5 Foods You Should Never Freeze

We’re always seeking ways to preserve food for longer, especially when we’ve accidentally bought or made too much. Freezing is a popular method for preventing ingredients and leftovers from going bad before we have a chance to finish them. However, not all foods should be stored at such cold temperatures. If your icebox is overflowing, now’s a good time to take stock of what’s in there. Certain items should never be frozen, taking on an undesirable flavor or texture once thawed. We rounded up the five foods you should never store in the freezer, and where you should keep them instead. 

Cheese

Not all cheeses are meant to be stinky and moldy, and there’s nothing worse than throwing away an expensive block you’ve forgotten about in the depths of your dairy drawer. Most dairy products form an unsavory texture once frozen, but there are better ways to preserve your favorite cheeses. If you’re looking for the best way to store cheese, shop our top picks below. 

Formaticum Reusable Cheese Storage Bags, 10-Pack

Made from a plastic-derived material, these reusable storage bags regulate moisture to keep cheese fresh longer than plastic wrap or wax paper alternatives. They have over 3,300 five-star Amazon ratings, with one shopper saying, “I’ve had cheeses in them for several months and it’s still fresh.”

Food Huggers Cheese Huggers, 4-Pack

Once you’ve cut into a block of cheese, you’ll need an easy way to keep oxygen and bacteria out of the exposed part of the block. These silicone caps pop onto the ends of hard cheeses and sticks of butter. Shoppers love using them as an alternative to plastic bags and wraps.

Cooked Pasta

Made too much pasta? You may be tempted to freeze your leftovers. While we understand the urge, it never tastes as good once thawed. When reheated, the pasta tends to glob together and take on a chewy, mealy texture. We suggest packing your extra noodles in one of the storage containers below and keeping them in the fridge until you’re ready to reheat. For the best results, package the sauce separately.

• Qinline Reusable Food Storage Bags, 10-Pack, $10, originally $14
• Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Containers, 12-Pack, $42, originally $47
• Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers, 4-Pack, $28, originally $43
• Feoowv Spaghetti Storage Box, 2-Pack, $11

Qinline Reusable Food Storage Bags, 10-Pack

Plastic bags are great for food storage, but can also create unnecessary waste and leach microplastics into your food. Over 14,000 shoppers gave these silicone storage bags a perfect rating on Amazon, including one reviewer who noted, “These have eliminated my need for disposable plastic bags.” Not only are they reusable, but they’re easy to clean between uses.

Pyrex Simply Store Glass Food Storage Containers, 12-Pack

Whether storing individual pasta servings or a family-style batch, this Pyrex set has what you need. It comes with three 1-cup round, three 2-cup round, three 4-cup round, and three 3-cup rectangular containers. The containers are microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so you can store, reheat, serve, and eat from them without dirtying extra dishes.

Cured Meat

When storing meats like bacon and salami, skip the freezer and trust the curing process to keep them fresh. These meats have been salted to prevent the growth of bacteria and extend their shelf life for months, so freezing is an unnecessary step that negatively impacts their texture and flavor.

Prepworks by Progressive Deli ProKeeper

This airtight deli meat storage container has over 12,700 five-star ratings, including one shopper who called it a “game-changer for keeping deli meats and cheeses fresh and organized” and a “must-have for any kitchen.” The bottom of the container has grooves to keep excess juices away from the meat, preventing the contents from getting soggy.

OXO Good Grips Fridge Organization Bin

This fridge storage bin is transparent, so you can always see what you have stocked. Its 8- x 14-inch capacity can store all your deli meats and cheeses and fits neatly into almost any refrigerator. Its smooth base easily slides in and out of your shelves, and its rounded handle is comfortable and easy to grip.

Wine Bottles

We’ve all bought a room-temperature bottle of wine and popped it in the freezer to give it a quick chill, only to forget about it. Once a bottle reaches its freezing point, the liquid inside expands. This can cause the cap or cork to pop or the bottle to explode, leaving glass shards in the freezer that can be difficult to clean up.

OXO Good Grips Fridge Beverage Mat

Who needs a wine fridge when you have this convenient OXO beverage mat? The reversible mat has ridges on both sides to keep small cans and large bottles from sliding around in your refrigerator, and its thin design takes up little space on your shelves.

Vinglacé Wine Bottle Chiller

Need to chill a bottle of wine fast? Skip the freezer and snag the Vinglacé wine chiller instead. This portable wine insulator is vacuum-insulated to keep bottles chilled for hours without ice, making it a perfect addition to outdoor summer gatherings.

Thawed Frozen Meat

Once frozen meat has been thawed, it should never go back into the freezer. Instead, refrigerate and use it within a few days to ensure optimal flavor and freshness. We rounded up the best vacuum sealer machines, bags, and storage containers to keep thawed meat fresh and flavorful in the fridge, and prices start at just $10.

Anova Culinary Vacuum Sealer

This beginner-friendly vacuum sealer machine is easy to use and small enough to store in most kitchen cabinets. It comes with 10 vacuum seal bags to extend the life of proteins, produce, and more. The Anova vacuum sealer is ideal for storing liquid and solid foods, and it’s 30% off right now.

Higfra Reusable BPA-Free Vacuum Seal Bags, 24-Pack

Stock up on sous vide bags with this set. It comes with 24 leakproof, double-zipper bags, two seal clips, and five air valves. Shoppers say they work with most vacuum sealer machines, and according to one reviewer, they’re “better than any other I’ve tried, and I think I’ve tried them all.”