Freezer-Friendly Fruits and Vegetables — A How-to & Free Printable

Last updated on April 22nd, 2020 at 04:27 pm

There are lots of reasons to freeze fruits and vegetables to use later. My grandmother froze and canned all kinds of fruits and veggies, and it was so nice to have that fresh-tasting food even in the middle of winter. Yes, you can often find just about anything in the grocery store, but it doesn’t have the same flavor as when it’s in-season. Freezing is a way to preserve that just-picked flavor so you can enjoy it anytime. 

Another great reason to freeze your favorite fruits and veggies is that you can buy in bulk when you see a good price, and freeze smaller portions to use later. I like to do this with raspberries and strawberries, so I always have them for smoothies.

How to Freeze Fruits and Vegetables

Wash and dry fruit, and cut into smaller pieces if necessary. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and freeze the fruit in a single layer before putting it into freezer bags. For fruits that you don’t want to darken when cut up and frozen, add ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

To prepare vegetables for freezing, just wash and pat dry with a clean towel (or paper towel). There are some veggies you’ll want to chop into smaller pieces. Next, blanche the vegetables for a few minutes. Then, dip them into ice water to stop the cooking process. Finally, put them into freezer bags. (For those veggies you don’t want to have frozen or stuck together, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and freeze the veggies in a single layer. Then put them in your freezer bags.)

Can You Freeze Raw Fruits and Vegetables?

Fruit freezes very well when it’s raw. Onions and peppers are fine to freeze raw too, but other vegetables need to be blanched first. 

How Long do Frozen Fruit and Vegetables Last?

Frozen fruits and vegetables should last about eight to 12 months, with the exception of citrus fruits. They will only last about three months. A vacuum sealer can help your frozen produce last even longer.

Which Fruits and Vegetables Can You Freeze?

We’ve created a list of fruits and vegetables that freeze well, along with some simple directions. Click to print your freezer-friendly fruits and vegetables list, and feel free to share this post!

You might also like this post — How to Store Fresh Herbs

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