:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/surprising-things-to-freeze-in-ice-cube-tray-GettyImages-1332533258-05a545d0655a4d088a5d376eeb31df29.jpg?w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1 "The 11 Most Surprising Things You Can Freeze in Ice Cube Trays (Besides Water)")
These clever freezing tricks not only save time in the kitchen, but they also extend the shelf life of ingredients that often go bad before you can use them up. Here’s how to use your ice cube tray to avoid watered-down iced coffee, soothe sunburned skin, keep delicious cookie dough on hand, and more.
Garlic
Nobody enjoys the lingering smell on their hands after mincing garlic. Save yourself the hassle by chopping a bunch in bulk and freezing it in trays. The next time a recipe calls for garlic, just pop out a cube and toss it straight into the pan—no mess, no smell, and all the flavor.
Orange Juice
The ongoing debate over the perfect orange juice-to-Prosecco ratio is subjective to the drinker. Make it easy by freezing orange juice into cubes. Then, guests can choose how much Prosecco they want to pour over the cubes, creating the classic brunch cocktail that melts into perfection.
Coffee
Tired of watered-down iced coffee? Freeze your favorite brew in ice cube trays. Pour milk over the cubes, or double down on your caffeine fix by adding your regular iced coffee recipe.
Broth
Don’t waste leftover broth; instead, freeze it! These cubes are a go-to when you’re under the weather or cooking grains like couscous or rice. Just melt a few over the stove to soothe the soul or add flavor to another dish.
Nut Milks
These cubes are perfect for smoothies, iced lattes, or shakes. Frozen coconut milk cubes are great to add to curry recipes, and they bring a creamy richness to the dish.
Wine
Don’t let that half-finished bottle go to waste. Freeze wine into cubes for future stews and sauces, and to deglaze pans. Unlike hard liquor, wine freezes well, and these cubes are the perfect portion for most recipes.
Aloe Vera
Freeze aloe vera, then rub the cooling cube directly on sunburned skin for instant relief.
Cookie Dough
Ice cube trays are the perfect size for cookie dough. Freeze individual portions and bake on demand—just pop one out and put it in the oven for a warm, homemade sweet treat in under 20 minutes.
Tomato Paste
Next time you make our Spicy Rigatoni alla Vodka recipe, freeze any leftover tomato paste in measured out cubes. Our senior food editor, Samantha Leffler, recommends doing this so the paste does not go bad and can be saved for your next pasta dish.
Chipotle Chiles in Adobo Sauce
Our food director, Jenna Helwig, suggests freezing leftover chipotle chiles in adobo—perfect for recipes that need a smoky, spicy kick.
Ginger
The next time a recipe calls for ginger, grate extra and freeze it in an ice cube tray. Use the ginger cubes in stir-fries, smoothies, or steep in hot water for a digestion-boosting tea.
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