Chloe Zhang
Freezing meals are a great way to reduce food waste, save money, and cut down on your environmental impact. However, plastic containers and wraps are often used for freezing meals, which can contribute to global warming and have other negative environmental impacts. To freeze meals without using plastic, you can use glass jars, stainless steel containers, beeswax wraps, paper, or silicone bags. Glass jars are perfect for freezing soups, stews, and sauces, but make sure to use wide-mouth jars and leave some space at the top to allow for liquid expansion. Stainless steel containers are versatile and can be used for various foods, but they should not be used in the microwave. Beeswax wraps are a great option for short-term freezing (up to 30 days) and can be used to wrap loaves of bread or cover containers. Paper can be used for short-term freezing (2-3 weeks) and should be sealed with freezer tape. Finally, silicone bags are a reusable alternative to plastic bags for freezing meals. By using these plastic-free alternatives, you can enjoy the convenience of frozen meals while reducing your environmental impact.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of container | Glass jars, Stainless steel containers, Beeswax wraps, Paper |
| Type of food | Liquids, soups, stews, sauces, fruits, bread, meat |
| Time period | Short-term (2-3 weeks), long-term |
| Other tips | Leave space at the top of the container, use wide-mouth jars, use freezer tape, label, avoid microwave for metal |
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What You'll Learn
- Glass jars are perfect for freezing soups, stews, and sauces
- Stainless steel containers are versatile and can go straight in your freezer
- Beeswax wraps are best used in the freezer for 30 days or less at a time
- For shorter periods (2-3 weeks), wrap food in butcher paper or waxed paper
- Some fruits don't need packaging—e.g. bananas, peaches, and tomatoes
Glass jars are perfect for freezing soups, stews, and sauces
There are a few things to keep in mind when freezing soups, stews, and sauces in glass jars. First, make sure to use wide-mouth jars, as this will make pouring your soup into the jar much easier. You'll also need to leave room for expansion, so don't fill the jars completely to the top. Most jars will have a specific fill line for freezing, usually about one inch below the top of the jar. It is recommended to use straight-sided jars, as curved jars are more prone to breakage.
Another important thing to remember is to never put hot liquids into glass jars, as this can cause the jars to crack or even explode. Always let your soup or stew cool down before pouring it into the jar, and then chill it in the fridge before putting it in the freezer.
Some people also recommend pouring a 1/2-inch layer of water over the soup or stew in the jar before freezing to provide extra protection from the freezer air. Just be sure to rinse off this ice seal before thawing the contents.
Freezing soups, stews, and sauces in glass jars is a great way to reduce your use of plastic and can be a fun and economical way to prepare meals.
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Stainless steel containers are versatile and can go straight in your freezer
If you're looking to freeze meals without plastic, stainless steel containers are a versatile option. They are durable, eco-friendly, and can go straight into your freezer.
Stainless steel containers are a great alternative to plastic or glass Tupperware, which often have plastic lids or components. These containers are usually made of high-quality food-grade stainless steel, with lids featuring a non-removable, adhesive-free food-grade silicone seal. This makes them watertight and airtight, perfect for storing meals in the freezer.
The base containers are typically dishwasher-safe, oven-safe, and even fire-safe, although it's important to let hot food cool before securing the lid. The lids, on the other hand, should be washed by hand in warm soapy water and are generally not oven-safe.
Stainless steel containers come in a variety of sizes, making them suitable for storing anything from small snacks like dips and nuts to larger meals like soups, stir-fries, and spaghetti. They are also great for transporting food, as they fit nicely in bags and backpacks, and their secure latches prevent spills.
When using stainless steel containers for freezer storage, it's important to leave some space at the top, as the metal can warp if the container is completely full. Additionally, be sure to label the containers so you know what's inside and when it was stored.
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Beeswax wraps are best used in the freezer for 30 days or less at a time
Beeswax wraps are a great alternative to plastic wrap and bags for freezing food. They are breathable, which means that they are not airtight, and therefore susceptible to freezer burn. Freezer burn occurs when moisture in the outer layers of food evaporates into the air, leaving behind dry pockets in the food. This process takes at least a month, and more likely around three months, so freezer burn is not a concern if you plan to consume the food within 30 days.
Beeswax wraps are ideal for freezing fruits and vegetables, as well as items such as fresh herbs, cheese, bread, and leftovers. They can be used to wrap individual items, such as sliced fruit or vegetables, or to cover containers, such as a cup of leftover egg yolks or a casserole dish. For freezing an entire loaf of bread, an extra-large beeswax wrap can be used. It is important to ensure that the food is well covered to avoid freezer burn.
When removing beeswax wraps from the freezer, it is recommended to let them warm up before unwrapping, as the wax may have frozen and could create cracks if handled too roughly. To care for your beeswax wraps, always rinse them in cool water and gently scrub with mild dish soap if necessary. Air-dry the wraps by draping them over a drying rack or clothesline, and then fold them up and store them in a drawer or on your kitchen counter. With proper care, beeswax wraps can last a year or longer.
In addition to beeswax wraps, there are several other plastic-free options for freezing food. Glass jars are perfect for soups, stews, and sauces, but it is important to leave some room at the top as liquids expand when frozen. Stainless steel or glass Tupperware can be used, although most glass Tupperware has plastic lids. For shorter freezing periods, food can be wrapped in unbleached butcher paper or waxed paper, with the paper sealed using freezer tape.
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For shorter periods (2-3 weeks), wrap food in butcher paper or waxed paper
If you're freezing food for a shorter period of 2-3 weeks, you can wrap your food in unbleached butcher paper or waxed paper. Butcher paper doesn't seal food as well as waxed paper, but it can be used as a good first-layer wrap. Waxed paper is made with a wax coating, which can be soybean or vegetable-oil-based, or it may be made with a non-biodegradable petroleum-based wax.
When using butcher paper, you can double or triple wrap for longer freezing periods beyond 2-3 weeks. Seal any kind of paper wrap with freezer tape. You can also use heavy-duty foil, but be careful with wrapping, as a single hole can cause freezer burn.
For freezing food in containers, glass jars are a good option. Wide-mouth mason jars are ideal for freezing liquids, as they can withstand temperature changes without breaking. Regular jars are not recommended, as their non-tempered glass can cause breakage and explosions. When freezing liquids in glass, always leave some room at the top, as water expands when it freezes. Stainless steel containers are another good option, but they should not be used in the microwave.
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Some fruits don't need packaging—e.g. bananas, peaches, and tomatoes
Many fruits don't need packaging of any kind in the freezer, such as bananas, peaches, and tomatoes. Their skins slip off easily once they're thawed. To freeze these fruits, you can simply throw them whole into the freezer.
There are also many other ways to freeze meals without plastic. You can use glass jars, such as Mason or Ball jars, to freeze meals, ensuring you don't fill them to the top as liquids expand when frozen. Glass Pyrex containers can also be used without their lids in the oven and freezer. Stainless steel tupperware is another alternative to plastic, although it's best to leave some room at the top so the metal doesn't warp.
Beeswax wraps can be used to freeze meals for up to 30 days, and they can even be used to wrap a loaf of bread without an additional container. Reusable beeswax bags are also a great alternative to plastic ziplock bags.
For shorter freezing periods, you can use unbleached butcher paper, waxed paper, or waxed milk cartons. For liquids, it's important to leave enough space at the top of the container to prevent breakage.
Overall, there are many ways to freeze meals without plastic, and some fruits don't need any packaging at all, making it easy to reduce plastic waste in your kitchen.
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Frequently asked questions
Glass jars are perfect for freezing soups, stews, and sauces. You can reuse glass jars from store-bought items like nut butter or pickles. If you’re buying new glass jars, look for brands that use materials other than plastic for the lids, such as Weck, which uses rubber and metal. Other plastic-free alternatives include stainless steel containers, beeswax wraps, and waxed paper.
When freezing liquids in glass, be sure to leave some room at the top. Liquids expand when they freeze, and the glass jar will break if there’s no room for expansion. Leave about half an inch of room, but note that the amount varies based on what you’re freezing and the type of container used. For freezing meals with multiple components, pack each component separately to reduce freezer burn and improve the quality of the reheated meal.
You can defrost frozen meals in a microwave, but never put stainless steel containers in the microwave. To avoid bacterial growth, use defrosted food immediately. You can cook many frozen foods directly from the freezer, such as premade frozen meals like soups and stews, which can be reheated directly in a pot.
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