How to organise your fridge and freezer for Christmas

Before Christmas: Clear out your freezer

Use it, don’t lose it!
Before the big food shopping spree starts, it’s time to dive into your freezer and see what’s lurking in there. From half-used bags of peas to that mystery container that’s been pushed to the back, chances are your freezer is housing more than you think. Clearing out isn’t just about making space – it’s about using up what you have.

Take an inventory
Write down everything that’s in your freezer. I make a list with headings: Ready-to-eat meals, Proteins (fish fingers, frozen tofu…), Veg, Fruit, Dairy and so on. Not only does this simplify meal planning, it also helps you avoid buying in what you already own.

Plan a ‘freezer feast’ week
Dedicate a week/fortnight (depending on your stash) before your Christmas grocery shop to creating meals around what you already have in the freezer. This might mean making a big soup with leftover veg or using up frozen bread for stuffing. It’s surprising what can be whipped up with a little creativity.
Edit your shopping list based on anything you’ve managed to make, thanks to the freezer stores.

Defrost your freezer
An ice-covered freezer works less efficiently, using more energy and costing you more money. Before the Christmas rush, take time to defrost your freezer to ensure it’s working at peak capacity.

Label and organise
Label clearly anything you’re keeping, with the contents and date of freezing. It’ll save you time when digging around later and help avoid freezer burn. The number one rule is you always think you’ll remember what something is – but you never will.

Batch cook
Batch-cooked dishes like stews, soups and casseroles freeze well and can be a lifesaver during the busier days of the holiday season. Once cooked, allow the food to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers and labelling with the date and contents. Add these meals to a meal plan, factoring in defrosting times, then defrost in the fridge the day before.

Open-freeze delicate items
It’s best to freeze things like berries, biscuits and pre-chopped vegetables on a tray before transferring them to bags or containers. This stops them clumping together and keeps them in better shape for later use.

During Christmas: Get your freezer organised

Create separate zones
As you start refilling your freezer for the festive period, consider designating specific areas (drawers or sides of drawers) for different purposes. This will make life easier when you’re trying to locate those mince pies or cranberry sauce you made weeks ago. It also means you’re less likely to forget about your pre-made treasures. There are few things worse than getting all organised in advance, then forgetting you’d done so. Create dedicated areas for mains, desserts and side dishes. Keep things grouped together. A labelled freezer means less rummaging and quicker access, which means less energy used, saving you money too.

Portion it up
It’s a great idea to portion out things like soups into smaller bags or containers. This means that you can pull out exactly what you need without defrosting more than necessary. Being able to defrost and heat up a single portion is great when plans change, extra guests arrive or you get the chance to eat alone.

During Christmas: Organise your fridge

Think efficiency, no aesthetics
An organised fridge isn’t about viral videos; it’s about efficiency, safety, and energy and food waste.

Create a ‘use first’ area
Designate a small basket or box for items that need using up soon. They could be leftovers from dinner or products nearing their expiry date. Make it a habit to check this section before reaching for anything else.

Sort your shelves

1. Top shelf for treats. Keep quick-grab drinks, sauces and festive nibbles on the top shelf. This will avoid frequent opening of drawers, keeping the temperature stable.
2. Middle shelf for dairy and cooked meats. Store cheeses, cooked meat, yogurts and the rest here to ensure easy access.
3. Bottom shelf for raw meat. Keeping raw meat here stops any juices dripping onto and contaminating other foods. A tray underneath can also help to contain leaks.

Avoid overloading
A crammed fridge won’t circulate air properly, leading to uneven cooling and potential waste. Leave a little space around items for a consistent temperature.

Take your temperature
Ensure your fridge is set between 0°C and 5°C; your freezer at -18°C. This keeps food fresh for longer.

Store food properly
Use airtight containers for leftovers and decant items like dips or cheese spreads into smaller containers once opened, to stop them drying out. If possible, use silicone bags, glass jars or beeswax wraps instead of disposable plastic wrap. They’re better for the environment and keep food fresher. I keep tiny jam jars for things like a quarter of a chilli or a spoonful of cream.

Be creative with ice cube trays
Save fresh herbs (covered in oil), sauces or stocks in ice cube trays. I use a large-capacity silicone one for egg yolks and whites, then use them as needed.

After Christmas: Love your leftovers!

The festive season is a time of indulgence, celebration and, often, a little over-catering – whether due to plans changing, misjudged quantities or generosity. Despite our best efforts, Christmas can still lead to leftovers. But with a little creativity, you can make sure they don’t go to waste.

Make stock with bones and veg scraps
Save turkey bones, veg peelings and herb stalks to create a homemade stock. Freeze it in portions for soups or gravy bases later.

Freeze what you don’t use
Hard cheeses can be grated and frozen to use in gratins, sauces or toasties. Slice bread and freeze it, then toast from frozen – no need to defrost first.

Refreeze previously frozen food (yes, you can!)
Refreezing rules are a common query. Basically, if something has been frozen (let’s say some mince), as long as it’s been thoroughly cooked (in a bolognese, for instance), it can be frozen again – but only once.

Transform leftover meat into new dishes
Freeze leftover turkey or ham in small portions for easy meal-beginners in the New Year. Or shred them into pasta, curries or pies.

Browse all our best Christmas leftover recipes.