Top Freezer Hacks to Reduce Food Waste and Save Money

Food waste poses a pressing global concern, and a substantial portion of it stems from our very own kitchens. Luckily, your freezer can serve as a valuable ally in the battle against food waste, simultaneously saving you money. In this blog, we will explore some effective freezer hacks that will extend the shelf life of your food, prevent spoilage, and ultimately reduce food waste. By implementing these simple techniques, you can make the most out of your freezer and contribute to a more sustainable and cost-effective kitchen.

Freeze Excess Produce:

We’ve all experienced it… the frustration of fresh fruits and vegetables spoiling before we get the chance to enjoy them. Instead of letting them go to waste, freeze any excess produce before it reaches its expiration date. Set a designated day in the diary to spend half an hour going through your fridge, and evaluating what needs to be stored in the freezer, prior to it turning. Chop or slice them into appropriate portions and store them in airtight containers or freezer bags. Frozen fruits can be used in smoothies, baking, or as toppings for cereals and desserts. Vegetables serve as excellent additions to soups, stews, and stir-fries, or can be enjoyed as delectable side dishes. Remember to label them with the freezing date to stay informed. Generally, it is advisable to freeze foods for a maximum of 3 months. If stored beyond that timeframe, the quality and safety of the food may be compromised.

Preserve Herbs in Ice Cubes

Fresh herbs add a burst of flavour to our dishes, but they can quickly wilt and go bad. To prolong their shelf life, chop your herbs and place them in ice cube trays. Fill each compartment with olive oil or water and freeze. These herb-infused ice cubes can be easily added to your cooking, ensuring that no herbs go to waste.

Batch Cook and Freeze Meals

Meal prepping has gained immense popularity since the fitness craze following the post-lockdown period, and it’s well-deserved! The preparation of large quantities of food and freezing individual portions is a fantastic way to save time and reduce food waste. When you have a busy schedule or simply want a break from cooking, these pre-made meals can be defrosted and enjoyed. Keeping you wealthy in time, money, and health too! The likelihood of enjoying your pre-cooked dinners rather than preparing an entirely new meal after a long day at work is significantly higher. By incorporating this practice into your routine, you can stay ahead in terms of both your fitness and savings goals.

Consider freezing soups, stews, casseroles, or even cooked grains like rice or quinoa. Properly label and date each container for easy identification.

Utilise the “First In, First Out” Method

Organise your freezer to ensure you use the oldest items first. Place newly frozen items at the back of the freezer, allowing you to easily access older items when needed. This practice prevents food from getting buried and forgotten, reducing the chances of them expiring before they are used. Once sorted initially, you can establish a straightforward system: simply take from the front and add to the back.

Freeze Leftover Sauces and Broths:

Instead of letting half-used bottles of sauces or containers of broth go bad in the fridge, freeze them in ice cube trays or small containers. These frozen portions can be added directly to your recipes, saving you money, and reducing food waste.

My fresh choice

Hisense’s My fresh choice function is a game-changer when it comes to reducing food waste. It allows you to customise temperature settings and humidity levels in specific compartments, providing optimal conditions for different types of food.

With my fresh choice, you can create separate zones for fruits, vegetables, meats, and dairy, ensuring that each item stays fresh for longer.

By maintaining the ideal environment for various food items, this function helps prevent premature spoilage, extend the shelf life of perishables, and ultimately reduce food waste. You can confidently store your groceries and enjoy fresh, high-quality food for a more sustainable and eco-friendlier kitchen.

Make the most of this space for storing any odds and ends that don’t quite fit in your freezer but are too valuable to waste. You can even set the temperature to 5 degrees (fridge setting) and utilize it as a designated defrosting area, ensuring proper cleaning is done beforehand to prevent any cross-contamination.

By incorporating these ingenious freezer hacks, you can substantially diminish food waste, economize your expenses, and maximise the utility of your grocery items. Freezing surplus produce, preserving herbs, preparing meals in batches, and following the “first in, first out” principle are straightforward yet powerful techniques that enable you to optimise your freezer’s capacity and prolong the freshness of your food. Embrace these hacks and let’s collectively make a positive impact on reducing kitchen-based food waste!