A guide to freezing food
If you have leftover food that you want to keep for a later date, you may be wondering whether you can freeze it. Freezing food in your AEG freezer is a great option in many circumstances, as it means you can plan in advance and save money and time.
Our guide explores how to safely freeze meat and fish, including the best ways to store and defrost poultry, lamb, beef and pork. We’ll also cover which foods are not suitable for home freezing to help you make an informed choice when planning and preparing meals.
Freezing Poultry
Whether you have a pack of chicken that is nearing its use-by date or want to save some leftover cooked turkey, poultry is easy to freeze and defrost as long as it’s stored correctly.
If the meat is still sealed in its original packaging, you can put it straight in the freezer. If you’ve opened the packaging, wrap the chicken or turkey securely in cling film, place it in a zip-top plastic freezer bag, or vacuum seal it. Remember to label the meat with the date of freezing before storing it.
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How long can you freeze chicken for?
It’s safe to freeze a whole fresh chicken for up to 1 year. You can store individual pieces, like chicken breasts, legs or thighs, in the freezer for up to 9 months.
The safest way to defrost chicken is to put it in the fridge a day before you need to use it. Ensure it is tightly wrapped and kept in a container where the water can collect as it thaws.
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How long can you freeze a turkey for?
A whole uncooked turkey can be safely kept in the freezer for up to 1 year, while minced turkey and individual pieces of meat should only be stored for up to 9 months.
Wondering how to freeze cooked turkey? Here’s how to do it:
- Let the meat cool down completely and remove the bones and skin.
- Separate the turkey into pieces for easy freezing and pop them in freezer bags, making sure to squeeze out the excess air.
- Label the bags with the date of freezing and safely store them in the freezer for up to 9 months.
- Defrost the turkey in the fridge for 24-48 hours.
Freezing Pork
If you want to freeze pork and it is already stored in vacuum-sealed packaging from the supermarket, you can put it straight in the freezer. If it isn’t, you should vacuum seal it, wrap it in cling film, or store it in a freezer bag. Large joints should be frozen in the original packaging if possible.
Wondering how long you can freeze pork for? You can safely store fresh pork chops in the freezer for 4-12 months. The safest way to defrost pork is in the fridge.
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How long can you freeze sausages for?
Raw or cooked sausages can be kept in the freezer for 1-2 months. Place the sausages side-by-side in a freezer bag, label it, and lay it flat in the freezer. Always store raw and cooked sausages separately to prevent the risk of bacterial contamination.
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How long can you freeze bacon for?
You can freeze bacon for up to 1 month. Place the meat in a freezer bag, label it and store it away.
Freezing beef and lamb
To prepare beef or lamb for freezing, you should store it in a freezer bag, wrap it tightly in cling film, or vacuum seal the meat. If the meat is already in vacuum-sealed packaging from the supermarket, you can put it straight in the freezer. Larger joints of beef or lamb should be frozen in their original packaging if it hasn’t been opened. You can defrost these meats in the fridge.
How long can you freeze beef for?
Beef can be frozen in a tightly sealed bag for 4-12 months. Remember to label the bag before popping it in the freezer.
How long can you freeze lamb for?
Place the lamb in a labelled, sealed bag and store it in the freezer for 4-12 months.
Freezing fish
Unsure whether you can freeze fish? Luckily, many types of fish are safe to freeze. To preserve the taste, it’s best to vacuum seal the fish or wrap it tightly in cling film and store it in a freezer bag.
But, how long can you freeze fish for? Here are the recommended freezing times for some of the most popular types of fish and shellfish:
- Salmon, mackerel and tuna: 2-3 months
- Cod, halibut, sole, haddock: 6-8 months
- Fresh crab meat and lobster: 2-4 months
To safely defrost fish, it’s best to leave it in the fridge overnight.
Common foods not to freeze
There are some foods that you should never store in the freezer, as doing so can impact their flavour or consistency.
- Lettuce has a high water content, which means it loses its texture and becomes limp after it’s been defrosted. Unless you want to use the lettuce for soup, it’s best to avoid freezing it.
- Cooked pasta loses its form and can become flavourless after freezing.
- Dairy products can curdle and separate when they defrost, which affects their consistency. That’s why you shouldn’t freeze milk and other items like sour cream and yoghurt.
- Raw potatoes can become soft and grainy once they’ve been defrosted, so freezing them isn’t recommended. However, you can store cooked potatoes in your freezer.
- Avocados can turn brown after defrosting, so you should avoid freezing them.
Can you freeze food on the use-by date?
If you’re planning to freeze your food, always check the label beforehand. It’s safe to freeze food up until the use-by date. After the use-by date, avoid cooking or freezing it. Once defrosted, the food should be consumed within 24 hours.
AEG freezers
Store your food safely with our innovative range of freezers. Discover the perfect model for your kitchen and enjoy handy features like electronic control and fast freeze to maintain food quality. From under-counter freezers to upright designs, we have a range of options available.
Alternatively, our fridge freezers offer a combined storage solution with a spacious freezer compartment and fridge cavity. With various integrated and freestanding models to choose from, it’s easy to find the right product for your requirements. And with our double cooling TwinTech® technology, your food will stay fresh for longer.
