Tupperware is a home chef’s best friend. We all have a Tupperware drawer in our kitchen and consider it a holy grail for storage. And when it comes to freezing foods and ingredients, we always reach out for our Tupperware.
However, it is still made of plastic. So how safe is stocking our food in Tupperware for extended periods in a freezer? Are there any dangers?
The short answer is—yes, Tupperware is safe to use in the freezer. Most of them, at least. They are an excellent way to preserve food safely in the freezer. However, you must pay heed to a few factors before jumping into this practice in full force to avoid cracking or food spoilage.
Here are a set of guidelines we have prepared for you for the next time you pop open a Tupperware container for freezer use.
Is It Safe To Freeze Food In Tupperware?
As we have already established, it is safe for Tupperware to go into the freezer. As a matter of fact, it is one of the safest ways to freeze contents to keep spoilage and food-borne contamination at bay. You can be sure to steer clear of any bacteria that may bring a host of illnesses into your food.
However, one of the factors that may raise a safety concern here is when your freezer does not hold a temperature of 0°F.
Another minor concern is improper packaging, which can lead to inconsistencies in your food’s color, flavor, and texture. If your food has not been shut tight and is exposed to freezer air, it can cause freezer burn.
Freezer burn can cause your food to lose its appetizing condition, so to avoid it, you must choose your Tupperware container wisely.
How Do I Know If A Container Is Freezer Safe?
Food scientists suggest that for any container to be freezer-safe, it must adhere to a few standards. They must be able to repel and resist moisture (essential) and water, and grease. They should be tough enough not to crack in low temperatures. Durability is also necessary for the container and is leak-proof.
The main aim is to protect foods and maintain zero contamination or odd flavors/odors. If Tupperware is not an option, we suggest you not opt for takeout containers. They are brittle. And when storing in Tupperware, ensure you leave enough space for the liquids to expand.
Two Kinds Of Tupperware You Can Freeze
Now that we have established that Tupperware can go in the freezer, we’ll explore what kind.
Glass Tupperware
Hands-down, you should be carefree while storing food in your freezer if you have a glass of Tupperware. They are not only versatile (store different kinds of foods) but also very durable. You must ensure that the Tupperware has freezer-safe and tempered glass. It will give the best results.
Glass Tupperware, like mason jars, is an excellent option for freezing food. However, ensure that these jars are made with the utmost quality and are thick enough to resist breakage. One of the main issues with glass Tupperware is that you cannot be sloppy. If they crack, tiny shards can go inside your food, and you might consume it.
As mentioned above, leave space for liquids to expand to remove the risk of cracking open the Tupperware in the freezer.
Tip: Ensure your glass Tupperware is not hot when you put it inside the freezer, as that may lead to cracking. Bring it down to room temperature beforehand.
Plastic Tupperware
Most foods are more commonly frozen in plastic Tupperware, which is easy to find in stores. However, all kinds of plastic are not freezer-safe. So our suggestion is to look for plastic containers which are labeled freezer-safe. You can easily find a symbol at the container’s bottom.
A thumb rule for this can also be to find thicker plastic, as that will be more resistant to the severe cold temperatures in the freezer and will not crack.
Again, do not freeze foods in takeout containers as they are always at risk of cracking because of their brittleness. Ensure that the plastic container has a snug fit at the lid to prevent freezer burn.
In cases where you cannot find/do not have freezer-safe plastic Tupperware, you can use alternatives like sealable bags or aluminum foils. We will discuss these alternatives in detail going forward in the article.
Freezing Food In Tupperware: Things To Remember
Although you do not need a step-wise guide to tell you how to store food in Tupperware, there are certain things you can take care of for optimal results.
Airtight
Maintaining an airtight space is essential for freezing foods in Tupperware. A good lid will do the job for you. Plastic lids, as well as mason jar lids, are dependable and made with durable plastic.
Avoid Overfilling
Leave about an inch of room at the top of the container when freezing foods. You do not want the lid to pop off. As mentioned earlier, liquids in food tend to expand when frozen, so you do this to avoid the liquids from being exposed to freezer air.
Label Your Container
Sometimes you leave multiple foods in the freezer for months and may easily forget which container carries what. Therefore, it is essential to label your containers. You can write directly on the plastic Tupperware while using labels with suitable adhesives for glass Tupperware.
Other Alternatives To Tupperware
Do not have freezer-safe Tupperware? No worries. Here are a few alternatives you can use instead.
1. Ziploc Bags
You can never go wrong with Ziploc bags. They are durable and easy to use. You can easily switch them for Tupperware. They are great for freezing soups, meals, and even chopped vegetables. They have a good seal and provide airtight condition. You can even stack them on top of each other and save a lot of space.
2. Aluminum Foil
We do not recommend using aluminum foil as a first option, but aren’t we all in a pinch sometimes? You should be able to freeze your foods in aluminum foil, but remember that it is challenging to create an airtight condition. So, use it only for smaller durations, or you may risk spoilage.
3. Vacuum Sealing
Vacuum sealing plastic bags is a relatively good alternative too. It works wonderfully well. You can even use a vacuum seal to extend the shelf life of foods in your Tupperware.
Final Thoughts
Your first task is to look for labels or check for the durability of the Tupperware before sliding it into the freezer. Not all types of Tupperware go into the freezer. You do not want your Tupperware to break or leach chemicals into your food. Therefore this is an important task.
Another thing we suggest you check is the durability of the lid. It must create an airtight condition in your Tupperware to avoid freezer burn in food. Regardless, keep checking your Tupperware in the freezer to avoid mishaps like cracking or pitting (dents or holes).
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