By making side dishes in advance, you can save time when making daily meals and bento boxes.

However, you may often have questions such as ``How many days can I keep it in the refrigerator or freeze?'' and ``Is there any trick to making it last longer?''

In this articleIntroducing how to store pre-made side dishes and tips to make them last longerTo do.We will also explain the key points of cooking and the products that will make your daily preparations faster and easier.

If you are unsure about the storage container for pre-made side dishes, check out Richell'sPre-made freezing packs are recommended.is.Please, try it.

Tips on how to store pre-made side dishes and make them last longer

Here are six tips on how to store pre-made side dishes and make them last longer.

• Choose the material of the storage container according to the side dish you are making ahead of time.
• Use clean storage containers and chopsticks and spoons.
• Let the side dish cool completely and then cover the container with a lid.
• Divide into portions that can be eaten in one meal and heat only the amount you will eat.
• Freeze side dishes that you won't eat right away.
• Try to make it easy to see the date it was created.

Choose the material of the storage container according to the side dish you are making ahead of time.

Storage container material	Merit	Demerit
Made of plastic	low price and light Can be used in the freezer, refrigerator, and microwave	Colors and odors stick easily and oil stains are difficult to remove. Cannot be used in oven
Made of enamel	Easy to remove oil stains and does not retain color or odor can be used for a long time Can be used in oven or open flame	Due to the metal material used, it cannot be used in the microwave. expensive
Made of glass	Easy to remove oil stains and does not retain color or odor can be used for a long time Can be used in the oven or microwave	Difficult to wash due to weight Low thermal conductivity and takes time to heat up
silicone	Can be used in the freezer, refrigerator, and microwave Can be used repeatedly if washed	Colors and odors stick easily and oil stains are difficult to remove. It is not possible to thaw oily foods as it cannot be heated above 100℃.

Choose a storage container material that is suitable for pre-made side dishes.When storing pre-made side dishes, use sealable types or those with lids.Recommended because odor transfer and deterioration are unlikely to occur..

When heating, make sure that the lid is compatible with heating in a microwave oven, etc.

Use clean storage containers and chopsticks and spoons.

Storage containers, chopsticks, and spoonsBefore using it, wash it thoroughly with detergent and wipe it dry..If water gets on the food, bacteria will breed easily and cause the side dishes to spoil.

It's a good idea to choose clean containers as well as the utensils you use for serving.Reusing chopsticks that have been used elsewhere is not recommended as it can easily damage the food.

Sterilizing storage containers, chopsticks, and spoons with boiling water or kitchen alcohol before use will keep them clean and safe.

Let the side dish cool completely and then cover the container.

Pre-made side dishesCool quickly, remove from heat, then place in a storage container, cover, and store in the refrigerator.let's do it.

If you seal pre-made side dishes while they are still hot, water droplets may collect on the container and cause the growth of bacteria.Also, placing food in the refrigerator while hot may cause damage to other foods stored in the refrigerator.

If you use a container with good heat conductivity and a wide surface, such as a bat, you can quickly cool down the side dishes.When storing side dishes in a storage bag, we recommend removing as much air as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria.

Divide into portions that can be eaten in one meal and heat only the amount you will eat.

Choose the amount of side dishes that can be eaten in one mealIt is recommended to divide it into small portions and heat up only the amount you want to eat.is.In particular, side dishes with a lot of juice are easy for bacteria to grow, so be sure to heat them thoroughly just before eating and eat them quickly.

By dividing up pre-made side dishes into smaller portions, you will reduce the need to reheat them and use chopsticks over and over again.Also, if you can eat all the food in one sitting, you can prevent the quality of the side dishes from deteriorating.

If you serve side dishes that are not heated, you can separate them into individual portions and serve them at the table without using chopsticks, which prevents the growth of bacteria.

Freeze side dishes that you won't eat right away.

If you are not going to eat the food right away, we recommend freezing it to make it last longer.is.Divide into freezer-friendly containers, remove rough heat, cool quickly, and freeze immediately to make it last longer.

However, side dishes with a high water content are not suitable for freezing because their texture and color change easily.We recommend side dishes that have been thoroughly heated to remove the liquid.

Try to make it easy to see the date it was created.

Use pre-made side dishes as stickers or masking tape.Write the date you made it and put it on the storage container.,Easy to understand expiry date, expiration date, etc.is.It's also a good idea to write the name of the side dish along with it so you don't have to check what's inside.

When eating, eat foods with the oldest dates first to reduce waste.If you get tired of eating it as is, you can try making it by adding more ingredients.

Cooking tips to make pre-made side dishes last longer

The shelf life of pre-made side dishes will also vary depending on the cooking method.There are three cooking tips to make pre-made side dishes last longer.

• Choose recipes that use seasonings that have a strong flavor and are expected to have a bactericidal effect.
• Remove as much liquid as possible from dishes that contain a lot of water, such as aemono and simmered dishes.
• Carefully cook raw ingredients such as meat and fish

Choose recipes that use seasonings that have a strong flavor and are expected to have a bactericidal effect.

For seasoning, adjust the following three ingredients to make it more intense.Improves the shelf life of food and makes it easier to keep it for a long time.However, those who are avoiding salt and sugar should be careful.

• salt
• sugar
• soy sauce

Furthermore, using the following 7 seasonings and spices that are expected to have a sterilizing effect will help them last longer.

• vinegar
• Salted plum
• Lemon
• Pepper
• wasabi
• Red peppers
• Garlic

One way to prevent spoilage and make food last longer is to soak food in oil to prevent it from coming into contact with air.If you choose a recipe that uses seasonings that are strongly seasoned and have a bactericidal effect, it will be easier to preserve them.

Remove as much liquid as possible from dishes that contain a lot of water, such as aemono and simmered dishes.

Too much moisture can cause bacteria to grow.When making aemono, squeeze or wipe off the moisture from the ingredients before seasoning.When making stews, try to evaporate as much of the liquid as possible and bring it to a simmer.

For dishes with a lot of water, such as aemono and simmered dishes, adding dried sesame seeds or dried bonito flakes can prevent too much water from coming out.

Ingredients and dishes with a high water content do not last long, soThe key is to make a small amount and eat it quickly..

Carefully cook raw ingredients such as meat and fish

Cooking meat and fish to the center helps prevent food poisoning.Let's cook it carefully.

Raw meat may contain Campylobacter, and raw fish may contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning, such as Anisakis and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.If the food is not heated enough, bacteria will easily grow.To prevent food poisoning, the recommended heating time is 75 minute at a temperature of 1°C in the center.

Also, when cutting meat or fish, be careful not to cut them together with raw vegetables as there is a risk of bacteria adhering to them.

Frequently asked questions for those who are concerned about how to store pre-made side dishes

We'll answer some frequently asked questions about how to store pre-made side dishes.

• Can I keep pre-made side dishes in the refrigerator for a week?
• How many days will pre-made side dishes last in the refrigerator or freezer?
• Is it better to store pre-made side dishes in the refrigerator or freezer?
• What is the approximate time for it to cool down before putting it in the refrigerator (freezer) after it is freshly made?

Can I keep pre-made side dishes in the refrigerator for a week?

It's difficult to keep pre-made side dishes refrigerated for a week.Even if the color or appearance of the side dish does not change, the quality will gradually deteriorate, so be careful.

Eat pre-made side dishes quicklyLet's do it.

If you won't be able to eat all the food, we recommend that you freeze it when you make the side dish.

How many days will pre-made side dishes last in the refrigerator or freezer?

The approximate shelf life of pre-made side dishes is as follows.

• 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator
• If you keep it refrigerated and use plenty of salt and vinegar, it will last for 3 to 4 days.
• Freeze for 2 to 3 weeks

The shelf life will vary depending on the type of ingredients and the season, so try to eat them as quickly as possible.When it comes to vegetables, pickles and marinades that use salt and vinegar will last longer than raw vegetable salads.

In summer, the temperature and humidity are higher than in other seasons, making it easier for bacteria to grow and causing spoilage.Once you make it, you need to cool it down quickly and store it in the refrigerator, or eat it sooner than in other seasons.

Is it better to store pre-made side dishes in the refrigerator or freezer?

If you plan to eat the prepared side dishes within 2 to 3 days, store them in the refrigerator.If you are not going to eat it right away or want to store it for more than 4 days, we recommend storing it in the freezer.

When storing foods in the freezer, divide them into single-serving portions and freeze them to prevent the quality of the food from deteriorating.If you eat side dishes that you make every day, you can eat them in 1 to 2 days.Divide what you can't eat into smaller portions and freeze.let's do it.

What is the approximate time for it to cool down before putting it in the refrigerator (freezer) after it is freshly made?

The cooling time will vary depending on the finished side dish, butIt is best to quickly cool it for 10 to 15 minutes to remove the rough heat before adding it.Probably.If you quickly cool the finished side dish by pouring water or ice over it, or using an ice pack, the time it takes for the fever to subside will be quicker and the growth of bacteria will be prevented.

Even hot stews can be quickly cooled down for 10 to 15 minutes to remove the rough heat.Once the side dish has cooled, cover it and store it in the refrigerator or freeze.

Are there any ingredients or dishes that are not suitable for making in advance?Introducing things you should be careful about when making

The following are three ingredients and dishes that are not suitable for making ahead of time.We will introduce the ingredients you should be careful about when making it.

• Vegetables and fruits that release water easily
• Foods that change color easily
• oily fried food

Vegetables and fruits that tend to release water after cooking, such as bean sprouts and cabbage,Moisture causes food to deteriorate quickly and spoil easily.is.Avoid making ahead of time, especially in the summer when spoilage is likely to occur.

Ingredients that easily change color look bad and are difficult to taste.Also, even if bacteria grow and cause damage, it is hard to notice because it looks no different from normal discoloration.It is best not to use ingredients that easily discolor.

Oily fried foods such as tempura and fries tend to lose their flavor the next day as the oil spreads all over the food and makes it oily.Fried foods have a crispy texture when freshly prepared, but they lose their texture over time.

Fried foods will last longer if you cook them with vinegar or soy sauce, such as nanbanzuke.

Use a pre-prepared freezing pack to store pre-made items!Explanation of recommended points

Pre-made items can be divided into smaller portions and stored.Richell's specially made freezing packIt is convenient to use.There are 6 types of heat-resistant and cold-resistant, categorized by size:

Size	15	25	30	50	115	135
Price	ASK	ASK	ASK	ASK	ASK	ASK
Eur-lex.europa.eu eur-lex.europa.eu	15ml✕12 block	25ml✕8 block	30ml✕9 block	50ml✕6 block	115ml✕4 block	135ml✕3 block
Details	Go to official shop	Official shop へ	Official shop へ	Go to official shop	Go to official shop	Go to official shop

We will explain in detail the recommended points of the created freezing pack.

• You can pack small side dishes directly into the pack.
• Packs with different capacities have the same overall size, making them convenient for storage.
• With heat and cold resistance functions, you can store and freeze food from freshly cooked food.
• It can be washed in the dishwasher, so it is easy to clean and reuse.

You can pack small side dishes directly into the pack.

Freezing packs can be used to store condiments, small side dishes, large side dishes, etc. by using different packs according to their capacity.The guidelines for how to use the packs are as follows.

• Condiments (ginger, green onion, etc.): 15
• Small side dishes (boiled beans, fried eggs, shumai, etc.): 25/30/50
• Large side dishes (rice balls, flavored eggs, hamburgers, etc.): 115/135

The 15 types that preserve condiments are among the most popular.The side dishes are taken out from the portioned portions, so you don't have to worry about dividing them into portions for each person.

Packs with different capacities have the same overall size, making them convenient for storage.

Packs 15 to 50 and packs 115 and 135 have different capacities, but the vertical and horizontal sizes are the same.Since they are the same size, they fit neatly in the refrigerator or freezer.

Packs of different capacities can be stacked and stored.Therefore, it can be stored even when space is limited.If you write down the date and name of the dish on the pack with masking tape, it will be easier to manage.

With heat and cold resistance functions, you can store and freeze food from freshly cooked food.

The specially designed freezing pack has a heat resistance temperature of 120℃ and a cold resistance temperature of -20℃.Hot and freshly madePut the food in a bag and let it cool to room temperature before freezing.It is possible.

You can take the pack straight out of the refrigerator and thaw it in the microwave.Also, since each block is divided, you can take out one block at a time and use only what you need.

It can be washed in the dishwasher, so it is easy to clean and reuse.

Freezing packs are made separately.With heat and cold resistance functions,Can be washed in the dishwasher and dried.It can be used repeatedly and is durable enough to be used 20 times.

There is no need to wash by hand, and if you have freezing packs by capacity, they are easy to clean and reuse.

If you use the side dish cup tray, you can divide and store food in advance and save time.

Richel's pre-made side dish cup tray allows you to store pre-made side dishes in commercially available cups and refrigerate or freeze them.There are two sizes:

Size	No. 5 No. 6	No. 8 No. 9
Price	ASK	ASK
Eur-lex.europa.eu eur-lex.europa.eu	70ml✕6 blocks	110ml✕3 blocks
Details	Go to official shop	Go to official shop

Divide into commercially available cups, cool, and then make them in advance.Divided Side Dishes Cups You can put them in trays, store them in the refrigerator or freeze, and then thaw them and put them in lunch boxes or plates.This leads to time savings.Can be used in a dishwasherThis will save you time when washing.

By arranging them by size, you can select and store the appropriate size depending on the size and amount of side dishes.

Enjoy smart meals with tips on how to store pre-made side dishes and how to make them last longer.

We introduced how to store pre-made side dishes and tips to make them last longer.By storing pre-made side dishes, you can prepare meals by simply heating them up even on busy days, which will save you time when doing housework.

Add more vinegar, soy sauce, salt, etc. to pre-made side dishes, evaporate the liquid, and cook raw ingredients.If you remember the tips and precautions, you can make it last longer.

If you are unsure about a storage container that will last for a long time,We recommend Richell's pre-prepared freezing pack and pre-prepared side dish cup tray.is.Please, try it.