Freezing meals = freezerburnt?!

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His_Ruby

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I’m wondering if anyone knows of a really good brand of containers that I can freeze meals in. Since it’s just the 2 of us, I end up making extra and freezing it for later quick meals or DH’s lunches.

But for some reason the containers I have, after a week of being in the freezer, the food inside is freezer burnt. :mad: And then it’s useless.

Anyone had this problem/found a good container or way of freezing stuff?
 
Don’t use containers - get a FoodSaver or some such vacuume sealer. Air is what causes freezer burn - if you get out all the air you don’t get that. I used to have one and they are amazing and do exactly what they say. You can get them at Target or eBay at pretty decent prices.

ZipLock has a low cost version of one now, but I’m not sure how well it works.

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
Don’t use containers - get a FoodSaver or some such vacuume sealer. Air is what causes freezer burn - if you get out all the air you don’t get that. I used to have one and they are amazing and do exactly what they say. You can get them at Target or eBay at pretty decent prices.

ZipLock has a low cost version of one now, but I’m not sure how well it works.

~Liza
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Actually it’s Reynold’s that has the low cost one. But I agree, it is the air that is causing that problem.

One of the best re-usable products on the market that I have found that will prevent this is actually Tupperware - Rubbermaid containers come in as a close second. Most other of the products that I have tried really don’t work that well.

Brenda V.
 
I agree with the poster who brought up vacuum sealers. They are remarkable.

(or you could just eat out–always my solution, although my hubby likes eating home more than me):blushing:
 
The Reynolds Hand-Vac looks awesome… I’m definitely getting it next time I go to WalMart!! 😃

And I guess I will just need to invest in some good Tupperware for soups, which I do a lot of. 🙂
 
The key is to reduce the amount of space in the container. If you can get something to fit tightly then you reduce the amount of air around the food. So soup in a Tupperware would be good as long as the container is not too big. 😃

~Liza
 
lizaanne said:
Oh right!! The goofy Reynolds ladies!!! 😃 alcoa.com/reynoldskitchens/handi_vac/en/home.asp

I really want to try that one and see if it works - it’s on the list for the next shopping trip.

~Liza
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I have one and just haven’t given it a try yet. I do plan on trying it the next time I get some ground beef at Sam’s because I then divide up that large 6 lbs. into 1 lb. packages.

I hate to throw things away so I tend to go with washable re-usable containers.

If I remember, I will come back and let you all know how this vacuum seal thingy from Reynold’s works ;).

Brenda V.
 
we had a daisy seal-a-meal we used for years with great results, I am sure they have newer better vacuum sealers now

esp great for freezing garden produce, tomato sauce etc.

secret is to get the air out.

tupperware is the only brand of plastic container that freezes well. cheap disposable ones will crack if dropped and do not seal out air very well. a tupperware square-round, filled properly and “burped” will keep liquids, or solids in liquid, frozen properly and preserve most of the taste and texture

having worked for a few years at Stouffers I can also tell you that freezing meat w/o liquid will almost certainly lower the quality, result in freezer burn and won’t thaw or microwave evenly.

freeze the chicken breasts in the marinade, in bags enough for one meal, flat, expessing all the air you can before sealing, and use freezer bags, not just any bag, the zipper ones don’t work as well as the ones you run your finger along. thaw under running water enough to get them out of the bag and cook as usual
 
I use the Ziploc brand containers and have never had any problems, but I tend to fill them up all the way. Most of that stuff gets eaten within a week or two anyway, so it doesn’t have a chance to burn.
 
I do like puzzleannie. However, I also have been known to suck the last little bit of air out of the bag with a straw. Have to be careful doing it, but it works.
 
His_Ruby said:
I’m wondering if anyone knows of a really good brand of containers that I can freeze meals in. Since it’s just the 2 of us, I end up making extra and freezing it for later quick meals or DH’s lunches.

But for some reason the containers I have, after a week of being in the freezer, the food inside is freezer burnt. :mad: And then it’s useless.

Anyone had this problem/found a good container or way of freezing stuff?
Click to expand...
I was just complaining to DH that everything gets freezer burned in our freezer. I just had to toss 2 steaks and a package of stew meat. My mom always just bought it at the store and tossed it in the freezer the way it came from the store (you know, in those styrophome beds with saran wrap over them) so thats what I do to.

I guess it is all of that air that is killing our food, because the individually wrapped chicken breasts I get at costco doesn’t have any freezer burn no matter how long I leave it in there.

Great thread - I’ll keep watching. And in the mean time, I’ll go pick up a vacuum sealer…
 
i got my husband a foodsaver for christmas. We had so much fun looking through the fridge and finding things to vacuum seal!! works great. when you buy it at a wholesale place like sams club or cosco its cheaper and they come with the whole package, the roles of plastic and some containers. we love it!
 
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