There are numerous benefits to vacuum sealing your food, from saving shelf space to preventing bacteria growth and warding off freezer burn. Whether it’s meat, seafood, produce, or dry goods, vacuum sealing helps reduce waste by keeping food fresh longer or preserving it for future use.
Although there are automatic vacuum sealers that are up for the task, they often cost $100 or more and take up valuable counter or cabinet space in the kitchen. Thankfully, there’s a much cheaper way to maintain freshness without a machine. After seeing a TikTok by creator @sidneyraz, we were shocked at how easy it can be to extend the shelf life of your favorite foods.
How To Preserve Food Without a Vacuum Sealer
To vacuum seal without a machine, you’re going to need the food you want to store, a freezer-safe, plastic zip-top bag like a trusty Ziploc, and a bowl of cold water that’s big enough to fit the bag with your food of choice in it.
Once you’ve gathered all the necessities, place the food inside the bag and squeeze out the excess air. Seal the bag almost all the way, leaving a small opening in one corner. Then, dip the bag into the bowl of cold water. You want to keep the open part of the seal above water, while ensuring the bag’s contents are fully submerged. At this point, the pressure of the water will push out the air and you should see the plastic bag mold to the food, creating a seal-like effect. If it’s not sufficiently airtight, gently massage the bag to remove any air pockets.
With the contents of the bag still underwater, seal the open end. Take the entire thing out of the water bowl and dry it off before placing it in the freezer or refrigerator for later use.
If you don’t want to risk spilling water all over your countertop, you can insert a drinking straw into the small opening and suck out the air before sealing the bag. While this method might not be the most sanitary, it’s an effective way to vacuum seal your food without much effort (well, aside from the exertion of your lungs).
