How to Prevent Freezer Burn on Frozen Vegetables

Properly freeze vegetables to avoid freezer burn.

Freezer burn does not always destroy vegetables, but it can make them unsightly or affect their taste. Freezer burn shows up as discolored spots. The phenomenon is caused by air coming into contact with frozen food. If you want to eat food displaying spots of freezer burn, cut away the affected portions. However, by blanching vegetables before freezing them, you can avoid most cases of freezer burn. Blanching halts the process of enzymes that make vegetables lose flavor and color, helping them stay fresher in the freezer.

Things You'll Need

• Large pot
• Wire basket
• Timer
• Large bowl
• Freezer bags
• Wire tie

Instructions

Fresh Vegetables

1. Pour 1 gallon of water for every 1 lb. of vegetables you want to freeze into a large pot. Boil the water.

2. Place the vegetables in a wire basket and immerse the basket in the boiling water.

3. Put a lid on the pot, lifting every so often to watch for the water to return to a boil. The water should boil in about one minute.

4. Fill a large bowl with enough cold water to submerge the vegetables.

5. Start the timer when the water begins boiling, leaving the heat on "High." Blanching times vary from one to 11 minutes depending on the vegetable. Carefully clock the process, since too little or too much blanching can negate the process' benefits.

6. Remove the wire basket from the boiling water after the timer goes off and immediately dip the basket into the bowl of cold water. This will stop the vegetables from cooking. Keep the vegetables in the cold water until they cool.

7. Lift the wire basket out of the water and pour the water from the bowl into the sink. Place the wire basket into the empty bowl and allow the excess water to drain from the vegetables.

8. Wrap vegetables in freezer bags as soon as they dry, trying to get as much air out of the bags as possible. If you can, vacuum-seal the bags, since air contributes to freezer burn.

9. Stack the bags in the freezer.

Previously Frozen Vegetables

1. Gather the top of the bag that the vegetables came in and twist it shut with a wire tie.

2. Place the bag in a larger, freezer-safe bag. The outer bag will create an extra barrier against air that can cause freezer burn. Effective freezer packaging protects against outer air, doesn't become brittle when exposed to the cold and is easily sealed.

3. Squeeze the air out of the outer bag and seal it shut.

4. Place the bag in the freezer.

References

• National Center for Home Food Preservation: Frequently Asked Freezing Questions: General
• United States Department of Agriculture: Food Safety and Inspection Service: Fact Sheets: Safe Food Handling: Freezing and Food Safety
• Family Education: Tips for Freezing and Thawing Foods
• The Ohio State University Extension: Fact Sheet: Family and Consumer Sciences: Freezing Basics

Resources

• National Center for Home Food Preservation: Freezing: Blanching