How To Freeze Food For Bento

How To Freeze Cooked Rice

1. (Ideally, as soon as the rice is done cooking) Pack the cooked rice with steam and cover the lid immediately to seal in the steam and moisture. Let cool completely on the kitchen counter. You do not want to spoil your food in the freezer with your hot/warm rice. Store in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat by microwaving.

How To Freeze Pan-Fried Food

1. Put each portion of the cooked food in silicone cups or in separate small containers. Let cool completely, keeping the container lid(s) open, on the kitchen counter. Store in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. Reheat thoroughly by microwaving, pan-frying, or baking at 350ºF (180ºC). 

How To Freeze Deep-Fried Food

1. After deep frying, let cool completely. Put them in a large airtight container, separating each portion with parchment paper. Store in the freezer for up to 3 weeks. Reheat thoroughly (without thawing) by baking at 375ºF (190ºC) in the oven or the toaster oven till heated through and crispy.

How To Freeze Blanched Vegetables

1. Blanch vegetables (broccoli, asparagus, green beans, bell peppers, zucchini, carrots, corn etc) till tender but crisp (don’t overcook!). Drain well or squeeze water out. Let cool completely. Pat dry with a paper towel to make sure all the moisture is removed. Put each portion in silicone cups and put them in a larger container. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 weeks. You can pack directly into your bento box (no reheating!) or thaw overnight in the fridge (and serve with a salad dressing), or cook/stir-fry in the morning while frozen.

How To Freeze Vegetable Dishes

1. Drain, if there is any liquid, and put each portion in silicone cups and place them in a large container. Let cool completely. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 weeks. Pack directly into your bento box (no reheating!) or thaw overnight in the fridge.

How To Freeze Tamagoyaki

1. Let cool completely. Place the tamagoyaki slices in a container, keeping them separated so it’s easy to take one out. Or you can wrap each slice of tamagoyaki in plastic wrap and put it in a freezer bag. Keep in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. Pack directly into your bento box (no reheating!).