Sour cream freezing guides

Ricotta cheese freezing tips? Refrigerator thawing: Expect one full day to thaw per pound. For a large turkey, it will take several days. Chicken, ground meats and seafood remain safe to prepare and cook after one to two days after being thawed, while red meats can last up to five days refrigerated. You can refreeze once thawed; however, you may sacrifice quality. Cold water thawing: This method is quicker than thawing in the refrigerator but requires more attention on your part. Before placing items in the cool water, make sure your food is in an airtight bag so no water seeps in.

To prevent pieces from freezing together (and for freezing delicate fruits like berries), spread the pieces out in a single layer on a plastic wrap-lined sheet pan. Once they are fully frozen, transfer the pieces to your container and place it immediately in the freezer. With this method, any ice films form around each individual piece, rather than freezing all the pieces together in a big chunk. Many nights if I am making a lasagna or baked ziti, instead of making one, I make two: one to eat right away and one to freeze later on. Cook once, eat twice. It’s the same amount of work and you will be happy to have a casserole prepared on those busy nights. It’s also great to have a made-ahead dish on hand when you want to bring something to someone who’s sick or having a baby.

Whole Avocados – Yep, you read that right! You can freeze whole avocados. *Mind blown* You can also freeze guacamole! Most Veggies – Corn, peas, carrots, onions, peppers, you name it! You may need to blanch some of them before freezing. Roasted Tomatoes or Bell Peppers – Bake your tomatoes with herbs and spices and a drizzle of olive oil, then freeze in freezer bags. This can easily be added to soups and sauces. Squash and Sweet Potato – Cube or shred a batch of zucchini or sweet potatoes for quick hash browns. You can also thaw these and throw them into muffins or other baked goods for added nutrition! Spinach – Bag and freeze! So simple and helps prevent so much leafy waste. Frozen spinach is perfect to toss into a smoothie, a casserole, or your favorite pasta dish! Discover more details at Can You Freeze Cabbage.

That said, the USDA recommends these steps: If a food has been thawed in the refrigerator safely, you can refreeze it, as long as it’s within three to four days since thawing. Food that was thawed and then cooked is safe to refreeze. Do not refreeze any foods left outside the fridge for longer than two hours. If you’re in temperatures above 90 degrees F, the USDA puts that time window at one hour. Previously frozen meat, poultry, or fish purchased from the store can be refrozen as long as it’s been handled safely and hasn’t been at room temperature for more than that two-hour period. With safety procedures and good habits in place, you can make the most of your freezer as a go-to place for healthy foods. With a well-stocked space, you may even be able to stretch out the time between shopping rounds.