FoodSaver II Turbo User Manual
Page 15

T H E F O O D S A V E R U S E R M A N U A L
27
Food Preparation and Storage Guide
T H E F O O D S A V E R U S E R M A N U A L
26
Where to
Recommended
Vacuum
Normal Storage
M
E AT S
/F
I S H
Store
FoodSaver
Packaged
Life
(without
Container
Storage Life
vacuum packaging)
Beef, Lamb, Pork
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
6 months
Ground meat
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
1 year
4 months
Poultry
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
6 months
Fish
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 years
6 months
Where to
Recommended
Vacuum
Normal Storage
C
H E E S E S
Store
FoodSaver
Packaged
Life
(without
Container
Storage Life
vacuum packaging)
Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan
Refrigerator
FoodSaver Bag
4 to 8 months
1 to 2 weeks
Preparation Guidelines for Meats/Fish:
Option 1: For best results pre-freeze
meats and fish for 1-2 hours before
vacuum packaging in a FoodSaver
Bag to ensure the retention of juices
and shape, and to help guarantee a
good seal.
Option 2: If it is not possible to pre-
freeze, place a folded paper towel
between the meat/fish and the end
of the bag. Leave the paper towel in
the bag when vacuum packaging to
absorb excess moisture and juices.
Preparation Guidelines for Hard Cheeses:
Keep cheese fresh even if you use
it everyday by vacuum packaging it
after each use. Make your original
FoodSaver Bag extra long. Simply
cut along the sealed edge, remove
the cheese and slice off the amount
needed, then place the cheese back
in the bag and repackage. Allow
approximately one inch of bag
material for each time the bag will
be opened and repackaged.
NOTE: Beef may appear darker after vacuum packaging due to the removal
of oxygen. This is not an indication of spoilage.
Blanching
Where to
Recommended
Vacuum
Normal Storage
V
E G E TA B L E S
Times
Store
FoodSaver
Packaged
Life
(without
Container
Storage Life
vacuum packaging)
Asparagus
1
1
⁄
2
to 3 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Whole kernel corn
4 to 5 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Corn on cob
6 to 11 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Snow peas
1
1
⁄
2
to 2 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Sugar snap peas
1
1
⁄
2
to 2 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Green beans
3 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Broccoli
3 to 4 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Brussels sprouts
3 to 5 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Cabbage
3 to 5 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Cauliflower
3 to 4 mins.
Freezer
FoodSaver Bag
2 to 3 years
8 months
Preparation Guidelines for Vegetables:
◗
Vegetables should be blanched
before vacuum packaging. This
stops the enzyme action, which
will eventually cause loss of flavor,
color and texture.
◗
Blanch vegetables by placing them
in boiling water or in the micro-
wave until they are cooked but
still crisp. Immerse in cold water
to stop the cooking process. Dry
vegetables on a towel, then freeze.
◗
To freeze vegetables in individual
servings, place them on baking
sheets and spread out so that pieces
are not touching. This way they
will not freeze together in a block.
◗
Place baking sheet in the freezer
for 1-2 hours until the pieces are
solidly frozen.
◗
Vacuum package in a FoodSaver
Bag and return to the freezer for
long-term storage. Remember, you
can microwave and boil FoodSaver
Bags right from the freezer.
◗
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli,
Brussels sprouts, cabbage,
cauliflower, kale, turnips) emit
gases during storage. Therefore, they
must be stored in the freezer only.