There’s nothing extra irritating than realizing your meals has gone dangerous earlier than you can eat it. No cook dinner needs to open their fridge to seek out moldy produce and spoiled seafood, particularly now that grocery costs are rising. Fortunately, this destiny is avoidable if you understand the fitting ideas and tips. We requested cooks from across the nation to share their prime ideas for preserving fruits, greens, and meat, and a few of their solutions stunned us.
Learn on to buy the reusable freezer luggage, vacuum sealers, and intelligent storage containers really helpful by execs, together with picks from OXO and Pyrex. Costs begin at simply $10.
Chef-Really useful Meals Savers
- Lerine Reusable Freezer Baggage, Set of 6, $10, initially $14
- Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, $96, initially $140
- OXO Good Grips Inexperienced Saver Produce Keeper, $20
- Lifetime Equipment Elements Crisper Bin, $37, initially $40
- Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12, $47
- FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer, $50
Lerine Reusable Freezer Baggage, Set of 6
Amazon
“You possibly can freeze beef in its authentic packaging for as much as two weeks. For longer storage, wrap it in heavy-duty aluminum foil or place it in plastic freezer luggage, eradicating as a lot air as attainable. For merchandise being frozen for longer durations of time, the packaging ought to have as a lot air eliminated as attainable. Steaks and roasts will be saved frozen for 4 to 12 months, whereas cuts like floor beef and stew meat will be saved frozen for 3 to 4 months. Cooked beef can simply be frozen with out diminishing high quality.” — Dagan Lynn, govt chef, Nationwide Cattlemen’s Beef Affiliation
Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer
Amazon
“Vacuum sealing is finest for long-term storage of pre-sliced deli-style meats, pâté, or leftover bulk cuts. [The process] removes oxygen and drastically slows spoilage and freezer burn. For those who shouldn’t have a vacuum sealer, use a zip-top freezer bag and water submersion to push all of the air out. Watch out to not get any water within the bag — gradual is the important thing for finest outcomes. I wrap a towel across the bag itself to keep away from freezer burn.” — Klaus Mueller, culinary director, Atalanta
OXO Good Grips Inexperienced Saver Produce Keeper
Amazon
“This produce saver has a built-in carbon filter to soak up ethylene fuel and an adjustable vent for airflow. It’s stackable, has clear visibility, and is straightforward to wash.” — Klaus Mueller
Lifetime Equipment Elements Crisper Bin
Amazon
“Lettuce is all the time finest saved within the crisper drawer within the fridge fairly than on an open shelf within the fridge as a result of harsh chilly can destroy the fragile lettuce leaves, and also you wish to management the air circulation. One of the necessary issues you are able to do is correct fridge storage; if relevant, alter the drawer settings in your fridge to the vegetable mode.” — Meg Walker, govt chef and president, MBM Hospitality
Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12
Amazon
“I’m huge on meal prep and leftovers, particularly now that I’ve children, so I’m tremendous aware about what we retailer our meals in. I need one thing protected and freed from the poisonous considerations you usually hear about with plastics. I’ve all the time beloved glass containers, and Pyrex has been a staple in my household for so long as I can keep in mind. I follow Pyrex as a result of it is constituted of sturdy tempered glass that received’t crack simply, and the lids are BPA-free, non-toxic, and dishwasher protected. They don’t stain or maintain odors, are available in virtually each dimension, and work nice for each cold and hot meals!” — Matt Abdoo, govt chef and co-founder, Pig Seaside BBQ
FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer
Amazon
“In the case of storing meat and seafood at house, a vacuum sealer is a game-changer. There are many budget-friendly choices, they usually can positively get the job finished in case you’re sealing often. However in our expertise, particularly whenever you’re working with premium cuts, it’s value investing in one thing stable and dependable. At house, I often suggest FoodSaver fashions — they’re straightforward to make use of, constant, and nice for each dry and moist sealing. Backside line: You don’t have to interrupt the financial institution, however a high quality sealer will defend your product higher, last more, and repay in the long term — particularly in case you’re freezing in bulk. And in case you cook dinner sous vide, a vacuum sealer is a should!” — Gabriel LLaurado, CEO, Meat N’ Bone