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

There’s nothing extra irritating than realizing your meals has gone dangerous earlier than you could possibly eat it. No cook dinner desires to open their fridge to seek out moldy produce and spoiled seafood, particularly now that grocery costs are rising. Fortunately, this destiny is avoidable if the suitable 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 baggage, vacuum sealers, and intelligent storage containers advisable by professionals, together with picks from OXO and Pyrex. Costs begin at simply $10.

Chef-Really useful 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 possibly can 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 baggage, eradicating as a lot air as potential. For merchandise being frozen for longer intervals of time, the packaging ought to have as a lot air eliminated as potential. Steaks and roasts may be saved frozen for 4 to 12 months, whereas cuts like floor beef and stew meat may be saved frozen for 3 to 4 months. Cooked beef can simply be frozen with out diminishing high quality.” — Dagan Lynn, govt chef, Nationwide Cattlemen’s Beef Affiliation

Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer

“Vacuum sealing is finest for long-term storage of pre-sliced deli-style meats, pâté, or leftover bulk cuts. (The method) removes oxygen and drastically slows spoilage and freezer burn. If you happen to wouldn’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 — gradual is the important thing for finest 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 gasoline and an adjustable vent for airflow. It’s stackable, has clear visibility, and is simple to scrub.” – Klaus Mueller

Lifetime Equipment Elements Crisper Bin

“Lettuce is all the time finest saved within the crisper drawer within the fridge quite than on an open shelf within the fridge as a result of harsh chilly can smash the fragile lettuce leaves, and also you wish to management the air stream. Some of the essential issues you are able to do is correct fridge storage; if relevant, alter the drawer settings in your fridge to the vegetable mode.” — Meg Walker, govt chef and president, MBM Hospitality

Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12

“I’m massive on meal prep and leftovers, particularly now that I’ve children, so I’m tremendous aware about what we retailer our meals in. I would like one thing secure and freed from the poisonous considerations you typically hear about with plastics. I’ve all the time cherished glass containers, and Pyrex has been a staple in my household for so long as I can bear in mind. I persist with Pyrex as a result of it is produced from 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 measurement, and work nice for each cold and hot meals!” — Matt Abdoo, govt chef and co-founder, Pig Seaside BBQ

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer

“On the subject of storing meat and seafood at house, a vacuum sealer is a game-changer. There are many budget-friendly choices, they usually can undoubtedly get the job completed when you’re sealing sometimes. However in our expertise, particularly once you’re working with premium cuts, it’s price investing in one thing strong and dependable. At house, I often advocate FoodSaver fashions — they’re straightforward 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 top quality sealer will defend your product higher, last more, and repay in the long term — particularly when you’re freezing in bulk. And when you cook dinner sous vide, a vacuum sealer is a should!” – Gabriel Llaurado, CEO, Meat n ‘Bone