Food preservation has come a long way in the last couple of centuries. Before refrigeration, people salted their meat, ran cool water over milk, and pickled their vegetables to keep them from spoiling. Now, we can simply store food in the freezer, where it will keep for months or years until we need it. There are many perks of buying frozen foods. They are convenient, and in many cases, frozen foods are more affordable than fresh. In the case of frozen fruits and vegetables, they’re usually packed at peak ripeness, making frozen produce just as nutritious (if not more so) than its fresh counterparts.However, there are times when a case can be made for shopping fresh instead. Some foods have a better taste and texture when fresh, while others lose some quality when frozen. Here are the frozen foods you may be better off buying fresh.
Pancakes
Busy weekday mornings call for quick and easy breakfasts, and frozen goods like pancakes and French toast sticks are common options to save you time. But these foods are made from dough, and pastries don’t always hold up well when frozen. Pancakes can come out tough around the edges, and French toast sticks (though convenient) can get soggy. Nothing a little butter and maple syrup can’t counteract, but they pale in comparison to making them yourself, even from a boxed mix.
Steak
The steak in the freezer aisle at your local supermarket isn’t frozen as simply as you can at home. Manufacturers incur an additional cost for the freezing process and freezer-friendly packaging, so frozen meat isn’t always cheaper (or better) than fresh meat. The prices might be similar, though sometimes fresh steak is actually the better deal. Add to the fact that fresh steak is in fact fresher since it hasn’t been frozen, and it becomes an easy choice. A fresh slab of meat will always be juicier and more flavorful than frozen meat, which may come out dry and bland in comparison.
Lean Protein
Skinless chicken breast and white fish are lean sources of protein, which means they’re lower in fat. However, the fat in protein sources helps protect them when frozen, so they retain their moisture. When you freeze your lean proteins or buy them frozen, they may come out dry, affecting both the taste and texture. Fresh chicken and fish may be the better choice, though fattier poultry and fish can fare well in the freezer.
Bread
Supermarkets sell frozen garlic bread, bread sticks, and dinner rolls. They’ll do in a pinch, but if you’re expecting restaurant quality, you may be disappointed. Freezing cooked bread affects the starch within it, so it may be dry and hard instead of moist and soft like expected. Overall, bread that was frozen can be more crumbly and less pleasant in taste and texture compared to grabbing a fresh loaf of bread from the store’s bakery section.
Herbs
Ever see herbs like ginger and cilantro frozen into small cubes? These are convenient time savers, but like using dried herbs, frozen herbs can’t beat the fresh option. Frozen herbs pack a lot of moisture, which can water down your dish. They’re also fresh when frozen, but when thawed, they may lose some of their freshness and have a more limp texture. If the best outcome is most important to you, it may be worth the few extra minutes to chop or mince fresh herbs, like basil and parsley.
Some Fruits
Most of the time, frozen fruit is cheaper. And it’s just as nutritious and tasty as fresh fruit. However, USDA data suggests that some fruits are cheaper when bought fresh instead of frozen. Frozen sweet cherries, blueberries, peaches, strawberries, and mangoes tend to be pricier than when bought fresh, canned, or dried. If you want the most bang for your buck, buy these in the produce section, though frozen still works if that’s best for your needs.
Some Vegetables
Like frozen fruit, frozen veggies are picked when they’re in season, making them a nutritious choice. They’re also convenient and usually more affordable than fresh vegetables. However, the USDA also found that it’s more expensive to buy frozen asparagus, green beans, broccoli, sweet potatoes, and sweet corn, compared to buying these vegetables fresh or canned. The convenience can’t be beat (so buy these veggies if you wish!), but the price can.