| Posted By |
Message |
|
|
Freezing leftovers
How long do you keep frozen leftovers (already cooked) for? I am so done with wasting food so I have been freezing most of the left overs if not eaten in a day or 2 and noticed I have some from back in Sept. I am thinking like 6 months? Any longer?
It is a lot of soups and things in sauce like pulled pork.
|
Posted 2/18/15 12:03 PM  |
| |
|
Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
|
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
Personally, nothing stays in my freezer more than 6 months and if it does, I usually toss it after 1 year. The only item I have had problems with was bread. Italian Bread that was frozen for over 6 months. It was nasty so I had to dump it. So I don't keep frozen bread for long amounts of time anymore.
Anyway, this is "official" from the USDA.
"Freezer storage times are for quality only. Frozen foods remain safe indefinitely".
Bacon and Sausage 2 months
Casseroles 3 months
Egg Whites 12 months
Frozen Dinners 4 months
Meat Uncooked 6 to 12 months
Meat Cooked 4 to 6 months
Poultry Uncooked 9 to 12 months
Poultry Cooked 4 to 6 months
Soups and Stews 3 months
So it looks like most things have 3 to 12 months lifespan. Quality wise.
|
| Posted 2/18/15 12:12 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
Posted by BaysideForever
So it looks like most things have 3 to 12 months lifespan. Quality wise.
Tx. Guess I will see how things are approaching the 6 month mark. I double wrap everything so hopefully avoid freezer burn and what-not.
|
| Posted 2/18/15 12:25 PM |
| |
|
luvbuffet
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 6470 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
how d you freeze food without it getting freezer burn?!?!
|
| Posted 2/18/15 12:38 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
Posted by luvbuffet
how d you freeze food without it getting freezer burn?!?!
--Make sure it is at least room temp, better off cold (prevents condensation)
--Use at least 2 barriers (foil and a freezer bag; Tupperware and a freezer bag, etc.)
--Keep the freezer at 0 and don't over stuff it
--If using bags, make sure all the air is out of it
--Keep the freezer defrosted to avoid excess moisture in the area
|
| Posted 2/18/15 1:17 PM |
| |
|
luvbuffet
LIF Adult
Member since 7/10 6470 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
what do you mean by ' keep the freezer defrosted"?
my fridge and freezer are usually empty.. i had a bunch of food i froe in tupperware and the next day here was a sheet of frost 
#domesticfailure
|
| Posted 2/18/15 1:37 PM |
| |
|
MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
|
Freezing leftovers
I have a foodsaver so I vacuum seal everything and just try to use it in under a year lol. I've never had an issue with freezer burn or anything and everything tasted just as good as when it was first cooked.
|
| Posted 2/18/15 4:03 PM |
| |
|
MrsT809
LIF Adult
Member since 9/09 12167 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
Posted by luvbuffet
what do you mean by ' keep the freezer defrosted"?
my fridge and freezer are usually empty.. i had a bunch of food i froe in tupperware and the next day here was a sheet of frost
#domesticfailure
I would go with ziploc freezer bags rather than tupperware since you can at least squeeze the air out. Also, it takes a lot more energy to keep an emptry fridge or freezer empty. Even if you just fill some empty bottles with water to keep in there it will save on electricity.
|
| Posted 2/18/15 4:04 PM |
| |
|
jlm2008
LIF Adult
Member since 1/10 5092 total posts
Name:
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
Posted by luvbuffet
how d you freeze food without it getting freezer burn?!?!
Wrap it really well.
Depending on what it is I will wrap in saran, than foil, then a freezer bag or a tupperware and freezer bag.
|
| Posted 2/18/15 4:19 PM |
| |
|
|
|
Re: Freezing leftovers
Posted by luvbuffet
what do you mean by ' keep the freezer defrosted"?
my fridge and freezer are usually empty.. i had a bunch of food i froe in tupperware and the next day here was a sheet of frost
#domesticfailure
Frost on the outsideof the container or inside . On the food?
Defrosted just means if you see any ice build up remove it and if it ever gets bad remove the food, unplug it,let it melt, clean the water then plug back in. Shouldn't happen often,maybe only once a year.
|
| Posted 2/18/15 9:44 PM |
| |
|
