Green Talk®

Whole Body, Healthy Home, and Sustainable Garden Inspiration

  • About
    • Press
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
  • New Here?
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Hire Me
  • 5 Reasons to Subscribe!
  • Build Green
  • Gardening
  • Green Business
  • Green Living
  • Green Home
  • Recycling
  • Tech

6 Foods You Can Freeze! I Bet You Didn’t Know.

February 25, 2015 By: Anna32 Comments

foods you can freeze

My freezer and I are BFF (best friends forever.) Seriously. She opens her arms and says, “Anna, what do you have for me today?” She knows how much my garden harvest means to me and over the years, has gone that extra, extra mile to delivers delectable thawed vegetables. So, I bet you have a freezer just like mine and don’t know it. Give her a try. So, here are six foods that you can freeze that I bet you have never considered. Say good-bye to spoilage and wasting money.

#1 Tomatoes

Every year I grow a bumper crop of tomatoes. My preference is canning tomatoes.  (See my tutorial HERE.)

I am not a big fan of canned whole tomatoes. But, what if you want whole tomatoes to plop into your sauce?

Simply place them on a tray side by side in your freezer for 24 hours. Remove them and store them in your preferred container. The tomatoes won’t stick together.

I use the above freezer method to can tomatoes. After, you defrost the tomatoes, you can easily peel off their skins. I am not a huge fan of boiling water to remove their skins. (I know. Call me lazy. I will take the title.)

#2 Cucumbers

I caused a stir on Pinterest about freezing cucumbers. People pinned it numerous time. (You can read my article HERE. )

I must confess. If you freeze cucumbers, then once you defrost them, they will not be crunchy. They will be soggy and looking a little lost.

However, they are still usable for many different recipes including cucumber soup, tzatziki sauce, etc.

P.S. There is a way to freeze cucumbers without the seeds that make the cucumbers more palatable. You need to read the article.

[ad#ad-3]

#3 Milk

In the past, we bought raw milk. In New Jersey, you can’t buy raw milk; however if you can buy raw milk in Pennsylvania. Since Pennsylvania is over an hour away, we buy a couple gallons of milk and store them in the freezer until we need them.

Here are some tips on how to store milk:

  • According to Still Tasty, milk should only be stored in the freezer for three months. (I love this site since it tells you when to toss and when to eat.)
  • Don’t freeze the milk if it is past the sell date.
  • The Dairy Association of California says milk expand when stored in the freezer. Be sure to leave room for expansion. StillTasty advises leaving an inch to one and half inch head space depending on the bottle. (The narrower the bottom, the larger the head space.)
  • Thawed milk tastes different. You may not want to use it to drink but to make other food items like cream soups.
  • Freeze a small amount and then try it just to see if you like thawed milk.
  • Be sure to shake your milk before using it.
  • Transfer the milk to smaller containers so you can use smaller batches without the huge lag time to defrost.

Hold on. There are more foods you can freeze. Stay with me.

#4 Basil and Herbs

I am sure you heard you can store herbs in the freezer using an ice cube tray. Just in case you haven’t, some people store in water by making a slurry.   Alternatively,  store the leaves in oil. (If you want to use this route to store your herbs, be sure to purchase a durable stainless steel ice cube tray. Most trays are plastic. I am just not a plastic fan. Read why HERE.)

Back to storing basil. I don’t bother with the oil or water method. Remember, I am lazy.

I simply wash the basil. Pat dry, and then store it in a glass container in the freezer.

So, when a recipe calls for fresh basil, I simply open up the freezer, and she hands me the basil. (I told you I had the best freezer.)

You can do the same thing with other herbs too.

I honestly don’t see a difference in taste.

#5 Peaches

I adore peaches! However, sometimes I just don’t have time to skin them, or I picked them unripened, so I throw them in the freezer for future uses. I can the rest of the peaches that are easier to remove their skins.

Unlike tomatoes, if your peaches aren’t ripe, once you freeze them, the skins are still hard to get off. So I use them in recipes that it doesn’t matter if you use the skin.

Conversely, if they are ripe, they aren’t hard to remove. I am not a blanch-type girl and find the freezer method easier to remove skins. Read HERE on how I remove the skins.

You can store peaches in the freezer for 10 to 12 months according to StillTasty.

#6 Lettuce

Yes. You can freeze lettuce. Just like cucumbers, don’t expect the crunch. It is not going to happen.

However, you can use the defrosted lettuce in recipes like smoothies. Read HERE how I use my defrosted lettuce. The trick to freezing your lettuce is don’t wait until it is slimy. Normally, if you don’t want to eat it, freezing it won’t make it better.

I tend to use this trick when I am going on vacation and don’t want to toss my lettuce.

As I am typing this article, I realized I am writing a small book. I have seven more foods to add to my freezer loving post. So, stay tuned for part II this week.

Join the Conversation:

Did you realize you can freeze the above foods? If so, what are your tips?

Disclaimer:  There may be affiliate links in this post. Thanks for your loyalty to help Green Talk.  Oh, and don’t forget to share this post with your friends!  My heart swells when I see my post shared. 

Similar Posts:

  • Freeze Your Tomatoes to Reduce Spoilage and Save Cash.
  • Preserve Vegetables For Year Round Use in 6 Easy Ways
  • Best Way to Peel Peaches
  • 5 More Foods You Can Freeze. Part 2.
  • How to Freeze Parsley for Year Round Enjoyment

Grow From Seed Mini Course

Grow From Seed Mini Course

About Anna

Anna Hackman is the editor of Green Talk, and owner of The Naked Botanical and a avid (okay obsessed) gardener. She also loves video and podcasting and hosts Green Talk TV and Green Talk Radio. Her most important role is being a mother of four boys.

Chat with her on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest , and Google+.

Comments

  1. 1

    green Bean says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:04 pm

    Okay, you totally had me at the lettuce. I was going through your list like yup, got that one. Sure, did that last year. Cucumber, yeah, I saw your post about it. But lettuce! Who knew.

    We love our freezer! Whenever we go on vacation, I stuff everything that will go bad while we are gone into the freezer and hope for the best. That is one of the ways I’ve found out that, yes, you can freeze sour cream!

    Reply
    • 2

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

      Green Bean, sour cream is a new one on me. Anna

      Reply
  2. 3

    Renee Kohley says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:16 pm

    No way! I did NOT know most of those! I am totally doing the tomatoes this summer!!!

    Reply
    • 4

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:10 pm

      Renee, I am lazy so this the lazy way to peel tomatoes. Anna

      Reply
  3. 5

    Tash says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    Very interesting! These tips will really save me some grief when lettuce and cucumber like to spoil long before I can use them in smoothies. Thanks for sharing! 🙂

    Reply
    • 6

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      Tash, sometimes you throw it in the freezer and hope for the best! Anna

      Reply
  4. 7

    Jessica says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Great list. Out of all of those, lettuce is the one I haven’t tried!

    Reply
    • 8

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

      Jessica, sounds like we think alike. See how you like frozen lettuce. Anna

      Reply
  5. 9

    Krystal says

    February 26, 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Wow! I knew about freezing herbs but never thought you could freeze those others. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • 10

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Krystal, you are welcome. Let me know how it works for you. Anna

      Reply
  6. 11

    Rachel @ day2dayjoys says

    February 26, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    Hum, never thought about freezing lettuce for smoothies…. great idea!

    Reply
    • 12

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Rachel, I freeze all my greens. Anna

      Reply
  7. 13

    Megan Stevens says

    February 26, 2015 at 5:25 pm

    I appreciate the spirit of this article, not wasting, but saving and using. I didn’t know about cukes until you. 🙂 Eggs, raw ones, can also be frozen. 🙂

    Reply
    • 14

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Megan, eggs are coming up in my second post. I had to stop at 6. Anna

      Reply
  8. 15

    sommer @greenmom says

    February 26, 2015 at 5:58 pm

    I have never frozen milk but you might have talked me into it!

    Reply
    • 16

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm

      Sommer, let me know what you think. Anna

      Reply
  9. 17

    Vanessa says

    February 26, 2015 at 6:11 pm

    Thanks for the info! I didn’t realize you could freeze cucumbers and lettuce…good to know!

    Reply
  10. 18

    emily @ Recipes to Nourish says

    February 26, 2015 at 7:37 pm

    Cool! I didn’t know about 1, 2 and 6. So neat!

    Reply
  11. 19

    Kim says

    February 26, 2015 at 8:46 pm

    The only one I really knew were tomatoes! I had a huge crop that I didn’t get around to canning, so I have about 10lbs of tomatoes in my freezer right now! They’re like little rocks in there. Awesome list!

    Reply
    • 20

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 27, 2015 at 12:04 pm

      Kim I love frozen tomatoes. A bite of summer! Anna

      Reply
  12. 21

    linda spiker says

    February 26, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I knew every one except the lettuce!

    Reply
    • 22

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 27, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      Linda, now I am expecting an amazing recipe from you on frozen lettuce. Anna

      Reply
  13. 23

    Lori Popkewitz Alper says

    February 27, 2015 at 9:33 am

    Wow. Most of these are a surprise to me. Cucumbers and lettuce?! I’m not sure my kids would eat them without the crunch, but I do like your suggestion to use them in smoothies. As always, some great tips Anna.

    Reply
    • 24

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 27, 2015 at 12:05 pm

      Lori, I hide the cucumbers and lettuce in dishes. Try and see if they notice. Anna

      Reply
  14. 25

    Marla says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:44 pm

    Hi Anna,
    We do the same thing with our raw milk – since we have to travel about 1 hour to get it – we buy enough to last a few weeks and have bought regular freezer jars from the U-Line company and it works out great. My husband drinks the frozen milk all the time and doesn’t seem to think it taste that much different.

    When we got a new freezer last summer that was frost freeze (I am sure it works much more efficient since the other one was 20 years old) we had trouble with the jars breaking and that is why we bought the freezer jars which eliminated the broken jar problem> I also use them for homemade chicken, beef, & turkey broth.

    Reply
    • 26

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 27, 2015 at 3:18 pm

      Marla, how do you like the taste? Anna

      Reply
  15. 27

    Lisa Sharp says

    February 27, 2015 at 12:59 pm

    Great tips! I freeze spinach for smoothies all of the time. Works perfectly.

    Reply
    • 28

      Anna@Green Talk says

      February 27, 2015 at 3:19 pm

      Lisa, do you blanch before your freeze? Anna

      Reply
  16. 29

    Shelley Alexander says

    March 3, 2015 at 8:05 pm

    Anna, great info! I have never frozen cucumber before but I have frozen all the other foods on your list successfully. Thanks for the helpful tips!

    Reply
    • 30

      Anna@Green Talk says

      March 4, 2015 at 1:10 pm

      Shelly, be sure to read my link about how you can re-use the cucumbers. Anna

      Reply
  17. 31

    amy says

    April 19, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    I get so much more from our CSA farm than my family can eat each week throughout the summer and fall that I have 2 extra freezers for storing food for the winter ahead. Carrots, broccoli, spinach and cauliflower were blanched first. Others were chopped raw and popped into plastic bags: onions, zucchini (defrost and use in zucchini bread), garlic, tomatoes, strawberries, raspberries, peaches (from my own tree), blueberries, rutabaga, peppers . Pumpkin was baked, pureed, and frozen in 2 cup servings. So much kale; I pureed it with a little water, froze it in ice cube trays and filled many large bags with kale cubes. I pop 2 or 3 into every smoothie I make. I have frozen block of cheese when I found a good sale. Bananas obviously for smoothies or banana bread. Milk – does not taste any different to me when thawed. Homemade bread. Tofu, to give it a “meatier” texture.

    Reply
    • 32

      Anna@Green Talk says

      April 20, 2015 at 12:01 am

      Amy you are amazing. I need you to guest post on my site. Anna

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Shop from Anna’s Farm– The Naked Botanical– Farm Fresh Teas, Salts & Body Products

The Naked Botanical Click HERE

Save Money By Growing Your Plants Indoors.

Three Must Have Equipment "

Grab My Free Mini Course

Connect with Me

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

  • Freeze Cucumbers & Learn How to Use Them.

  • Hydrogen Peroxide + Ears = Bye to Colds. A Remedy that Works

  • Orange Peel Vinegar Cleaner. Make Your Own Green Cleaner

  • 15 Ways to Recycle or Repurpose Your Underwear

Recent Posts

  • How to Grow Grains in a Small Garden
  • Proper Lighting to Grow Seeds Indoors.
  • Gone Vegan: And Loving My New Life
  • Sleep On Latex: A Healthier Mattress to Sleep Better
  • Eco-Friendly Multi-Use Yard Living. Eat and Enjoy.

Popular Posts

  • Organic Color Systems: Wash those Grays Away with a Safer Hair Color

  • Coffee Grounds in the Garden: Friend or Foe?

  • Celery Leaves: Cook or Discard them?

RSS Green Talk TV

  • Hibiscus in the high tunnel and some discoveries I found.
  • Turmeric indoor sowing time!
  • Short snippet of creating a rose hydrosol
  • Elderberry, more uses than just for health
  • The Naked Botanical's Gift Boxes

Copyright Green Talk © 2025 · Website Designed by Clever Kiwi