The freezer is the perfect place for leftovers or items that are close to their expiration date. Even if you own one The best refrigeratorsFreezer space always ends up being overloaded. So there may be some relief because there are certain things you should not store in the freezer.
In fact, if you’re stocking the wrong items all the time, you could be wasting precious space there. As well as those 3 reasons why you shouldn’t overfill your freezerA tightly packed freezer is never perfect. So if you want to organize your goods properly and save space, here are 16 foods that should never be in the fridge.
Have you ever wondered how long food will last in the freezer? We have the answer here, too.
16 foods you should never freeze
egg
You definitely don’t want to find peeled eggs in your freezer. This is because the liquid inside actually expands when it is frozen, causing the inside of the shell to open. Thus, the egg is at risk of contamination because it is now exposed.
If you want to freeze eggs, simply remove the shells and whisk them before storing them in an airtight container or freezer storage bag.
Have you ever wondered if you should keep eggs in the fridge? The answer may surprise you.
Milk
If you buy several cartons of milk at once, it can be very tempting to store some in the freezer. However, we don’t recommend this – milk that’s been frozen tends to separate and clump when thawed, especially if it’s high in fat.
It’s okay to drink it, but it won’t have the best texture for a morning cup of joe. However, it is ideal for cooking with it, so there are exceptions with this. Freezing low-fat milk will have less clumps, if you have to freeze it.
cheese
Cheese is another dairy product you’ll want to keep out of your freezer. Just like milk, freezing can change its texture, so the texture ends up dry, crumbly, and generally unappealing to eat.
Soft cheeses in particular, such as cream cheese or cottage cheese, have a hard time in the fridge for the same reason milk does—they can clump. However, you can still use it in your baking recipes with a slight difference.
food cans
Food containers should never be put in the refrigerator. This is because the liquid inside can expand to the point where it breaks the seal, leaving it open to bacteria and contamination, such as shelled eggs.
You can still freeze your canned goods though. Simply remove what’s inside first and store in a suitable container before freezing.
thawed meat
If you’ve already thawed meat once before, it’s not a bad idea to put it back in the freezer again. while the US Department of Agriculture (Opens in a new tab) He advises that “once food has been thawed in the refrigerator, it is safe to refreeze without cooking it,” the meat will lose a lot of its moisture as it thaws, which can spoil its texture if refrozen. Try to remove the amount of meat you intend to eat from the freezer just to avoid this problem.
mayonnaise
Keep mayonnaise out of the freezer, too. While your favorite sauce may look as good as fresh in the freezer, it will separate when it thaws, resulting in a thick, curdled mess. It is completely safe to eat, but the consistency will not be particularly appetizing.
If you find a jar of mayonnaise in the freezer and can’t shake it, there’s always the option of combining the ingredients again using an electric hand mixer. Just keep in mind that you may need to add some extra water, which can dilute it.
Fruits and vegetables are high in water
Any fruit and vegetables that contain a lot of water — such as cucumbers, melons, or lettuce — should stay away from the freezer. This is because the water content will turn to ice as frozen and then melt as it thaws, resulting in soggy food. Cucumbers that have lost their crunch do not look attractive.
fried foods
Unfortunately, fried foods cannot be used in the freezer either. Once thawed, that delicious crunch will be lost and you’ll be left with a soggy shade of onion rings.
Avoid this cooking method if you want to store the excess in the freezer and stick to the oven. This way you can freeze the results knowing they’ll be just as delicious when thawed.
macaroni
Try to keep cooked pasta out of the freezer. While eating them won’t kill you, they won’t be particularly appetizing—the cooked noodles will turn into a mushy, moist mess as they thaw. If you thought it was difficult to hold a fork before, you have no idea.
If you must freeze the pasta, you can try to cook it all the way through (it’s still hard and undercooked) before freezing, which will give you better results.
rice
Cooked rice goes well with noodles. When thawed, it becomes a soft and unappetizing side dish. It won’t hurt you to eat it, much like pasta, but you might have a hard time thinking about the unattractive consistency.
On the other hand, uncooked rice is fine for the freezer, and this will effectively extend its shelf life.
potato
Potatoes get a separate mention because they are an everyday ingredient. As you may have guessed, raw potatoes should not be kept in the freezer. This is because they contain a fair amount of water, so thawing one will produce a mushy and grainy texture.
On the flip side, cooked potatoes are fine to put in the freezer. Just remember to store them in airtight containers or freezer storage bags.
Thick sauces and gravies
Any thick sauces, such as milk or cream gravy, or sauces that contain cornstarch, should be avoided in the freezer. The ingredients separate as the sauce melts, resulting in a big, lumpy mess.
If you can’t stand wasting gravy in the future, you can always make a flour-based gravy instead—it should keep for up to four months in the freezer.
frost
If you have something with smooth frosting or a meringue finish, step away from the freezer. When egg whites thaw, they lose structure and moisture, which will not only ruin the look, but give them a rubbery texture.
anything creamy
As you’ve seen on the list so far, anything with cream in it tends to separate when it melts, resulting in an unattractive mess. This goes for other items you might be tempted to freeze as well, whether it’s yogurt, custard, or sour cream.
grapes
Unless you intend to eat frozen grapes as a snack on a summer day, storing fresh grapes in the freezer is not recommended. Once frozen and allowed to thaw, they end up as unattractive, soggy lumps. Too much water content will change the texture and more importantly, the sweet taste of the grapes.
fresh herbs
If you want to preserve aromatic herbs, never store them in the freezer. Fresh clusters will not do well at retaining their color or appearance, and will turn into brown mushy messes once thawed. Instead, choose frozen herbs that are specifically designed for freezer storage.
More Tom’s guide
For more tips, tricks, and how-tos, check out our guides on 11 Foods You Should Never Put in the Refrigerator, 10 Things You Should Never Put in the Dryer, 15 Things You Should Never Put in the Washing Machine and 8 Bread Maker Mistakes You Didn’t Know You Made you commit.
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