10 creative ways to freeze food and save money

But many of us are becoming aware of those little bits and pieces we throw into the trash because we don’t know what to do with them. But a bit of creative thinking can help put cash back into your back pocket and save you a few unnecessary trips to the bin. 

Extend the life of your grocery purchases

Freezing food is a great way to extend the life of ingredients. It’s also a great way to store odds and ends and give them a second chance to be part of delicious dishes. From vegetable scraps to vanilla pods, you can find a way to repurpose almost any ingredient. Here how you can repurpose groceries for later to prevent excess waste and save you money. 

1. Freeze egg whites and egg yolks

Recipes will often call for either egg white or yolk, and we can be tempted to throw out the part we don’t need, but you don’t have to. Egg whites and yolks freeze really well. Once brought back to room temperature, the whites can be turned into a delicious pavlova or tasty macarons. You can use the yolks for custards, pastries or even ice cream. 

Homemade custard

2. Use your vegetable scraps 

The ends of vegetables such as onions, carrots and celery can be frozen and used for tasty stocks. Simply freeze them in a ziplock bag or container for re-use later. When you’re ready, pop them in a pot covered with cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for 1-2 hours. You could also roast or saute the scraps first to help intensify their flavour. 

Vegetable stock

3. Extend the life of leftover herbs 

Herbs never last long in the fridge, but there are a few ways to get the most out of the scraps before they perish entirely. Parsley stalks and thyme can be frozen and added to stocks and sauces. I add them to the pan when cooking a roast to add depth of flavour to the gravy. I also like to save coriander roots and stalks for fresh Thai curry pastes or aromatic marinades. Another way to use leftover herbs is to finely chop or blend them with some butter and garlic to create flavoured herb butters. Simply roll them in paper and freeze them until needed. Then, you can simply cut off a portion to flavour steaks, potatoes and roasts. 

4. Repurpose stalks and other stems

We’re used to using only the tops of broccoli and other vegetables with tough stalks. But one way to save money is to slice them thinly before freezing, then use them in stir-fries or vegetable juices. 

Green power juice

5. Use leftover fruit

If you have a bit of fruit leftover, cut them into smaller pieces and save them in portions so that you can use them for smoothies or homemade frozen yoghurt blocks.

Frozen strawberry yoghurt blocks

6. Freeze leftover ginger, turmeric and chillies

Roots such as ginger and turmeric actually last much longer when they’re frozen immediately after purchase. You can also use them while they’re frozen, too. Use a fine grater to grate as much as you need and store the rest in the freezer for next time. You can do the same with chillies! 

If you have scraps of ginger or turmeric leftover from a recipe, slice them up into smaller portions and add them to healthy smoothies. They’re also delicious when steeped in hot water for teas and herbal remedies. 

7. Save stocks, wines and sauces

Ice cube trays are an excellent way to freeze leftover liquids in controlled portions. Freeze stocks to add depth of flavour to your next bolognese or soup. Use a cube of leftover wine to deglaze your pan juices after a roast, and freeze leftover passata or pasta sauce to use for quick pizza bases.

8. Grate cheese ends

The ends of cheese can be grated and stored in a container or zip lock bag to use as a pizza blend. You can also add it to breakfast omelettes or even sprinkle it on on your favourite toastie recipe.

Fluffy cheese omelette

Don’t throw away the rind from your hard cheeses, like parmesan, either. Adding them whole to soups and ragu can add a delicious element of warmth and saltiness to the dish. 

9. Use the whole vanilla pod

Vanilla is expensive! Save your pennies by using as much of the pod as possible. Once you’ve scraped out the seeds from the pod, there is still a tremendous amount of flavour to be extracted. Place it in milk or sugar to impart its flavour. Steeping a used vanilla pod in warm milk is a great way to infuse that genuine, vanilla flavour into your custards and creams. You can also freeze it to use in your next baking adventure.

10. Make it easy to reduce food waste 

When preparing your next meal, consider placing a scrap bowl or two next to your chopping board. This helps make us aware of wastage, and it also allows you to decide what you might like to freeze or repurpose instead of throwing away. 

Have a go at freezing and repurposing your food scraps and bring down your grocery bill.