10 Great Uses for Your Ice Cubes Trays

By garciamoss

We don't often think about it, but ice cube trays are some of the most useful tools in our kitchen. I rarely use them for their intended purpose — making ice. Instead, I rely on them all the time to create components for quick meals and to avoid wasting food. Here are 10 great uses for your ice cubes trays, aside from making ice.

Ingredients

• Ice cube trays

Details

Adapted from thekitchn.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preserve fresh herbs:
Avoid wasting leftover fresh herbs by freezing them for later. For heartier herbs, like rosemary, sage, thyme, and oregano, considering freezing and preserving them in olive oil.
→ Freeze & Preserve Fresh Herbs in Olive Oil

2. Freeze small amounts of stock:
Instead of letting leftover stock get lost in the back of your fridge, just freeze it for later. You can grab the individual cubes as you need them, and the small size helps them defrost quickly.
→ Quick Tip: Freeze Homemade Stock in Ice Cube Trays

3. Keep wine around for cooking:
I know, I know....leftover wine isn't something most of you encounter. But, on the off chance you do, consider freezing it to cook with later. The alcohol prevents it from freezing completely, but the cubes are solid enough to pop out and transfer to another container.
→ How to Freeze Wine

4. Stash smoothies for breakfast:
For those times you find yourself with a tiny bit of leftover smoothie, or you just want to get a jump start on tomorrow morning's drink, pull out the ice cube trays.
→ Time-Saving Tip: Freeze Smoothie Ingredients in Muffin Tins (or ice cube trays)

5. Make coffee ice cubes:
Instead of throwing out that last bit of coffee that's sitting in the pot, throw it in the freezer instead. Coffee ice cubes will keep your iced coffee strong til the last sip.
→ Coffee Ice Cubes Will Keep Your Iced Coffee Strong 'Til the Last Sip

6. Stock up on baby food:
If you make your own baby food, ice cube trays are the perfect portion size to freeze it for later.
→ Family Mealtime: How to Make Your Own Baby Food

7. Give yourself the gift of caramelized onions:
Did you know that you can freeze caramelized onions?! Since it's just as easy to caramelize 5 or 6 onions, as it is one, why not make a big batch and freeze the extras for later.
→ Quick Tip: Freeze Caramelized Onions

8. Save excess egg whites:
So, you just made a recipe that uses a lot of egg yolks. Whatever you do, don't be quick to throw away the whites. Egg whites freeze really well and keep almost forever.
→ Quick Tips: What To Do With Leftover Egg Whites

9. Rescue milk and cream:
For those times you find yourself with leftover regular milk, buttermilk or cream, and don't have an immediate use for it, freeze it for later.
Got (Too Much) Milk? Freeze It For Later
Good Tip: Freezing Leftover Buttermilk
Leftover Whipped Cream? Freeze It

10. Organize your junk drawer:
Sure you could buy a fancy organizer, but we've got a simpler, cheaper option to get your junk drawer under control... an ice cube tray.
→ Smart Tip: Organize Your Junk Drawer With an Ice Cube Tray