You may face different challenges whenever you want to store meats because you will want to store them in the proper manner so that you can prevent any risk of freezer burn. It is best to store most meat double wrapped by using either plastic wraps or freezer paper before sealing it in a freezer bag and then storing it inside the freezer.
To store properly store meat in a freezer bag, you need to find out the best sets of freezer bags that will help your meat to stay good during the process of storage. We have different types of freezer bags that can best be used to store meat, our best pick is the Glad brand freezer bag, however, most are comparable. Though you are allowed to use any kind of freezer bag of your choice or anyone that you have with you, some sets of freezer bags work better when compared to others most especially if it’s about storing meat to preserve the freshness.
What we have for you in this article is the guide that will help you navigate the best sets of freezer bags and what you are to watch out for when you want to use a freezer bag to store meat. You will also get to know our favorites and also some of the best storage processes of meat when you use freezer bags.
Your Freezer Bag Guide
It does not have to be so complicated to select a freezer bag that you will use to store your meat but the problem you will face is that you have so many options to choose from and you might not know the one to use. We have some that have been designed to freeze vegetables and fruits while some for meat. Furthermore, you may also realize that you have a particular preference type and this is why we want to help you narrow down your options so that you can truly select the best.
You can consider freezer bags to be very versatile because they can be used to store so many things. Even though our focus is on meat, but we will like to tell you some of the things that freezer bags can be used to store apart from meat.
- Baked goods
- Desserts
- Casseroles
- Milk
- Leftovers of foods
- Different vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, peas, and more
- Different fruits like apples, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and several more
There is nothing you cannot store inside freezer bags. You should also be aware that we have some other sealable bags that will work for various means of storage but will not preserve the foods properly inside the freezer because they have not been designed to be used inside the freezer.
Choosing a Freezer Bag
You must be aware that all the freezer bags we have out there are not created equal, while some may promise you that your freezer foods including meat can be preserved, they sometimes lead to freezer burn. What you will most likely result into are trial and error but we have done all the works for you and that’s why we are here to give you the best of options of freezer bags that will help you to freeze your meat and those things you are supposed to watch out for when you are trying to get freezer bags for yourself.
One thing you must never forget is that storage bags and freezer bags are quite different and you have to ensure you use freezer bags when you want to freeze foods. Check below for some of the characteristics between a storage bag and a freezer bag;
- A freezer bag is a much thicker plastic
- Both of them are readily available in different sizes
- Both of them can be tightly sealed or zipped
- Both of them are made up of plastic.
You can notice that in the list, we have just one difference between the two bags which is that a freezer bag is made up of much thicker plastic and that is why it is more durable than a storage bag and it helps to protect foods better when you place it inside the freezer. Both of them can be zipped so that freezer air can be sealed out but a freezer bag can be sealed in more than one way. Also, a storage bag has a bag option that can be folded if you want to close and this is typically called sandwich bags. These bags are most commonly used for sandwiches, chips, and some simple items used for lunchbox meals. Selecting freezer bags will mean that you want to check out the information concerning the storage method and the storage time that is recommended.
The 4 Best Freezer Storage Bags for Meat
What we will do is to share our top four freezer bags choices that you can use to store meat. Always remember that you can select any type of freezer bags outside the four choices but they are the best we have been able to find from the research:
- Hefty Slider Freezer Bags
This brand is a trusted brand when you are dealing with storage bags. They are bags that have expandable bottoms that help them to hold more within them. The bottoms make the fit a bit less awkward irrespective of if you want to store meat or anything else. The bags contain a zipper sliding seal that you can trust to seal them perfectly and easily so that they can protect your food without worrying about freezer burn.
Pros:
- Durable and thick plastic
- The slider zipper has MaxLock functionality
- The material was made in the United States and it is BPA-free
Cons:
- You must ensure the slider is closed until the end.
- Lemason Silicone Reusable Bags
This brand is handy, reusable and it is freezer-safe. This is a brand that will save you a lot of money because you can wash them and reuse them. They can last for several uses. The package usually comes with medium and large bags. They also come with storage and freezer bags that will suit different varieties of options that you need. You can easily open or close the bag and it will help lock your freshness in when preserving your food.
Pros:
- Dishwasher-safe
- The silicone materials are non-toxic
- Eco-friendly substitute for throwaway bags
Cons:
- When you store raw meat within them, there is a concern if it is safe to reuse.
- Ziploc Freezer Bags
This brand was made with the mind of freezer storage. They are ideal to be used for different kinds of meals and any other item that you want to freeze. The brand Ziploc freezer bag has been trusted for a long time and this is because it is efficient and very reliable. It can be purchased in gallons and quarts. You can use your fingers to close its double seal.
Pros:
- The plastic is BPA-free and it is durable and long-lasting
- The seal is quite easy to close or seal and it also has an easy-open extended tab
- It preserves the freshness of your food without any risk of freezer burn
Cons:
- The bag can split if it is overfilled.
- Glad Zipper Food Storage Freezer Bags
This brand of freezer bag is usually in quart and gallon sizes. You will be required to use the gallon sizes for most meat if you want to store several pieces. However, the quart might just be exactly what you need. These freezer bags have a zipper-style that can be sealed by the use of your fingers. Research has also revealed that the materials used to make the bag have been certified to be BPA-free. Your meat is protected within the bag because its zipper lock is made up of double-seal features.
Pros:
- Double-lock seal that makes it extra wide
- Durable and extra thick material
- It was designed to prevent any form of freezer burn.
Cons:
- It can be hard to seal the zipper.
Overview
There will always be some freezer bags suitable to store your meats no matter what the meat needs. Many of the bags have been designed in a similar manner but they have their unique characteristics which may help you to select your preference. For example, Both Ziploc and Glad bags have double finger seals that have an extra measure of double protection. Meanwhile, the Hefty bag has a sliding zipper seal but the zipper does not usually seal well.
Related Questions
Do I Just Put Meat Straight into a Freezer Bag for Storage?
You are not required to add any layer to your freezer bags to help freeze effectively because freezer bags have been designed to be used by themselves. However, when you want to freeze meat in multiple pieces or you just want some additional protection, first use a freezer paper layer to wrap the meat.
Do Sandwich Bags Work in the Freezer?
Sandwich bags can be used inside your freezer if they can be ensured to close well. We, however, will not recommend that you use them to store meat inside the freezer because they are a thin and flimsy plastic that will likely not prevent the meat from freezer burn.
