When you start preserving fruits and vegetables, you may decide to mix things up and try freezing some of your food. Freezing is a great alternative to traditional canning, especially if you have a lot of extra freezer room. There are many fruits and vegetables that you can freeze. Try it with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, peaches, corn, tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, salsa, apple pie filling, and more.
Freezing may actually help your fruits and vegetables retain more of their nutritional value than with other methods of preservation. Frozen foods are not processed as much as canned foods because they are not cooked and processed. Some vegetables should be blanched to stop the enzyme action before freezing. Keep your freezer at 0 ° F or lower to reduce enzyme action, microbial activity, and oxidation.
As you start freezing your food, it is important to know that some containers are not suitable for freezing. Round-shouldered Mason jars should not be used for freezer recipes. When they are filled and frozen, the food will expand and may break the jar at the neck. Use only straight-sided Mason jars for freezing.
Instead of using a glass Mason jar, try a plastic tub. Plastic tubs are safe for freezing temperatures, and are great for storing jam, salsa, dairy, and other foods. They are slightly flared at the top, making it easy to remove your frozen product. Unless the product you are freezing is packed loosely, then when you fill a tub for freezing, make sure that you leave ½ to 1 of headspace to account for expansion.
Container & Packaging Supply has a wide selection of plastic tubs that will work great for freezing. The round tubs come in many different sizes, from the 4.5 oz. tub to the 3-gallon dairy container. Rectangular tubs like the 13.7 oz. tub will stack and store food more efficiently in your freezer than round tubs. Make sure to get a matching lid, and your tubs will be ready to freeze your food!
FAQs
Use only straight-sided Mason jars for freezing. Instead of using a glass Mason jar, try a plastic tub. Plastic tubs are safe for freezing temperatures, and are great for storing jam, salsa, dairy, and other foods. They are slightly flared at the top, making it easy to remove your frozen product.
Is it safe to freeze food in Tupperware containers? ›
Plastic containers can be used for freezing food but should be replaced if damaged and you should take care with washing and when heating them.
Is it better to freeze food in bags or containers? ›
Zip-top bags are great for freezing food because it's easier to get all the air out of them than it is with rigid containers. And zip-top bags have an added space-saving benefit: You can stack them, if you lay them flat to freeze first.
What is the best container to freeze food in? ›
Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.
What is the healthiest way to store food in the freezer? ›
Both Leone and Saffitz wrap everything tightly in plastic wrap before packing it in a freezer bag and—this is really important—removing as much air as possible. "A vacuum sealer is really best," Leone says. He also advises against freezing in glass—it has a tendency to expand and break.
What plastic free containers can you freeze food in? ›
Here are the best options for freezing food without plastic:
- Glass jars. Glass jars are perfect for soups, stews, and sauces. ...
- Beeswax wraps and bags. ...
- Stainless steel tupperware. ...
- Ice cube trays and muffin pans. ...
- Baking sheet. ...
- Aluminum foil. ...
- Glass tupperware.
FOR STORING LEFTOVERS IN THE FRIDGE & FREEZER: GLASS
For storing food in the fridge or freezer, glass, particularly OXO's set wins. The containers are freezer-safe so the glass won't break, leakproof with a tight seal (no mysterious liquids sticking to your refrigerator shelves!), and easy to clean.
Will plastic containers crack in the freezer? ›
Polypropylene and PVC are both plastics that are brittle at temperatures below freezing. Polystyrene is considered brittle at 68°F and is very brittle at temperatures below freezing. High, medium and low polyethylene on the other hand, remains impact resistant at low temperatures.
Are mason jars freezers safe? ›
Jars with tapered sides or straight sides are freezer safe; shouldered jars are not.
Can you freeze food in rubbermaid plastic containers? ›
This item is made of materials that are safe for freezer use. Please note that plastics are less flexible when cold or frozen and may break if dropped. Also note that water expands when frozen, so when filled to capacity the container could expand outwards.
Freezer Safe
If you don't see the snowflake symbol, avoid putting your new containers in the freezer. Extreme temperatures can deteriorate plastic, and if containers aren't food safe, this can cause chemicals to spread to food when the containers are taken out of the freezer.
What plastics are safe to freeze food in? ›
These are the food-safe plastic containers that the FDA has deemed appropriate for safe food storage:
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE plastic)
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE plastic)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE)
- Food-grade polypropylene (PP)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Acrylic.
- Nylon.
TakeAlongs are the best of both worlds: lightweight enough to bring on your office commute or to potlucks and picnics, yet durable enough to hold up to the dishwasher, freezer, and microwave.
Can I freeze chicken in plastic Tupperware? ›
Tips for Freezing Poultry
Choose containers or wraps appropriate for freezing:freezer foil, wrap or bags, plastic freezing containers. To prep for freezing: Ideally wrap first in a layer of plastic wrap or freezer paper, then a layer of foil, then store in a freezer bag or plastic container.
