20 Freezer Organizer Hacks You'll Find Handy In The Kitchen

A person trying to grab frozen corn and carrots from the freezer

The freezer ensures that foods are stored fresh, especially those that can be preserved for given periods. Learning how to maximize its space and keep it organized and efficient is a skill anyone can pick up. 

Here are some effective freezer organizer hacks to try in your kitchen or even in the mini-fridge right in your bedroom.

1. Remove Everything Inside the Freezer

A Messy and Cluttered Freezer - Image by KQED

A Messy and Cluttered Freezer - Image by KQED

Just like any decluttering process, start by removing all the contents of your freezer. This allows you to understand what you have inside and familiarize yourself with each item. It also shows you a blank slate and encourages you to plan out zones for certain frozen items you typically store.

2. Sort Your Frozen Meals and Other Items into Categories

Use Pull-Out Bins To Categorize Frozen Food - Image by Patty Cakes Pantry

Use Pull-Out Bins To Categorize Frozen Food - Image by Patty Cakes Pantry

Start sorting freezer items into categories, such as frozen meals, produce, freezer butter, and ice cream. A freezer organizer is the best way to ensure things stay fresh until you need them.

Thus, buying any plastic storage organizer won't suffice; get durable ones that can store heavy items without worrying about cracks. The best storage containers are usually silicone or stainless steel. Determine which one best works for your freezer size and the food you often store.

3. Get Rid of the Boxes

Frozen Food In Their Boxed Packaging - Image by Earth 911

Frozen Food In Their Boxed Packaging - Image by Earth 911

Freezer bags are safe and airtight. Once it is sealed, the freezer becomes its best environment. Boxes with flaps or tabs may allow freezer air from entering during defrosting, thus affecting freezer food quality.

So your frozen pizza boxes might have to go and best to consume asap or sliced individually to be stored in freezer-safe storage containers to ensure food quality is not jeopardized. Besides, throwing out bulky boxes is a space-saving technique that works for any limited space.

4. Use Plastic Baggies to Separate Foods

 Reusable Freezer Bags

Do you find your freezer jumbled with packages and foods? Plastic freezer bags help you organize freezer items, separating and protecting foods from freezer burn. Fill the plastic freezer bag with one meal's worth of ingredients to cook.

Seal the freezer bag using packing tape and a permanent marker for easy identification during use or defrosting time. If you want to try a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach, try reusable freezer bags suitable for storing small quantities of food.

5. Store Items Vertically Instead of Flat

Vertically Arranged Freezer Storage - Image by Preparedness Mama

Vertically Arranged Freezer Storage - Image by Sdelai-Lestnicu

You know how when you have a small apartment, it's easy to run out of space? Well, the freezer is one such place where this is likely to happen. 

One thing that helps tremendously maximize limited space is stacking things vertically like they're filing cabinets! If your items are aligned beside each other, then thawing dinner will be as simple as grabbing what you need from the bottom drawer.

6. Line Jars With Washable Fabric or Plastic Sheets

Lined Freezer With Plastic Sheets

If freezer burn is one of your woes, then lining freezer-safe jars and containers with plastic freezer sheets will make it easier for you to take out the items inside without having ice crystals all over the place. Besides, it's always best to let frozen food thaw naturally before preparing them for adding spice and cooking.

7. Keep Iced Cubes in Bags

An Ice Box with Ice

By placing excess iced cubes in bags, you can keep items from moving around while still taking up less freezer space. It's also an excellent way to avoid wasted ice cubes in the deep corners of your freezer.

8. Keep Bulky Items at the Bottom of the Freezer

Bulky Frozen Items Properly Kept In the Bottom Freezer - Image by Simply Organized

Bulky Frozen Items Properly Kept In the Bottom Freezer - Image by Simply Organized 

You don't have to worry about any unwanted odors seeping out of the freezer when you place bulk items in your bottom freezer drawer. For instance, you can put large bags of frozen fruit or chicken nuggets in bottom drawers, which is usually suitable for those who own larger freezers.

9. Use Ice Cube Trays to Freeze Homemade Soup Stock 

Transfer Leftover Soup Stock In Iced Cubes - Image by Tablespoon

Transfer Leftover Soup Stock In Iced Cubes - Image by Tablespoon

If you want to make freezer-friendly chicken stock, it's best to freeze homemade soup stock in ice cube trays and place them in bags. This will help save space and make things more convenient for when you need a small amount of soup stock later for other dishes you wish to experiment on.

10. Freeze Egg Whites and Yolk in Freezer Bags 

Frozen Egg Whites and Yolks - Image by The Slow Roasted Italian
Frozen Egg Whites and Yolks - Image by The Slow Roasted Italian

The thing with egg whites is, they are a staple in most kitchens. Leftover eggs often go to the back of freezers and rot before anyone remembers them again. 

The good news? You can reuse your leftovers if you freeze them! It's one of those deep freezer organizer hacks that people forget about but can be very helpful for bakers who have lots of leftover egg whites or professional chefs on busy days.

11. Store Opened Frozen Products with Binder Clips

Leftover Vegetables in Bags with Binder Clips - Image by Dole

Leftover Vegetables in Bags with Binder Clips - Image by Dole

Sometimes you buy many groceries in bulk and leave them in their packaging or stash them in freezer bags. However, they don't permanently seal properly, especially if they contain freezer burn. 

Home freezer hacks that could work are to use binder clips to secure opened bags and frozen food items like opened peas, carrots, and anything else. Who says office supplies are useless?

12. Label Everything in Sight

Labeled Leftovers and Frozen Items - Image by The Kitchn

Labeled Leftovers and Frozen Items - Image by The Kitchn

Commercial kitchens use this freezer organizer hack, but it's also a helpful freezer hack for bakers and cooks at home. Label everything! No freezer should be left without labels. 

Write down the contents of each container (frozen ground beef, green peas, etc.), date them, and stick them on freezer tape or freezer labels for the ultimate freezer organizer hack your roommates will thank you for later.

13. Try Vacuum Sealing Your Sacred Leftovers

Vacuum-sealed sausages

If you're a few steps ahead with kitchen storage and organization, you'd probably know vacuum sealing is the freezer hack that will make your frozen foods last longer. 

If you're not familiar with this freezer storage tip, try to buy freezer bags with pumps attached. That way, all you'll need to do is place your goodies in a bag and pump away.

14. Re-bag Your Frozen Items to Lessen Freezer Burn

Rebagged Frozen Vegetables - Image by Life Savvy

Rebagged Frozen Vegetables - Image by Life Savvy

When you buy meat from the supermarket, there is often a lot of excess air packed inside with them. This causes freezer burn quite quickly because it adds to moisture and exposure in an already cool environment. 

Remove the meat from its original packaging and re-bag the previous ones you already have for a more eco-friendly approach.

15. Freeze Vegetables for Week-Long Meal Prep

 Meal Prep

Invest in freezer zip bags and stock up on vegetables if you hate chopping and shredding them. You can plan out your meals for the week by looking at what's available to cook locally (if possible) or buy enough fresh ingredients.

Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and place them in freezer bags. Silicone freezer bags also come in transparent styles, so this would be excellent for those who have babies in their home - home freezer hacks that are good for parents who like to prepare fresh baby food.

16. Keep Meat from freezing Together

Frozen Food Stacked Over Each Other - Image by Erren’s Kitchen

Frozen Food Stacked Over Each Other - Image by Erren’s Kitchen

Invest in cutting board racks or storage racks similar to a file organizer. This is one of those freezer organizer hacks that can keep your hams and steaks from sticking together. It’s a hassle-free and time-saving tip for those who often forget to thaw their meats for barbecues.

17. Defrost Your Freezer Regularly

 Defrosted Freezer

You can't say no to this freezer organization hack. Block ice isn't all that useful in the long term, and it's easier for your fridge if you make room for things like milk cartons or fresh produce. So be sure not only to leave one day a week free from block ice but also clear out any old items that could make the inside look cramped.

18. Freeze Fresh Herbs in Ice Trays

Freeze Herbs With Olive Oil - Image by The Kitchn

Freeze Herbs With Olive Oil - Image by The Kitchn

Most people think that freezer organization hacks are only for foods. But if you're into cooking, you know some of the difficulties in keeping herbs fresh if they don't have enough space to store them in the shelves where there's constant cold air circulating. 

By simply freezing them in olive oil using ice trays, you'll be able to save counter space and be less stressed from trying to use them all before they wilt and go to waste.

19. Prepare Yoghurt in Iced Cube Form

Iced Yoghurt Pops - Image by Pillsbury

Iced Yoghurt Pops - Image by Pillsbury

When you're always on the go, preparation can be complex. One quick way that saves time is with this yogurt cube freezer hack! It's great for those who like to eat clean and use fresh fruit without any hassle of chopping or preparing ingredients.

No more lumps when blending, which means there will be less fuss when blending your morning smoothie. All it takes are two frozen cubes which provide a smoother consistency.

20. Stay Organized with Dry Erase Marker

Categorized Frozen Foods Written On The Freezer Door With A White Board Marker - Image by Reddit

Categorized Frozen Foods Written On The Freezer Door With A White Board Marker - Image by Reddit

This freezer organization hack is more for the exterior of your unit. This is an excellent tip for bigger freezers found in restaurants or professional kitchens and bakeries. Use the dry eraser marker to keep contents and leftover goods listed and in check.

If you don't want to write on the appliance’s surface, purchase a small magnetic dry erase board instead and attach it. Review your list each time you use something or add anything to keep everyone in your household informed.

Conclusion

The way you keep your freezer organized says a lot about you. It's one of the first things people notice, and it gives off an impression of you as a person. That’s why it's essential to keep the freezer organized, so it not only works well for you but looks good as well.

Hopefully, our suggested organization hacks gave you some nifty ideas on resetting your fridge set-up. Let us know in the comments if you have any more ideas we can try as well.

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