The freezer is a very handy appliance when you think about it! You can put food that’s about to go bad in there to eat it at a more convenient time, and this makes it last longer. The problem is, if you put so much in there, some food stays there longer than it should, and finding it becomes an archaeological dig. But contrary to popular belief, frozen food doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll still be good to eat several months later. Some foods can’t be kept indefinitely in the freezer due to loss of flavor and bad bacteria. Here are 8 examples we’d like to draw your attention to .
Freezer storage: Be suspicious of certain foods!
Table of contents.
1) Uncooked meat
Pork or lamb chops, as well as generally unprocessed meats like beef or poultry, can be stored for about 8 months . Freezing alters the taste and texture over time (due to the water introduced into the food), and even if freezing calms microbial growth, it doesn’t completely stop it, and food poisoning can occur. For this reason, it’s important not to wait until the last minute to freeze meat. If you absolutely plan to do it, do it immediately after purchase and don’t wait until the product has reached its best-before date!
2) Hacksteaks
Ground meat is more fragile and should generally be consumed very quickly. Due to the way they are prepared, steaks contain more air. This promotes the growth of bacteria, which are not killed by the cold in the freezer. After removal from the freezer, the cold shock revives the bacteria. For these reasons, and because ground meat spoils quickly, it should be kept in the freezer for approximately four months.
3) Fruits and vegetables
They can be stored in the freezer for about a year if you prepare them properly. By preparation, we mean the entire process of blanching, cleaning, destemming, pre-cooking, draining, and pat dry. They should also be packed in tightly sealed bags from which all air has been thoroughly removed. Proper packaging prevents too much water from penetrating the food and forming ice blocks, which would impair the flavor of the fruit and vegetables.
4) Bread
Freezing bread can help prevent waste. However, be careful not to leave it in the freezer for longer than four months, as otherwise the bread will become too soft, dry, or crumbly. Depending on the quality of the baguette, some may be better consumed sooner, but this depends on the individual case. Homemade bread can be stored for up to four months, while commercially produced bread should be consumed within a month and a half of freezing.
5) Dairy products
Freezing them carries significant risks regarding the development and proliferation of bacteria. Another risk is water, which can alter the texture or flavor of your cheese. For this reason, it’s best to freeze hard cheeses, as they are more impermeable to water than soft cheeses. We recommend freezing for no longer than 4 months .
6) The fish
Because of their texture and high water content, they freeze even harder than meat, and freezing significantly affects cooking. Fish falls apart more easily after freezing. Don’t exceed the 4-month shelf life for your cod or salmon .
7) The cake batter
Cake bases and pasta aren’t ideal for freezing because of the butter they contain. The longer the product is frozen, the more water is extracted, and it loses its original flavor and texture. For this reason, you should n’t store them in the freezer for longer than 3 months !
8) The homemade cake
This is the tentative congeler quelques parts pour de futures craquages gourmands! Oui, mais voilà, nos gâteaux contiennent de la farine, de la crème et de la mousse et la congélation a un effet sur leur saveur et leur texture… Ou comment transformer un bon gâteau en morceau de plastic mou complètement insipide! 4 months of conservation serait donc le grand maximum .
How long does food last in the freezer? A list to clarify!
ALL foods have a best-before date. How long food lasts in the freezer depends on the type of food and the conditions under which it is frozen. In general, food can be stored for between three and twelve months . Make sure you store your food in airtight containers to prevent the formation of ice crystals and deterioration in quality. Freezer bags or plastic containers are ideal for this. Above all, pay attention to the specific recommendations for each food type and adhere to the expiration dates to ensure food safety. Finally, remember to label food with the freezing date for proper monitoring.
Here is a list of foods and the maximum recommended time in the freezer:
Meat:
Red meat: 8 months
Poultry (chicken, turkey): 8 to 12 months
Pork: 4 to 6 months
Game: 8 to 12 months
Seafood:
Lean fish: 6 months
Fatty fish (salmon, tuna): 2 to 3 months
Shrimp and seafood: 3 to 6 months
Dairy products:
Hard cheese: 6 months
Soft cheese: 3 months
Butter: 6 to 9 months
Ready meals:
Lasagne, casseroles, soups: 2 to 3 months
Pizza: 1 to 2 months
Leftovers from cooked meals: 2 to 3 months
Vegetable puree and baby food jars: 2 to 3 months
Meat for babies: 1 to 2 months
Fruits and vegetables:
Fruits (berries, mangoes): 8 to 12 months
Vegetables (broccoli, peppers): 8 to 12 months
Bread and pastries:
Bread: 2 to 3 months ideal, but can be extended to up to 4 months
Pastries: 1 to 2 months
Good to know: The stated time periods are general estimates. They may vary depending on the quality of the packaging and storage conditions . You should also be suspicious if the product looks dull, smells suspicious, or has absorbed the juices of another thawed food. Even if it was recently frozen, it may have become unfit for consumption.
