This printable freezer inventory tracker is a handy spreadsheet for keeping track of what you have at home and when to use it.
Disclosure: This blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, Keri Houchin earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
Whether you have a small reach-in freezer, a big chest freezer, or something in-between, it’s important to know what you have. Freezers are great for storing food long-term, but nothing lasts forever. Keep track of what you have and when it expires so you can stock up on sales and use everything at its best.
Pros and cons of a chest freezer
My in-laws bought us a chest freezer for Christmas one year. It’s been a lifesaver and probably saved us quite a bit of money on groceries over the years.
I have been able to stock up on chicken breasts and ground beef at the grocery store when it’s marked down on a manager’s special. We also have relatives who are ranchers and we have taken advantage of opportunities to get a lot of meat from them that we probably wouldn’t have otherwise.
I can stock up on other foods we eat often, like frozen corn, so I have it on hand to add it to a meal any time.
All these things have added up to big savings on my grocery budget. I know I can stock up when things are on sale and can be even thriftier between those times. This is one of the biggest things I do to keep my grocery budget low.
What isn’t helpful is when I think we have chicken, but there’s none when I go to get some out of the freezer. Or I buy fresh bell peppers on sale to chop and freeze, then find a bag already in there.
I love organizing, but somehow this is an area that I’ve never tackled until now.
The chest freezer is out in the garage, so it’s inconvenient to go out and check for things while making my weekly grocery shopping list. I spent my time running back and forth when I could just pull up a list, so I made one.
My chest freezer is used for bulk and long-term storage. The smaller freezer attached to my refrigerator holds the things we access frequently.
I made this freezer inventory printable and listed everything in the chest freezer. I put it on the refrigerator door in my kitchen so that I know exactly what I have. As a bonus, I also can see the dates and plan to use the older items first.
Freezer organizing tips
Organize meat by type
Keep beef, chicken, pork, game, etc. with items of the same kind. This will help you know at a glance what you have the most of and what needs restocking.
Keep meat and produce separately.
Create a section for each type of food. This will help you know what you have lots of and what to keep an eye out for stocking up. This freezer organizing guide has more tips on creating space.
Wrap foods thoroughly
Use several layers of plastic wrap and/or zip bags to store foods long-term. This will help to avoid freezer burn; sometimes the store packaging is enough, but often it isn’t.
Label everything
Write on every package to label everything with what it is and when it was purchased. These labels are cute.
First in first out
Even frozen foods lose their quality and flavor. Use the older foods first so that nothing gets thrown out because it expired. Here’s how long everything lasts. Stocking up when something is on sale is great, but only if you’ll use it.
Make a list
Keep a freezer inventory to track everything. I keep mine in the meal planning section of my household binder so I can see it at a glance.
Get the printable
The freezer inventory printable fits on regular 8.5×11-inch.
There are 2 ways to get this printable:
1. Pay what you can! To download for free, type $0 in the fair price box. Enter your email address to get instant access and also have it sent to your inbox. If you enjoy my printables, please consider a $3-5 payment to help me keep making them.
2. Join The Printables Library for a one-time fee that gives you access to all current and future printables! If you’re already a member, you can find this file there now.
Can’t see the Gumroad form below? Unsure how to print? For troubleshooting tips and frequently asked questions, read the Printables FAQ Help Guide.
Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
Christine says
This is incredibly clever! I end up doing an inventory like once a week when menu planning. It would be so much simpler to have a master list!
Thank you!!
Keri says
Glad you like it! I’m terrible about assuming I have something when I don’t.
Anja says
love it, makes meal planning so much easier
Keri says
Thanks!
Suzanne says
Great idea, thanks
Keri says
You’re welcome!
Rachael says
These are perfect for what I need! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Keri says
I’m glad I could be of help.
Amy says
This is a great idea! I plan to laminate mine, hang on the freezer door then write the items with an Expo marker. That way, I can update as we use things. Thanks!
Keri says
Thanks, Amy!
Christina Weiss says
Do you happen to have a spices list? I really like the style of these lists.
Keri says
I haven’t made a spices list yet, but that’s a great idea! I’ll try to put one together this month.
Rikki S. says
do you have the orginal version available?
Keri says
Hi Rikki! I’ve just added both of the originals back to the post at the end. Thanks for asking!
Gail L Martin says
I kind of laughed at this. I can so relate. My husband bought a chest freezer for us years ago. We still have it. But it does have a down-side. When I clean it out, I literally have to get over in there to deep clean. This freezer inventory will help me tremendously. My son said, “Mom, no more chicken!” I had no idea we had 15 bags. Also No more cookie dough… 8.He is the one who usually puts things in the deep freeze, as we call it. when I was growing up, we had an upright freezer. It was very convenient. The older I get, I think I would rather go back to that. So thanks for your ideas. Love it.
Keri says
Thanks, Gail! It’s so handy to have extra when the store is out of something, but easy to overstock too.