A Quick Defrost Freezer Trick
I thought you guys might benefit from my freezer trick. It’s something I came up with while breastfeeding. I realize that makes no sense so I’ll explain.
While breastfeeding I would pump and store extra breast milk in the freezer. I tried all the crazy contraptions they had for storing milk but found they took too much room in the freezer and normally took too long to defrost. So I came up with “the gift bag trick”.
I found a gift bag that could fit a breast milk bag lying flat on the bottom. I then cut a ½ inch slit on one side of the bag and used it as a dispenser for frozen flat bags of milk. Think upside down pez dispenser.
This solved three problems for me. 1.) Storage - All the milk was now in one gift bag I could keep on the side of the freezer, 2.) Quick Defrosting – The bags were flat so just running them under warm water would defrost them in seconds! and 3.) Milk Management - The upside down nature of the “dispenser” had me placing newer bags on top and removing older bags through the bottom. It was truly perfect!
So I took this same concept and used it with ground meat. Normally I buy lean ground beef and turkey in bulk (when possible). Then I separate the meat into 8 oz bags, flattening them for storage and quick defrosting. Not a bad idea! Huh?
Seriously when I forget to defrost something for dinner this is a lifesaver. I’ll pull one out and run it under water to defrost and viola! Meat for dinner!
Labels: Tips
posted by Roni
at
10:03 PM
13 Comments :
When I make brown rice, I freeze in sandwich bags (flattened just like yours!). It is easy to store and easy to defrost and reheat!
I like your gift bag dispenser idea...will have to try it!
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Pretty cool! I haven't tried flattening my ground beef out that thin when I freeze it...I might just have to try that!
I hadn't thought of the gift bag dispenser either - it does sound great. Are you cooking the meat before you freeze it? I started only freezing cooked meat - and it turned my life around - meal preparation truly takes minutes and there is no mess. I don't know if I have mentioned this before - I also freeze cooked beans and cooked rice - in flattened ziplock bags too. I made a ton in the rice cooker or the crock pot (dried beans) and they freeze great - this helps in very fast meal preparation too.
Hi Roni!!
Glad to hear your busy week is going well!! I wish I had heard of your milk management technique when I was breastfeeding!! Brilliant!! Can't wait to try it on the meat though! Thanks for sharing-always!!
Awesome idea --- I will definately try this as I always seem to forget to grab my meat out of the freezer while making the mad dash out the door to work/babysitter's in the morning!
-Chris
That is a great idea.. I too used the flattened breastmilk... but then put it all in once big ziplock and had to dig for the oldest milk.. can't wait to try it on the burger..thanks for the great tip!
That's interesting that you choose this topic. Freezer fod care has been on my mind. :) I have a problem with bad freezer burn on my frozen veggies. I can't even keep them anymore. I sure hope it's not the freezer - it's only year old...
Has anyone said it yet?...You are a genius! I can't wait to try this trick. My freezer might actually be clean for once!
Love this tip, Roni! You are genius!
I have often wondered how you store your dinner leftovers as well. I know you write in your journals that you take frozen leftovers for lunch and I would love to know your tips on freezing, storing and defrosting your "lunch leftovers"!
Thanks for your site, I love it!!!
I think you should try marketing that gift bag dispenser idea...make it more permanent for people to buy. Very cool!
I use this freezer storage idea for our RV. We have a very tiny freezer and packing everything in ziplock flat bags creates a lot more space.
I have used the hamburger freezing trick for years. It also thaws quickly in the microwave in a ziploc bag that way. I am going to try the running it under water and see how that works.
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