
20 Foods That Can NEVER Be Stored In A Freezer
1. Thawed Meat

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If frozen meat is defrosted in your refrigerator, preferably overnight, then there should not be any issue. froHowever, left out on the kitchen work surface and partially or fully uncovered, the meat becomes a breeding ground at room temperature and when cooked, could give you food poisoning.Advertisement
2. Re-Frozen Fish

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As with meat, it's fine to eat defrosted fish when cooked, if it has thawed out in a cool place but not to be risked if left out where harmful bacteria can get to it. Also, it's a definite no no if you thawed it once, change your mind and re-froze it. You are asking for trouble and a poorly stomach.Advertisement
3. Rice

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Eating leftover rice, as most people know, can be dangerous in itself because it can contain spores. Freezing cooked rice and then defrosting it can be a risky business, for the same reason. Thoroughly reheating right through should eradicate the spores but they have been known to survive.Advertisement
4. Coffee

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It's really not a good idea to store coffee beans or ground coffee in the freezer: Taking it in and out every day will freeze and then thaw the coffee, which can cause condensation and pretty much ruin it. Also it will absorb any strong freezer smells and completely ruin the taste.Advertisement
5. Cheese

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Soft cheeses such as cream cheese and goats cheese will separate if they are frozen and then thawed. It will also change the texture of the dairy product in a weird way! Harder cheeses may freeze better but the advice is to keep cheese in the fridge and not the freezer.Advertisement
6. Beer
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If you freeze beer or lager, this will accelerate the aging of it, meaning you are much more likely to open up a flat, hazy beverage - not recommended. You also run the risk of allowing the cans to explode if they freeze solid and expand, with no where for the contents to go.Advertisement
7. Cucumber

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Watery vegetables like cucumbers freeze well, when sliced as they have such a high water content. The problem arises when the "cuke" goes through the thawing process. Gone are the crispy, fresh slices when defrosted. Instead, you are left with a limp and soggy mess!Advertisement
8. Cooked Pasta

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There's nothing worse than over-cooking pasta and serving the "stuck together gloop" to your family. Well, there is actually one thing worse and that's freezing leftover pasta. When you've defrosted it, the tagliatelle will resemble a squishy puddle - not very appetising or edible.Advertisement
9. Yogurt

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Yogurt, much like other cream based or dairy products, has a habit of separating and becoming lumpy when frozen. Congealed, lumpy yogurt isn't really what you want when you are preparing your morning granola! The answer is to not over-purchase and keep just one or two cartons in your refrigerator.Advertisement
10. Fried Food

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Fried food, as we know, isn't great for our health but, in moderation, should be ok. What isn't ok is fried food that has been frozen and then defrosted. It turns into a soggy mess and the once crispy, crunchy bits will have collected moisture, leaving a texture not to be desired.Advertisement
11. Milk

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Many people tend to freeze milk so they never run out of it unexpectedly or so they've got it when returning from vacation. It freezes in the plastic bottle easily but can leave you disappointed when it's defrosted. It can separate and contain lumps, even after shaking well.Advertisement
12. Whole Eggs

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Take heed - DON'T freeze whole eggs. The gooey insides of raw eggs will expand when frozen and this will cause a cracked and leaky mess in your freezer. On a more serious note, the potential for bacteria growth becomes high. Even freezing cooked eggs isn't advisable.Advertisement
13. Avocado

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Don't even think about storing this creamy, healthy fruit (or vegetable?) in the freezer unless you choose to be disappointed! This jam-packed vitamin delight will lose it's original silky texture and will only be worth using if it is incorporated into a green smoothie.Advertisement
14. Fresh Herbs

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Fresh herbs - the answer is staring right back at you. Use them from fresh and if you do have leftovers, turn them into compound butter or pesto. The problem with freezing bunches of herbs is that they will go soggy when defrosted and the healthy green colour will have gone brown.Advertisement
15. Marshmallows

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If by any remote chance the marshmallows you put out for the family don't disappear within minutes, you may consider freezing them (we are talking the minority here!) It's actually harder to freeze marshmallows than you expect, due to the gelatin present in them. Once you are able to, they get as hard as a cricket ball!Advertisement
16. Potatoes

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Freezing whole potatoes is a no go area and should be banned in every State! Besides taking up lots of room in your freezer, this simple, much loved staple food will become gritty and grainy. Even storing in your refrigerator will turn out a second rate potato. Instead, room temperature is best.Advertisement
17. Ketchup

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Tomato ketchup goes with practically everything including some unusual combinations! There has always been a light hearted argument about whether ketchup belongs in the cupboard or the refrigerator. We don't mind which you choose but don't freeze it. It will separate into half tomato, half water and will lose its flavor.Advertisement
18. Gravy

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Gravy can make or break a British roast dinner and lashings of the tasty liquid is enough to make your mouth water. Yes, it is a shame to discard any that hasn't been used. Maybe store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator to use within 3 days. If you have thickened your gravy with flour or cornstarch, it is going to separate.Advertisement
19. Mayo

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There is no reason to ever freeze mayo. It should be refrigerated full stop! Ignore our advice and you will pay the consequences. The eggs, oil and vinegar will all separate, leaving you with what can only be described as a chunky disaster. Be the bigger person and store sympathetically.Advertisement
20. Crumb Topping
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Freezing pre-made casseroles and pies is a very organised way to make sure you are always ready to serve up an evening meal. One big, essential tip is to leave the crumb topping off before putting your dish in the freezer. It's far better to add the addictive crumbles once it's been defrosted to avoid the water texture.Advertisement
21. Meringue

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Listen out - there is absolutely no fool proof way you can ensure that the meringue you so lovingly whipped up and created doesn't absorb any moisture during the freezing process. Ignore us and the hard, crumbly, sugary meringue with the soft chewy center will be a damp dessert.Advertisement
22. Almond Milk

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Nothing bad will happen, in terms of nutrition, but freezing almond milk will undoubtedly affect its texture. When you are pouring the whitener into your morning coffee, after you've defrosted your almond milk, you could be faced with chunks instead of free flowing liquid.Advertisement
23. Wine

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It's quite the norm to freeze wine when the intention is to defrost it when required for cooking purposes but for sipping and enjoying in a glass, while you are relaxing, then the wine, no matter how good the quality, will honestly taste just weird. We don't suggest you try and prove us wrong.Advertisement
24. Sprinkles

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It probably sound strange when you talk about freezing sprinkles. I mean, why would you? They are usually in their own airtight packaging and once used, should be placed back on your baking shelf. If you do freeze them, they will become brittle and the colors will bleed.Advertisement
25. Spices

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It could be that time when you decide to clean out your spice drawer but don't relocate the seasonings to your freezer. The flavor often changes in items such as pepper, garlic and cloves when frozen so it's best to store them in a cool, dry cabinet. This is definitely best for their longevity.Advertisement
26. Salad Greens

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Don't over-buy salad greens. They are one of the most popular salad foods to end up in the trash can when they go past their sell by date. Play it safe and store them in the crisper drawer in your refrigerator. If you freeze them, you will yield watery, wilted and limp leaves.Advertisement
27. Celery
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Celery is so damn good for us. It's full of nutrients and vitamins, with a whole host of good health benefits and best of all, uses up more calories to chew and digest than there is in the actual celery stick itself! This is because of the very high water content and, as this is the case, does not freeze at all well unless you want an alternative ice cube!Advertisement
28. Cans Of Soda

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Have you ever popped a room temperature soda in the freezer because you wanted to chill it down in a hurry? Then you discover it has exploded! Soda does not take kindly to freezing because the cans expand so much that the frozen liquid cracks whatever container it’s in.Advertisement
29. Raw Veggies And Fruits

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Any vegetable or fruit containing a high water concentration, such as cucumber and salad greens, will not survive the freezer because the water inside forms ice crystals. This means that when it comes to thawing them, you will be left with a mushy mess.Advertisement
30. Garlic
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Some cooks totally stand by the opinion that it's fine to freeze extra garlic before the cloves start sprouting. However, others warn that garlic tends to taste strong and bitter once it’s been frozen. If you decide to experiment, be prepared for the risk you are taking.Advertisement
31. Watermelon Slices
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The issue with freezing watermelon isn't so much that it's not safe, it's that it will completely lose its shape, texture and, well, all the good reasons you eat watermelon in the first place! The water in the fruit will expand when it's put in the freezer, and that's not what you want.Advertisement
32. Raw Celery
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Raw celery is also something with a high water content that doesn't do very well in the freezer. It not only looses its shape by becoming limp, it changes in every way - for the worst! It will develop an oxidized smell, flavor and color. To give it a better chance, instead of freezing raw celery, blanch it first.Advertisement
33. Raw Endive
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This leafy vegetable is very much like celery in terms of what will happen when you put in the freezer! It will very quickly go limp and lose its shape, and it will also change in color and flavor to something you definitely won't want to consume! Best not to freeze it!Advertisement
34. Lettuce
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We all know that lettuce can quickly go soggy and limp even when you don't put it in the freezer and try your best to keep it fresh! So it has even less of a chance if you freeze it. This is because of its high water content, which means when you thaw it out to eat it, it's just going to be a mushy mess!Advertisement
35. Spinach
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The best way to freeze spinach if you really want to/need to is to blanch it first, then freeze it for eating later. This works for spinach when it wouldn't work for leafy lettuce! There's still a risk with freezing spinach though, which isn't down to health but more to poor flavor!Advertisement
36. Kale
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Kale is very much like spinach in terms of what will happen if you freeze it, but you can also give blanching a go with kale, too. If you don't blanch it properly before freezing it, though, you can risk it having a less-than-delicious flavor when you thaw it out to eat!Advertisement
37. Raw Cabbage
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Cabbage is yet another high-water-content vegetable. All this vegetables full of water are fantastic when you're eating them fresh from the fridge - not so great when you want to freeze them! Cabbage will just get a very weird texture after it's frozen and then thawed out.Advertisement
38. Raw Zucchini
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It's not recommended to ever freeze zucchini at all, if you can help it. But if you absolutely need to, for whatever reason, the best you can hope for is to blanch it first. If it means wasting it otherwise, then it's worth a go! You need to slice it before blanching it, and then make sure to blot the moisture from it before freezing it.Advertisement
39. Radishes
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Radishes are great and healthy to eat, which is why a lot of people - especially if they grow their own - can be tempted to get a huge bulk of them in one go. Unfortunately this means they don't keep fresh for very long, which is where the freezer might be tempting - but radishes will get very soggy when you thaw them out!Advertisement
40. Gelatin
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We can understand why you'd want to stock up and store delicious Jell-O so you always have some, but it really shouldn't be put in the freezer! The water expansion that happens in the cells when frozen breaks the structure, which means when you take it out it'll just be back to liquid and it won't be able to form solid again!Advertisement
41. Ricotta
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Ricotta can actually be frozen safely, but it's such a delicious soft cheese that it would be a waste - because freezing it and then thawing it out would give it an awful change in texture that would ruin it. So you're best off always keeping your cheese in the fridge!Advertisement
42. Sour Cream
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Freezing sour cream and then thawing it out will be the worst thing you can do for those delicious tacos or Mexican food night. After it's thawed, the sour cream will seperate and it won't blend back together after that, no matter what you do. So it won't be the sour cream you dreamed of!Advertisement
43. Raw Tomatoes
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You don't want to be putting your juicy fresh tomatoes in the freezer because of their high water content. If you really do need to freeze your tomatoes, though, there's a way around it. You can chop them and cook them first, then place them in freezer bags to be eaten later.Advertisement
44. Mayonnaise
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Mayonnaise lasts a while in the fridge, and it's easy to grab when it's nice and chilled, so you never even need to think about putting it in the freezer anyway! But if for some reason you were curious, you'll end up with a very curdled concoction because of it being oil in water.Advertisement
45. Icing
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If you want to freeze your cake, go for an ice cream cake! If you're hoping to freeze fresh frosting/icing, then definitely don't. If you have frosting made with egg whites, this is a no-go because it will separate. Any other frosting will become grainy or lose its sheen completely.Advertisement
46. Paprika
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Paprika belongs in your cupboard or spice rack, but if you're thinking about freezing some food item with paprika sprinkled on the top, it still won't work! Paprika - like any other spice you try to freeze - will have its taste changed for the worst if you try to freeze it.Advertisement
47. Cream Filling
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If you're treating yourself to a cream-filled pastry - because why wouldn't you - you definitely need to grab one at a time when you're ready to eat them fresh, because this is something that won't take well to the freezer! The cream will separate and you won't be able to save it after that!Advertisement
48. Custard Filling
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If you've now been put off by cream-filled pastries and are thinking custard-filled or custard tarts are the logical next choice, think again! Unfortunately this won't work either, for the same reasons - the custard will separate when frozen and thawed, and it won't be salvageable!Advertisement
49. Raw Apples
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You can use apples in cooking if you're baking a pie or something else, which can then readily be frozen without too many issues of texture or taste. But if you're hoping to pop raw apples in the freezer to extend their life, it won't won't very well! They'll likely go brown and lose their flavor.Advertisement
50. Milk-Based Sauces
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We already spoke about why you should definitely never freeze milk, and the same applies to any sauces or other drinks that contain milk (like milkshake even). If you have some cooking sauces you've made with milk content, you won't want to freeze them - it'll likely separate and curdle!Advertisement
51. Oranges
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Oranges are not advisable because the water content causes cell rupture when they are frozen, causing a mushy texture when defrosted. This compromises the fruit's taste, structure, and lowers its nutritional value. Opting for the refrigerator would be much better!Advertisement
52. Grapes

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Similarly to oranges, storing grapes in the freezer wouldn't be ideal due to it's high water content. Freezing causes the water to expand, leading to cell damage and a mushy, unpleasant texture upon thawing. No one likes a soggy grape, so maybe keep them away from the freezer!Advertisement
53. Strawberries

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So it's pretty much the same for all water based fruits... DO NOT FREEZE! If you want to freeze them for the use of smoothies then they could pass as ok, but don't expect to defrost them and be greeted with. per4fect strawberry... you have been warned!Advertisement
54. Bananas

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Freezing bananas for smoothies or baking is perfectly good; defrosting to eat however, can cause them to be mushy. What we don't recommend freezing is the skin of a banana! The peel may darken and become slimy upon thawing, affecting its texture and appearance.Advertisement
55. Pasta Salad

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We've kind of already established that pasta and salad items can't be frozen, so it makes sense that pasta salad is a big no no! Kiss goodbye to lovely al dente pasta, as once it has defrosted you will be left with a mushy mess - same goes for the salad too!Advertisement
56. Bèchamel

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For those who don't know what bèchamel is, it's a flour based, white sauce and is most commonly used in lasagne. The emulsion of milk, butter, and flour in Béchamel can undergo changes during freezing, potentially leading to a separated or grainy consistency. It's often recommended to prepare Béchamel fresh for the best results.Advertisement
57. Cooked Noodles

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When noodles freeze, the water content within them forms ice crystals, causing structural changes. Upon thawing, the noodles may become mushy and lose their original firmness and texture. For the best results, it's generally advisable to cook noodles fresh when needed, rather than freezing them. If you do decide to freeze cooked noodles, consider reheating them with care to minimize texture changes.Advertisement
58. Pickles

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Storing pickles in the freezer is not recommended due to the high water content in cucumbers, the main ingredient in pickles. Freezing can cause the water within the cucumbers to form ice crystals, leading to a change in texture and potentially resulting in a mushy or limp pickle upon thawing.Advertisement
59. Olives

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I mean olives are so moreish that there's no need to want to freeze them in the first place! The freezing process may affect the taste and quality of the olives, making them less appealing. For optimal preservation, olives are generally stored in brine, oil, or a combination of both in the refrigerator, which helps maintain their desired texture and flavor.Advertisement
60. Cooked Oatmeal

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We have already established that freezing milk can give it a lumpy, watery texture. If your oatmeal is cooked with milk, then defrosting your oatmeal may leave it with an unpleasant texture. It's recommended that you make oatmeal fresh, and save room in the freezer for other bits!Advertisement
61. Candy
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Some types of candy may experience changes in texture, taste, or appearance when frozen. For example, candies with high sugar content might become grainy or lose their original texture when frozen. Chocolate based candies could develop a whitish appearance due to fat or sugar migration. Gummy candies might become harder.Advertisement
62. Nut Butter
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While you can technically store nut butter in the freezer, it's not generally recommended due to changes in texture. Nut butters have a high oil content, and freezing can cause the oils to separate and solidify. As a result, the nut butter may become hard, difficult to spread, and less enjoyable in terms of texture.Advertisement
63. Pesto

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Freezing may alter the texture of pesto due to the solidification of oil (pesto has a super high oil content). To minimize this, adding extra oil or mixing the pesto well after thawing can help. Basil, a common ingredient in pesto, may brown during freezing, so blanching before making pesto can preserve its vibrant green color.Advertisement
64. Crispy Coatings

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Storing items with crispy coatings in the freezer is generally not recommended because freezing can lead to changes in texture. The moisture within the food can cause the crispy coating to become soggy and lose its crunch when frozen and subsequently thawed. For best results, it's advisable to enjoy crispy-coated items fresh or employ other storage methods that maintain their desired texture.Advertisement
65. Soft-Serve Ice Cream

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The freezer temperature is lower than the serving temperature of soft serve, and this can lead to changes in texture. Soft serve is created with a specific composition and air content that gives it a smooth and creamy texture. Freezing it in a regular home freezer can result in ice crystals forming, making it harder and less appealing.Advertisement
66. Canned Fruit
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Canning involves heat-processing the fruits to kill bacteria and enzymes, and this process may affect the fruit's structure. When canned fruits are frozen, the water content inside the fruit cells can expand, leading to cell rupture and a mushy texture upon thawing. Additionally, the syrup or juice in which canned fruits are often stored might not freeze evenly, resulting in changes to the overall consistency of the fruit.Advertisement
67. Mousse
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Mousse has a delicate, light, and airy texture that is achieved through the incorporation of air bubbles during the preparation process. Freezing can lead to the formation of ice crystals, causing the mousse to become dense, lose its velvety texture, and possibly separate upon thawing. The ingredients in mousse, such as egg whites, may also be affected by freezing, resulting in changes to the overall structure and taste.Advertisement
68. Salad Dressing
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Salad dressings often contain a mixture of oil, vinegar, herbs, and other ingredients. Freezing can cause the oil to solidify and separate from the other components, leading to an undesirable texture and appearance. When thawed, the dressing may become clumpy or grainy instead of maintaining its original smooth and well-mixed consistency.Advertisement
69. Risotto
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Storing risotto in the freezer is possible, but it may not be ideal due to potential changes in texture. Risotto typically has a creamy and somewhat sticky consistency, achieved through the slow addition of broth and constant stirring during the cooking process. Freezing and thawing can lead to the breakdown of the starches in the rice, causing the risotto to become mushy or grainy.Advertisement
70. Quinoa
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Storing quinoa in the freezer is generally possible, but it may not be necessary for short-term storage due to its natural resistance to spoilage. Quinoa has a low moisture content and contains natural compounds that act as preservatives, reducing the risk of bacterial growth. However, freezing quinoa may alter its texture slightly. When frozen, the water content within quinoa can form ice crystals, potentially leading to a change in texture upon thawing.Advertisement
71. Food Freezer Hacks: Label EVERYTHING!

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Have you ever found a mystery dish in the freezer? Well, labelling is the answer here. Like your own self made menu. It also ensures less food waste and can ensure more a more streamline food preparation. It also helps avoiding confusion on what you actually have. If you also date correctly it means you can organise properly what you want to eat and when to use it by.Advertisement
72. Use A Vacuum Sealer

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Seal the freshness! Vacuum sealing in the freezer locks in flavors, prevents freezer burn, and extends shelf life. Your food stays as fresh as the day you packed it. Meaning it will last longer and will still taste just as good when you come to consume it!Advertisement
73. Portion Control
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