10 Surprising Foods You Can Buy in the Freezer Aisle (and Should)

Consider the freezer section the treasure trove of the grocery store. In it you'll find a frozen version of almost every fresh food on your shopping list, not to mention an ever-growing selection of pre-made foods that put old-school TV dinners to shame. You'll also find some unexpected items there, too, from pantry staples that you wouldn't think would freeze well to fresh-baked goods to aromatics that come prepared and ready for cooking. Here are 10 freezer aisle goods you need on your radar.

1. Avocados

Believe it or not, you can just thaw and mash frozen avocado chunks into your favorite guacamole recipe. Or, use them to make smoothies thick and creamy — your other ingredients will overpower the avocado flavor. And heads up, new parents: it's the ideal food to stuff into a mesh or silicone feeder.

2. Rice

Frozen rice heats up surprisingly well in the microwave or on a nonstick skillet, maintaining a firm-but-fluffy texture that can be difficult to achieve when you make it in a pot. Bags of plain rice are one of the most versatile staples you can keep in the freezer.

3. Spiralized vegetables

No spiralizer, no problem. Most grocery stores now carry veggie spirals in the freezer aisle, including carrots, butternut squash, yellow squash, and zucchini.

4. Garlic

Meet your newest cooking hack: cubes of pre-peeled, pre-minced garlic cloves that you can pop out of the package as you're ready to use them. No more garlic gone bad.

5. Ginger

Crushed ginger cubes are another genius frozen food, sparing you the precious time it takes to peel those gnarly knobs. Use them in Fresh Ginger Cookies, smoothies, salad dressings, and any dish that calls for this zingy spice.

6. Sauteed Onions

You can buy frozen onions chopped and cubed, just like garlic and ginger. But already sauteed? Game changer. Add them to soups, stews, braises, scrambled eggs, and ground meat on the skillet for instant flavor.

7. Naan

When you're cooking Indian food, naan is non-negotiable. But it's also great for quick pizzas and flatbreads and as a substitute for pita. Naan turns stale fast, so buying it frozen ensures that it's perfectly soft and pliable.

8. Texas toast

Keep a box of garlicky Texas toast in the freezer to serve alongside quick and easy Italian dinners and as a base for sandwiches (like this Texas Toast Guacamole Grilled Cheese Sandwich), a mouthwatering patty melt, and even a Lazy Breakfast Casserole.

9. Macarons

Macarons take time and skill to master at home, and buying them from a bakery (especially in large quantities) amounts to a splurge for many people. Frozen macarons, however, make an ideal party dessert that only looks expensive.

10. Whole turkeys

Turkey Day comes but once a year, but you can actually buy this bird frozen whenever you'd like for a delicious change from chicken or an off-season Thanksgiving dinner. Hey, why not?

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