Can You Freeze Factor Meals & Keep the Taste 2024?
Many prepared meal delivery services ship their entrees frozen, but not Factor. Never being frozen is a way Factor ensures its meals are as tasty as possible. I reached out to customer support, however, to confirm that it’s perfectly fine to freeze the meals for longer storage.
Factor meals have the best quality and taste if kept in the refrigerator. If you put them in the fridge as soon as the delivery arrives, they should be fine for the next 7 days or so. If you won’t be able to enjoy your meals within the week, there’s another option.
If you need more than a week to get through your order, you can freeze meals to extend their shelf life. In the following sections of this article, I’ll walk you through how to preserve the taste and prevent food spoilage by keeping it in the freezer.
Factor Meals: Refrigerating vs. Freezing
Before diving in, let's see what you get when storing Factor recipes in the fridge or the freezer.
Refrigerating | Freezing | |
Freshness | Food is fresh in the days post-delivery | Freshness may remain if you freeze food before its end date |
Taste | Meals are at their tastiest | May affect the taste |
Overall quality | It’s at its highest until the Best by date | May affect the quality if not frozen properly |
Longevity | Food lasts 7 days or so | Food may last for months if stored properly |
How to Freeze Factor Entrees
When I spoke to Factor's customer support representative, he just mentioned that I need to make sure the freezer is cold enough. But he stressed that freezing meals can affect their quality and taste, although it does prolong their shelf life.
But I've done some research and found out that there are extra steps you can take to ensure the quality of your frozen meals, which are:
Freeze Factor meals you won't eat before their expiration date as soon as possible, preferably when you receive delivery. Therefore, plan your mealtime in advance.
Store food in airtight containers or freezer bags. For optimal preservation, use a vacuum sealer. This method prevents freezer burn by eliminating moisture and air from the food.
Remove excess air from airbags before sealing to preserve freshness.
Arrange the meals flat for faster freezing and to prevent the food from sticking together.
If you've stored Factor meals properly, it's best to consume them within 2 months for the best taste and texture. In general, you can eat them in less than 3 months with no significant loss of quality.
For better food quality, avoid defrosting meals at room temperature because of the possibility of spoilage. Instead, defrost the meal in the microwave using the defrost function. You can also take food out of the freezer the night before and defrost it in the refrigerator.
Further Considerations
Now you know how to freeze and defrost Factor meals. Also, keep the following recommendations in mind to protect your health and food quality:
Be careful not to overload the freezer with items. If that happens, the efficiency of the freezer may decrease over time. So, plan your freezer space accordingly.
Opt for BPA-free containers. Many containers have Bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that could seep into food.
Verify that containers are suitable for freezer use. Those unsuitable for low temperatures may crack or even break. Freezer-safe options include those made from plastic, stainless steel, and glass.
Choose transparent containers. If you put food in opaque containers, you’ll have to open them to identify the food, which inevitably leads to air penetration.
Bottom Line
So, although Factor doesn't recommend freezing meals, it also doesn't forbid it explicitly. And while both the company site's FAQ and customer service representatives emphasize that it's better to refrigerate than freeze meals, you can still put them in the freezer and enjoy them afterward. We tried several Factor meals including Vegetable Tamale, Chorizo Chili, and Truffle Butter Filet Mignon. Find out how it all tasted in our tried and tested review.
If you adhere to the company's recommendations but still need to freeze the products, take a look at our best frozen meal delivery services. Among them, you'll find prepared meal and meal kit delivery services that my colleagues and I highly recommend.
How to Freeze Factor Meals Without Losing Taste
- Use the pre-packaged meals effectively: Since the meals arrive already packaged in microwaveable trays and sealed, simply place the entire tray in the freezer if you won't eat it right away. This helps preserve flavor and texture while preventing freezer burn.
- Label meals with dates: Keep track of what you freeze by labeling containers with the date you freeze them. This makes sure you use meals within the recommended timeframe for optimal taste.
- Reheat meals correctly for best results: When you're ready to eat, thaw meals in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them in the oven or microwave, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. This helps maintain the original taste and texture.
FAQ
Can Factor meals be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze Factor meals. The company recommends refrigerating food over freezing it through its customer support representatives and FAQ section. But, you can still freeze meals to prolong their shelf life. Learn more from our insightful Can You Freeze Factor Meals overview.
How long do Factor meals last in the fridge?
Most Factor meals can last 7 days or so in the refrigerator. Check the Best by date when your box arrives for the details. If you don't plan to eat the delivered meals by the expiration date, freeze them as soon as possible to extend their longevity by a few months, maybe more.
How do you thaw frozen meal prep meals?
You can defrost food safely in the refrigerator, in the microwave, or in cold water. If you have time, transfer frozen food to the refrigerator to keep it at a steady, safe temperature under 40F overnight. If pressed for time, cook food directly from its frozen state or in the microwave if your meals are already prepared. Just make sure to activate the defrost function.
