Freezing Food Without Plastic (2024)

I use glass jars for most of my freezer needs. With your great suggestions, I now have so many more options!

Carol LJul 30, 2022 @ 14:47

GlynSep 21, 2021 @ 8:49

I’ve frozen EVERYTHING (meat, muffins, veg, cubes of pesto, etc) in these 2 types of containers for 3 years, with no cracking or breaking (and no freezer burn except sometimes with things in cube shape)
* Bernardin canning jars (wide mouth only, straight sided only — NO ‘SHOULDERS’, stay below the freezing line (below the threads) and usually let it freeze before adding the ring – usually find the 500ml is right for 2 servings & stack the best),
* IKEA 365+ glass containers with plastic/silicone lids

Teri RivasSep 7, 2021 @ 10:41

Can you line a plastic container with wax paper or parchment paper to prevent the BPA from leaching into the food when freezing it?

• Kris BordessaSep 12, 2021 @ 8:36

  You could, sure.

  ReplyLink

DianeFeb 19, 2021 @ 9:34

Hi Kris. None of the Container Store links go to containers anymore. The Life Without Plastic link still does go to their products.

• AttainableSustainableNov 11, 2021 @ 5:23

  Thanks for the heads up, I’ll check on those and update if needed.

  ReplyLink

  • Rose FeltonJan 19, 2022 @ 10:45

    I was also not able to get to The Container Store on a couple of those.

    ReplyLink

Evelyn RatschinskiSep 27, 2020 @ 20:38

Es wäre so schön , wenn sie ihr Buch auf Deutsch übersetzen könnten.
Lieben Gruß

• Kris BordessaOct 6, 2020 @ 7:53

  Ah! I had to use Google to translate your comment. 😉 I’ll let my publisher know!

  ReplyLink

MariaSep 26, 2020 @ 19:08

I’ve exchanged all my plastic storage containers in the freezer for glass containers. I do admit that I still freeze bread in plastic bags, I do reuse them several times, until they get holes in them.

• GlynSep 21, 2021 @ 8:51

  For bread, I’ve been very satisfied with beeswax wrap & put in a cloth bag for extra protection

  ReplyLink

Patricia BlankSep 17, 2020 @ 5:15

Wow, folks–so many great ideas about how to better reduce use of plastic! We will be getting a weekly produce box for the first time this fall, and I just cringe at the thought of all the plastic I would usually need to keep the bounty but now I have some super great ideas. I have previously used the flash freeze method for berries and that works well but now I will put them in a glass container instead of a baggie. I’ll start there and then try some other ideas I got from this post. Thank you all!

• Kris BordessaSep 18, 2020 @ 11:02

  Glad you found it useful!

  ReplyLink

T MacKenzieJul 20, 2020 @ 17:04

Just a something to think about…aluminum foil is not the answer. The environmental impact of creating that foil is simply not worth it. Please look into it.

NoraMar 28, 2020 @ 12:06

Hi,
I freeze chick peas, lentils and other beans after cooking them, that way I have what I need for the food I’m making.
What would you freeze the cooked beans in?

• Kris BordessaMar 29, 2020 @ 13:15

  I’ve frozen these in glass jars.

  ReplyLink

AnnOct 19, 2019 @ 12:59

Yep done it again… not you the world I guess. Changed definitions… parrafin in my day was wax. Wax was not petroleum based,,,, so you are telling me that if I buy parrafin to put on my jelly or buy eased paper it is now made by oil companies or their buyers??

• Kris BordessaOct 31, 2019 @ 20:09

  I remember my mom using this method in the 70s. My understanding is that paraffin wax IS petroleum based, even if we didn’t know it back then. This wax method is no longer considered safe canning practices, though.

  ReplyLink

TeresaOct 19, 2019 @ 9:38

I’ve kept plastic tubs and other containers from the stores to re-use. While it isn’t plastic-free, it does keep plastic out of the landfill. I’ve also kept glass jars and bottles from drinks and store-bought sauces. It’s great for keeping water chilled for hot days, rather than running the water until it turns cold! I imagine it would be good for storing supplements that you don’t want exposed to plastic.

• Kris BordessaOct 31, 2019 @ 20:10

  Yes, reusing what we buy is essential!

  ReplyLink

GracielaMar 14, 2019 @ 12:40

I want to shift to using these wonderful ideas. My question is…what do I do with all the plastic containers I have currently? Do I use them until they become unusable? Do I dispose of them ASAP? How would I dispose of them responsibly? It seems like throwing them in the trash would be wrong! What do you suggest?

• Kris BordessaMar 15, 2019 @ 6:59

  Do you have a thrift store or reuse center that you could donate them to?

  ReplyLink

• AprilJun 7, 2019 @ 12:27

  Use them for storage of non food items, like pesky office supplies and junk drawer items that like to get jumbled up in a drawer.

  ReplyLink

• HeatherOct 10, 2023 @ 6:55

  I know this is an old comment, but what I do with all my plastic store containers is just wash thoroughly, poke a few holes in the bottom and use as planters. I sometimes sell my starters and then they go to someone else. Another thing that people can do is just save them up and offer them on your local free cycle group. Lots of people will take the whole lot to store craft supplies, tool bits, let’s kids play with them, etc. Reusing these containers will keep them out of the landfill!

  ReplyLink

Mary PoppinsFeb 16, 2019 @ 4:28

I generally but quite a large amount of minced beef, and cook it in a Slo cooker, and then freeze it in portions, useful for Spag Bol, Burgers etc. and add extra ingredients when defrosted and ready to use for whatever. I did freeze in small plastics boxes, which took up valuable freezer space, and am now freezing in paper cups, is there any reason please why I should not do this?

• Kris BordessaFeb 20, 2019 @ 11:21

  I’d put the paper cups inside a larger freezer container to prevent freezer burn, but other than that, I can’t think of a problem.

  ReplyLink

Gina NelsonNov 29, 2018 @ 6:52

Plastic free question here that isn’t about freezing but I am concerned about my supplements in plastic bottles, anyone including yourself know of companies who are going back to glass? It defeats the purpose of taking supplements to be healthy if they are sitting in plastic, I’ve looked at the bottoms and the all are triangle 1 which from what I am reading is questionable. Any advice?

• Kris BordessaNov 29, 2018 @ 7:23

  Absolutely none. This is a concern/problem for me as well. My ND has some supplements that come in gorgeous blue glass bottles, but they’re not always the ones I need.

  ReplyLink

  • SylviaApr 9, 2021 @ 4:21

    Solgar brand uses glass, so does Gaia.

    ReplyLink

SariyaSep 1, 2018 @ 20:42

I won’t go for aluminum in an alternative to plastic. Aluminum is nocive too! Glass or ceramic is the best alternative here!

rose bakerAug 15, 2018 @ 0:55

• Kris BordessaAug 16, 2018 @ 20:31

  You mean the plastic things that have liquid in them to keep items cold? I’ve used recycled milk cartons/jugs, coffee cans, and glass jars. Some are better than others as far as being water tight.

  ReplyLink

CarolJun 7, 2018 @ 4:52

My mom froze things in glass freezer jars. I’m not surewhat size they were, something between a pint and a quart. Straight sides with a wide mouth lid.

• Kris BordessaJun 7, 2018 @ 19:47

  Yep, I use them regularly.

  ReplyLink

paula mcwhirter-buckMar 12, 2018 @ 3:48

some glass container companies will replace the lids…for FREE…when they break.

BecciMar 4, 2018 @ 6:33

I have had luck putting bell peppers directly in the freezer as well. They mush up when thawed, but are perfect for soups when consistance doesn’t matter as much.

I’ve been (mostly) avoiding plastic for years, freezing in jars or pyrex, but have trouble with large items. Those steam tray containers is BRILLIANT!

MicheleSep 28, 2017 @ 22:39

Citrus fruits and bananas can be frozen in their skins. perfect for juice, smoothies, cakes etc. Sweet corn can also be frozen on the cob still in husks for ‘packaging’. I freeze excess tomatoes whole in a tub, ready to use for cooking whenever I need one. Tomatoes frozen in season taste much better than those purchased out of season.

MargotMay 22, 2017 @ 16:10

My grandma used homemade oil cloth and butchers twine.

KateJan 16, 2017 @ 18:26

I grow about 20-25 tomato plants every year and I just toss the tomatoes in a plastic bucket that we use for making wine. It goes into the bottom of my freezer and when I feel like canning some home made V8 I grab some and thaw them in my stock pot. I usually don’t end up making this until November/December, as I’m a so sick of seeing tomatoes what with canning them and making salsa and sauce.

MalaMay 15, 2016 @ 6:59

I simply use steel containers ( called stainless in India). They have been in use in my kitchen and freezer for more than 25 years now and still look new. I’m sure Indian stores in the Western countries sell those. Great value for money!

• Kris BordessaMay 15, 2016 @ 10:23

  This is why I appreciate the internet. We can learn so much from other countries/places. Thanks!

  ReplyLink

I’ve got those glass containers with glass lids on my wish list. I am worried about breakage though because I am a complete klutz – always dropping things.

MaggieApr 5, 2016 @ 13:39

When you’ve packaged your freezer items in paper like the burritos or the muffin tin items, or in those recycled milk cartons, now you can put them into your food saver vacuum packaging too. Even though it’s plastic, it won’t be touching the food because of your paper wrapper but will still keep your food from getting freezer burn and possibly longer. And the bags won’t touching the food, so they can be reused!

SummerFeb 19, 2016 @ 14:39

Beechnut still makes their baby food in glass jars. I buy them occasionally and then use them to store homemade baby food. They’re also great for freezing small amounts of bone broth (for making pan sauces or whenever you just need half a cup) and they’re great for taking things in lunches. Love this post!!!

ShawndaOct 18, 2015 @ 0:57

the person using the steamer pan what they using to cover/seal the pANS?

• PNFeb 1, 2016 @ 6:05

  You can buy stainless steel lids along with the pans -check this place – https://www.webstaurantstore.com/search/stainless-steel-steam-table-pans.html
  These are not tight fitting lids but becomes airtight after it freezes.
  There are other places, where you can buy plastic tight fitting lids for these pans and some places offer foil covers too.

  ReplyLink

Wanda BlandSep 15, 2015 @ 12:58

What about food grade silicone freezer containers?

• Kris BordessaOct 5, 2015 @ 8:28

  My understanding is that silicone is a form of plastic.

  ReplyLink

CooperdcSep 1, 2015 @ 12:54

I can in antique jars with the glass lids. I freeze, (but could also can) with the european glass top jars. I can juice in the european beer bottles with the clamp porceline top. But I have not found a freezer paper without plastic.

jean funkJun 1, 2015 @ 14:54

Back in the 50-60’s that’s all we used were square plastic freezer containers when my children were babies I froze there vegs in glass baby jars. We didn’t think about the hazards of freezing things in plastic because thats all there was. After awhile I canned all my vegs and aso canned my meat and chicken before we would get new beef and new chickens. Maybe we need to go back to the old method of canning. Hot water bath.

IanMay 24, 2015 @ 12:07

Great ideas, but I don’t agree about using foil either. It’s environmentally dubious.

Belinda ChristensenMar 25, 2015 @ 16:18

I freeze raspberries and strawberries on cookies sheets then pack the frozen berries in canning jars. I use my canning jar vacuum attachment to pull out the air and put them back in the freezer. The berries stay really fresh this way.

CatherineMar 24, 2015 @ 3:31

I found fantastic air tight stainless steel containers on the website of “my life without plastic”. There are expensive, but I like to think they are a lifetime investment. I also freeze in glass jars, mason type with glass lid, but make sure they are sturdy (not the ones made in china), and leave enough air space for expansion. I also reuse milk cartons for soups, I’ve read they are PBA safe. Where I live, citrus like lemons are very expensive. So when they are on sale, I buy a lot, press the juice out and freeze it in a metal ice cube plater, I then transfer the cubes in a non plastic container. Two ice cubes
equal a lemon!

• MarySep 24, 2021 @ 19:24

  just an idea, which I do, freeze your citrus rinds, in whichever safe method you choose, that way you have zest ready whenever you need. So convenient

  ReplyLink

Karen WFeb 27, 2015 @ 4:16

i use plain old wide-mouth can & freeze jars to freeze .

KimFeb 27, 2015 @ 2:52

1) Go for beeswax wrap!
2) I started using glass containers for my freezing (good, thick Pyrex), but when it came time to thaw, the glass broke every.single.time. How do I keep this from happening?

JennyJan 25, 2015 @ 20:49

• NoraMar 28, 2020 @ 12:52

  This is brilliant

  ReplyLink

I’ve seen these recently in my wandering on the ‘net. Has anyone tried them for freezing? (Or at all?)

LaureJan 20, 2015 @ 4:59

Thanks! I often make huge pots of homemade soup, and just recently started using my canning jars for leftovers, in the fridge & freezer. The pints are perfect for soups, & 1/2 pints for sauces. It’s easy to tell what’s inside, too!
It’s just the two of us now, but sometimes those really large sizes are just so much cheaper than smaller ones… So I buy the big one, & ration it out into smaller containers to freeze. Fewer trips to the store, more money in my pocket.
I’ve come to hate the plastic ware that keeps falling out of the cabinet! The lids break, the bottoms turn orange, & I can never seem to match up all the pieces. Canning jars are easy – there are several different sized jars, but only 2 lid sizes.

• RolandeDec 2, 2018 @ 3:28

  Oh and aren’t they a pain to degrease? I too have switched to the wide mouth canning jars. They won’t break as long as you don’t overfill. I’ll freeze cooked meatballs to add to stews and spaghetti sauce, on a cookie sheet and place in one litre jars which holds about 20 small ones.

  ReplyLink

  • LoraineJul 17, 2020 @ 5:01

    Thank you all for all these wonderful ideas! My mind is buzzing now! Kris, a wonderful website, I am so enjoying visiting!

    ReplyLink

bobbiJan 14, 2015 @ 7:39

I freeze bananas in their own skin too. Works like a dream.

• Kris BordessaJan 14, 2015 @ 8:01

  Oh, I do that too! GREAT for banana bread.

  ReplyLink

ErinJan 14, 2015 @ 5:48

I freeze in the regular mouth jars, but lay them on their side to freeze. More surface area means more expansion room. I have never had one break on me.

MaryJan 13, 2015 @ 9:46

Please do not buy these cheaper Pyrex dishes from the discount stores. My daughter washed her Pyrex dish and put it on her drain rack to dry. A Hour later she heard a loud bang. The dish had exploded and was all over her kitchen. The glass was every where. Buy the old Corning Ware or the old Pyrex. Freeze in canning jars. Please be careful. https://chowhound.chow.com/topics/569992

Feline JanJan 13, 2015 @ 8:59

1- Unfortunately, the BPA – free plastic is more poisonous!
2- Love the idea of turning the glass jars on their side to prevent breakage!
3- I’m going to try the “freeze in square glass container, then remove”, wrap with wax paper, and then put it in zip-top plastic bags (that get re-used a lot!) , that I use a straw to remove most of the air before sealing.
4- I’m keeping my eyes open for an old metal ice cube tray, but were they stainless steel or aluminium?

• RolandeDec 2, 2018 @ 3:23

  Aluminum

  ReplyLink

BrookeAug 29, 2014 @ 6:49

For stuff I want individually frozen (fruit chunks, pepper strips, chopped onions, etc.), I put a sheet of parchment on a baking sheet, then scatter the food across it and put the whole tray in the freezer. Once it’s frozen, then I transfer to plastic containers. That way I don’t get a giant clump when I just want a few pieces.

JoanMar 31, 2014 @ 21:08

Just putting it out there, but could you use banana leaves or grape leaves etc to wrap food in and freeze, maybe then put in plastic freezer bags or something. Would like to know if this is safe.

• Kris BordessaMar 31, 2014 @ 21:12

  That’s actually a terrific idea. I can’t imagine how it would be unsafe!

  ReplyLink

• Nancy LucasJan 1, 2019 @ 16:57

  We used banana leaves and taro leaves to freeze things in–just use several layers and tie up with string

  ReplyLink

  • Kris BordessaJan 5, 2019 @ 16:38

    That’s a great idea for those of us with access to banana and taro leaves!

    ReplyLink

PNOct 15, 2013 @ 16:30

I turned plastic free recently – spent a lot of time thinking about an ideal solution and found one of the best solutions – steam table pans – they are stainless steel, comes in all different sizes, has a lid that perfectly fits (not tight fitting) – but is fine for freezing, is stackable and is rectangular in shape – which is ideal for space utilization. It is not heavy as glass and stoneware, is easy to clean and store and is much less expensive than stainless steel food storage containers that are around in the market. I bulk ordered them from a restaurant supply store.

• ChristineMar 11, 2014 @ 18:21

  Seriously I feel like you deserve a ton of falling bollons and confetti with hero music!! Stainless steel steamer pans are PERFECT!!! Thank you so much. You ROCK!!

  ReplyLink

• KelseyAug 13, 2014 @ 4:09

  PN– Whoa, GREAT idea! Just curious, does using steam table pans work for freezing for a couple of months or just weeks? No freezer burn!?

  THanks!
  Kelsey

  ReplyLink

• LorraineMay 4, 2015 @ 21:30

  PN- Thanks for the idea about steam table pans! I’ve thought about this before, but always assumed that since the lids aren’t airtight, there would be freezer burn. What has been your experience with that? Any special precautions you take? If anyone else has a thought on this, please chime in!

  ReplyLink

  • PNFeb 1, 2016 @ 5:54

    Hi Kelsey and Lorraine, I haven’t been here for some time – I still use the steam pans – I don’t seem to have any problems with freezer burns – do not fill it to the top – the air pushes it open and that can cause freezer burns. The only disadvantage is that you cannot take it out and stick it in the microwave – I defrost it in a pan of hot water until I can get it out into a microwaveable dish. The other disadvantage is you cannot do – ready-to- go type freezer meals in this because the lid is not tight….. I use it mainly for soups, curries, stews etc. I am currently looking for plastic free options for storing ready-to go meals – bento box type – there are some silicone ones available.

    ReplyLink

    • Seymour Marvin MillsFeb 3, 2020 @ 18:04

      Microwaves are very dangerous to your health.

      ReplyLink

stephanieSep 22, 2013 @ 2:13

not sure if someone mentioned this already… i freeze in glass jars (peanutbutter, pickle, mason, etc.) and after some breakage from expansion pressure, I came across a tip for freezing with jar laying on its side so space for expanding contents is evenly distributed down the whole side of the jar. after contents have frozen then i can stand the jar back up. i found this also seems to speed up thawing time slightly… no broken jars since i began employing this simple trick.

• JoanBAug 23, 2014 @ 9:09

  What a great idea. I will start doing this.

  ReplyLink

CherylSep 21, 2013 @ 14:22

SheriSep 21, 2013 @ 11:50

My grandma always froze in the milk cartons she saved, and there was no freezer tape. She opened up the tops completely, filled them with whatever, then cut the top to custom size leaving flaps to fold down, folded them over to protect the food and tied some cotton twine around the carton like a package to keep it in a tidy bundle.

Jenny Eide BiblerSep 21, 2013 @ 9:29

Thanks everyone for the great tips! First, a quick side note: if you cook in anything other than quality stainless steel, it will leach undesireables into the food. Yes, even glass. My first choice for cooking is always stainless steel, second would be cast iron, and I avoid all else. Now back to the topic of freezing; I have been using the BPA free Food Saver bags and so far have been quite pleased. Even though it is BPA free, I wait for the food to cool before bagging it and when it is time to cook I of course let it thaw at room temp rather than warm it in the bag. Heat releases the chemicals, even if all you do is run a soup can under warm water it releases BPA from the lining into the food! Anyway, even with BPA free Food Saver bags, I let things come to room temp because I read somewhere that all plasticizers are suspect, not just BPA. And as far as the BPA lining in all canned food, there is only one company that uses BPA free cans, and that is Eden Foods. Now if we can just get GMO food labeled… Good luck to us all!

Taylor-Made Ranch HomesteadSep 21, 2013 @ 8:43

• Lynne ClarkJul 9, 2017 @ 8:40

  When I freeze food I usually place in on a cookie sheet to freeze [sometimes the food sticks to the metal but it usually pops off with a butter knife to encourage it], then place in freezer zip bag. When I take the food out, I keep the bag in the freezer to reuse later. I figured that any food particles still in the bag would stay frozen. I do this a lot with French toast and pancakes.

  ReplyLink

Linda DSep 21, 2013 @ 8:42

Thank you for the freezing whole tomato tip, I freeze whole lemons to grate (w/skin) and mix with honey and ginger for cough and congestion relief.

Maria RJan 19, 2013 @ 5:53

nanr42Sep 8, 2012 @ 13:11

One problem with milk containers is that they are layered paper and plastic, but I don’t know what kind of plastic. Waxed paper is waxed with parafin, a hydrocarbon. Butcher or freezer paper is plastic coated. So i’m pondering which is the least bad choice.

• Attainable SustainableSep 9, 2012 @ 7:23

  @nanr42Seems like I’m constantly trying to determine the lesser of two evils.

  ReplyLink

Laura WeldonFeb 26, 2012 @ 15:16

We use a lot of glass containers for leftovers but I’ve broken too many in the freezer. Or maybe my kids have broken too many. Nothing like retrieving glass-studded strawberries that have cascaded through freezer racks. I often freeze things solid, then transfer to freezer bags. Mainly I’ve gotten away from freezing and done more canning instead to avoid the plastic problem. I was happy with this until I read that the canning jar lids (as well as most baby food jar lids) have a coating that contains BPA in it. Screaming just a little bit over here.

• Attainable SustainableFeb 27, 2012 @ 11:42

  @Laura Weldon That BPA in canning lids issue KILLS ME.

  ReplyLink

  • CrystalNov 1, 2012 @ 12:49

    I know I have seen BPA-free canning lids on the Internet. Google!

    ReplyLink

    • Kris BordessaDec 5, 2012 @ 10:34

      Oh, I’ve googled my heart out. The only BPA-free lids I can find are the *plastic ones from Tattler. Not an ideal alternative, IMO.

      ReplyLink

      • cheriseMar 21, 2015 @ 6:27

        The Tattler lids are guaranteed for 20 years. Just curious why they aren’t a good alternative if they’re BPA free and reusable. Besides, the lids of the canning jars only touch the food while it’s cooking, not for all the years of storage. (I just used green beans canned in 2012 and they were perfect.)

        Link

      • Kris BordessaMar 21, 2015 @ 6:52

        I don’t have any experience with the Tattler lids. They ARE still plastic, though, with all of the worries that come with plastic – it’s a petroleum product, potential leaching… Just because it’s BPA-free, doesn’t mean it’s not leaching something else. That’s not to say the metal rings/lids are a lot better, but I don’t see a huge *benefit in switching from one to the other, you know?

        Link

      • Lynne ClarkJul 9, 2017 @ 8:34

        I was checking Walmart.com today and found Anchor Hocking canning jars that state that the metal cover is PBA-free.

        Link

lstroyanFeb 26, 2012 @ 4:00

I just did a huge freezer day and came up with a new trick. I don’t like to store in plastic in the fridge, but I do use plastic zippered bags in the freezer — but not until after the food is frozen because it’s pretty inert in it’s frozen state. (Aluminum is also a health hazard that we have to avoid, so foil is not a good option for us). First I expanded my Pyrex collection (from their website you can get replacement lids as well as cheaper versions of many of the basics). I froze all of the food in the Pryex with a piece of cotton twine underneath the food. After the food was frozen solid, I ran it under water to loosen and used the twine to pop the food out of the dish. I put the food into zippered bags which I reuse several times (some of my bags had labels from 2006!). When I am ready to use the food I’ll put it back into the glass container to thaw in the fridge and bake in the oven.

I did find a new product which is paper on one side and foil on the other so the foil never touches the food. I haven’t tried it yet though.

• Attainable SustainableFeb 26, 2012 @ 11:58

  @lstroyan Love that trick with the twine! So clever.

  ReplyLink

• Attainable SustainableFeb 26, 2012 @ 11:59

  @lstroyan Also, can you share the name of the paper backed foil product? I’m curious.

  ReplyLink

  • lstroyanFeb 26, 2012 @ 13:16

    @Attainable SustainableIt’s Reynolds non-stick pan lining paper. Here’s a link:https://www.reynoldskitchens.com/plp/prod-info.asp

    ReplyLink

    • NoraMar 28, 2020 @ 12:27

      HI,
      I didn’t see the non-stick pan lining paper on the Reynolds site. Has the name changed or it’s no longer available?
      They have non-stick foil, but couldn’t see lining paper?
      Can you please redirect me?

      ReplyLink

• Monica GreenJul 19, 2017 @ 3:13

  Great idea on the freezing in the shape of the pyrex container!!! I also think this would be fantastic for the crock pot! No more tipping the frozen food on its side with the lid off the crock pot until it heats up enough to fit into the crock pot!

  ReplyLink

• NoraMar 28, 2020 @ 12:16

  This is a so creative. Thank you for posting it.

  ReplyLink

JoeBlackJan 17, 2012 @ 17:12

Great ideas. You should be aware, however, that the inside of paper milk and juice cartons are plastic coated. 🙁

AprilOct 15, 2011 @ 15:15

Awesome idea Kris. I bet you could collect tons of baby food jars on freecycle. I was going to add that I’m going to post on freecycle to get extra glass pans for doing my freezer meals like lasagna or stuffed peppers so I don’t have to use those foil pans. It would be too expensive to buy that many.

BethanyOct 5, 2011 @ 4:53

This is a tough conundrum. I’m having a baby in a few months and so I’ve been trying to think about how I can preserve baby food and pumped milk in the freezer without plastic. Thanks for the link on those containers! I don’t really have much advice to give since I’m sorta just starting off on this journey. I also use my food sealer, but try not to waste the plastic by cutting the bags extra big for multiple uses, which I then wash and reuse. Chemically speaking though I have no idea if that’s the right answer or not.

• Kris BordessaOct 15, 2011 @ 15:02

  I made an awful lot of my own baby food many moons ago. I used baby food jars from friends to freeze it. Just make sure you fill only about 3/4 full and you shouldn’t have any problem with breakage. Honestly, I don’t think there is a “right” answer. There’s often a “best I can do right now” answer, though. Good luck with your family expansion, and congrats!

  ReplyLink

• My Healthy Green FamilyFeb 26, 2012 @ 12:14

  Baby food in stainless steel ice cube trays freezes perfectly then you can pop the cubes out and store in the freezer in a glass container. The standard ice cube size is also considered a serving size for baby food so you can get a good idea of how much to serve that way.

  ReplyLink

  • TaraDec 5, 2012 @ 10:24

    Yes, the recycled baby food jars worked perfectly for me!

    ReplyLink

  • EveJun 5, 2019 @ 17:08

    Freeze pumped breastmilk this way too. I used lidded ice cube trays. No plastic bags and you can thaw however many cubes as you need. No need to thaw a whole bag when baby is drinking more or less than the a bag holds.

    ReplyLink

• MelissaJan 13, 2015 @ 15:03

  I didn’t do pureed baby food. We went with BLW (baby led weaning, or BLS baby led solids). My little girl started when she began to grab food off my plate, and I then made sure I always had some cooled steamed veggies (carrot, broccoli, anything easy to grab and pick up) on my plate as well…. then she would eat them while in her high chair. She progressed to grated apple, avocado, banana, rice, spaghetti etc. as she gained motor skills. It’s messy, but she pretty much ate what we ate without any of the spicy stuff. Google it…. it’s wonderful and a lot less work to prepare than pureed baby food. Uses less plastic too 🙂

  ReplyLink

RebeccaAug 23, 2011 @ 8:58

Excellent ideas on here. I re- use ice cube trays from thrift stores to freeze homemade pesto, and then toss the cube in my spaghetti sauce. Fruit pops with toothpicks too.

AprilJul 27, 2011 @ 6:29

Years ago before we had kids, we left plastic storage containers and switched to Pyrex storage containers. We never looked back. They do have plastic lids, but 7 years later they are all in perfect condition. I do put them in the freezer sometimes, but they aren’t space efficient. We mostly use them for leftovers, taking lunch to work (just DH now, but I did it too when I was working). The other problem is they leave air in there, which contributes to the breakdown of your food. That’s not a big deal if you are freezing something for a few weeks, but for long-term storage it won’t work. I have 5 kids ages 4 and under, so I’m all about efficiency. I make almost all of our food from scratch. To be efficient I like to do freezer meals, I make several loaves of bread at once, batch cooking (like last night I tripled the amount of rice I made so I could freeze some for future meals), etc. Right now I’m freezing blueberries, raspberries, zucchini and squash. I use the FoodSaver because it maintains the quality of the food for the whole year (I usually finish it off by the next year’s harvest). I would have to buy several freezers and I couldn’t afford all those glass containers. I hate wasting all those plastic bags, but I haven’t found a reasonable alternative for the quantity that I do. I do can whatever can be canned, and dehydrate some things, but for other things, freezing is just the best method of preserving.

• K.C.Jul 10, 2014 @ 2:09

  Have you considered the Food Saver attachment that sucks the air out of canning jars? I like it because I can open the jar to get a bit out and then reseal it again. Works for lots of things — but NOT powdery things like flour, which get sucked up into the pump.

  Here’s what I’m talking about:https://www.foodsaver.com/accessories/T03-0023-01P.html

  ReplyLink

NoPotCoookingMay 7, 2011 @ 3:59

I’ve got those glass containers with glass lids on my wish list. I am worried about breakage though because I am a complete klutz – always dropping things.

I’ve definitely frozen things directly on a baking sheet and then transferred them to a container… it’s the container part of the equation that gets expensive and frustrating. Would Pyrex dishes be a dorky Christmas gift?

• WolfryderJan 17, 2017 @ 5:23

  No, Pyrex would be an excellent gift for those who freeze food.

  ReplyLink

On Melanie’s point, I find that if I freeze meat in butcher paper it works out much better. I don’t know is it’s sustainable per se because it does have what appears to be a plasticy coding, but it could definitely work for veggies. I’m interested to hear your thoughts.

• TaraDec 5, 2012 @ 10:27

  We freeze alot of venison. My husband had the idea of using the regular white freezer paper, but turning it inside out so that the plastic coating is not touching the food. I’m sure it’s not a perfect solution, but it has worked for us. None of my meat has been freezer-burnt nor has any of it leaked out of the paper before the meat froze.

  ReplyLink

  • MelissaSep 21, 2013 @ 18:19

    Brown butcher paper from whole foods is made with a soy wax. You could probably buy it somewhere.

    ReplyLink

    • Fiona RussellAug 23, 2019 @ 14:05

      Please be aware of visitors and family members with soy allergies… Soy is becoming the new corn… It is everywhere 🙁

      ReplyLink

We use way too much plastic around here – including freezer storage bags. I’m vowing right now to change that. Seems like a few well-made containers would set you up forever.

• Kris BordessaMay 4, 2011 @ 19:56

  This makes me happy. 😉

  ReplyLink

  • lolaOct 9, 2015 @ 20:00

    This makes me happy too. I get so excited when I hear that people are taking the time to make themselves and their families healthy. These comments are the best part of reading the article.

    ReplyLink

These are great ideas for avoiding plastic freezer bags. And they don’t sound hard to put into practice. Great sustainable living tips!

• Kris BordessaMay 4, 2011 @ 19:59

  Thanks, Donna. We’ve even started taking “road trip” snacks with us in alternative containers!

  ReplyLink

All in plastic from this butcher, sadly. I’d LOVE it if they were all in white butcher paper!

• CharmaineJan 3, 2012 @ 8:50

  Unfortunately, that white butcher paper is often lined with plastic coating.

  ReplyLink

  • LEEMar 8, 2020 @ 6:08

    Can’t we just use the freezer paper “inside out”.z???

    ReplyLink

    • BarbararSep 25, 2020 @ 20:56

      Freezer paper is just thicker butchers paper. Still plastic. Parchment paper has silicone. If You Care (I.e. “If You Can Afford”) has plastic free products including butchers paper. I contacted them and they told me they are working on freezer paper.

      ReplyLink

Kris BordessaMay 1, 2011 @ 17:50

Melanie, when you have a cow butchered, does it come in plastic now? The last time I bought a portion of beef it came wrapped in white butcher paper. I loved those little packages in the freezer!

Definitely interested to hear what people have to say about this. Especially with 1/6 of a cow in the freezer now and another 1/3 of a cow coming.

• Jan AlbrightSep 8, 2017 @ 10:58

  I am 63. My mothe always just used butcher paper to pack meat for the freezer. I never knew what freezer burn was until after I was married because we never had it at home.

  ReplyLink

  • BrigetteJan 4, 2019 @ 6:27

    Good point, I’d like to try this. I want to not use so much plastic

    ReplyLink

merrMay 1, 2011 @ 15:55

I have recently been wondering about the safety of plastic and freezing food. I need to get some of these.

Heather AndersonApr 29, 2011 @ 7:21

Thanks for this great post. I have been thinking lately about non plastic freezer options. I food grade plastic jars from purchases of honey and peanut butter, but I have wondered if these are healthy to use. You have several great ideas that I will try. The glass storage containers look ideal and will certainly go on my wish list.