Zero-Waste: Food Preservation Basics Everyone Should Know

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Food storage rules for the freezer

When it comes to freezing prepared meals, it's important to follow certain protocols in order to maintain optimum quality, flavor and texture. Here are some basic rules to follow for best results.

1. Practice good hygiene: when preparing your food, always make sure you wash your hands and are using a clean, sanitized work surface, as well as freezer-friendly airtight containers or bags.
2. Freeze ASAP: once cooked, let your meals cool down completely and then immediately place them in the freezer. This ensures that they are frozen in the freshest state and will taste the best when you enjoy them later.
3. Portion your meals: instead of placing a big-batch dish or leftovers into the freezer, portion it into individual meal-sized containers. That way, you can grab-and-go as you need, and it’ll take much less time to thaw and reheat.
4. Don’t thaw and refreeze: Never refreeze foods or meals that have already been frozen and thawed. The only exception is when you have raw frozen foods that you cook through completely—then you may refreeze them safely.
5. Label & store properly: Always label your meals with the name of each dish, date of preparation and the date you added them to the freezer. Store the meals according to the date you prepared them, with the “oldest” preparations accessible and visible in front.