Freezing Well: What, How and How Long

Your freezer is a pause button, not a time machine. Pack it right and dinner is already half made.

Food	Freezer life	Notes
Soups & stews	2–3 months	Leave headspace; liquids expand
Cooked meat & poultry	2–3 months	Slice first; freeze in portions
Raw meat	6–12 months	Double-wrap; remove air
Bread & baked goods	3 months	Slice bread before freezing
Sauces (no cream)	3 months	Cream sauces can split — add cream after thawing
Fruit	8–12 months	Freeze in a single layer, then bag
Herbs	3 months	Chop and freeze in oil, in ice-cube trays

Label everything with the name and the date. Thaw in the fridge overnight, in cold water (changed every 30 minutes), or in the microwave — never on the counter.

Skip freezing: raw potatoes, lettuce, whole eggs in shell, cream-based sauces and fried food — texture does not survive.

More guides on the RecipeDelish home page.