Before Buying Frozen Food, Give The Bag A Squeeze. Here's Why - Tasting Table

"Frozen vegetables can last up to a year in your freezer while still maintaining good quality. However, they can still face some quality issues, and one easy way to check is to squeeze the bag for ice crystals or large frozen chunks."

"If frozen vegetables thaw, even partially, and are then refrozen, ice crystals form inside the bag. That ice forms from moisture drawn out of the vegetables because the freezer is actually a very dry place."

"Ideally, you should feel the individual vegetables and nothing else. But big pieces or sharp, icy chunks mean the vegetables have already lost some moisture and freezer burn is setting in."

"Freezer burned food is still safe to eat, but it won't taste as good as it should. Not only will freezer-burned foods not taste right after you cool them but, as we pointed out when covering freezer aisle mistakes, they will turn out mushier, too."

Frozen vegetables are a convenient way to store food long-term, lasting up to a year while maintaining quality. However, they can develop quality issues like freezer burn if thawed and refrozen. Ice crystals form from moisture loss, leading to large chunks and a dehydrated appearance. Ideally, individual pieces should be felt without clumps. Freezer-burned food remains safe to eat but suffers in taste and texture, often becoming mushy when cooked.

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