Not everything belongs in the freezer.
These are some of the foods that arent at their best after a stay in the freezer.
13 Foods You Should Never Freeze, According to Experts
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Lettuce and Leafy Greens
Leafy greens like lettuce, arugula, andspinachcontain a lot of water.
Eggs In the Shell
Whole eggs dont freeze well inside their shells.
Even if the eggs dont crack, the texture of the eggs can change when thawed.
Instead of freezing them whole, beat the eggs first andfreeze the mixturein an airtight container.
When youre ready to use them, thaw them overnight first.
Egg-Based Mixtures
Because eggs dont freeze well, egg-based concoctions likecustardsandmeringuesalso break down when frozen.
Mayonnaise and Mayo-Based Dressings
The oil and water separate when mayonnaise is frozen.
Once the mixture is thawed, the creamy texture is replaced with a watery mess.
Certain Fruits
Fruits like berries, cherries, peaches, and apples like the freezer.
But some fruits dont fare as well.
You could use frozen citrus fruits in juice form and in smoothies.
Cooked Pasta
Pasta absorbs moisture when its frozen, so it can turn mushy when its thawed.
Creamy Dairy Products
Dairy items like cream cheese and sour cream lose their smooth texture when frozen.
The separation of water and fat causes them to become grainy or crumbly after thawing, says Muthukumarappan.
Though not great for spreading, they can still work in baked recipes where texture matters less.
The same goes for milk and yogurt, which can have texture changes when frozen.
Yogurt and frozen milk could be used in smoothies, though, says Gentile.
Potatoes
Raw potatoes get mushy after being in the freezer.
Cooking them first makes them more freezer-friendly.
If you have to freeze them, puree them forsoupsor smoothies.
They turn soggy when they thawalthough a trip in theair fryermay help crisp them up again.
Fresh Herbs
Frozen basil, parsley, and other fresh herbs lose texture and flavor.
When the liquid inside expands during freezing, the container can burst.
