How to Prevent Freezer Burn So Your Food Stays Fresh, According to Chefs

When foods are kept in the freezer for prolonged periods of time, they can eventually become freezer-burned. Freezer burn happens when moisture evaporates from the surface area of a product, causing the food to become dry and tough.

While this icy layer doesn't make food unsafe to consume, it can affect the overall quality of your food. Freezer burn is easy to identify, as most foods appear discolored. For example, beef and pork may turn an unappetizing shade of brown when they become freezer-burned.

While you can cut the freezer-burned portions off of your food, it's easier (and tastier) to prevent it from happening altogether. Ahead, we're sharing expert-approved tips for preventing freezer burn so your foods will taste as delicious as they do when they're fresh.

Meet the Expert

• Joseph Pace, chef and former owner of Bleeker Street Luncheonette

• Rochelle Cooper, pastry chef at The Duck & The Peach in Washington, D.C.

Related: 12 Foods That Should Never Be Frozen

Wrap Food Tightly

No matter what you're freezing, make sure the item isn't exposed to the air inside your freezer. Because of the lack of humidity in a freezer, water draws out of food much faster, Pace says. Not only can this cause freezer burn, but it can also cause ice to form on the walls of your freezer. Wrapping food as tightly as possible and ensuring every inch of the item's surface is covered can prevent this from happening.

Use Wax Freezer Paper

Wax freezer paper and butcher paper are more effective than conventional plastic wrap. "Wrapping your item tightly in waxed freezer paper can act as a barrier against the harsh air inside the freezer and can also prevent water from evaporating," says Pace.

Using wax paper is especially helpful for preserving ice cream. "Freezer burn on ice cream happens when free air in the container condensates as the freezer goes into its natural defrost cycle," says Rochelle Cooper, pastry chef at The Duck & The Peach in Washington, D.C. "When the ice cream is exposed, the small amount of water refreezes on top of the ice cream itself creating those crystals you see." Place parchment or wax paper on top of the ice cream to protect the porous structure of the dessert from the crystals.

Use a Vacuum Sealer

Investing in a vacuum sealer is the ultimate solution for preventing freezer burn, says Pace. The process of removing all the air around fish or meat ensures that water won't have room to evaporate in the first place.

If you don't have access to a vacuum sealer, try placing your food in an open freezer bag and sticking it in a pot full of water without submerging the opening. "The weight of the water forces almost all of the air out of the bag, and you can zip it just before it's about to sink," says Pace.

Individually Wrap Cuts of Protein and Fish

When you purchase family-sized packages of meat or seafood, it is generally packed in a large foam tray and shrink-wrapped in plastic. Pace recommends rewrapping the food when you bring it home prior to placing it in the freezer. Rewrap each piece of meat or fish individually for better protection.

Place a Cup of Water in Your Freezer

Placing an open container of water in your freezer increases the humidity in the air around the food. Simply fill a small takeout container with water and place it in your freezer. The water will slowly evaporate (even when it freezes), creating additional moisture in the frozen climate. This helps slow the process of dehydration in other foods, Pace says.

Maintain the Right Freezer Temperature

If your freezer is too cold, it can cause freezer burn to accumulate on your food. To keep frozen foods at the best quality, maintain a freezer temperature of 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep an appliance thermometer in your freezer for an accurate reading of its temperature.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart