The Top 5 Plants to Grow If You Want to Freeze Your Own Food
Have you ever thought about growing your own food but felt overwhelmed by the idea of preserving it? Many people assume that food preservation means hours of canning, special equipment, and complicated recipes. But the truth is, freezing homegrown food is one of the easiest ways to enjoy fresh flavors year-round—and you don’t need any experience to get started!
Gardening doesn’t have to be difficult, either. If you’re new to growing your own food, choosing low-maintenance crops that are easy to grow and preserve will set you up for success. In this post, we’ll cover five of the best vegetables and fruits to grow if you want to freeze your harvest—no canning required! These plants are beginner-friendly, require little effort, and will help you enjoy homegrown food long after the growing season ends.
Berries (Elderberries, Raspberries, and Blueberries)
Berries are some of the easiest perennial plants to grow. Many varieties come back year after year, require little maintenance, and thrive in small spaces. Plus, they’re packed with antioxidants and nutrients. Berries hold their shape, flavor, and nutritional value when frozen, making them perfect for smoothies, baking, and homemade elderberry syrup. To freeze berries, rinse and pat them dry, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, and freeze for 2-4 hours before transferring them to airtight containers or freezer bags. Frozen berries can be used in smoothies, yogurt parfaits, baked goods like muffins and cobblers, or even homemade elderberry syrup for immune support.
Peppers (Bell Peppers, Hot Peppers, and Sweet Peppers)
Peppers thrive in warm weather, require little maintenance, and produce abundantly. They grow well in containers or garden beds and don’t take up much space. Unlike some vegetables, peppers don’t require blanching before freezing. Simply wash, remove seeds, and slice or dice them before spreading them on a baking sheet to prevent clumping. Once frozen, transfer them to freezer bags or containers. Frozen peppers are great for stir-fries, fajitas, soups, stews, casseroles, omelets, and breakfast scrambles.
Green Beans
Green beans are a high-yield crop, meaning you’ll get a lot of food from just a few plants. They grow quickly and are perfect for raised beds, container gardening, or traditional garden rows. Green beans retain their texture and flavor when frozen properly, making them a great addition to winter meals. To freeze green beans, wash and trim the ends, blanch them in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then cool them in ice water before draining and freezing them in portion-sized bags. Frozen green beans work well as a side dish, in casseroles like green bean casserole, and in stir-fries and soups.
Corn
Corn is fun to grow and doesn’t require much maintenance beyond watering and feeding. Fresh corn has unbeatable flavor compared to store-bought options. Corn kernels retain their sweetness and texture when frozen properly, making them a versatile ingredient year-round. To freeze corn, blanch whole cobs in boiling water for 4-5 minutes, cool them in ice water, and then freeze them in freezer bags. If you prefer, you can cut the kernels off the cob after blanching and freeze them in portions. Frozen corn is perfect for soups, chowders, stews, casseroles, cornbread, or simply sautéed as a side dish.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops to grow, thriving in both garden beds and containers. They produce a lot and can be used in countless recipes. Tomatoes are ideal for freezing because they become soft when thawed, making them perfect for sauces, soups, and stews. To freeze tomatoes, wash and remove the stems, then freeze them whole, halved, or blended into a sauce before storing them in freezer bags or containers. Frozen tomatoes are excellent for making pasta sauces, salsas, homemade tomato soup, chili, and stews.
Freezing is a simple and effective way to preserve your homegrown harvest—no special skills or canning equipment required! If you’re new to gardening, starting with easy-to-grow crops like berries, peppers, green beans, corn, and tomatoes will help you build confidence while enjoying fresh flavors all year long.
By growing and freezing your own food, you’ll save money, eat healthier, and gain the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food comes from. Whether you have a large garden or just a few pots on a patio, these beginner-friendly plants will set you up for success!
Are you ready to start growing and preserving your own food? Let us know which crop you’re excited to try first!
