How long do foods last in the freezer?

squirrelchops

Hi all

I wondered if you could help me. I have been trying to be money saving and also time saving my preparing some meals and freezing them. However I am unsure as to how long things last in the freezer. Could you tell me how long these things last.

cooked chicken
cooked ham
fruit
ready made meals eg spag bol/chilli/fajitas.

Thank you.

Linda32

Hi, Most things last for ages and ages in the freezer. Its -18 in there, nothing can happen.

These such a thing called freezer burn when things arn't wrapped properly. Think just plonked in with the bag left open etc. But this only alters the texture. Meat might become dry for example.

However, you mentioned fruit, what sort? I only ask as some things obviously have high water content, and although they freeze fine, most things do at -18 you might end up with mush when defrosted.

HTH

Edited to add: Since I've started batch cooking and freezing things, its the biggest time saver and money saver ever.

tiredwithtwins

well, yesterday we had a piece of pork that was dated best before 23rd feb 2010 and it was fine.
today i had butternut squash soup that i made in june 2010, and it was absolutely fine too ...
the blackberries that i froze back in august defrosted a bit soggy, and along with some defrosted apples from about april 2010 made a scrummy apple and blackberry pie :beer:

at christmas i used some streaky bacon that i had put in the freezer last christmas :rotfl:

so i guess the answer is, whatever you freeze they will be fine as long as you are sensible and freeze straight away so there is no question about somethings freshness if it isnt used immediately.

sue

squirrelchops

When I said fruit I was thinking over ripe bananas as Nigella uses them in smoothies and thought that was a really good use.

zippychick

There's a thread of thriftladys springs to mind - frozen food safety -misconceptions

i cant think of any other relevant threads just now - will think! (or hope Pink or Penny can come up with some!):D

seabright

I tend to assume that if I've wrapped things properly they'll last pretty much forever in the freezer. I've certainly used things that have been in there several years and there was no difference in taste/texture to if it had been frozen the day before.