28 Foods You Had No Idea You Shouldn’t Freeze

Storing food in the freezer is a common practice to extend shelf life and maintain freshness. However, not all foods are suitable for freezing. Some items can lose their texture, flavor, and overall quality when subjected to freezing temperatures. In this article, we’ll explore the foods that should never be stored in a freezer to ensure they retain their best taste and texture. From fresh produce to dairy products, discover which foods are best kept out of the freezer and why.

Coffee

It’s not advisable to store coffee beans or ground coffee in the freezer. Frequently taking it in and out causes the coffee to freeze and thaw, leading to condensation that can ruin its quality. Additionally, coffee can absorb strong freezer smells, which can completely alter and ruin its taste.

Cheese

Soft cheeses like cream cheese and goat cheese will separate if frozen and then thawed, altering their texture in an undesirable way. While harder cheeses may tolerate freezing better, it’s generally recommended to store all cheeses in the fridge rather than the freezer to maintain their best quality.

Rice

Eating leftover rice can be dangerous because it may contain spores that survive the cooking process. Freezing cooked rice and then defrosting it poses similar risks for the same reason. While thoroughly reheating the rice should eliminate most spores, some may still survive, making it a potentially risky practice.

Garlic

Some cooks believe it’s acceptable to freeze extra garlic before the cloves sprout, while others caution against it. Freezing garlic can alter its flavor, making it taste stronger and more bitter. If you choose to experiment, be aware of the potential changes in flavor and texture that freezing may cause.

Raw Veggies And Fruits

Vegetables and fruits with high water content, like cucumbers and salad greens, do not fare well in the freezer. The water inside these foods forms ice crystals, which damages their cellular structure. Thawing them results in a mushy texture, making them unsuitable for most culinary uses. It’s best to enjoy these items fresh or store them in the refrigerator for shorter-term preservation.

Beer

Freezing beer or lager accelerates its aging process, often resulting in a flat, hazy beverage when opened, which is far from ideal. Additionally, there’s a risk that the cans will explode as the liquid freezes and expands, having nowhere to go. Therefore, it is not recommended to freeze beer or lager.

Cucumber

Watery vegetables like cucumbers, despite freezing well due to their high water content, do not fare well after thawing. The crisp, fresh slices turn into a limp and soggy mess once defrosted, losing their desirable texture.

Cooked Pasta

Over-cooking pasta and serving a “stuck-together gloop” to your family is bad, but there’s something even worse: freezing leftover pasta. When defrosted, the tagliatelle will resemble a squishy puddle, making it neither appetizing nor edible.

Yogurt

Yogurt, similar to other cream-based or dairy products, tends to separate and become lumpy when frozen. Congealed, lumpy yogurt isn’t ideal for preparing your morning granola. To avoid this, it’s best not to over-purchase and to keep just one or two cartons in your refrigerator.

Fried Food

Fried food, while not the healthiest choice in excess, can be enjoyed in moderation. However, freezing and then defrosting fried food is not recommended. It often turns into a soggy mess, with the once crispy, crunchy texture replaced by moisture-laden bits that are far from desirable.

Milk

Many people freeze milk to ensure they never run out unexpectedly or have it available upon returning from vacation. While it freezes easily in plastic bottles, defrosting can be disappointing. Thawed milk often separates and may contain lumps, even after thorough shaking.

Whole Eggs

Beware: freezing whole eggs is not recommended. The gooey insides of raw eggs expand when frozen, leading to cracked and leaky messes in your freezer. Moreover, freezing cooked eggs is also not advisable due to potential bacterial growth.

Avocado

Do not attempt to store this creamy, nutrient-packed fruit (or vegetable?) in the freezer unless you’re prepared for disappointment! Its originally silky texture will degrade, making it only suitable for use in a green smoothie.

Fresh Herbs

Fresh herbs are best used fresh. If you have leftovers, consider making compound butter or pesto. Freezing bunches of herbs often results in them becoming soggy upon thawing, and their vibrant green color may turn brown, diminishing their appeal and flavor.

Marshmallows

If, by some chance, the marshmallows you put out for the family don’t disappear immediately, freezing them might seem like an option (though a rare one!). However, freezing marshmallows is challenging due to the gelatin content. When frozen successfully, they become as hard as a cricket ball!

Potatoes

Freezing whole potatoes is strongly discouraged and should be avoided at all costs! Apart from occupying valuable freezer space, this beloved staple food can turn gritty and grainy in texture. Even storing them in the refrigerator can result in subpar potatoes. Room temperature storage is generally best for preserving their quality.

Ketchup

Tomato ketchup is versatile and goes well with almost anything, even some unexpected combinations! There’s always a light-hearted debate about whether to store ketchup in the cupboard or the refrigerator. Whichever you prefer is fine, but freezing it is not recommended. Freezing can cause ketchup to separate into tomato and water components, leading to a loss of flavor.

Gravy

Gravy is essential for a perfect British roast dinner, and the thought of wasting any of this delicious liquid is enough to make your mouth water. To save leftover gravy, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and use it within 3 days. However, if your gravy is thickened with flour or cornstarch, it may separate upon reheating.

Mayo

Mayonnaise should never be frozen under any circumstances. It should always be refrigerated, period! Ignoring this advice can lead to disastrous consequences as the eggs, oil, and vinegar will separate, resulting in a chunky and unappetizing texture. Store mayo properly to maintain its creamy consistency.

Crumb Topping

Freezing pre-made casseroles and pies is a great way to stay organized for meal preparation. One crucial tip is to leave off the crumb topping before freezing your dish. It’s best to add the delicious crumbles after defrosting to prevent them from becoming soggy and maintaining their crispy texture.

Meringue

There’s no foolproof way to prevent meringue from absorbing moisture during freezing. If you ignore this advice, your lovingly whipped and created meringue could turn into a damp dessert with a hard, crumbly exterior and a soft, chewy center.

Almond Milk

Freezing almond milk won’t harm its nutritional value, but it will definitely alter its texture. When you pour the thawed almond milk into your morning coffee, you might encounter chunks instead of a smooth, free-flowing liquid.

Wine

It’s common to freeze wine for cooking purposes, but if you plan to sip and enjoy it in a glass, even high-quality wine will taste quite strange after freezing. We don’t recommend trying to prove this wrong!

Sprinkles

Freezing sprinkles might sound unusual because they are typically stored in their own airtight packaging and should be returned to your baking shelf after use. If you freeze them, they can become brittle and the colors may bleed, affecting their appearance and texture.

Spices

When cleaning out your spice drawer, avoid relocating seasonings like pepper, garlic, and cloves to your freezer. Freezing can alter their flavors. Instead, store these spices in a cool, dry cabinet to maintain their freshness and longevity.

Salad Greens

To avoid wasting salad greens, refrain from over-buying them. Store them safely in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator to maintain freshness. Freezing salad greens will result in watery, wilted, and limp leaves, so it’s best to keep them refrigerated for optimal texture and flavor.

Celery

Celery is incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins and health benefits. Its high water content means it uses up more calories to chew and digest than it contains. However, celery does not freeze well unless you’re looking to create an alternative to ice cubes! Its texture and flavor can degrade when frozen, so it’s best to enjoy celery fresh or properly stored in the refrigerator.

Cans Of Soda

Yes, soda does not react well to freezing. When a room temperature soda is placed in the freezer to chill quickly, the liquid expands as it freezes, causing the can to burst or explode due to the pressure buildup. It’s best to chill sodas in a refrigerator rather than attempting to speed up the process by freezing them.

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