Freeze leftovers in meal-sized portions for future use

If you cannot eat leftovers within 3-4 days, freeze them in labeled, single-meal portions. Most cooked proteins, soups, stews, rice, and sauces freeze well for 2-3 months. Use freezer bags laid flat to save space and allow quick thawing.

Why It Works

Freezing pauses the clock on food waste. A frozen portion of last week's chili becomes an instant weeknight dinner next month. Flat-freezing in bags allows them to stack like files and thaw in under 30 minutes in a bowl of cold water.

Tips

• Label bags with the contents and date before freezing
• Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn
• Pasta and rice can become mushy when frozen — slightly undercook them if you plan to freeze
• Foods that do not freeze well: raw salad greens, cooked eggs, cream-based sauces (they separate)