Freezers are an essential part of our kitchens, but sometimes they become a storage space for forgotten or expired items. It’s easy to lose track of time, and before you know it, your freezer could be filled with things that are well past their prime. Here are nine items you should consider tossing from your freezer today.
1. Refrozen Foods
If you’ve ever thawed meat or vegetables and then refrozen them because plans changed, it’s time to throw them out. Refreezing food after it’s been thawed encourages bacteria growth, and the quality of the food declines rapidly. Always thaw in the refrigerator, and if you’ve refrozen any food after leaving it out for more than two hours, it’s best to discard it.1
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2. Forgotten Leftovers
Leftovers are great, but they shouldn’t stay in your freezer forever. Most meals should be eaten within three to four months. If you find any forgotten containers that have been sitting for six months or more, it’s time to toss them out. The longer food sits, the more its quality deteriorates, and it might not taste good anymore.
3. Freezer-Burned Meat and Vegetables
Those ice crystals you see on your frozen foods? That’s freezer burn. While freezer-burned food isn’t harmful to eat, it doesn’t taste great. If your meat or vegetables have a layer of ice, or if you can’t remember how long they’ve been frozen, it’s best to toss them. The longer food stays frozen, the more it loses its taste and texture.2
4. Smelly Ice Cubes
Ice cubes might seem harmless, but if your ice smells or tastes off, it’s time to make a fresh batch. Ice can absorb the smells of nearby frozen foods, like seafood or leftovers. Once ice cubes take on an unpleasant scent, there’s no fixing them. Throw them out and consider using ice trays with lids to prevent this issue.
5. Old Ice Cream
Ice cream is a freezer staple, but it doesn’t last forever. Once you’ve had a tub of ice cream in your freezer for more than three to four months, it’s time to say goodbye. After that, the texture and flavor begin to decline, and freezer burn can take over, leaving you with a less-than-tasty treat^2^.
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6. Pastries with Creamy Fillings
Baked goods like cheese danishes or cream-filled pastries don’t hold up well in the freezer. Dairy products like cream or cheese tend to separate and change texture when frozen for extended periods. If they’ve been sitting in your freezer for more than a month, it’s best to toss them.
7. Old Frozen Fruit
Frozen fruit can be a convenient and healthy snack, but it doesn’t last forever in the freezer. After about 8 to 12 months, frozen fruit can start to lose its flavor, texture, and nutritional value. If you notice a lot of ice crystals or the fruit feels mushy when thawed, it’s time to toss it. The quality of frozen fruit deteriorates over time, and while it may not be harmful to eat, it won’t taste as good or provide the same nutrients.
8. Stale Coffee Beans
While freezing coffee beans can help extend their shelf life, they don’t last forever. After about three months, coffee beans in the freezer start to absorb moisture and surrounding smells. If your frozen coffee has been sitting for longer, it’s time to replace it with a fresh batch.
9. Freezer-Burned Bread
Bread is another freezer staple that only lasts for so long. If you’ve had a loaf in the freezer for more than six months, it’s likely time to toss it. Bread develops freezer burn quickly and becomes dry and tasteless. To avoid this, wrap bread tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil or freezer paper before freezing.
Conclusion
A well-organized freezer can save you time and reduce waste, but it’s important to regularly check what’s inside. Make it a habit to label your frozen items with dates, so you always know when they were stored. If you come across any of the nine items above, it’s probably time to let them go and make space for fresh food!
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Sources
- “6 Things in Your Freezer You Should Throw Away.” Eating Well. Jessica Yoon. November 2, 2023.
- “11 Things in Your Freezer You Should Toss Out.” Taste of Home. Carrie Madormo, RN. February 28, 2024