What Are The Best Containers For Freezing Produce?

“I’ve started a small backyard farm here in Sydney, Australia, and I’m finding that I can grow more produce than we can eat right away. I want to freeze some of the fruits and vegetables to last us through the year but I’m unsure what containers I should use. Are there particular types that are better for preserving the freshness, flavor, and nutrients of the produce when frozen? And what should I avoid? Thanks so much!” Joshua, Sydney, Australia.

What Are The Best Containers For Freezing Produce?

Joshua, freezing is a fantastic way to make sure that all your hard work in the backyard is preserved for you to enjoy year-round. Making the right choice when it comes to containers is essential for freezing because it affects not only how long your produce can last but also the taste, texture, and nutritional value.

Understanding What Happens When You Freeze Produce

Before diving into container types, it’s helpful to briefly understand how freezing affects your fruits and vegetables. When you freeze produce, water inside the cells forms ice crystals. Small, slow freezing leads to the formation of large ice crystals that can rupture cell walls, leading to mushy textures when thawed. Quick freezing forms smaller ice crystals, which helps maintain the integrity of the produce.

The goal of a good container is to help minimize moisture loss (which can lead to freezer burn), maintain flavor, and prevent your produce from absorbing any unwanted odors from the freezer.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing Containers

Joshua, there are a few important factors to keep in mind when selecting containers. Let’s walk through them:

• Material: You’ll want to pick a material that’s durable and safe for freezing temperatures. The material should be able to protect the produce from the cold directly touching it while keeping out any air. Both plastic and glass are common choices, but they each have their pros and cons.
• Sealability: Air is the enemy when freezing produce. The container should have a strong, airtight seal to prevent moisture from entering and causing freezer burn.
• Size and Shape: Containers come in all different shapes and sizes. The size you choose should match the amount of produce you plan to freeze, and the shape should be convenient for storage, leaving as little air inside after sealing as possible.
• Stackability: Especially useful if you have limited freezer space. Stackable containers make it easy to store your produce neatly without taking up too much room.
• BPA-Free Materials: If you’re concerned about potential chemicals leaching into your food, consider using BPA-free materials, especially for plastic containers. This would ensure that your produce remains safe and healthy to eat.

Different Types of Containers for Freezing Produce

You’ve got several options, Joshua, when it comes to choosing the right container. Each type has its strengths and may be better suited for certain kinds of produce.

Plastic Freezer-Safe Containers

Plastic containers are popular for several reasons, but you should select ones that are specifically labeled as freezer-safe. These containers are usually made of heavy-duty plastic that can withstand low temperatures without cracking or degrading.

• Advantages: Plastic containers are lightweight, relatively inexpensive, and typically come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes. Because they’re usually transparent, it’s easy to see what’s inside without needing to label them. The durable plastic also makes them less prone to shattering if dropped.
• Disadvantages: Plastic can absorb odors over time, which can impact the flavor of your produce. It can also stain from strong-colored vegetables like tomatoes or berries. Depending on the type of plastic, there may also be concerns about chemicals like BPA leaching into the food.

These containers are ideal for larger quantities of produce that you plan to use within a few months, such as chopped fruits or blanched vegetables for soups and stews.

Glass Containers

Glass is another great choice when it comes to freezing. Glass containers designed for freezing offer an alternative to plastic and generally come with airtight lids that maintain the freshness of the food inside.

• Advantages: Glass containers don’t absorb odors or stain, and they’re often microwave and dishwasher-safe, making reheating and cleaning easier. They’re also reusable, environmentally friendly, and do not present the same health concerns as some plastics.
• Disadvantages: The main drawback of glass is its tendency to break, especially when exposed to drastic temperature changes. Glass containers can also be heavier and take up more space, and they can be more expensive upfront compared to plastic options.

Glass works well for high-value produce you might want to store for a long time, like herbs or certain fruits, where preserving maximum flavor and quality is essential. For example, freezing homemade basil pesto or fruit purées in glass can keep them fresh for several months.

Plastic Freezer Bags

Freezer bags offer flexibility that rigid containers often lack. These are usually made of durable plastic and designed to prevent air from getting in or out as long as they are sealed properly.

• Advantages: Because they can be flattened to remove almost all air, freezer bags are great for maximizing freezer space. They’re lightweight, easy to label, and generally more affordable, especially in larger quantities. You can also portion produce into individual servings, which makes it easier when you only need a little at a time.
• Disadvantages: The main disadvantage is that they can be punctured relatively easily compared to solid containers. They may also not provide as strong a barrier to air, which means they aren’t always the best solution for long-term storage. Like other plastics, they can sometimes absorb odors which may alter the taste of your produce if stored for extended periods.

Plastic freezer bags are ideal for freezing smaller, easy-to-portion items like sliced fruits, berries, or chopped veggies for stir-fry. They’re also a good way to save space if you have a small freezer.

Vacuum Sealed Bags

If you’re really serious about preserving the quality of your produce long-term—and to avoid freezer burn—vacuum sealing bags could be worth the investment. These bags involve using a vacuum sealer to remove all the air before sealing them shut, pretty much guaranteeing that your produce stays fresh.

• Advantages: These bags remove almost all air from around your produce, which is the key to preventing freezer burn. They’re also space-efficient and can be labeled and stored easily. Foods sealed this way often last much longer in the freezer than those stored in other types of packaging.
• Disadvantages: The downside is the need for special equipment—a vacuum sealer—which involves a higher upfront cost. The bags themselves can be more expensive than standard freezer bags, and they’re usually not reusable apart from specific options.

Joshua, if you’re planning to freeze precious harvests like asparagus, strawberries, or peas that you want to keep enjoying year-round, vacuum sealing could be a great choice for you.

Aluminum Foil and Foil Pans

Aluminum foil and its sturdier cousin, the aluminum foil pan, can also be used for freezing, especially for produce that you plan to cook directly from the freezer.

• Advantages: Aluminum provides an excellent barrier against moisture, light, and air, making it a good choice for preventing freezer burn. It also allows you to easily transfer food directly from the freezer to the oven.
• Disadvantages: Aluminum can react with acidic foods like tomatoes, potentially altering their flavor. Also, it’s not a good option for wet or soft produce if you plan to store them for a long time, as the foil is prone to tearing.

Foil is perfect for items you want to quickly pop into the oven, like baked goods, or for wrapping produce like bell peppers that you intend to roast straight from the freezer.

Best Practices for Freezing Produce

Perfecting the process isn’t just about choosing the right container, Joshua. It’s also about how you prepare and pack your produce before it hits the freezer. Here are some tips to get the most out of your frozen goodies:

Pre-Treatment of Produce

Blanching vegetables before freezing is often recommended. Blanching—boiling the vegetables for a short time then plunging them into cold water—helps to preserve color, texture, and nutrients. Certain fruits, like apples, may benefit from soaking in a solution of water and lemon juice to prevent browning.

For herbs or delicate greens, consider chopping them and packing them into ice cube trays with a little bit of water or oil to keep them fresh before transferring them into the final containers.

Packing and Sealing

Once you’ve chosen the right container, it’s crucial to pack your produce in such a way that air is minimized. Fill containers nearly to the top, but leave some space for the contents to expand as they freeze. For freezer bags, try to flatten them out, pushing out as much air as possible before sealing.

Labeling

Clearly labeling each container with the type of produce and the date frozen is extremely helpful. This helps you keep track of what should be used first and ensures you cycle through your supplies before quality begins to degrade.

Troubleshooting Common Freezing Issues

Even with the best containers and methods, things can still go a bit off-course. Here are some common freezing issues and how to avoid them:

• Freezer Burn: This happens when air gets into the container and dries out the produce. To avoid this, ensure a tight seal on your containers. When using bags, remove as much air as possible.
• Moisture Build-Up: If you notice ice crystals forming inside your container, it might be because the produce wasn’t completely dry before freezing. Always pat your fruits and veggies dry before packing them.
• Mushy Texture: If frozen produce turns mushy after thawing, it could be due to slow freezing or not blanching vegetables before packing. Consider improving your freezing speed by spreading produce out flat in single layers to freeze quickly before transferring them into containers.
• Flavor Transfer: If your produce ends up tasting like something else in the freezer, it’s a sign that your containers are not fully airtight. Using high-quality freezer bags or investing in vacuum sealing can help prevent this issue.

Alternative Approaches

There’s more than one way to tackle the problem of excess produce, Joshua. If traditional containers aren’t quite working for what you have in mind, there are a few alternative approaches that can help you freeze your produce successfully.

Wax Paper and Parchment Paper

For berries and other small fruits, try using wax paper or parchment paper to freeze them individually before transferring them into bags or containers. This prevents them from sticking together and makes portioning them later much easier.

Mason Jars

Mason jars, particularly the ones that are made for freezing, can be a good option for liquid-based produce like sauces or purées. Just be sure to leave adequate headspace to allow for expansion.

Reusable Silicone Bags

If you’re concerned about waste and looking for an environmentally-friendly option, consider reusable silicone bags. These bags are durable and can be used for freezing just like traditional plastic bags but can be washed and reused multiple times.

Final Thoughts…

Joshua, thanks for your question! Hopefully, this rundown has given you some clarity on what to use when freezing your precious backyard produce. Remember, the goal is to maintain freshness, flavor, and nutrients as much as possible—making the right container choice can greatly impact that. Whether you go with plastic, glass, or use a vacuum sealer, just be sure to fill, seal, and label properly. Happy freezing, and enjoy the fruits (and veggies!) of your labor all year round!