29 foods chefs say you should never buy frozen

Freeze out these foods

29. Mini ice cream tubs

Big pots of gourmet ice cream might encourage you to overindulge, but they do offer better value for money and are more economical than cute, individual tubs. Next time you're shopping, buy big instead and you'll waste less packaging too. 

28. Pastry cases

Frozen pastry blocks are handy items to have in the freezer, but pre-rolled pastry cases usually work out a lot more expensive than if you were to simply fashion your own at home. It takes moments to roll out the dough for yourself, so get stuck in and save some cash.   

27. Ice pops

Shop-bought popsicles are handy, but they often contain unwanted ingredients. Instead of grabbing the first packet you see, check for added sugars such as fructose and glucose syrup, stabilizers, and traces of allergens such as milk. If you make your own with fresh fruit, juice, or cordial, you'll find it's actually quicker than you'd expect and much cheaper too. 

26. Brussels sprouts

This green veggie might not be for everyone, but that could be because they've been eating frozen Brussels sprouts instead of vibrantly flavored fresh ones. The divisive green vegetable is best enjoyed plucked from the stalk and roasted to bring out its earthy taste and crunchy texture. Opt for frozen Brussels sprouts and you’ll likely be left with soft, soggy spheres that don’t exactly smell great either.

25. Pastries

It can be useful to have ready-to-bake pastries like croissants and pain au chocolat in the freezer. Sadly, these are often highly processed and contain additives such as emulsifiers, flour treatment agents, and unhealthy fats like palm oil that wouldn’t typically be used in a reputable bakery. It's a far better idea to make your own or head to your nearest bakery for a pastry-based treat.

24. Pancakes

A basic pancake recipe calls for three ingredients – eggs, flour, and milk – plus a little oil or butter for frying, while frozen pancakes can contain a lot more, including E numbers and added sugar. Making your own batter is more affordable and more nutritionally sound and only takes a little while longer. Turn doing so into a family affair and get the kids involved, too. 

23. Ice

Unless you're stocking up for a party, making your own ice is a no-brainer. Not only is it free, but you can vary the shape of your ice cubes with a reusable mold. Large square cubes are great for cocktails, while fun animal shapes will go down well at a children's party.

22. Vegetarian burgers

There’s a great range of fresh and chilled veggie and vegan burgers available to buy, but it’s important to remember that meat-free doesn’t always mean healthy. Frozen veggie burgers are still processed and may contain additives such as stabilizers, GM ingredients (genetically modified food), palm oil, allergens such as barley, wheat, and yeast, and added sugar and salt. Cheap products tend to be the biggest culprits, but this isn’t always the case, so it’s best to read the labels before purchasing.

21. Canapés

Frozen party food can be useful if you’re cooking for a crowd, but it’s generally highly processed. Finger foods like mini cheeseburgers, pizzas, and chicken dippers can contain dozens of extra ingredients, including preservatives, emulsifiers, added sugar, palm oil, and hidden allergens such as gluten, sesame, and yeast. For ease, mix frozen party food up with healthier homemade options such as crudités and dips, salads, and mini baked potatoes.

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20. Waffles

Ready-made breakfast foods such as sweet waffles may be convenient, but you might get more than you bargained for. Homemade waffles contain flour, eggs, milk, sugar, baking powder, and oil – all staples we usually have in our cupboards – while frozen waffles often hide E numbers, additives, processed sugars, and added salt. If you've got the time, try making them from scratch.

19. Fried rice

Stodgy and lifeless, frozen fried rice should be left firmly in the supermarket freezer aisle. These pre-packaged versions are not only loaded with preservatives and artificial flavors, but they are usually very disappointing – the grains of rice tend to stick together, while the veggies and proteins become bland and mushy. Whip up your own using leftover rice from the day before, mixing in your choice of protein (think chicken, shrimp, or tofu) and any vegetables that need using up instead.

18. Burgers

A fresh burger needs only one key ingredient – ground meat – plus a little seasoning and perhaps an egg for binding. That means they're super easy to make from scratch. Although they offer an easy dinner option, frozen burgers from supermarkets are usually packed with preservatives, extra salt, and unnecessary ingredients. If you opt for frozen, check the packaging – the ingredients should ideally state meat, salt, and pepper only. 

17. Garlic

While frozen garlic retains much of its signature robust flavor and can be a timesaver, you will be sacrificing on texture. For meals when garlic plays a key role, such as a zingy aglio e olio spaghetti, it’s best to use fresh so that you aren’t compromising the taste at all. It’s also worth remembering that garlic bulbs often come packaging free, whereas frozen will typically be wrapped, so buying fresh is a good way to cut down on your plastic consumption.

16. Calamari

Squid freezes well and it usually comes pre-gutted and cleaned ready for use. Defrosting it properly makes a difference to the outcome, so allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator (not at room temperature) or run it, still bagged, under cold water. Battered or breaded calamari, however, will often contain artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives, so is best eaten as an occasional treat. 

15. Mushrooms

Designed with convenience in mind, frozen mushrooms usually come pre-chopped, so you can just throw them into a stir-fry or pasta sauce without any hassle. But while you might save yourself a couple of minutes in preparation time, you’ll sacrifice the fungi’s distinct taste and texture. This is because they have a high water content, so freezing mushrooms makes them expand and become tasteless. Buying them fresh is often cheaper and will ensure they keep their earthy flavor.

14. Free-from products

While free-from products may be devoid of certain allergens, they aren’t necessarily a healthier choice, especially when they're frozen. Many options are processed and may include added sugar and salt as well as additives. However, not all brands are the same, so check the nutrition label for natural ingredients (the fewer ingredients the better) and watch out for hidden sugars or sweeteners such as dextrose and maltodextrin, as well as unpronounceable names that indicate chemical additives.

13. Potatoes

While premium frozen fries are one of the best options in the freezer aisle, the same can't be said for frozen potatoes (either whole or reformed). Frozen ready-made baked potatoes might be a great idea in principle, cutting cooking time from an hour in the oven to five minutes in the microwave, but you'll find the skin lacks crispiness and texture, and there's also a significant loss of nutritional value. As potato prep time is minimal, it's always best to opt for fresh. 

12. Breaded fish and chicken

While its nutritional content has improved over the years, processed breaded food can still contain raising agents, E numbers, palm oil, and added salt and sugar. Cheaper products are more likely to contain these unwelcome extras. Instead, if you can, buy fresh chicken or fish filets and make breadcrumbs yourself by simply blitzing stale bread in a food processor. 

11. Pizza

Much like a lot of processed foods, frozen pizzas can often be filled with high calorie ingredients, saturated fats, and salt. Opt to make your own or build a pizza at home by using a ready-made base. If you stick to simple toppings and add a few vegetables, there's no need for it to become expensive or feel unhealthy. 

10. Dairy desserts

While they might be tempting in the summer, frozen dairy desserts and cones are usually packed with excess sugar, palm oil, additives, and preservatives. Regular dairy ice cream, however, typically contains minimal ingredients and is made with real milk. There are some healthier options available, so it’s best to check the packaging to see what's included before purchasing, or stick to old-school vanilla ice cream without all those added ingredients.

9. Stir-fry packets

Buying a packet of frozen stir-fry veg might feel like you’re saving yourself time and effort, but stir-fries are one of the quickest – and easiest – dishes to make from scratch. The pre-packaged options you find in the freezer section are likely to feature added, unnecessary ingredients and preservatives – including plenty of sodium. Instead, just use up any fresh (or frozen) veggies and proteins you have to hand and combine with a simple soy sauce (low sodium, if possible) or teriyaki marinade for a tasty midweek option.

8. Risotto

Some worry that reheating rice can cause food poisoning, but when prepared correctly, ready-made risotto is safe to eat. It’s worth noting that ready-made risotto will generally contain added preservatives, salt, and sugar, though. Making your own from scratch is likely to be more nutritious and cost-effective. 

7. Onions

While pre-chopped onions can save time, you’re likely to be clawing back moments, not minutes. Some critics argue that the taste, texture, and pungency of an onion are all affected by freezing, too. It’s also worth considering that unlike fresh, frozen onions come in plastic packaging, so have a greater environmental impact. If you don’t like cutting up onions yourself, slice and dice them in a food processor instead.

6. Ready meals

We all know that ready meals are generally highly processed and often contain additives, as well as added sugar and salt – and studies have even found that more expensive, premium options can have more salt, saturated fat, and sugar than their cheaper counterparts. While some healthier options, with fewer ingredients and additives, have come onto the market over the past few years, it's best to really scour the ingredients list and labels to find out what’s included before purchasing.

5. Chicken breasts

Research by British newspaper The Guardian found that some frozen chicken breasts are pumped with enough water and additives to make up a fifth of their weight. Known as ‘plumping’ (or ‘tumbling’, when the meat is mixed with water and additives), doing so is not illegal, though it has to be declared on the ingredients list. Look out for labels that list chicken breast as a percentage, along with water and salt. 

4. Unsustainable fish

Frozen fish is an excellent freezer staple, but if your budget allows, always choose fish that’s line-caught or sustainable. It doesn't necessarily have to mean picking the most expensive fish either – do some research into the best options near you and check the labels on the packaging as these will usually indicate whether the fish is line-caught or not.

3. Processed meat

Processed meats have been reclassified as a carcinogen, meaning there's sufficient evidence that these products can cause cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) has advised that we should limit our intake of all processed meats, both frozen and fresh. This includes products such as hot dogs or frankfurters, ham, sausages, corned beef, and canned meats. Instead, try incorporating more vegetarian meals into your diet and buy top-quality fresh produce instead. 

2. Pasta dishes

Pasta makes for the ultimate quick midweek meal. In fact, most dried pasta takes just 10 minutes to cook – enough time to whip up a simple sauce – and fresh pasta is even faster. Carbonara, for example, just needs five ingredients (pasta, eggs, black pepper, pecorino, and guanciale or pancetta) and is ready in a few minutes. Buying a frozen pasta meal barely saves any time, and yet you will compromise on texture and flavor. 

1. Kids' meals

They may be specifically for children, but kids' frozen ready meals and foods – even ‘healthy’ or ‘nutritionally approved’ ones – can contain more ingredients than some parents would be comfortable with. If you have the time, you could try making family meals in batches, freezing extra portions and saving your own homemade ready meals for those busy mid-week evenings. You’ll find it will often work out less expensive, too.

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Now discover the foods you SHOULD always have in your freezer