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

There’s nothing extra irritating than realizing your meals has gone unhealthy earlier than you could possibly eat it. No cook dinner desires to open their fridge to search out moldy produce and spoiled seafood, particularly now that grocery costs are rising. Fortunately, this destiny is avoidable if you already know the correct suggestions and methods. We requested cooks from across the nation to share their prime suggestions for preserving fruits, greens, and meat, and a few of their solutions stunned us.

Learn on to buy the reusable freezer luggage, vacuum sealers, and intelligent storage containers really useful by execs, together with picks from OXO and Pyrex. Costs begin at simply $10.

Chef-Really helpful Meals Savers

• Lerine Reusable Freezer Luggage, Set of 6, $10, initially $14
• Nesco VS-12 Vacuum Sealer, $96, initially $140
• OXO Good Grips Inexperienced Saver Produce Keeper, $20
• Lifetime Equipment Components Crisper Bin, $37, initially $40
• Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12, $47
• FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer, $50

Lerine Reusable Freezer Luggage, Set of 6

“You’ll be able to 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 luggage, eradicating as a lot air as potential. For merchandise being frozen for longer durations of time, the packaging ought to have as a lot air eliminated as potential. Steaks and roasts might be saved frozen for 4 to 12 months, whereas cuts like floor beef and stew meat might be saved frozen for 3 to 4 months. Cooked beef can simply be frozen with out diminishing high quality.” — Dagan Lynn, government 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 process] removes oxygen and drastically slows spoilage and freezer burn. In the event you do not need 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 — sluggish 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 fuel and an adjustable vent for airflow. It’s stackable, has clear visibility, and is simple to wash.” — Klaus Mueller

Lifetime Equipment Components Crisper Bin

“Lettuce is at all times 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 damage the fragile lettuce leaves, and also you need to management the air movement. One 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, government chef and president, MBM Hospitality

Pyrex Merely Retailer Glass Meals Storage Containers, Set of 12

“I’m huge on meal prep and leftovers, particularly now that I’ve youngsters, so I’m tremendous conscious about what we retailer our meals in. I need one thing protected and freed from the poisonous issues you typically hear about with plastics. I’ve at all times beloved glass containers, and Pyrex has been a staple in my household for so long as I can bear in mind. I stick to Pyrex as a result of it is produced from sturdy tempered glass that gained’t crack simply, and the lids are BPA-free, non-toxic, and dishwasher protected. They don’t stain or maintain odors, are available in virtually each measurement, and work nice for each cold and hot meals!” — Matt Abdoo, government chef and co-founder, Pig Seashore BBQ

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer

“Relating to storing meat and seafood at dwelling, a vacuum sealer is a game-changer. There are many budget-friendly choices, they usually can positively get the job accomplished in case you’re sealing sometimes. However in our expertise, particularly if you’re working with premium cuts, it’s price investing in one thing stable and dependable. At dwelling, 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 shield your product higher, last more, and repay in the long term — particularly in case you’re freezing in bulk. And in case you cook dinner sous vide, a vacuum sealer is a should!” — Gabriel LLaurado, CEO, Meat N’ Bone