How to Freeze Fresh Produce
Learn all the tips and tricks for how to freeze fresh produce to stock your freezer and prevent food waste. Freezing fresh fruit and vegetables can be accomplished with basic kitchen equipment and without needing special preserving skills.
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Whether your garden is at peak production or you got a great deal at the store/farmer’s market, inevitably you’ll face some fresh produce that will go bad before you can enjoy it all. Freezing your own fresh fruit and vegetables is a fantastic way to save money and prevent food waste.
What Is The Best Way to Freeze Fresh Produce?
Most fruit and veggies will need to be blanched (cooked in boiling water for a short amount of time and then put in ice water) and then flash frozen. Flash freezing is so simple and just involves allowing produce to freeze individually on a baking sheet. If you have clean trays and a freezer, you can follow all of these instructions!
If you’re interested in stocking your freezer with the basics, this post breaks down all of our freezer essentials. You may also like this printable pantry essentials list. Even better, this post on roasting frozen vegetables will walk you through how to use your new freezer stash.
And if you’re really into preserving, check out this post on What to Can in Spring, What to Can in Summer, and What to Can in Fall for the ultimate guides in seasonal preserving.
Freezing Equipment
In most cases, you’ll simply need a cutting board, colander/strainer, steamer basket, chefs or paring knife, ice, rimmed baking sheets (we love these ones), parchment or a silpat, mixing bowl, clean towels, and freezer storage (these are our favorite reusable freezer bags).
For more storage options, check out this post on Zero Waste Storage Options.
How to Freeze Produce
Learn all the tips and tricks for how to freeze produce to stock your freezer and prevent food waste. Freezing fresh fruit and vegetables can be accomplished with basic kitchen equipment and without needing special preserving skills.
How to Freeze Asparagus
Learning how to freeze asparagus is a great way to preserve this super short season vegetable.
Freezing Pesto {How to Freeze Pesto}
Learn all the tips and tricks for Freezing Pesto to save money and prevent food waste. A freezer stash of frozen pesto opens the door to amazing meals packed with flavor.
Freezing Beets the Easy Way
Learn all the tips and tricks for Freezing Beets to stock your freezer with this amazing healthy vegetable. Learning how to freeze beets is a great way to preserve this versatile crop without needing any special equipment.
Freezing Blackberries {How to Freeze Blackberries}
Learning how to freeze blackberries is a great way to preserve this delicious summertime crop without needing any special equipment.
Freezing Brussel Sprouts
Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing brussel sprouts to save a ton of time and money. Learning how to freeze brussel sprouts is a great way to preserve this versatile crop without needing any special equipment.
Freezing Blueberries {How to Freeze Blueberries}
From smoothies to desserts, and snacks, frozen blueberries are an amazing freezer staple.
How to Freeze Carrots
Learning how to freeze carrots is a great way to preserve this essential ingredient that is a staple of so many comforting recipes.
Freezing Mint {How to Freeze Mint 4 Ways}
Learn all the tips and tricks for how to freeze mint to build a freezer stash of this incredible herb. Freezing mint is a great way to preserve without needing to know any special kitchen skills.
Freezing Cauliflower {How to Freeze Cauliflower}
Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing cauliflower to stock your freezer with this delicious vegetable. Learning how to freeze cauliflower is a great way to preserve without needing to know any special kitchen skills.
Freezing Celery {How to Freeze Celery}
A stash of frozen celery in your freezer can easily be added to soups, casseroles, and other hot dishes for fast meals that can quickly be thrown together.
Freezing Cherries {How to Freeze Cherries}
Frozen cherries can be used in so many ways and are a wonderful fruit to keep stashed in your freezer.
Freezing Corn on the Cob
Freezing corn on the cob is the easiest way to preserve the delicious taste of summer. Learn how to freeze corn on the cob for fast healthy side dishes that you can enjoy all year long.
Freezing Cranberries {How to Freeze Cranberries}
Learning how to freeze cranberries is a great way to preserve this delicious staple of so many baked goods and holiday recipes.
How to Freeze Garlic the Easy Way
A stash of frozen garlic in your freezer can easily be added to main dishes, soups, and sauces for quick meals that the whole family will love.
Freezing Ginger {How to Freeze Ginger}
Learn all the tips and tricks for Freezing Ginger to save money and prevent food waste. A freezer stash of frozen ginger opens the door to amazing meals packed with flavor.
How to Blanch and Freeze Green Beans
A freezer stash of frozen green beans opens the door to amazing and speedy frozen green bean recipes.
How to Freeze Kale
Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing kale to save a ton of time and money. Learning how to freeze kale for smoothies, soups, and sauces is a great way to preserve this healthy staple of so many recipes.
How to Freeze Pineapple
Learn all the tips and tricks for how to freeze pineapple to build a freezer stash of this incredible fruit. Freezing pineapple is a great way to preserve without needing to know any special kitchen skills.
Freezing Onions {How to Freeze Onions}
Learning how to freeze onions (diced, green, sliced, rings, and whole) is a great way to preserve this delicious staple of so many recipes.
Freezing Peas {How to Freeze Peas}
Find out how to stock your freezer with frozen peas with or without blanching.
Freezing Peaches {How to Freeze Peaches}
Freezing fresh peaches is so easy and can be done without sugar, which makes them great to use for cobblers, smoothies, or snacks.
Freezing Peppers {How to Freeze Peppers}
Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing peppers to save a ton of time and money. Learning how to freeze peppers (diced, sliced, rings, and whole) is a great way to preserve this delicious staple of so many recipes. A freezer stash of frozen peppers opens the door to amazing and speedy meals.
Freezing Potatoes {How to Freeze Potatoes}
Learning how to freeze potatoes for side dishes, soups, and fast meals is a great way to preserve this staple of so many recipes.
Freezing Pumpkin {How to Freeze Pumpkin}
Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing pumpkin to extend the harvest. Learning how to freeze pumpkin in cubes or puree is a great way to preserve this wonderful ingredient without needing to know any special kitchen skills.
Freezing Raspberries {How to Freeze Raspberries}
Learn all the tips and tricks for Freezing Raspberries to stock your freezer with this amazing seasonal fruit.
Freezing Rhubarb {How to Freeze Rhubarb}
Learn all about freezing rhubarb to preserve this delicious short-season vegetable. A freezer stash of frozen rhubarb is great for creating amazing desserts and other dishes all year long.
Freezing Spinach {How to Freeze Spinach}
Learning how to freeze spinach for smoothies, soups, and sauces is a great way to preserve this healthy staple of so many recipes.
Freezing Strawberries {How to Freeze Strawberries}
If you have a freezer and a knife, you too can learn the best way to freeze strawberries!
Freezing Swiss Chard {How to Freeze Swiss Chard}
Learn all the tips and tricks for freezing swiss chard to save time and money. Learning how to freeze swiss chard for frittatas, casseroles, and soups is a great way to preserve this healthy garden staple.
Freezing Tomatoes the Easy Way
Learn all about freezing tomatoes to preserve this incredibly versatile kitchen staple. Amazing for soups, sauces, and other hot dishes, you'll LOVE a stash of frozen tomatoes.
Freezing Zucchini {How to Freeze Zucchini}
Find out how to stock your freezer with frozen zucchini with or without blanching.
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love this. have learned to do a lot of this over the years, but it’s so nice and empowering to have an internet resource with pretty photos that says, I TRIED IT AND IT WORKS! thank you!
You bet my friend! I’m planning to add more to it over the rest of the year too. 🙂
Sarah!
Thank you so much for these amazing resources. I would have never thought to first blanch and then freeze green beans. Also, awesome photography especially on the freezing spinach post!
Ha, thanks Anna. Spinach is not very photogenic, so it took me a few tries.
Thanks for the reminder of these tips. Â While the grocery store had no toilet paper, soap or meat; they had loads of asparagus for only $0.99!!! Now I can freeze them so we can have some of our favorite dishes.
$.99?!? Amazing!!! Yes, stock up and enjoy every bite.