Chill and Be Chilled: Creative Ice Cube Tray Hacks

This summer’s high temperatures call for some cooling off and using ice cube trays you probably already have can help you hack the heat and save time on recipes. Although these trays probably live in many of our freezers, it’s not often they hold anything except for water. From meal prep and portion control to preserving herbs and reducing food waste, ice cube trays prove to be a versatile kitchen tool. As we dive deeper into the dog days of summer, read on for tips to make the most out of your ice cube trays.

1. Preserve Your Herbs

When it comes to flavorful meals, fresh herbs are non-negotiable, but they often go bad before you can use them all. Preserve your herbs by chopping them up and placing them in ice cube trays with olive oil or melted butter. Once frozen, these herb cubes can be popped out and added to soups or sauté pans for a convenient burst of flavor. 

Pro Tip: Basil, parsley, rosemary, or thyme work well for this trick. You can also preserve minced garlic or chopped ginger using this method. 

2. Iced Coffee and Tea Cubes

The first few sips of iced coffee are always the best because your drink hasn’t yet been watered down by the melting ice cubes. Make your last sip of coffee taste like the first by freezing brewed coffee in your ice cube trays and pop them in your cup when you’re ready to caffeinate. 

Pro Tip: You can even mix in a little milk, cream or sugar before freezing to make your iced coffee extra delicious. This method can be used for iced tea as well!

3. Stocks and Sauces

Whether it’s homemade pesto, marinara, chicken stock, or beef broth, ice cube trays are perfect for meals made in a pinch. Bacon grease and other rendered animal fats can also be saved in ice cube trays for use in cooking and baking once they’ve solidified. 

Pro Tip: Opt for silicone trays as they make it easier to pop out the frozen cubes! 

4. Elevate Your Cocktails, Mocktails and H2O

Freeze juices, herbs, or even edible flowers to enhance your beverage of choice. Mint leaves in lime juice cubes are the perfect touch to those summer mojitos! Or for an ultra-hydrating elixir, freeze citrus fruits or cucumbers in water to add a touch of flair to your regular glass of water. 

Pro Tip: Are you a cocktail savant? Boil the water before freezing, which reduces air bubbles, for crystal clear ice cubes. 

5. Red Wine 

Most booze won’t freeze in conventional freezers because of its ethanol level, but wine freezes beautifully, especially in smaller portions. Pour red wine into an ice cube tray and once frozen, add a cube straight from the freezer to deglaze the pan for recipes like risotto, bolognese, or chicken piccata. 

Pro Tip: Frozen wine cubes also work beautifully in sangria! 

6. Yogurt Bites

Make healthy and convenient snacks by freezing yogurt in ice cube trays (bonus points if it’s greek yogurt for extra protein!) and mix in fruit, honey, or granola before freezing. 

Pro Tip: Throw these yogurt cubes into a blender alongside all of your other smoothie fixings. 

7. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Most ice cube trays are the perfect size for pre-portioned cookie dough balls. Coincidence? We think not. You also can pour melted chocolate into the trays and add fruit and nuts for a delicious, on-the-go sweet snack. 

Pro Tip: Use silicone trays for this method, too! 

Turns out, your humble ice cube tray can do so much more than just freeze water! Hometown Hero is proud to not only help you keep your appliances in tip-top shape but also to share innovative ways to make the most of them. If you use any of these creative methods, take a picture and tag us on Facebook! We’d love to see what you created. Happy freezing!