Staying on Budget

For people who love money.

Ice cube trays are great for storing food

Ice cube trays are great for storing food and quickly add flavor to dishes with just one cube. Try: pesto, chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, lemon juice & more

A lot of ingredients add a zap of flavor to dishes but are hard to use up before they go off. I refer to these ingredients as flavor bombs and I freeze them in ice cube trays by 1 teaspoon. This makes it easy to add to dishes and best of all cuts down on waste!  

Why 1 teaspoon?

3 Teaspoons = 1 Tablespoon

It is easy to convert teaspoon to tablespoon but not tablespoon to teaspoon. 

Flavor Bombs to add in Meals

Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce

Chop adobo peppers and put them by the teaspoon into an ice cube tray then freezer for 24 hours. Remove from ice tray and add to a freezer bag for use at another time.

Pesto

Freeze unused pesto in ice cube trays. I simply fill each cube with about 1 teaspoon of pesto. Once the tray is full I freeze for 24 hours then place in a freezer zip bag. This makes it easy to use pesto whenever I need it.

Fresh Herbs in oil

You can preserve fresh herbs by blending them in the food processor. Once they are in small pieces add some olive oil just until moistened. Measure 1 teaspoon in a small ice cube tray. Finish the tray by adding a little olive oil over each cube. You can blend a variety of herb mixtures and freeze for later.

Other Bombs:

  • Tomato Paste
  • Ginger – Freshly Grated
  • Fresh Herbs in Oil examples:
    • Thyme
    • Rosemary
    • Dill
    • Basil
    • Parsley
    • Cilantro
    • Sage

Flavor Bombs to add in Drinks

Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice

I like to buy lemons in bulk because I use them often but sometimes I have weeks where I don't use them all before they start to go off. In these instances I squeeze the juice and place them in ice cube trays. These cubes are great for drinks or adding freshness to a meal.

Cranberry Juice

We are not big juice drinkers so when we have parties and buy mixers for cocktails often times we are left with a lot of left over juice. I like to freeze the juices in cubes and add 1 cube to a glass of water to add some pizzaz. Sometimes I add the cubes to a martini to add extra flavor.

Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

I like to buy limes in bulk because I use them often but sometimes I have weeks where I don't use them all before they start to go off. In these instances I squeeze the juice and place them in ice cube trays. These cubes are great for drinks or adding freshness to a meal.

Other Bombs:

  • Juice
  • Berry puree’s 
  • Blended fruit such as peaches, kiwi, plums, etc. 

What Foods to Freeze in 1 cup Ice Cube Trays

Homemade Chicken Broth

I make large batches of chicken and beef broth then pressure can it. I always end up with about 1 cup of broth left in the pot. Instead of tossing it out I freeze it in 1/2 cup cubes.

Chicken Soup

I like to make a large batch of chicken soup then remove half of it from the pot to cool and freeze. Make sure you freeze chicken soup with NO noodles in 1 cup increments. I thaw it in a soup bowl in the refrigerator. Reheat and add 1/4 cup of cooked noodles.

French Onion Soup

Andrew loves French Onion soup but it takes hours to cook. I make a large batch and freeze 1/2 of it in 1 cup cubes. This makes a quick side to a sandwich or salad at lunch. I freeze a lot of soups and they really come in handy.

Other Meal Ideas:

  • Any broth or stock such as:
    • Vegetable Broth
    • Beef Broth/Stock
    • Mushroom Broth
  • Marinara Sauce
  • Spaghetti Sauce
  • Soups without starch
  • Gravy

How Long to Store Flavor Bombs?

I store these for 1 to 3 months depending on what it is. Look for freezer burn and if you see it then toss it. I keep my flavor bombs in my upstairs freezer so they are readily available which means I use them before they go bad. 

© 2022 Staying On Budget LLC

stayingonbudget.com is owned and operated by Staying On Budget LLC.

Staying On Budget LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and earns from qualifying purchases. 

Related articles

Weekly Dinners for 4 under $100 – Menu 7

Weekly Dinners featured this week: Lemon Chicken Pasta ~ Italian Sausage Stuffed Zucchini ~ Slow Cooked Pepper Steak ~ Five Cheese Shells

20+ Homemade Spice Blends Using Spices You Already Have

Don't waste money on spice blends. Here are 20+ homemade spice blends you can make with spices you probably already have!

Delicious Egg Bread with Wheat Germ

I love bread and this recipe never fails me! Rich and delicious, this bread has flavor and fiber. I make two mini loaves and freeze the second.

Christin Lee

FULL TIME BUDGET BLOGGER

It is fun to think that there might be a short cut but the reality is planning plus diligence equals financial freedom.

My Favorite Articles