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For those of us who lead busy lives, freezing food can be a lifesaver when it comes to prepping nutrient and getting dinner on the table. Merely what about when you pull out make-ahead freezer meals y'all prepped in advance (or even that pint of ice cream you desire for a midnight snack) and at that place's a layer of dreaded freezer fire? We investigate what that icy chaff is, when the food is still condom to consume and how to avoid the problem in the hereafter.
What Is Freezer Burn?
Freezer burn down occurs when your food dries out. Those ice crystals you come across on your bulk pack of chicken or in your frozen leftovers is moisture that escaped from the food and turned into water ice on the outside. (Here's how to tell if chicken is bad.) It happens for one of two reasons: Either yous didn't shop your food properly, or your nutrient has just been in the freezer for a long time. (Eventually, everything will start to turn to ice if left in at that place too long!)
Foods with a college water content are more likely to get freezer burned. Bananas, citrus fruits and other foods on our listing of foods that freeze well won't get freezer burned as chop-chop equally something similar ground meat.
What does freezer burn expect similar?
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On nearly foods, freezer burn simply looks like a layer of ice. For example, if you open up upwards a bag of frozen raspberries for a smoothie, you lot might find icy berries toward the acme of the bag. When you dig into a tub of ice cream, ice crystals may be climbing upwards the sides of the container and onto the ice foam itself.
On certain items like meat, freezer burn down can modify how the nutrient itself looks, instead of just adding a layer of ice. Ground beefiness can turn gray or brown later information technology's been frozen. The edges of raw chicken may turn beige and look almost cooked, even though information technology isn't.
Is Freezer-Burned Food Condom to Eat?
But fear not: The sight of freezer burn down shouldn't have y'all sending the entire contents of your freezer into the trash, because freezer burn down is actually completely OK and safe to eat. You may non enjoy the gustatory modality or dried-out texture information technology gives your frozen pizza, just it has no touch on the quality of your food or your health.
Notwithstanding, you should all the same keep in heed that you shouldn't keep your foods in the freezer forever. Cheque out our guide to how long foods concluding in the freezer. Since freezer-burned nutrient is safe to consume, here's how to tell if your food is actually spoiled.
How to Forestall Freezer Fire
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While it may be safe to consume, that crusty layer of ice crystals isn't exactly what you're aiming for. To foreclose it from happening in the time to come, the number one rule to preventing freezer burn is to make sure you store all your food properly. That ways sealing information technology in airtight containers (look for plastic and glass that are specifically freezer-safe) or wrapping information technology tightly with plastic wrap. Whatever air that gets in will speed upwardly freezer fire. Check out our list of products to assist freeze food, such as a vacuum sealer, reusable freezer bags and portion pods.
You should besides make sure your freezer isn't too cold or too packed full of groceries and containers. Leave space for air to broadcast, and go along the temperature around zero. If yous plan on freezing leftovers or a freshly baked casserole, make sure you let it absurd completely before placing it in the freezer. Sealing it upwardly when it's still warm volition cause steam and condensation to form on your food, which is just freezer fire waiting to happen.
Armed with those tips (and a few high-quality storage containers), you can expect a future free of freezer fire. Hello, deliciously defrosted dinner!
Effort Our Best Freezer-Fix Recipes
Egg Burritos
Zap one of these frozen burritos in the microwave and you'll stave off hunger all morn. This recipe is my family unit'due south favorite combo, but I sometimes use breakfast sausage instead of bacon. —Audra Niederman, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Greek Love apple Soup with Orzo
My recipe for manestra, which means "orzo" in Greek, is one of the most straightforward and easiest soup recipes to make. You simply need a few steps to transform simple ingredients into a creamy i-pot-meal in about 30 minutes. —Kiki Vagianos, Melrose, Massachusetts
Learn more about how to freeze soups the right way!
Hawaiian Pork Roast
Bananas, liquid smoke and soy sauce flavor this fall-apart-tender pork roast. Information technology's only like the kind I enjoyedat the luaus I went to in Hawaii. —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Tomato plant & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner
On the days I go dwelling tardily and just want a warm repast, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle information technology over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas
Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Goulash
This succulent chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an onetime dominate. It's quick, satisfying condolement nutrient. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Sausage & Crescent Roll Casserole
I fabricated this tasty breakfast casserole with crescent rolls for a baby shower. It saved me; preparing it alee gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Arts and crafts, Conroe, Texas
Spaghetti with Fresh Love apple Sauce
When my mom fabricated this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so practiced that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It fifty-fifty tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors accept really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
Andouille Sausage Hash
I threw this hash together last infinitesimal for a church brunch. Folks liked it so much they asked me for the recipe, and so I scrambled to write information technology down. —Paulette Heisler, Tampa, Florida
Craven Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and piece of cake chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and once more. It's real condolement food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
Grits & Bacon Casserole
A Mississippi domicile cook gave me her recipe for grits casserole. It broiled like traditional custard. I garnish it with parsley, crumbled bacon and cheese. —Theresa Liguori, Elkridge, Maryland
Ham & Swiss Stromboli
This is an excellent dish to have to someone for dinner. It'due south likewise like shooting fish in a barrel to modify upwardly the recipe with your favorite meats or cheeses. —Tricia Bibb, Hartselle, AL
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Kids can have fun helping to set these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add two teaspoons chili powder and 1 loving cup of salsa. —Linda Telephone call, Falun, Kansas
Tortellini Primavera Soup
Years agone, I found in a mag the idea for tortellini with peas and carrots. I added my own touch to it. —Kari George, Ellicott City, Maryland
Pesto Chicken Turnovers
When it comes to nutrient, I'm all nigh anything in a pocket—pita bread, bierocks, empanadas and more. These Italian-inspired turnovers are nifty for dinner and even better the next solar day. For smaller ones, apply a single crescent roll with a level tablespoon of filling. —Greg Munoz, Sacramento, California
Spicy Pumpkin & Corn Soup
A seriously quick dish, it can satisfy a hungry household in 15 minutes. My family loves sharing this soup with cornbread, or yous tin can add together a zesty boot with some Rotel. — Heather Rorex, Winnemucca, Nevada
Ham & Cheese Potato Casserole
This recipe makes ii cheesy, delicious casseroles. Have one tonight and put the other on ice for a time to come busy weeknight. It'southward like having money in the bank when things get hectic! —Kari Adams, Fort Collins, Colorado
Irksome-Cooker Charcoal-broil Pulled Pork Sandwiches
"Foolproof" is a perfect way to describe my barbecue pork recipe. With just iv ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make these fabulous sandwiches with very piffling attempt. —Sarah Johnson, Chicago, Illinois
Sausage Manicotti
This classic Italian dinner comes together in a snap, just tastes like it took hours. It'south so easy to set, and my family always enjoys information technology. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Evidently, Minnesota
Pork Sausage Patties
Savory pork sausage patties volition give whatsoever breakfast a heave. These little beauties will have everyone coming back for seconds. —Carole Thomson, Komarno, Manitoba
Whole Wheat Pancakes
To set a large batch of tender pancakes for my five children, I rely on this quick and wholesome recipe. It calls for whole wheat flour and buttermilk, which make the pancakes filling simply likewise light. Serve them with hot chocolate for a breakfast that'south certain to please little ones. —Line Walter, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Deviled Chicken
My family has always loved this flavorful golden brown craven. I watch for frequent sales on leg quarters to go along the cost per serving low. —Linda Trammell, Kingston, Missouri
Parmesan Craven Nuggets
My iii-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, then I made these gilded nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Super Easy Country-Style Ribs
I'chiliad a die-difficult rib fan. When nosotros were growing up, our mom fabricated these for us all the fourth dimension, and we still can't get enough of them. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah
Root Beer Pulled Pork Sandwiches
My husband is a huge fan of pulled pork sandwiches, so my sister shared this incredibly like shooting fish in a barrel recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody tin get plenty of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, Kentucky
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