Chef-Advisable Meals Storage Options to Keep away from Spoilage and Save Cash

There’s nothing extra irritating than realizing your meals has gone unhealthy earlier than you may eat it. No prepare dinner desires to open their fridge to search out moldy produce and spoiled seafood, particularly now that grocery costs are rising. Fortunately, this destiny is avoidable if you recognize the precise suggestions and methods. We requested cooks from across the nation to share their high suggestions for preserving fruits, greens, and meat, and a few of their solutions shocked us.

Learn on to buy the reusable freezer luggage, vacuum sealers, and intelligent storage containers advisable by execs, together with picks from OXO and Pyrex. Costs begin at simply $10.

Chef-Advisable Meals Savers

• Lerine Reusable Freezer Baggage, Set of 6, $10, initially $14
• Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, $96, initially $140
• OXO Good Grips Inexperienced Saver Produce Keeper, $20
• Lifetime Equipment Elements Crisper Bin, $37, initially $40
• Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12, $47
• FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer, $50

Lerine Reusable Freezer Baggage, Set of 6

“You may freeze beef in its authentic packaging for as much as two weeks. For longer storage, wrap it in heavy-duty aluminum foil or place it in plastic freezer luggage, eradicating as a lot air as doable. For merchandise being frozen for longer durations of time, the packaging ought to have as a lot air eliminated as doable. Steaks and roasts could be saved frozen for 4 to 12 months, whereas cuts like floor beef and stew meat could be saved frozen for 3 to 4 months. Cooked beef can simply be frozen with out diminishing high quality.” — Dagan Lynn, government chef, Nationwide Cattlemen’s Beef Affiliation

Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer

“Vacuum sealing is greatest for long-term storage of pre-sliced deli-style meats, pâté, or leftover bulk cuts. [The process] removes oxygen and drastically slows spoilage and freezer burn. In the event you don’t have a vacuum sealer, use a zip-top freezer bag and water submersion to push all of the air out. Watch out to not get any water within the bag — sluggish is the important thing for greatest outcomes. I wrap a towel across the bag itself to keep away from freezer burn.” — Klaus Mueller, culinary director, Atalanta

OXO Good Grips Inexperienced Saver Produce Keeper

“This produce saver has a built-in carbon filter to soak up ethylene fuel and an adjustable vent for airflow. It’s stackable, has clear visibility, and is straightforward to scrub.” — Klaus Mueller

Lifetime Equipment Elements Crisper Bin

“Lettuce is at all times greatest saved within the crisper drawer within the fridge moderately than on an open shelf within the fridge as a result of harsh chilly can destroy the fragile lettuce leaves, and also you wish to management the air circulate. One of the vital vital issues you are able to do is correct fridge storage; if relevant, regulate the drawer settings in your fridge to the vegetable mode.” — Meg Walker, government chef and president, MBM Hospitality

Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12

“I’m huge on meal prep and leftovers, particularly now that I’ve youngsters, so I’m tremendous conscious about what we retailer our meals in. I would like one thing secure and freed from the poisonous considerations you usually hear about with plastics. I’ve at all times beloved glass containers, and Pyrex has been a staple in my household for so long as I can keep in mind. I keep on with Pyrex as a result of it is comprised of sturdy tempered glass that received’t crack simply, and the lids are BPA-free, non-toxic, and dishwasher secure. They don’t stain or maintain odors, are available virtually each dimension, and work nice for each cold and hot meals!” — Matt Abdoo, government chef and co-founder, Pig Seashore BBQ

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer

“In the case of storing meat and seafood at residence, a vacuum sealer is a game-changer. There are many budget-friendly choices, they usually can positively get the job carried out in the event you’re sealing often. However in our expertise, particularly whenever you’re working with premium cuts, it’s value investing in one thing stable and dependable. At residence, I normally suggest FoodSaver fashions — they’re simple to make use of, constant, and nice for each dry and moist sealing. Backside line: You don’t have to interrupt the financial institution, however a high quality sealer will shield your product higher, last more, and repay in the long term — particularly in the event you’re freezing in bulk. And in the event you prepare dinner sous vide, a vacuum sealer is a should!” — Gabriel LLaurado, CEO, Meat N’ Bone