Freezer Cooking has been a great means for me to save money as well as to stay sane feeding my small army of six children. I actually started doing this 17 years ago when I was pregnant with my first child. It was ideal in providing for those long work days when I was too tired to cook.
For more freezer cooking ideas, check out these past posts or buy my book.
For now, here’s a little freezer wrapping tutorial. Enjoy!
Can’t see the video? Read the transcript here.
Sarah
BRILLIANT! I have never thought of this. I don’t want to invest in a commercial machine, this is so easy. I was reading your post on lasagna and I never considered putting the pan in a freezer bag as well.
Pauline
I have done this myself for quite some time. Anyone had any problems with the bags ‘blowing back up’ with air after awhile? Not all of them do and I was wondering why it does this and how do you keep it from happening.
Jessica Fisher
I’m thinking that must be a leak.
vcs
bags blowing up after? could be gas evolved from spoilage ?
Jessica Fisher
If puffy “blowing back up”, possibly. But, that shouldn’t happen if properly frozen.
vcs
“blown up bag” suggests higher pressure in the bag than outside the bag … so probably not a leak … don’t know if she was working with freezing or dehydration or what …. another possibility is gas coming out of solution.
Lynn
Awsome tip!! I do have a Foodsaver that I love using when I buy meat in bulk, however; I have recently been pondering how I could freeze muffins without them getting freezer burnt or sucking all the air out of them and squishing them flat. The straw trick is a great solution to this problem.
Heather
What a great tip. Thanks!
Dak
One suggestion for getting the air out of bags with raw meat is to immerse the filled bag into cold water. The water squeezes the air out so the bag can be sealed. This works well when marinating meat too.
Jessica Fisher
great idea! Thanks!
Jessica H
Just had to say that my hubby and I have been using this trick for storing foods in the freezer since I saw your tutorial {no worries, I have not, nor will I, use this on raw meats} and we love it! It really helps save space and I love pulling things out of the freezer and not seeing ice crystals formed on my food. Brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
Kimberly
It’s a strange feeling when common sense smacks you in the face. This is so easy, yet I never thought to do this to my bags of food. And I always have such a hard time getting the air out.
And I won’t do it with raw meat….saw the previous comments and warnings! Thanks for the tip.
Tiffany
Great tip! Thanks so much!
Kellyn
Oh how this helped me this weekend!! I was able to get every last bit of air out of my bags and it was perfect!! Thanks so much!
Becky C
This is cool!! I empty most of the air out for liquids by putting the bag next to the counter and squeezing the air out as much as possible by pulling the bag down over the edge of the counter until the air has escaped and the liquid is at the top of the bag, but not through the zippers. However, I’ve never thought of this!! Very cool!! Thanks!
Jessica Fisher
Becky, just make sure you don’t use it for raw meats.
Carrie
genius!!! I never would have thought of that! I just had a mini-baking day and am now off to suck out the air of all my bags I have in the freezer now.
Deanna
I LOVE THIS POST! I just called my husband over to watch because I’ve always used a straw to suck out the air in my freezer bags—and he’s always made fun of me for it! I’m so glad to know that I’m not alone. I’ll be smiling all night!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Kelly
I am married to a microbiologist. When I told him about this video, he became quite upset. Raw meat carries many pathogens and parasites, such as salmonella. Sucking the air out of bags holding these items may result in you inhaling some of these microbes and infecting yourself. It is almost like licking raw meat. We are just worried about the health of those watching this video. Is a $3.00 steak worth a week in the hospital…or worse?!?!?!
Jessica Fisher
Kelly, thanks so much for your concern. I apologize for any confusion. But, I think you may have inferred that people were doing this with raw meat. I will have to review the comments, but I don’t recall that anyone said that they use this method for raw meat. In fact, I thought those of us who use the straw method addressed that issue in saying that we do NOT use it for raw foods. My example used baked muffins, something that clearly wouldn’t make you sick and clearly didn’t suggest doing this with uncooked foods.
Katy P
Thanks for the info. This will really help! 🙂
Sarah
This tip is awesome! Thank you SO much!
I’m new to freezer cooking and plan on starting after next months shopping trip. I was looking up that bag sealer contraption, but I don’t need to waste my $ now!
I have plenty of straws!
Thanks again!!
Lindsey Swinborne
I LOVE your video. Not only did I learn something, but I was AMAZED to hear your voice. You totally took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting you to sound like you did. I guess I didn’t expect a momma of so many boys to have such a soft, dainty, patient voice!
Thanks for doing a vlog!
FishMama
@Lindsey Swinborne, LOL! I’m not sure my voice has ever been referred to as soft and dainty, but I’ll take the compliment. Thanks!