Food & Cooking Cooking How-Tos & Techniques Food Storage 7 Foods That Are Best Bought Frozen, Not Fresh Don't be so quick to write off these ingredients in the freezer aisle—sometimes, frozen is even better than fresh. By Kirsten Nunez Kirsten Nunez Kirsten Nunez is a writer who focuses on food, health, nutrition, and DIY. She has a master's degree in nutrition, and has been writing professionally for nearly 10 years for digital and print publications, such as Martha Stewart, Shape, Real Simple, Healthline, and SELF. She also creates original recipes, which have appeared on product packaging in stores. Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 18, 2024 Frozen food gets a bad rap, but the freezer aisle can be your best friend when it comes to certain ingredients. This is especially true when it comes to perishable or hard-to-find foods, as the frozen versions are more convenient in terms of shelf-life and accessibility. And in some cases, frozen ingredients are even better than their fresh counterparts! Ahead, learn about the best frozen foods to buy at the grocery store, according to chefs. Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, TV personality, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health. Jamie Blatt, chef-instructor of culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education. These Are the 6 Foods You Should Always Have in Your Freezer, According to Chefs 01 of 07 Peas Copyright Gavin Kilbride / GETTY IMAGES From stir-fries to pasta dishes, almost every entrée will benefit from the addition of peas. They're perfect for adding a pop of color and a dose of essential nutrients. The only catch? According to Nathan Lyon, chef, cookbook author, TV personality, and host of A Lyon in the Kitchen on Discovery Health, fresh peas have a short shelf-life, lasting only about one week in the refrigerator. On the other hand, frozen peas will last six to eight months in the freezer, he says. Plus, "the peas are picked and frozen at the peak of ripeness and nutrition, making them a tasty and convenient option," he says. 02 of 07 Off-Season Fruit for Smoothies Jacob Fox There's nothing like a smoothie made with fresh peak-season fruit. However, as the seasons change, it's not possible to get your go-to fruits in season all year round. (especially if you have limited access to larger supermarkets). Frozen fruit is a great alternative in this scenario, as it's "picked and flash-frozen at its optimal ripeness," says Lyon. 03 of 07 Edamame CHELSEA CAVANAUGH Edamame is a tasty component of traditional Japanese recipes, but it might be difficult—if not impossible—to find fresh pods in the grocery store. In this case, go for frozen edamame, which is easier to find, says Jamie Blatt, chef-instructor of culinary arts at the Institute of Culinary Education. Frozen edamame also has a longer shelf-life than the fresh version, he notes. 11 Freezer Storage Mistakes That Are Ruining Your Frozen Food 04 of 07 Sprouted Bread Getty Images Sprouted bread (such as Ezekiel 4:9 bread) typically contains fewer preservatives than other breads. Thus, "sprouted bread may be found in the frozen section of the grocery store, depending on how many preservatives the bread [contains] to maintain its freshness and shelf-life," says Lyon. Many sprouted breads are only available frozen—keep it in the freezer and take out slices as needed, and you'll have bread almost as fresh as when it first came out of the oven. 05 of 07 Spinach Gingagi / Getty Images Spinach is a great way to increase the color and nutrient content of your dishes—but all too often, it wilts in the fridge before you've had a chance to use it. The solution? Stock your freezer with pre-frozen spinach! "Frozen spinach can last up to a year in the freezer, while fresh spinach is delicate and prone to spoilage within a handful of days," explains Lyon. To ensure the spinach doesn't add too much moisture to your recipe, be sure to blanch, drain, then squeeze out the excess water. 10 Vegetables to Keep in Your Freezer So You're Ready for Any Last-Minute Meal 06 of 07 Corn Getty / Johner Images It's hard to beat farmer's market corn that was picked the same day you plan to eat it. But other than that, frozen corn is often your best bet. It is flash-frozen at the peak of its ripeness, making it a delicious option for using any time of the year, says Lyon. What's more, due to its high starch content, it maintains the integrity of its texture even after thawing. Blatt echoes this notion, adding that "frozen corn kernels hold up well [and] have a long shelf-life, so they’re [great] additions to fried rice, fried corn fritters, or corn muffins." 07 of 07 Seafood Brie Goldman Although you can't go wrong with a freshly caught batch of seafood, this isn't always practical or possible, especially if you don't live near a reliable fishmonger. That's where frozen seafood, such as salmon or shrimp, comes in handy. Not only will the frozen versions have a longer shelf-life, but they'll be just as tasty—if not more so. Across the seafood industry, fish is often processed on board and flash-frozen within hours after being caught, locking in the freshness until you thaw it. How to Defrost Fish the Right Way, According to a Seafood Expert Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit