Almost any food can be safely frozen, but we would avoid items like fresh fruits and vegetables. Use plastic freezer bags, freezer paper, freezer-safe storage containers, or plastic wrap. Freezing foods like soups, stews, and casseroles is a great idea. They can be divided into individual portions for later access. Fall is a great season to break out the slow cooker and create delicious slow-cooked meals. You can freeze the meals fully cooked, or raw and then cook them whenever you feel like it!
Make sure to stock up on freezer bags at your local grocery store, or order them online (links below!). Although meal planning can take time, the payoff is huge. Freezer meals are a great convenience in the future for busy weeknights – plus, you can enjoy your favorite Yom Tov dishes again.
Vacuum Sealing
The best way to store leftovers for more extended periods is to seal meals in an air-tight container. When you place food in the freezer, the low temperature preserves food for longer periods because it slows microorganisms’ that cause food spoilage and food-borne illnesses.
Packaging meals adequately for the freezer protects the food’s flavor, color, moisture content, and nutrients. When you are ready to cook your frozen food, avoid placing frozen raw meat on the counter until it reaches room temperature. It is recommended to thaw frozen meals in the refrigerator to avoid the spread of bacteria.
The best way to freeze food is to place leftovers into food-grade plastic vacuum sealer bags. These bags provide an excellent barrier between your meals and the elements. Freezer burn occurs when water gets into your food. They also keep bacteria out and prevent the growth of mold in stored food. For best results, consider a high-quality vacuum sealer drawer to store ingredients for a long time properly.
Activate the Fast Freeze Mode
The Fast Freeze mode is perfect for leftovers at room temperature. It drops the temperature of the freezer temporarily so foods can cool down quickly. If food cools slowly, it is far more likely to develop ice crystals. Therefore, we recommend activating that fast freeze mode a few hours before you plan to place leftovers in the freezer.
Organize Your Refrigerator
Take a moment to remember the very first time you stocked your refrigerator. Everything was nice and clean. Everything had its proper place. Everything was perfect. Over time, things began to change. Old, expired food began hogging up space in the back. Random crumbs and pickle juice created a sticky mess on the shelves. What was once a neat and orderly refrigerator is now a mess. Fortunately, your fridge is merely a few hacks away from returning to its former glory.
Before the holidays, it is recommended to clean out your refrigerator and get organized. Over time, leftovers and old items can pile up. Make sure to toss any old items with freezer burn to make space for all of the new freezer cooking you are about to do.
Modern fridges offer many configuration options depending on your cooking and food storage style. If you like to stock up at the grocery store, a large-capacity refrigerator will offer enough space. When you’re looking at different models, think about what features are right for you. From convenience to storage options to conserving energy, the features you select will depend on what you’re looking for in a refrigerator.
Dedicate a Leftovers Zone
In a way, leftovers help to keep your refrigerator and freezer organized. Every meal you don’t have to make means one less meal you need to prepare. One less meal you need to prepare means less movement of the individual ingredients in the fridge. However, most of us don’t store leftovers correctly. We tend to place them in opaque Tupperware containers and forget about them. Likewise, we tend to shove them in any open space we can find. Unfortunately, this only creates more chaos.
Avoid wasting leftovers by designating a shelf just for them. This shelf should be labeled and contain translucent glassware for storage. The glassware will allow you to identify what you have on the shelf. If you’re in for a bit of extra organization, then label each container’s dates of entry and expiration.
Refrigerator organization does not require a great deal of time and effort. Creating space for specific items will create a system of uniformity and help you get into the habit of placing things in their proper place. Using labels will remind you and others where to find and return items. Use of rotating shelves and magnetic containers will give you easier access to food items. The use of uniform-sized bottles and containers will save you space. By using any or all of these hacks, you will have a highly organized refrigerator.
Here are some options for storing food in your freezer:
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