I’m a Frugal Shopper: 7 Items You’ll Always Find in My Freezer
When your favorite foods are on sale, it can seem like a good idea to stock up, but not if the items will spoil before you can use them. One way to keep food edible longer and save money is to buy items that are already frozen — or fresh — and store them in your freezer.
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Although not every type of fresh food will freeze well, some will, which is a great way to maximize your savings and stretch your food budget further.
From berries to broth, here are some freezer-friendly choices that are favorites of frugal shoppers:
Fruits and Vegetables
“While fresh produce is delicious and I do eat plenty of it, I also keep a good stock of frozen berries, peas and other veggies to quickly toss into whatever I’m making,” said Catherine Rall, registered dietitian, Happy V. “Frozen produce is more affordable than the fresh stuff, and it keeps for much longer. You can expect to save at least 50% compared to fresh alternatives this way.”
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Coffee
“The best way to make coffee keep its flavor is to buy whole-bean coffee and keep it frozen until you’re ready to use it,” Rall said. “Make sure you let it thaw completely before grinding it, though. This isn’t going to save you any money, since the coffee won’t come frozen, but it will last for much longer, letting you reasonably buy bigger packages and take advantage of sales without wasting it.”
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Seafood
“Fish is an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, but it can be quite pricey, and it goes bad quickly when refrigerated,” Rall explained. “Frozen seafood has all of the nutritional benefits and is much cheaper. You’ll save about 20% compared to fresh fish.”
Bread
“Instead of paying $6 for one loaf of bread that may go bad if not eaten in time, instead, I buy two large loaves of bread in bulk from Costco for $8 and keep them both in the freezer,” said Jeanne Allen, founder and CEO of the Center for Education Reform in Washington, D.C. “Freezing bread keeps mold away which ensures the bread stays fresh for whenever you’re ready to eat it. I may pay $2 more initially, but I’m getting double the amount, saving me $4, and helping me leave none to waste.”
Meal Prep and Leftovers
“When we have busy weeks and don’t have time to cook lunch, we save time and money by cooking ahead of time and freezing meals,” Allen said. “A few extra hours on a Sunday afternoon or leftovers from dinners, and we can have up to five or six meals frozen and ready to eat throughout the week. Things like spaghetti, chicken and rice, and soup freeze extremely well. This practice helps us save around $100 a week by not eating out.”
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Chicken Breasts
“Frozen chicken breasts are a staple for their versatility,” said Bonnie Ruan founder, Beska Mold. “They can be used in a multitude of recipes, and buying frozen often costs less than fresh, with no compromise on quality.
“A bag of frozen chicken breasts might cost around $20 for 10 pounds, saving about $0.50 per pound compared to fresh chicken, not to mention reducing waste due to spoilage.”
Homemade Broth
“I freeze homemade broth in ice cube trays, then transfer to a freezer bag,” explained Ruan. “It’s a great way to use leftover bones and vegetable scraps, and frozen broth cubes are perfect for quick meal prep.
“This practice essentially costs nothing extra, as it uses leftovers, and I save around $2 per quart compared to store-bought broth.”
Foods That Freeze Well and Those That Don’t
If you’re interested in utilizing your freezer space to save money, here are some foods that are good choices for freezing and some that aren’t.
“In my experience, hearty vegetables like carrots, broccoli and bell peppers freeze exceptionally well,” Ruan said. “Blanching them before freezing helps preserve texture and nutritional value. Cooked grains like rice and quinoa also freeze and reheat nicely, making them ideal for quick future meals.
“I recommend avoiding freezing dairy products like cream, yogurt or mayonnaise. They tend to separate and become grainy after freezing. Similarly, salad greens, like lettuce and cucumber, do not freeze well due to their high water content, which leads to mushy textures when thawed.”
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