A lot of households are making efforts to create less waste in the kitchen.
If you like to buy meat when it’s on sale, then you will likely end up portioning some of it to put in the freezer.
The freezer bags that are most common to use are a one-time use plastic, which adds to the amount of waste created in a kitchen.
If one of your goals is to limit the amount of waste in your house, plastic freezer bags should be one of the first things to go.
There are several other options that are great for storing meat in the freezer, including silicone bags, parchment paper, and glass containers.
On this page, we’re going to discuss the most eco-friendly ways to freeze meat.
What is the most eco-friendly way to freeze meat?
Freezer bags are used because of their convenience and size.
They make the perfect cover for freezing meat because they allow air-tight protection and don’t take up extra space.
The most eco-friendly alternative to freezing meat is by using a reusable bag.
You can purchase silicone bags that are used to freeze the meats.
These bags come in a variety of sizes and can be used over and over again. They are also very easy to clean, which is why a lot of people like them.
All silicone bags for freezing are made from food-grade silicone that is free of latex, plastic, BPA, and other harmful materials.
They are safe to use, and they don’t leak. You won’t end up with any meat juices leaking out as the meat thaws.
Is there are eco-friendly wrap to freeze meat in?
A lot of people use aluminum to wrap meat in when they are trying to ditch plastic.
While wrapping a piece of meat tightly in tin foil will do the trick, it doesn’t last long.
Another problem with tin foil is that you can only reuse it a few times before it ends up in the trash.
A great alternative for wrapping is to use parchment paper.
However, you should use brown compostable parchment paper because it is a lot better for the environment. This way, you won’t be adding to a waste pile when you are finished with the paper.
However, you will need to make sure the meat stays covered.
Since parchment paper will likely open up, you need to store the meat in something else as well.
You can use a silicone bag for double the protection or place the meat inside a reusable container.
How can I freeze meat without plastic?
If you have meat to freeze but don’t have a silicone freezer bag, you aren’t out of options.
One of the simplest ways to freeze meat is by storing it in an air-tight container.
Don’t use thin plastic containers because they could crack once they freeze, which will expose the meat to air. Instead, you should use glass containers.
Depending on the size of the meat being stored, you could use mason jars.
For this option, you will need to clear an area in your freezer because they do take up more space.
This is a great option for storing smaller cuts of meat, stewing beef, chicken drumsticks or thighs, sausages, or even strips of meat that are used for making stir fries and fajitas.
Can I freeze meat in plastic containers?
There are certain types of plastic containers that are acceptable for freezing meats.
These plastic containers are specifically used for freezing and this will be mentioned on the label.
Always follow the directions for cleaning and storing the freezer-safe plastic containers to keep them in good shape.
This will prevent cracks, splits, and other damage to the plastic.
What products seem eco-friendly for freezing meat, but are not?
A lot of people believe freezer paper is a great option for freezing meats.
The stuff that the butchers wrap meat in does keep the meat good while it’s being stored in the freezer.
The only issue with this type of paper is that it is not compostable like other types of paper.
Freezer paper is usually coated in plastic, which helps it protect the meat.
While this keeps the meat in good condition, it ends up in the waste bin afterward. A good alternative to butcher’s paper is compostable soy wax paper.
Final thoughts
If you want to create a more eco-friendly kitchen, there are many options you can use instead of freezer bags.
Silicone bags offer the same simplicity as freezer bags, but they are reusable so you can store your next portion of meat in them.
This is the most eco-friendly way of freezing meat and other foods because nothing ends up in the waste or the compost bin.
