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Top Freezer Hacks to Save Food

Your freezer is one of the most effective tools for extending the life of your leftovers and reducing food waste. With a few simple freezer hacks, you can store food better, keep it fresher for longer, and save money. Here are some tips to make the most of your freezer.

Label Everything

Always label your containers or bags with the food name and date it was frozen. This way, you can easily identify what’s inside and know when to use it before it loses quality. Using removable labels or freezer-safe markers works well.

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Use older items first to minimise waste. Keep newer items at the back of the freezer.

Use Airtight Containers

Choose airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable bags to prevent freezer burn. Removing as much air as possible from bags will help keep food fresher longer. Flat-packing items like soups, sauces, and stews in resealable bags saves space and ensures even freezing.

Don’t Overpack

Leave space for air to circulate. Overpacking can lead to uneven freezing and make it harder to find things. If your freezer is starting to fill up – pick three items out to base this week’s meal plan on before you go shopping. Learn more about flexible meal planning and Unwaste Nights here.

Keep it Organized

Group similar items together – frozen peas with the frozen mixed veg, or all of your ready-to-eat leftover meals. Use the shelves or drawers to group items together, or consider using baskets to make it easier to find what you need. Of course, organisation is made so much easier with a few labels!

Choose airtight, freezer-safe containers or resealable bags to prevent freezer burn.

Pre-portion Meals

That giant block of frozen casserole that takes days to defrost could have been more easily unwasted by freezing in smaller portions for individual servings, making it easier to defrost just what you need. Whether it’s leftover cooked meals, raw meats, or sauces, portioning food ensures you only thaw what you need.

Use Ice Cube Trays

Leftover sauces, stocks, and even fresh herbs can be frozen in ice cube trays for easy portioning. Once frozen, transfer the cubes into resealable bags for quick additions to future meals.