Keep your cool. Hot foods should always be cooled completely before freezing to maintain the proper temperature in your freezer.

Label it. Don’t waste time trying to decipher frozen meals. Write the name of the dish and include the date it was prepared, so you can make sure to use the older items first.

Save space. Freezer-quality bags make for efficient storage of soups and stews. Pour the cooled food into the bag, remove as much air as possible before sealing, and lay them flat to maximize valuable freezer space.