The freezer is often where food goes when we aren’t ready to use it. We put things away thinking we’ll get to them later, but weeks can turn into months, grocery bags pile up, and older packages get pushed farther into the back.
If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned yours out, it’s probably time for a quick check. Some foods may need to be thrown away for safety reasons, while others have been in there so long that their taste and texture have gone downhill.
Here are eight things to look for during your next freezer cleanout.
Food with Severe Freezer Burn
Freezer burn doesn’t automatically mean food is unsafe, but it can leave meat dry, vegetables tough, and frozen meals unpleasant to eat. If just a small section is affected, you may be able to cut it off, but food that’s dried out all over may be better off in the trash.
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Unlabeled Leftovers You Know You Won’t Use
A container of homemade soup or leftover dinner is much easier to use if you know what’s inside and when it went into the freezer. If you can’t identify an old container or have no plans to eat its contents, clearing it out gives you room for food you actually want.
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Food Stored in Cracked Glass Containers
Glass containers can crack in the freezer as liquids expand, particularly if the jars aren’t made for freezing or were filled too close to the top. If you find a cracked jar, don’t open it over your food or try to save what’s inside because small pieces of glass may have mixed with the contents.
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Meat You Can No Longer Identify
That forgotten package at the bottom of the freezer could be chicken, ground beef, or something you bought months ago and never labeled. If it’s poorly wrapped, exposed, and impossible to identify or date, getting rid of it may be safer than guessing what it is.
Food That Came Into Contact With Leaking Raw Meat
Raw meat packages can leak, and their juices may contaminate other food stored nearby, even in the freezer. Throw away anything that came into contact with the juices, then clean and sanitize the affected surfaces before putting food back.
Food That May Have Thawed During a Power Outage
If your freezer lost power, check whether any food thawed before it was frozen again. Ice crystals don’t automatically mean food is unsafe, but discard perishable items you know were above 40°F for more than two hours or that you can’t confirm stayed cold enough.
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Ice Cubes That Have Picked Up Freezer Odors
Ice can absorb smells from food stored nearby, which is why an old tray can sometimes leave your drink with an unpleasant taste. Empty the tray if the cubes smell or taste strange, wash it well, and refill it with fresh water.
Food in Torn or Open Packaging
An open bag of frozen vegetables or a piece of meat with loose wrapping can be exposed to air, leading to freezer burn and a decline in quality. Check whether the food is still usable, and throw away anything that’s badly dried out or has been exposed to leaking raw meat.
