Diary of a Preacher's Wife

How to Freeze and Thaw
Confused about what freezes well and what doesn’t? Do you want to learn how to thaw those foods you freeze? Here are some suggestions and helpful tips.Things we like to freeze:Cooked foods: soups, stocks, stews, casseroles, lasagna, cooked rice, breads and bagels (slice first!)
Raw foods: cut-up fruit, blanched vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, nuts, stuffed pastas, tortillas, pesto, butter, grated or block firm cheeses, dough (pizza, pie crust, biscuit)
How to freeze:Cool cooked items to room temperature before freezing.
Freeze in small portions (for fast freezing and thawing).
When freezing soups or sauces, leave about ½-inch at the top for expansion.
Use bags and containers made for the freezer. When using bags, squeeze out all of the air. When using plastic wrap or foil, double or triple wrap. You can freeze in original unopened packaging, but wrap again with plastic wrap or foil for extra protection. Be sure to label your items and include the date.

How long to freeze:

Cooked Foods
Months
Soups, stew and stocks
2 to 3
Casseroles, Lasagna
2 to 3
Meat and poultry
2 to 3
Lunch meats
1 to 2
Frozen dinners
3 to 4
Breads and cakes
1 to 2

Raw Foods
Months
Meat (chops, steaks, roasts)
4 to 12
Meat (ground)
3 to 4
Poultry (parts, whole)
9 to 12
Fish (fillets, whole)
3 to 4
Bacon and Sausage
1 to 2
Firm cheese (grated, whole)
2 to 3
Butter
2 to 3
Dough (pizza, biscuit, pie)
1 to 2
Vegetables
3 to 4
Fruits
3 to 4
Stuffed pastas
1 to 2

How to thaw:Preferred method: thaw overnight in the refrigerator (or figure 8 hours per pound of meat to thaw).

Food should not get warmer than 40°F to avoid the growth of bacteria.

In a pinch, completely submerge item (wrapped) in a large bowl of cold water (not warm or hot water because you don’t want your food to get warmer than 40°F) and change the water every 30 minutes for a maximum of 2 hours. Or defrost in the microwave at 1-2 minute intervals on the defrost setting, checking your food each time to make sure it’s not cooking. If you use the microwave to defrost, cook the food immediately as the microwave heats unevenly and some parts might be warm or partially cooked.