Preventing Freezer Burn
Stored properly, frozen vegetables and fruit can be kept for about one year. While freezer-burnt food is still safe to eat, it will likely not taste as good!
In order to protect your food, follow these helpful hints:
- Freeze your food in freezer-quality containers or freezer bags to keep moisture off of your food.
- Leave a small amount of space at the top of your container to allow your food to expand as it freezes. Your food should fit comfortably and be snug in the container once it’s frozen.
- When using freezer bags, squeeze as much air as you can out of the bags as possible. When buying bags of frozen fruits or veggies, transfer them to freezer bags after opening to make air removal easier and ensure a seal. A helpful tip for this is to stick a straw into the bag and “suck” the air out of the freezer bag to create as much of a vacuum as possible.
- Keep your freezer temperature consistent so the food won’t be thawing and re-freezing.
- If you keep your freezer at least ¾ full it will help to keep your food frozen; the food that is frozen will help to keep both the freezer and other foods cold. Extra space in the freezer? Fill it with ice cubes.
