Between busier-than-ever schedules and the rising cost of food, we’re all looking for ways to save money and make things easier for ourselves in the kitchen. We just don’t have time to prepare a fancy meal every day, but the price of takeout and pre-packaged options tends to put a dent in our budget surprisingly quickly. Planning and meal-prep can help, but what about when the dishes we prepare go off before we have time to eat them, or ingredients expire too quickly? This is where the freezer comes in—read on to learn more about some lesser-known freezer-friendly foods.
Avocado Halves
Avocados aren’t cheap, and many of us are all too aware of how frustratingly short their shelf life can be. To make them last longer, allow your avocados to reach your preferred ripeness, slice them in half, and remove the pit and peel. Sprinkle with a little lemon juice to prevent browning, then wrap each half tightly in plastic before putting them in the freezer. When you’re ready for some guac or avocado toast, defrost by allowing them to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes.
Eggs
Egg whites and yolks have different culinary properties, and as such, plenty of recipes call for one or the other with no instruction on what to do with the remains. Rather than put perfectly good food to waste, you can preserve egg whites by pouring them into an ice cube tray and freezing for later use. Yolks, on the other hand, become unusable if frozen whole, but can be made freezer-friendly by beating until smooth with a pinch of salt.
Cheese
Not all cheeses are freezer-safe, but if you’re looking to preserve hard varieties like cheddar, gouda, or parmesan, know that you can do so without compromising their flavor or texture. Just portion your cheese into single servings by slicing or grating, then wrap tightly in tin foil before placing in the freezer. To thaw, move the cheese to the refrigerator overnight.
