It's a smart idea to keep ready-to-use ingredients and meals in the freezer. Here's what you need to start freezing!
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It's a smart idea to keep ready-to-use ingredients and meals in the freezer. Here's what you need to start freezing!
Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.Learn more.
For a more cost-effective vacuum sealer, turn to this deluxe NESCO model ($135). While it’s a bit smaller than the VacMaster, it performs beautifully and comes with a variety of useful features. When sealing, choose between dry, moist or double settings, and toggle between both regular and gentle suction.
Why it made our list: NESCO has been a trusted kitchen brand for decades. (Just ask grandma about her roaster!)
Now that you’ve prepped and packaged all that food, make sure it’s labeled! These freezer labels ($9) are made to stick to plastic, paper, foil or glass, and make it easy for you to see what’s in the freezer at a glance. And the labels are easy to remove.
Why it made our list: The labels will stick to food both before putting in the freezer and after it’s frozen.
If you’re not prepping meals, you’ll still need containers to hold other freezable items. (Looking at you, cookies!) This 36-piece storage set ($50) is the perfect solution. Each piece holds anywhere from 1/2 a cup to nine cups of food, so there’s a size for every storage need.
Why it made our list: This is a great price for what all you get.
Ziploc bags can be challenging to fill when working with liquidy foods like soups and sauces. Using a baggy rack ($13) will make this task so much more efficient! The rack grips and holds up the bags so you can fill them quickly without a mess.
Why it made our list: Amazon reviewers love using this gadget for freezer meals.
Keep plenty of freezer bags ($9) on hand so you can prep and freeze foods right after shopping. Choose bags specifically made for the freezer to give foods the best protection against leaks, freezer burn and off flavors.
Editor’s Tip: Lay filled bags flat in the freezer, then stack them once they’re frozen.
Why it made our list: The zippers on Ziploc bags tend to be very reliable, Amazon reviewers report.
To cut down on cost and waste of disposable plastic bags, you could opt for reusable bags instead. These reusable options ($20) are perfect for holding smoothie ingredients, sauce leftovers and more. Plus, the double-lock closure promises to keep your food fresh.
Why it made our list: One reusable bag can replace up to 300 disposable ones.
Use them like butchers do to separate hamburger patties, but you’ll find that these precut waxed paper squares ($16) have other freezer uses as well. Place them between pancakes, cookies, tortillas, veggie burgers or any other thin and delicate items you’re planning to freeze. The waxed paper makes it a cinch to separate food.
Why it made our list: Reviewers love the value of this product—1,000 squares are only $15.
Chopping veggies and pureeing soups can be very time-consuming, which is why a food processor ($223) will be your new favorite kitchen appliance. It has a large work bowl and attachments for chopping, shredding and slicing. It makes quick work of preparing foods for the freezer.
Why it made our list: This food processor was our Test Kitchen’s #1 pick after weeks of testing.
One of the cardinal rules of freezing food? Taking stock of what you already have on-hand. These divided bins ($15-$22) make it easy to keep your freezer organized so all of those make-ahead meals are easy to find.
Why it made our list: The dividers are removable so each bin can fully suit your needs.