7 Foods You Didn’t Know You Could Freeze (and 5 Freezer-Friendly Meals)

Here at Gousto, we want you to make the most of your kitchen – and all the ingredients within it. Food waste costs the average UK household £1,000 per year, or £17 billion annually as a country. So, how can you save on food costs while also saving good food from the bin?

The answer could be your freezer. Most people use theirs for cooked leftovers, but that’s just the beginning. Essentials like eggs, veggies, cheese, and even wine can stay good for longer than you’d think with the right storage.

In this article, we’ll cover the top ingredients you can keep freezer-fresh, as well as 5 recipes you can freeze and reheat later as part of meal prep.

1. Eggs

Keeps for: 1 year

The secret to freezing eggs is not to throw a whole egg in the freezer (warning: they will expand and explode!). Instead, mix the egg white and yolk and store the liquid in an airtight container, or an ice cube tray for egg-sized servings at a later date. If you’re a keen baker, you can also freeze the whites and yolks separately.

2. Fresh Herbs & Vegetables

Keeps for: 6 months (depending on the vegetable)

Tired of wasting a whole bunch of parsley, basil, or oregano every time a recipe requires some herbal help?

Simply place your herbs in an ice cube tray, cover with water, and leave to freeze. You could even pre-chop the herbs to create the perfect flavour cubes for adding to soups, stews and curries. Likewise, you can slice or puree vegetables before freezing them.

However, for some veggies, like broccoli and mushrooms, it can be better to cook them before freezing – make sure you check first to avoid mushy meals in future.

Or, as an alternative, you could order a Gousto recipe box: all our ingredients come precisely measured, including your herbs, so you don’t have to figure out the difference between ‘a sprig’ and ‘a pinch’ in your recipe.

3. Hard Cheese

Keeps for: 6 months

Hard cheeses like Cheddar, Pecorino Romano and Gouda can all be frozen without issue. You can also experiment with different ways of freezing it: as a block, in slices, or conveniently pre-shredded. Just be sure to store it in an airtight container for a maximum lifetime of 6 months.

4. Opened Wine

Keeps for: 6 months

Just like there’s no need to cry over spilt milk, there’s no need to pour wine down the sink if you aren’t planning on drinking it in the next few days.

Simply freeze your leftover wine in an ice cube tray and pop them into future sauces, stews, one-pots or risottos for a pop of tart flavour.

Note: white wines and rosés are the best for freezing, along with others that are regularly served chilled.

5. Cooked Pasta, Potatoes and Bread

Keeps for: 3 months

We’ve all done it – accidentally cooked just a little too much pasta for the meal we’re actually having. Rather than throwing out the surplus or keeping it in the fridge for a couple of days, you can freeze cooked pasta for up to 2 months.

Other starchy foods, like bread and cooked or partially-cooked potatoes, can also be frozen for later use if you’re worried you won’t use an entire loaf or batch at once.

Top tip: Make sure to cook your pasta al dente, so it doesn’t go mushy when you defrost it.

6. Lemon and Lime

Keeps for: 4 months

This one is a lifesaver in summertime (or if you fancy a gin and tonic.) Simply slice the lemon or lime and store it in an airtight container for when you need a squeeze of sourness.

This can work with other fruits and berries, too – though frozen berries can go a little mushy, so it’s best to use them in smoothies or as toppings for your favourite desserts, rather than as the star of a dish.

7. Chillies

Keeps for: 12 months

Chillies are one of those ingredients that are handy to keep in your kitchen, but they can also go off before you have the chance to use an entire packet.

Chopping them and freezing them in an airtight container or ice cube tray means you’ll always have them on hand for when you’re craving a spicier dish.

5 Meals You Can Freeze for Later

Freezing individual ingredients can save you money, but what about when you want to save time? Meal prepping in advance can help you spend less time in the kitchen without compromising on delicious meals.

1. South Indian-Style Chicken Cashew Curry

Lasts for: 3-6 months

Classic South Indian flavours combine (and pack a punch) in this creamy, warming curry. Tomato and red onion bring a sweet twist when combined with the cashews, perfect for enjoying when fresh, or when fresh-frozen.

As a bonus, you can also freeze the fragrant cardamom rice for up to 3 months.

2. Pork & Beef Polpette With Tomato & Basil Broth

Lasts for: 3 months

Meatballs are the secret weapon of many meal-preppers, as they’re relatively easy to make, can keep for a long time, and taste great when defrosted. These are made with a mix of pork and beef for maximum meatiness.

The tomato and basil broth can also be frozen for up to 3 months – just make sure you let it cool to room temperature before freezing, as it can expand and damage your containers otherwise.

3. Beef & Chorizo Chilli With Lime

Lasts for: 6 months

Everyone knows chilli tastes better on the second or third day, but on the occasion you can’t eat it within a few days, you definitely don’t want to throw this beef and chorizo treat in the bin. Instead, store it in an airtight container or high-quality freezer bag to ensure quality for as long as possible.

 4. Mild Chicken Thigh Korma With Cardamom Rice

Lasts for: 3-6 months

This classic chicken korma comes with a twist of cardamom and sultana rice, so you’ll definitely want to store both at the same time for maximum yumminess at a later date.

The rice will last for 3 months in the freezer, while the curry can last for up to 6 months if stored in the correct airtight container.

5. Warming Pepper Soup With Cheese Melt Soldiers

Lasts for: 3 months

Unfortunately, you’ll need to make the cheese melt soldiers fresh when it’s time to defrost your soup. But the soup? Once cooled to room temperature and frozen, it will be just as flavourful if you defrost it tomorrow or in 3 months.

Once you’re ready to eat it, you can enjoy the gooey goodness of cheese melt soldiers with roasted pepper, red onion and tomato soup.

Make Meal Prep & Planning Easy with Gousto

Reducing food waste is so important, and by increasing the use of your freezer, you can drastically improve the shelf life of food and stop it from ending up in the bin. You can also make your own life easier with meal prepping, while spending less on groceries, thanks to a freezer of good ingredients.

With Gousto, you can reduce meal waste without taking up freezer space. Our pre-portioned meal boxes make sure you only have what you need – no leftover ingredients!

From quick one pot dinners to Everyday Favourites, you can enjoy everything from traditional meals to fresh flavour combinations, depending on what you fancy.

Take a look at this week’s menu to discover your next favourite dinner.