Save money, waste less, and stop running to the store when you don’t need to.
Why Freezing Groceries Is a Total Game Changer
Food goes on sale. Life gets busy. And suddenly you’ve got a gallon of milk about to turn and six loaves of sandwich bread you thought the kids would eat.

Freezing isn’t just for meat and mystery leftovers. It’s a full-blown grocery hack.
Here’s what you can freeze that actually stays good and saves you time, money, and stress every week.

🥶 21 Grocery Items That Freeze Like a Dream
These are everyday grocery staples you can toss in the freezer and still use later without ruining the taste, texture, or quality.
1. Milk
Leave a little space at the top before freezing – it expands. Shake it well after thawing because separation is totally normal.
2. Margarine and Butter (Tub or Stick)
Both freeze great. Tub margarine might need a quick stir after thawing, but it still tastes just fine.
3. Cheese
Block, shredded, or sliced – it all freezes well. Pre-shredded cheese doesn’t clump when frozen.
4. Bread
Loaves, bagels, English muffins – they all hold up well. Just don’t stack them or they’ll flatten. Let one thaw in the fridge overnight and it’s good to go.
5. Chocolate
Toss it in the freezer during warmer months so it doesn’t melt.
6. Nuts
Freezing keeps oils from going rancid, especially in bulk bags. 🛒 These reusable freezer bags are worth having on hand, too.
7. Flour
It stores longer and helps prevent pantry pests when frozen.
8. Sugar
Keeps moisture out when stored in a tight container.
9. Cream Cheese
The texture changes a bit, but it’s still great for baking and cooking.
10. Cakes
Frost them while still frozen – it’s easier, and the result is extra moist.

11. Cookie Dough
Scoop into balls, freeze on a tray, then toss into a bag for ready-to-bake treats.
12. Yogurt
Thawed yogurt gets watery, but it works great in smoothies and muffins.
13. Tortillas
They freeze beautifully. Stack with wax paper between them and reheat in a skillet.
14. Rice
Cooked or uncooked – both freeze well and reheat easily.
📥 Check out this list of fruits and veggies you can freeze too
15. Pasta
Freezes well in individual portions. Great for prepping lunches ahead of time.
16. Coffee
Store beans or grounds in an airtight container to keep them fresh longer.
17. Homemade Ice Cream
Make it ahead and freeze it for later – no last-minute churning required.
18. Chicken Breasts
Always a freezer staple. Buy in bulk, portion it out, and label for easy meals later.
19. Canned Biscuits
Some brands may not rise quite as high, but they still bake up tasty.
20. Wholly Guacamole
Thaws out perfectly and tastes just like fresh.
21. Eggs
Crack and whisk before freezing in silicone trays – never freeze them in the shell.
🛒 These silicone freezer trays make it easy

🍽 Meals You Can Make Ahead and Freeze
Freezer cooking is the busy person’s secret weapon. Cook once and eat all week. Some go-to freezer meals include:
- Chili
- Chicken spaghetti
- Taco meat
- Mini meatloaves
- Casseroles
- Hamburgers
Just portion them into meal-size containers and label clearly. That way, dinner is already halfway done on nights when you’re tired or running behind.
📥 Want to simplify mealtime and make grocery shopping easier this week?
👉 Weekly Meal Planner
🧊 The Best Way to Store Frozen Food
Avoid the black hole of forgotten leftovers by organizing your freezer right. Some smart options include:
- Freezer bags with the air pressed out
- Glass containers with snap-lock lids
- Stackable bins for easy visibility
- Ice cube trays for sauces or broth cubes
🛒 These freezer-safe containers keep your freezer tidy and your food protected
👉 7 Ways To Organize Your Fridge
✅ Planning ahead = peace of mind:
💾 The December Box printable checklist helps you before life gets crazy.

Final Freezer Tips
- Always label with the name and freeze date
- Keep a running list of what’s inside
- Use FIFO – first in, first out – to avoid waste

🔥 Want quick, freezer-friendly meals that don’t take forever to make?
👉 Dump & Go Meals: No Prep No Stress Recipes
🍲 More No-Stress Meal Ideas You’ll Love
👉 5 Meals to Keep in Your Pantry & Freezer
👉 31 Easy Chili Recipes


Mary says
i have tried freezing cream cheese several times, but it always comes out grainy..can’t cook or bake with it either…is there a secret??? TIA
Dian says
Mary,
I use a Foodsaver to make it airtight. You can also wrap it in wax paper and then foil and then put in an airtight container. The key is making it moisture free by using an airtight method.
I hope that helps,
Dian
Liz says
I heard you can freeze peanut butter ??? Is this true ????
Dian says
Liz,
You can freeze Peanut Butter! That’s a great one!
Thanks,
Dian
Lisanne says
Why would you freeze things like sugar and flour? They seem to me to have an indefinite shelf life or at least by the time I reach the end it’s still good to go
Dian says
Lisanne,
Often people, especially those who live in rural areas, have problems with bugs getting into the sugar and flour. Like:
sawtoothed grain beetles
flour beetles
granary, rice and maize weevils
So, it’s much safer to keep it in the fridge or freezer. And actually out of the freezer flour has an estimated shelf life of 3-6 months. It can actually go bad. Though, I have never seen it, in certain areas such as very humid areas, it can go bad.
I hope that helps!
Dian
Lisanne says
Thanks! I live in the Netherlands. Never had any issues with my products on the shelf, even if they’re there longer than 6 months. And no things like flour-eating bugs here either, luckily! I’d definitely freeze stuff if that were to happen 🙂
Learned something new today!
Dian says
Lisanne,
You’re very welcome!
Dian