Buying in bulk and doing big-batch meal prep won’t save you time or money if you can’t find anything in your freezer! Follow these tricks to keep it organized for good.
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Label Everything
Keep a marker and freezer labels handy. Date each container and label its contents, even if you can see what’s inside (so you won’t have to guess how long something’s been frozen).
Pro Tip: Use different color markers for different types of food — poultry, seafood, sauces — so you can find what you need at a glance.
Here’s how to fix refrigerator problems:
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Wrap it Up
This is especially important for meat. Tightly wrap meats in plastic wrap, then in heavy-duty foil or freezer paper, using freezer tape to seal if necessary. For other foods, use durable, leakproof containers or freezer bags sealed tightly. Press to remove all air. Keep in mind that a pound of bacon or an entire batch of cookie dough can be too much to thaw at once. Tightly seal small amounts separately; store together in a large container.
Pro Tip: Store raw meats on the bottom shelf to minimize the potential for contamination.