiclover107 the liquid comes out of the mushrooms during the cooking process. To keep the flavour in normal cooking, that liquid is then reduced down. I interrupt the cooking at that point to protect the mushrooms from freezer burn. I'm sorry, I try not to be long-winded, but end up just that.

@@kathleenmayhorne3183 Thank you very much. I'm going to try it!

Just chop your mushrooms to desired size for the majority of your recipes. Then lay the raw mushrooms on a cookie sheet, if you have lots use parchment to create layers. Freeze them for a day, then remove and place into large ziplock freezer bags, and put back into the freezer. When using you do need to allow a bit more time to sautee as they release moisture while cooking. In soups the can be used as is. Only down side is that after freezing they aren’t appealing to eat raw.

I put a restarted plant in the ground, in missouri. It Wintered 3 years! & was so nice to have it at my fingertips. Celery greens are good on a sandwich too!

How do you do it? Put in water?

@@KatarinaS. u can put it in water for a few days..but potting it in some soil is best. Keep watering ..keep enjoying

@@viduramdeworrastogi6857 ok, thanks! I've seen people put it in water, but I figured doing that initially until it sprouts roots and then putting it in soil would be better.

I have tried for years and have yet to successfully grow one 😩

Ooh yeah, great idea for water!!

Incan not understand frozen garlic and frozen lemon. Can’t u buy a fresh one in a store when j need one?

@@bambinaforever1402 cheaper to buy in large quantity than individual quantity. Freezer is your best friend.

Or u can wrap in foil, it keeps longer in fridge!

Sounds delicious!

I like that frozen cabbage idea! ☺️

I also slice mandarins for my hot water drinks, and I freeze mint leaves to add to my citrus hot water. Sometimes add both to a bag of green tea

Me too. I already need a bigger freezer and now I have Lemons to Freeze 😂

As “Rotten” demonstrates, much of the pre-peeled fresh garlic that ends up in stores is processed by Chinese prisoners, which would make its importation illegal under US law. The job is so grueling that prisoners fingernails fall off, leading them to peel the garlic with their teeth

@@jwhite5396 😒

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@@jwhite5396 :😯😯😯😯😢

RIGHT!? We need FDA here; but if you want to ship from China anything goes! Really maddening.

Great idea with the carrots!!!!

Do they thaw mushy?

@@a.humphries8678 I eat them frozen so not sure, but that may be an issue.

I've seen frozen food at the store always wondered how they did it now I'm learning saves me time with doing the freezeing of vegetables myself quick easy ready to use when I cook and save money not buying the frozen vegetables and fruit at the store.

I freeze my bell peppers by chopping them up and placing wax paper on cookie sheets in the freezer until they are frozen. Then I put them in sandwich bags which then go into zip loc freezer bags. When I take them out to use, the aroma of bell peppers is amazing. Didn’t know when I started freezing them that it would turn out so well. Hope this helps.

@@saracruze2212 There are curtain vegetables that you blanch first. Just put them in boiling water for a minute then freeze. Like green beans. Google the pros on that one.

I freeze jalapeño peppers whole…just wash and bag!!

Same with Hatch Roasted Green Chilies! Yum Yum!

I live alone, also, and what I've found is that doing these pre-prep things actually makes me plan what I might use the items for during the week. That, in turn, makes me want to eat, which sometimes seems more like a bother. Also, I have grapefruit and lemon trees and juice as much as is reasonable for drinking, eating, freezing. I love a strong cup of tea with a lot of lemon juice, sort of a hot Arnold Palmer!

Cut off bottom.and soak in water Then plant it. It grows

You can also save the very bottom of your celery where the root ball is, cut up about an inch when you are cutting up your celery and save that root ball you can either place it in a bowl of water or you can place it in soil and it will regrow! I have done this several times. Super easy! Same with lettuce!

wrap fresh celery in aluminum foil. It will keep perfectly for a couple of weeks. Maybe more but it never lasts that long in our house.

@@rhondapelletier2141 Nervous about it actually growing but I'll give it a positive whirl! How neat if it works for me!

Freezing kale for smoothies works too and thankfully becomes completely tasteless!

It's a total game changer for sure :)

I buy frozen spinach right off from the frozen food aisle coz where I'm from, fresh spinach would cost more than twice for the price of frozen for the same amount. I use them mainly for soups and green smoothies.

I was just going to say this... in some cases buying it frozen is more expensive but spinach and berries are WAY less expensive at the store already frozen.

Oh wonderful! Thanks so much for your positive feedback :)

I'm so glad! Thank you for being so positive :)

I put cleaned celery wrapped in foil in the freezer for future use, been doing it for years...halve lemons and freeze...saves food from going bad..

@@charleencollins1130 Do you defrost it before use? Does it go quite mushy?

My friend has a PhD in nutrition she says to save the nutrition and spinach it needs to be planted before freezing and also even if you search online if you put it in the freezer without being blanched it’s not good more than four or five days

@@joansmith6844 Oh, thank you for telling me!😊

I keep the fresh stuff for a while but if I see it starting to spoil I freeze it. It would of course be better to do it when it was fresh. I have come to the conclusion that having some bags of this and that in the freezer is a real help. But you have to keep track of what you have in the freezer. Periodically I make a list of everything I have listed by drawer - No 1, No 2 etc.

Hello! Just wondering whether or not this freezing technique has worked for you. I've tried methods from other RU-vid videos and they've failed. I'm on a fixed income so I know how you feel about money being wasted. Thank you in advance. Marie L.

Wait-! You can freeze BOK CHOY??!? If so- hurray!! :) I LOVE bok choy, & have recently found they sell them as "mini" bok's!! So i can get around 12 or so in a bag fom the fresh food at Wegmans... problem is, whether the large head or the mini's, SOME is bound to go bad.. if i can freeze them, - i'll just wrap & freeze each head for future use! PERFECT!! THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!

I read that you can freeze cabbage. The texture changed. It wasn't good for slaw. In future, I would only use it for hot dishes.

I'm so glad you liked the video!

This makes me so ready for summer! Great tip!

@@homemaker.on.a.budget Me too, I think we all need healing sunshine; listening to the birds sing and all that jazz

I freeze tomato paste in an ice cube tray. Each cube is 1 Tablespoon

Great tip!

Oh thank you for your time and feedback! Have a blessed day :)

Great tip!!!

Sounds great!

Great idea!

😱

I juice the lemons and limes put in ice cube trays cube juice ready when need.

I juice them and put in a glass jar with a pour spout.

Thank you

Tupperware makes ice trays with lids.

I put my garlic in the freezer and take out what I need as long as it's not wet yummy

Genius!

Smart

her voice makes me want to totally lieeke freeze like ya kneeew!

When strawberries , blueberries or any berries are on sale I stock up run water over them drain put on cookie sheet to freeze then bag to use later.I have my smoothie every morning.

My husband freeze all his smoothie fruits and vegetables including the spinach.

It's my favorite :)

Great idea!

Thats what I do

Oh that's great!

That bottom is a scrap that can be used to make homemade stock or broth as well.

@@kcsc140 Plant the bottom it will grow,

I never like the flavor of garlic in water, then I found out that garlic is oil-soluble (onions are water soluble) from America's Test Kitchen. The drawback of oil/garlic paste is that when you try to freeze it, it's going to take longer to become solid. I didn't time how longer though.

Oh yum!

Dry celery with a couple paper towels. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Store in fridge for months.

I have recently discovered Savesealer which removes air using special zip bags you buy from Save Sealer. Keeps veggies fresh longer in refrigerator and good for freezing also. Small vacuum handheld recharges quickly with USB. Also makes items more visible and easier to store because it flattens by removing the air. Check it out!

PS bags are reusable.

You could dehydrate the celery or could buy freeze dried celery for salads.

Yes