This list of things not to freeze, many of which can be frozen, it's just the act of freezing them changes them to the degree that when thawed they have lost most of their original "structure" so will not be suitable in recipes where fresh is called for (Think tomatoes on a BLT sandwich, you wouldn't pull one from the freezer.) So go ahead and give some of these a try ,but plan on using them in a different way, such as in soups and sauces.
1)High Water Content Foods: If you want to eat the food raw and "fresh" then do NOT freeze any high water content foods such as Watermelon, Cucumbers, Potatoes, Squash, Oranges, lettuce, . They just do not thaw well, and just turn to mush! BUT they are ok if you plan on cooking with them, so squash in soups etc. is usually fine, or watermelon for using in smoothies or slushies is fine too!
2)Meals or foods you didnt' care for. If the meal wasn't all that great the first time, dont' bother freezing the left overs. You will never pull it out and eat it!
3) Creamy foods by themselves. Cream sauces, cheese sauces, gravies, yogurts, etc. by themselves do not freeze and then thaw well, the curds and whey tends to separate out from the food and it never really mixes well back in at the same "Fresh" consistency it was before, but often these items are great for cooking, so don't throw out that last bit of gravy! Freeze it in an ice cube tray and then toss the cube into your next batch of soup!
Here is the master list of foods that may not hold up well to freezing. It is just a general list, but feel free to try freezing the items. Like me you will find a new way to cook and not waste the item! But they may not hold up as fresh as you expected:
List Credit: www.thekitchn.com
Here is the list of things that do not hold up well to freezing (and won't thaw back into their fresh condition). Feel free to try though and see how they can be repurposed :
• Vegetables: Celery, cucumbers, lettuce, onions, peppers , potatoes (especially raw), radishes, sprouts, salad greens
• Fruit: Apples, grapefruit, grapes (unless you're planning on eating them frozen), lemons, limes, oranges (but DO freeze citrus zest!), watermelon
• Dairy: Cheese (especially soft varieties), cottage cheese, cream cheese, custard, eggs in shells (crack them open and try this technique instead, mayonnaise, sour cream, salad dressing, yogurt
• Herbs (if frozen alone in sprigs): Basil, chives, parsley, other soft herbs
• Other: Crumb toppings on casseroles and baked dishes, frosting (egg white and cream based), fried foods, pasta, rice, sauces (especially those made with cornstarch or flour)
