Your freezer can do far more than hold pizzas and prepared meals. Used wisely, it cuts grocery trips, prevents waste, and saves you significant money.
You can’t miss the predictions of a second—or is it a third?—wave of coronavirus infections as we’re heading into winter. It’s likely all over your social media feed, as well as every news outlet in the country. BILLSHARK has seen it, too.
1 Getting Ready for Winter
“This winter—this November, December, January, February—could be the worst time in our epidemic. Get ready to hunker down.”
“This winter—this November, December, January, February—could be the worst time in our epidemic,” Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told CNN last month. “Get ready to hunker down.”
Having learned our lesson about ways the pandemic affected supplies in the spring, Americans are already stocking up on grocery items and staples in preparation for more quarantining, and even possible lockdowns in the coming months.
“As of now what we’re seeing is the start of the second wave of panic,” Chris Mentzer, the director of operations for Rastelli Market Fresh in New Jersey, told USA Today recently. “Our customers keep telling me how they are looking for any type of freezer to purchase so they can start stocking up their homes now.
“Their main concern is meat,” he added. “They’re also starting to buy a lot of frozen meals and frozen pizzas. We are seeing anything that can be microwaved quickly or easily made in the oven for kids, fly off the shelves.”
But BILLSHARK wants you to know there are other, healthier, more cost-effective ways to use your freezer. Having enough staples and supplies on hand not only means you’ll be prepared for any shortages, but also means fewer risky trips to the store. And you’ll save a ton of money in the process.
2 What You Can Freeze
If your freezer is loaded primarily with processed and prepared foods, you may be surprised to learn what else you can buy now and freeze safely. There’s meat, of course, but did you know you can also freeze milk? Butter and cheeses? Bread? Even eggs?
With this in mind, keep an eye on the weekly circulars and stock up on sale items, which can amount to significant savings in the long run.
Here’s a partial list of refrigerator and pantry staples that can be safely frozen.
bread
meats, poultry, and fish, raw or cooked
cookies
milk (in freezer-safe containers, not the original carton; milk expands when frozen)
yogurt
eggs (removed from their shells)
hard cheeses (wrapped in foil in a freezer bag)
shredded cheeses
butter
fresh herbs
fresh fruit and vegetables
chocolate
nuts
cooked rice, quinoa, barley, mashed potatoes, and pasta
tofu
pizza or pie dough
Here’s a hint: If you see it as an ingredient in pre-packaged foods in the grocery store’s freezer section, you can freeze it at home.
3 How Long You Can Freeze Food
Believe it or not, according to FoodSafety.gov any food stored continuously at 0° Fahrenheit or below will keep indefinitely. That doesn’t mean the quality will last, however. Freezer burn on meats, for example, is notorious for making long-frozen meats unpalatable after thawing.
There are ways around that, though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends removing meat and poultry you intend to store longer than two months from its original packaging and placing it in a plastic bag. Alternatively, you can overwrap the packages with airtight, heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper.
If you’re concerned about the safety of storing foods, whether in the refrigerator or the freezer, FoodSafety.gov provides a downloadable PDF table that lists refrigerator and freezer times for typical foods. The FDA also offers a more extensive refrigerator and freezer storage chart.
4 What You Can’t (or Shouldn’t) Freeze
Given the long list of items that can be frozen, you might be asking, is there anything you can’t freeze? Yes. Here are some foods the FDA recommends you not freeze:
eggs in their shell
hard-cooked eggs
liquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes that have been opened
such salads as egg, chicken, tuna, ham, or macaroni
pre-stuffed pork, lamb chops, or chicken breasts
store-cooked convenience meals
commercial brand vacuum-packed dinners with USDA seal, unopened
canned ham labeled “keep refrigerated,” unopened
In addition, foods that don’t freeze well (i.e., their quality will be affected) include:
cream sauces
raw tomatoes
whipped cream
soft cheeses such as brie, double-crème, and low-fat cheese
leafy vegetables and salad leaves
If you make it a practice to think outside the (pre-packaged frozen food) box, you’ll be amazed at how your freezer can save you money.
Keep in mind that saving on groceries isn’t the only way to save money. BILLSHARK employs an expert staff of professional negotiators who know all the tricks the big companies employ to run up your bills. So let us review your bills—which won’t cost you a penny—and find you hidden savings.
Share:
Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does my freezer help me save money on groceries?
Keeping enough staples and supplies on hand means you make fewer trips to the store and waste less food. By watching the weekly circulars and stocking up on sale items you can freeze, you spread out your shopping and avoid paying full price, which can amount to significant savings in the long run. Fewer store trips during a pandemic also keeps you safer.
What foods can I safely freeze besides meat?
You can freeze far more than meat and prepared meals. Safe options include bread, cookies, milk (in freezer-safe containers, not the original carton), yogurt, eggs removed from their shells, hard and shredded cheeses, butter, fresh herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables, chocolate, nuts, cooked rice, quinoa, barley, mashed potatoes, pasta, tofu, and pizza or pie dough. A good hint: if it appears as an ingredient in store-bought frozen foods, you can freeze it at home.
How long can food stay safely frozen?
According to FoodSafety.gov, any food stored continuously at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or below will keep indefinitely. That does not mean quality lasts forever, though. Freezer burn can make long-frozen meats unpalatable after thawing. The FDA recommends removing meat and poultry you plan to store longer than two months from their original packaging, or overwrapping with airtight heavy-duty foil, plastic wrap, or freezer paper.
Which foods should I avoid freezing?
The FDA recommends you not freeze eggs in their shell, hard-cooked eggs, opened liquid pasteurized eggs or egg substitutes, salads such as egg, chicken, tuna, ham, or macaroni, pre-stuffed pork, lamb chops, or chicken breasts, store-cooked convenience meals, unopened vacuum-packed dinners with a USDA seal, and unopened canned ham labeled to keep refrigerated. These items either pose safety concerns or degrade once frozen.
Which foods lose quality when frozen?
Some foods are safe to freeze but do not hold up well, meaning their quality suffers. These include cream sauces, raw tomatoes, whipped cream, soft cheeses such as brie, double-creme, and low-fat cheese, and leafy vegetables and salad leaves. You can still freeze them in a pinch, but expect changes in texture or taste once they thaw.
For Significant Savings, Your Freezer is Your Friend page context
For Significant Savings, Your Freezer is Your Friend is a Billshark page. It can help you with your bills and your choices, and it can show you how to save.
Learn what foods you can and can't freeze, how long they keep safely, and how a well-stocked freezer cuts grocery trips and saves money.
Use this page to learn about Billshark. Then go to the part of the site that fits what you need. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
We share this page to help you make sense of your monthly bills, your choices, and what to do next. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
This page links you to more help from Billshark. Use it when you want more detail or a clear next step. You can save a lot over time.
Got a question about a bill you pay each month? This page can help you find the best answer. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.
Read each part of this page at your own pace. If you need more help, go on to a guide on your topic. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
We put facts and tips in one place. This makes it easy to learn about the bills you pay at home. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
This page can help with real questions. You can learn about your plan, your account, and what you pay each month. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
Use the menu and the links to go from a big question to the facts that fit your own needs. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
We keep things short and clear so you can choose well. You can then read more if you want to. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.
The links on this page help you weigh your choices. They also help you see what you pay and what to do next. You can save a lot over time.
Our goal is to help you spot the bills you pay each month. We also share smart ways to keep them low. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.
Come back to this page when you have a new question. It will still be here to help with bills and savings. You are in the right place. It is free to read.
We link the small choices you make each day to the big picture. That means your budget and what you spend at home. We make it easy for you.
Each part of this page helps you see what you need. It may be help with a plan, your account, or a good read. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up.
Use what you learn here to plan your questions. Look at your choices, then take the next step when you are ready. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.
Our pages link to each other. That way, you can find more help and still keep track of what you came for. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
This page makes it easy to find the key facts first. Then you can pick a plan or make a change with less stress. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
Good facts help you see why a bill went up. They also show you what to check before you call or reply. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
This page puts the key facts in one place. It can help you talk with a company about your bills and how to save. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.
Our other pages explain the words you see on a bill. They also help you weigh the pros and cons of each plan. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.
Our tips focus on real choices you can make. Start with the basics, then read a more detailed guide if you need one. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.
This page is one of many that we share. Together they cover home costs, the firms you pay, and how to get help. You are in the right place. It is free to read.
Take your time and read this page first. It helps you see your choices and find out what to read next. We make it easy for you. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
We set this page up so you can compare and keep reading. You will not need to hunt for what you want. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
Monthly bills come with rules, terms, and fine print. This page helps you find the parts that count for you. It is free to read. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
Our pages give you a clear view of what you pay each month. You can then pick the plan or guide you want. We are here to help. It only takes a few minutes.
Some of our guides cover the basics. Others go into detail on one company or one type of bill. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.
It pays to read first and act later. This page links you to the next guide if you want to learn more. Keep this page handy. Ask us if you get stuck.
We share guides that help you make sense of your bills. They show your choices and the best next step. It only takes a few minutes. You are in the right place.
Want more detail on a bill, a plan, or your account? Check this page against the links we share here. You can save a lot over time. We make it easy for you.
We group our pages by topic to keep things simple. This helps you stay on track as you read about your costs. Ask us if you get stuck. Read on to learn more.
A bit of background goes a long way. It helps you spot what counts before you check a bill, change a plan, or call us. You are in the right place. It is free to read.
This page is part of our help library. It gives you clear facts and links so you can keep on reading. We make it easy for you. We are here to help.
Your needs can change, so come back any time. Our other pages can help you look into a new cost or plan. Read on to learn more. Small steps add up. You can save a lot over time.
We laid out this page to help you get the facts and compare them. You can then choose your next step with ease. It is free to read. Keep this page handy.
Your freezer can do far more than hold pizzas and prepared meals.
You can’t miss the predictions of a second—or is it a third?—wave of coronavirus infections as we’re heading into winter.
“This winter—this November, December, January, February—could be the worst time in our epidemic,” Dr.
Having learned our lesson about ways the pandemic affected supplies in the spring.
“As of now what we’re seeing is the start of the second wave of panic,” Chris Mentzer, the director of operations for Rastelli Market Fresh in New Jersey, told USA Today recently.
“Their main concern is meat,” he added.
But BILLSHARK wants you to know there are other, healthier, more cost-effective ways to use your freezer.
If your freezer is loaded primarily with processed and prepared foods, you may be surprised to learn what else you can buy now and freeze safely.
With this in mind, keep an eye on the weekly circulars and stock up on sale items, which can amount to significant savings in the long run.
Here’s a partial list of refrigerator and pantry staples that can be safely frozen.
Here’s a hint: If you see it as an ingredient in pre-packaged foods in the grocery store’s freezer section, you can freeze it at home.
Believe it or not, according to FoodSafety.gov any food stored continuously at 0° Fahrenheit or below will keep indefinitely.
There are ways around that, though.
If you’re concerned about the safety of storing foods, whether in the refrigerator or the freezer, FoodSafety.gov provides a downloadable PDF table that lists refrigerator and freezer times for typical foods.
Given the long list of items that can be frozen, you might be asking, is there anything you can’t freeze?.
In addition, foods that don’t freeze well (i.e., their quality will be affected) include.
If you make it a practice to think outside the (pre-packaged frozen food) box, you’ll be amazed at how your freezer can save you money.
Keep in mind that saving on groceries isn’t the only way to save money.
