Freezing food is a great way to save time, money, and reduce waste. However, many people only freeze the most common items like meat, bread, and vegetables. There are plenty of other foods that can be frozen but are often forgotten.

In this article, we will explore ten forgotten foods that can be frozen to save you time and money.

1. Cheese

Cheese is not commonly associated with freezing, but it can actually be a great way to save money. Cheese can be frozen for up to six months without affecting the taste or texture.

Hard cheeses like cheddar and parmesan are the best candidates for freezing because they have a low moisture content. Simply wrap your cheese in wax paper or foil and place it in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to use the cheese, just defrost it in the fridge overnight!.

2. Tomato Paste

Most recipes call for only a small amount of tomato paste, and it can be frustrating to have to throw away the rest of the can. Fortunately, tomato paste can be easily frozen for later use.

Simply spoon the remaining paste into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, remove the cubes and store them in a freezer bag. The next time you need tomato paste, simply thaw out a cube and use as needed!.

3. Buttermilk

Buttermilk is a common ingredient in baking, but it’s not often used in large quantities. If you have leftover buttermilk, don’t let it go to waste! Buttermilk can be frozen for up to three months.

Simply pour the leftover buttermilk into an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze. When you’re ready to use it, thaw it in the fridge overnight.

4. Bread Crumbs

Bread crumbs are a great addition to many recipes, but it’s not always convenient to make them from scratch. Fortunately, you can freeze bread crumbs for up to six months.

Simply toast some bread, let it cool, and then pulse it in a food processor until it’s finely ground. Then, store in a freezer bag and freeze until needed. No more last-minute bread crumb scrambling!.

5. Avocado

Avocado is a delicious and healthy addition to many meals, but it can be tricky to use up a whole avocado before it goes bad.

Next time you have a ripe avocado that won’t be used right away, try freezing it! Simply cut the avocado in half and remove the pit. Then, scoop the flesh out of the avocado and store it in a freezer-safe container. The avocado will keep in the freezer for up to six months and can be used for smoothies, dips, and other recipes.

6. Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs can be a bit of a luxury item, but freezing them can help reduce waste and save money. Simply chop up the fresh herbs and place them in ice cube trays. Then, fill the trays with water or olive oil and freeze.

Once frozen, remove the cubes and store them in a freezer bag. The next time you need fresh herbs, simply thaw out a cube or two and use as needed!.

7. Cooked Rice

Cooked rice is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many dishes, but it’s not always convenient to cook a fresh batch every time you need it. Fortunately, cooked rice can be easily frozen for up to six months.

Simply place the rice in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze. When you’re ready to use it, microwave it for a few minutes until it’s heated through!.

8. Bananas

Overripe bananas are a common kitchen conundrum. Instead of letting them go to waste, try freezing them for later use. Simply peel the bananas and place them in a freezer-safe container or bag.

When you’re ready to use them, thaw them out and use them in smoothies, banana bread, or other recipes!.

9. Citrus Zest

Citrus zest is a flavorful addition to many dishes, but it can be a bit tedious to freshly grate it every time you need it. Fortunately, you can freeze citrus zest for easy use later.

Simply grate the zest of the citrus fruit and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. When you need some zest, simply thaw it out and use as needed!.

10. Ginger

Ginger is a flavorful and healthy addition to many recipes, but it’s not always used in large quantities. Ginger can be frozen for up to six months. Simply peel the ginger root, chop it into small pieces, and store it in a freezer-safe container or bag.

Next time you need ginger for a recipe, simply take it out of the freezer and grate it while it’s still frozen!.

Conclusion

Freezing forgotten foods is a great way to save time and money while also reducing waste.

By freezing cheese, tomato paste, buttermilk, bread crumbs, avocado, fresh herbs, cooked rice, bananas, citrus zest, and ginger, you’ll be able to stretch your food budget and make the most of your ingredients. Now that you know the secrets of freezing these forgotten foods, you’ll be able to get the most out of your freezer and your grocery budget!.