For those of us who lead busy lives, freezing food can be a lifesaver when it comes to prepping food and getting dinner on the table. But what about when you pull out make-ahead freezer meals you prepped in advance (or even that pint of ice cream you want for a midnight snack) and there’s a layer of dreaded freezer burn? We investigate what that icy crust is, when the food is still safe to eat and how to avoid the problem in the future.
What Is Freezer Burn?
Freezer burn occurs when your food dries out. Those ice crystals you see on your bulk pack of chicken or in your frozen leftovers is moisture that escaped from the food and turned into ice on the outside. It happens for one of two reasons: Either you didn’t store your food properly, or your food has just been in the freezer for a long time. (Eventually, everything will start to turn to ice if left in there too long!)
Foods with a higher water content are more likely to get freezer burned. Bananas, citrus fruits and other foods on our list of foods that freeze well won’t get freezer burned as quickly as something like ground meat.
What does freezer burn look like?
On most foods, freezer burn just looks like a layer of ice. For example, if you open up a bag of frozen raspberries for a smoothie, you might find icy berries toward the top of the bag. When you dig into a tub of ice cream, ice crystals may be climbing up the sides of the container and onto the ice cream itself.
On certain items like meat, freezer burn can change how the food itself looks, instead of just adding a layer of ice. Ground beef can turn gray or brown after it’s been frozen. The edges of raw chicken may turn beige and look almost cooked, even though it isn’t.
Is Freezer-Burned Food Safe to Eat?
But fear not: The sight of freezer burn shouldn’t have you sending the entire contents of your freezer into the trash, because freezer burn is actually completely OK and safe to eat. You may not enjoy the taste or dried-out texture it gives your frozen pizza, but it has no impact on the quality of your food or your health.
However, you should still keep in mind that you shouldn’t keep your foods in the freezer forever. Check out our guide to how long foods last in the freezer. Since freezer-burned food is safe to eat, here’s how to tell if your food is actually spoiled.
How to Prevent Freezer Burn
While it may be safe to consume, that crusty layer of ice crystals isn’t exactly what you’re aiming for. To prevent it from happening in the future, the number one rule to preventing freezer burn is to make sure you store all your food properly. That means sealing it in airtight containers (look for plastic and glass that are specifically freezer-safe) or wrapping it tightly with plastic wrap. Any air that gets in will speed up freezer burn. Check out our list of products to help freeze food, such as a vacuum sealer, reusable freezer bags and portion pods.
You should also make sure your freezer isn’t too cold or too packed full of groceries and containers. Leave space for air to circulate, and keep the temperature around zero. If you plan on freezing leftovers or a freshly baked casserole, make sure you let it cool completely before placing it in the freezer. Sealing it up when it’s still warm will cause steam and condensation to form on your food, which is just freezer burn waiting to happen.
Armed with those tips (and a few high-quality storage containers), you can expect a future free of freezer burn. Hello, deliciously defrosted dinner!
Egg Burritos
Zap one of these frozen burritos in the microwave and you'll stave off hunger all morning. This recipe is my family’s favorite combo, but I sometimes use breakfast sausage instead of bacon. —Audra Niederman, Aberdeen, South Dakota
Greek Tomato 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 only need a few steps to transform simple ingredients into a creamy one-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. It's just like the kind I enjoyedat the luaus I went to in Hawaii. —Mary Gaylord, Balsam Lake, Wisconsin
Tomato & Garlic Butter Bean Dinner
On the days I get home late and just want a warm meal, I stir together tomatoes, garlic and butter beans. Ladle it over noodles if you're in the mood for pasta. —Jessica Meyers, Austin, Texas
Contest-Winning Broccoli Chicken Casserole
This delicious chicken and broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick, satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois
Sausage & Crescent Roll Casserole
I made this tasty breakfast casserole with crescent rolls for a baby shower. It saved me; preparing it ahead gave me more time to finish decorating for the party. —Melody Craft, Conroe, Texas
Spaghetti with Fresh Tomato Sauce
When my mom made this spaghetti sauce, the house would smell so good that I'd open the windows to torture the neighbors. It even tastes wonderful the next day, when the flavors have really melded. —Vera Schulze, Holbrook, New York
Andouille Sausage Hash
I threw this hash together last minute for a church brunch. Folks liked it so much they asked me for the recipe, so I scrambled to write it down. —Paulette Heisler, Tampa, Florida
Chicken Enchilada Bake
Your family is going to gobble up this cheesy, southwestern and easy chicken enchilada casserole…and will ask for it again and again. It’s real comfort food! —Melanie Burns, Pueblo West, Colorado
Grits & Bacon Casserole
A Mississippi home cook gave me her recipe for grits casserole. It baked 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 take to someone for dinner. It's also easy to change up the recipe with your favorite meats or cheeses. —Tricia Bibb, Hartselle, AL
BBQ Meat Loaf Minis
Kids can have fun helping to prepare these mini meat loaves in muffin cups. For extra spice, we sometimes add 2 teaspoons chili powder and 1 cup of salsa. —Linda Call, Falun, Kansas
Tortellini Primavera Soup
Years ago, I found in a magazine 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 food, I'm all about anything in a pocket—pita bread, bierocks, empanadas and more. These Italian-inspired turnovers are great for dinner and even better the next day. For smaller ones, use 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 you can add a zesty kick with some Rotel. — Heather Rorex, Winnemucca, Nevada
Ham & Cheese Potato Casserole
This recipe makes two cheesy, delicious casseroles. Have one tonight and put the other on ice for a future busy weeknight. It's like having money in the bank when things get hectic! —Kari Adams, Fort Collins, Colorado
Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
“Foolproof” is a perfect way to describe my barbecue pork recipe. With just four ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make these fabulous sandwiches with very little effort. —Sarah Johnson, Chicago, Illinois
Sausage Manicotti
This classic Italian dinner comes together in a snap, but tastes like it took hours. It's so easy to fix, and my family always enjoys it. —Carolyn Henderson, Maple Plain, Minnesota
Pork Sausage Patties
Savory pork sausage patties will give any breakfast a boost. These little beauties will have everyone coming back for seconds. —Carole Thomson, Komarno, Manitoba
Whole Wheat Pancakes
To fix 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 but also light. Serve them with hot chocolate for a breakfast that's sure to delight little ones. —Line Walter, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Deviled Chicken
My family has always loved this flavorful golden brown chicken. I watch for frequent sales on leg quarters to keep the cost per serving low. —Linda Trammell, Kingston, Missouri
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Super Easy Country-Style Ribs
I'm a die-hard rib fan. When we were growing up, our mom made these for us all the time, 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 easy recipe with me. At potlucks and family dinners, nobody can get enough of this root beer-braised version. —Carolyn Palm, Radcliff, KentuckyThe post Is It Really Safe to Eat Food That Has Freezer Burn? appeared first on Taste of Home.
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