Freezers are an appliance which everyone owns, whether to preserve food for longer or to store ice cream and ice. Not only does freezing reduce food waste, but it also helps save time and money by enabling you to cook in batches and make bulk purchases.
Whilst not everything can be stored in a freezer, the experts at Tesco Real Food have shared 12 unusual foods you can freeze. They said: “Using your freezer for just ice cubes and a packet of frozen peas? Wondering whether you can freeze milk? From milk and cheese to veg and rice, your freezer can do it all.”
Milk
The experts said: “Overestimated how much milk you’re going to get through? Unsure if you can freeze milk? Pop it in the freezer, and you’ll never need a last-minute dash to the supermarket again. If the container is full or unopened, pour a small amount out before freezing to allow for expansion as it freezes, or transfer it to an airtight container. Defrost overnight in the fridge and shake well before using to mix the milk and fat back together, then use as normal.”
Cheese
Hard cheeses like cheddar and red Leicester all freeze well if you are clearing out the fridge. The best way to store it is by grating it into containers. This will make it easier to use handfuls as needed.
Eggs
The experts said: “Can you freeze eggs? Yes, you can! Crack eggs into a small bowl and whisk together. Then, freeze them in a freezer bag or individual ice cube trays—defrost as needed for omelettes and baking. Or if you’ve just used yolks in a recipe, freeze just the whites ready for meringues.”
Bananas
You can freeze bananas by either freezing them whole or slicing them. They can be used straight from the freezer, perfect for smoothies, or you can turn them into banana ice cream.
Potatoes
Potatoes last for months in a dark, cool cupboard, but if you have too many to use before they start to sprout, the freezer is a good option.
Peel, roughly chop and blanch until just cooked, then spread out on a tray so they’re not touching. Freeze until solid, then tip into a freezer bag.
Yoghurt
The experts said: “You can easily freeze your spare yoghurt at home. If you’ve got kids, pop a lolly stick in mini yoghurts ready for summer snacks at a later date. Or plan ahead and use up the end of a tub of Greek yoghurt to make frozen yoghurt bites.”
Wine
If you have an open bottle of wine that won’t be finished, pour the rest into ice cube trays, then add a cube to recipes as needed. Give an extra boost to gravy, or add one cube to a bolognese.
Herbs
Roughly chop soft herbs like basil, coriander and parsley before placing them in ice cube trays and topping them up with water. Then, simply defrost on a plate when ready to use, or drop the whole thing into pasta and curries.
Butter
The food pros noted: Pop a butter packet in the freezer, ready to have on standby. Keep in its original wrapper or wrap in foil. Melt into recipes straight from frozen or grate from frozen.”
Cooked rice
If you’ve cooked too much rice to go alongside your dinner, don’t throw the rest out. Simply freeze as soon as possible after cooking. Pack into an airtight container and freeze, ready for fried rice at a later date.
Avocados
If you find yourself with too many avocados, simply freeze them at peak condition. Peel and freeze in chunks, and add frozen chunks to the blender for a morning smoothie.
Bread
The experts explained: “If you’ve bought too much bread or can just never get through a whole loaf before it goes stale, the freezer can help. Place whole loaves straight in the freezer, wrapping tightly and squeezing out excess air. Sliced bread can be toasted straight from frozen, and you won’t notice the difference.”
