Freezer Cheat Sheet: The Best Things to Freeze (and What Not To)

Your freezer is a pause button for food. Some foods love it; others… not so much.

Great Freezer Candidates

• Bread & tortillas: Freeze in daily portions. Toast or pan-warm straight from frozen.
• Berries & bananas: Freeze on a sheet tray; bag after. Smoothies forever.
• Cooked meat & soups: Portion with labels and dates. Most hold 2–3 months quality.
• Butter & cheese (shredded): Butter freezes beautifully. Hard cheeses: shred first.
• Stock & sauces: Ice-cube trays = instant portion control.

Meh to No-Go

• High-water produce (lettuce, cucumber): turns soggy.
• Creamy dairy (sour cream, cream cheese): texture gets grainy once thawed.

Pro Tips

• Use freezer-safe bags or rigid containers; remove extra air.
• Label with name + date. Your future self is busy—help them out.
• Check our Frozen category for timing on specific items.

Want a full table of shelf life? Download Expiration Finder – Frozen.