Proper tips for storing and cooking of frozen meals are crucial to preserving their taste, quality, and nutritional value.

You might not think that you don’t need a guide on how to prepare frozen meals. But hey, we want to ensure that you enjoy the full potential of our meals while maintaining food safety standards.

We love feedback and reviews on our meals, but we can’t be held responsible if you don’t know that you can’t refreeze thawed chicken, for example. 

So just in case, here’s what you need to consider when tips storing and cooking frozen meals:

1. Storing Frozen Meals: Don’t Ignore Shelf Life 

While freezing can significantly prolong the shelf life of many foods, it’s essential to pay attention to the recommended storage times for different items. Ignoring these recommendations can result in a decrease in taste and quality, and in some cases, even pose a risk to your health.

2. Storing Frozen Meals: Proper Packaging
   All our meals come in properly approved containers. But if you’re freezing meals at home, use airtight containers or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn and preserve freshness.

It helps to label each package with the contents and the date it was frozen to make it easy to find and rotate items in your freezer.

3. Storing Frozen Meals: Freezer Organisation

Keep your freezer tidy by grouping similar items together and rotating older items to the front. This practice helps you locate items quickly and use them before they expire.

4. Storing Frozen Meals: Temperature Management: 

Maintain a consistent freezer temperature of -18°C (0°F) or below to preserve 

the quality of your frozen meals. Avoid overfilling the freezer, as this can

hinder airflow and lead to temperature fluctuations.

5. Storing Frozen Meals: Do Not Refreeze Thawed Meals

Some sources might disagree, but we feel that putting a thawed frozen meal back in the freezer is a no-no. Never mind the fact, that refreezing thawed meals can compromise their quality, texture, and taste, it can actually pose a food safety risk due to potential bacterial growth during the thawing and refreezing process. This is especially relevant to meats. 

6. Cooking Frozen Meals: Preheating & Cooking Times

Preheating the oven or stovetop is more important than you might think. Always start with the right temperature by following the meal’s cooking instructions and preheating your oven or stovetop accordingly. Skipping this step can result in undercooked or unevenly cooked meals.

Also, account for variations in oven power by checking the meal for doneness before serving. You can use a food thermometer or just poke it with a fork to check if it’s ready. 

7. Cooking Frozen Meals: Using the Right Cookware: 

It might sound obvious, but the abundant amount of deformed cookware says something different. Make sure that you select oven-safe containers to ensure even heat distribution and prevent damage to your cookware or oven.

Bonus Tip: Read the Label 😉

Keep these tips in mind to get the best out of your next Delugo meal. Enjoy!