Best Methods for Freezer Food Storage

The best methods for Freezer Food Storage help save money and allow you to store foods in the freezer virtually indefinitely.
 
Freezer Food Storage Solutions
 
The 10 Best Methods for Freezer Food Storage
 
1. Always keep your freezer set at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or -18 Celsius or colder.  cold prevents decay and preserves freshness
 
2. Keep your freezer door closed. every time you open the door it lets in warm air and moisture. These are both primary causes of freezer burn
 
3.  Always freeze foods in a single layer.  If you have a quick freeze tray in your freezer use it.  Don’t stack foods in the freezer until after they are frozen.
 
4. Don’t use self defrosting freezers for long term storage.   Self defrosting freezers work by raising the temperature in the freezer above 32 degrees Fahrenheit for a short period of time at least once every 24 hours.  This keeps ice from building up on the walls of the freezer but forms ice crystals on the surface of your frozen foods. This speeds up freezer burn and decreases the quality of your food unless it is used within approximately 1 month
 
5. For longer term storage use a chest freezer. They have less variation in the temperature and can keep foods colder.
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6. Rotate foods in your freezer so you eat the oldest items first.
 
7. Label packages and containers with the date and what the item is so you can easily identify the item and know how old it is. Be sure to use freezer tape or labels that won't fall off in the freezer.
 
8. For longer term storage use a chest freezer. They have less variation in the temperature and can keep foods colder.
 
9. Never store meats and poultry in the original packaging alone. place them in a freezer container or wrap them in additional layers of freezer wrap.  You can have your butcher wrap them for you at the store.  A good butcher will always wrap the meat and poultry in a  plastic freezer wrap and some type of butcher paper. Butcher paper is a thicker paper with some type of wax or plastic layer so the paper is less porous and does not allow air and moisture in.
 
10. Always freeze foods as soon as possible.
 

Freezer Food Storage Timelines

Frozen food can be stored almost indefinitely at 0 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.  Storage times are suggested for issues of quality as the frozen food does not actually spoil.  

Item

Months

Bacon and Sausage

1 to 2

Casseroles

2 to 3

Egg whites or egg substitutes

12

Frozen Dinners and Entrees

3 to 4

Gravy, meat or poultry

2 to 3

Ham, Hotdogs and Lunchmeats

1 to 2

Meat, uncooked roasts

4 to 12

Meat, uncooked steaks or chops

4 to 12

Meat, uncooked ground

3 to 4

Meat, cooked

2 to 3

Poultry, uncooked whole

12

Poultry, uncooked parts

9

Poultry, uncooked giblets

3 to 4

Poultry, cooked

4

Soups and Stews

2 to 3

Wild game, uncooked

8 to 12

Chart Source USDA Factsheet