Selecting Appropriate Containers for Freezing Foods

Freezing is an excellent way to preserve fresh vegetables at home. Freezing does not sterilize food; the extreme cold simply retards growth of microorganisms and slows down changes that affect quality or cause spoilage in food.


The quality of frozen vegetables for freezing, assemble the containers you will use. The selection of containers depends on the vegetables being frozen, personal preference and the types that are readily available. Containers should be moisture-vapor resistant, durable, easy to seal and should not become brittle at low temperatures.

There are several different types of packaging materials that work well in freezers. They include rigid containers, flexible bags, collapsible cover boxes and freezer wrap. These materials help prevent freezer burn and the breakdown of textures in frozen foods; they also prevent color and flavor changes.

Rigid containers can hold most foods. The containers are re-usable and are easy to stack. They are helpful for storing foods that contain liquids. The most common and popular rigid container is one made of moisture-vapor resistant plastic with a snap on lid. With proper care, these plastic containers can be used for years.

Glass jars can also be used to store frozen foods, but they should not be used o store liquids. If you use glass jars, be sure to choose the wide-mouth, dual-purpose jars that are for freezing and canning. These jars are specially made to withstand freezing and boiling temperatures.

The wide mouth of the jar allows easy removal of partially thawed foods and gives room for expansion during freezing. Leave at least 1 inch of headspace (the unfilled space above food or liquids in jars or freezer containers) for expansion. Also, new lids should be used each time and rinsed in cold tap water before applying to the mouth of the jar.

Another popular method of storing frozen foods is using bags made of moisture-vapor-resistant polyethylene. They work well for dry food products and also can be used for liquid packs.

When sealing freezer bag, leave no air in the bag with the food. After removing all the air, twist the top of the best to form a spiral and fold if over like a gooseneck. Wrap the gooseneck several times about a half-inch from the food with some sort of closure material. If a covered-wire closure is used, be sure to wrap the ends so they don’t puncture the bag. The bag should be loose to allow food to expand during freezing.

Some household containers are not recommended for freezing. The cardboard cartons that milk, ice cream or cottage cheese come in are not moisture-vapor resistant enough. Regular (not canning) jars break too easily at freezer temperatures. Foods stored in these materials for long periods of time may develop freezer burn and absorb undesirable odors.

For more information, contact your county UW-Extension Office.