Best Vacuum Sealer For Food | How To Properly Preserve

Why I Recommend a Vacuum Sealer In Every Kitchen

Vacuum sealing is one of my favorite tools for closing the loop between garden, backyard harvests, and the dinner table (ok, disclosure, it is tied with a dehydrator). Why do I love our vacuum sealer?? It pulls oxygen from the package which slows oxidation (or spoilage of your food), which helps prevent freezer burn and keeps flavors super fresh. Used with safe handling, it turns a busy harvest or meal planning day into tidy, stackable frozen meals.

For safety, remember that vacuum sealing does not replace cooking, canning, or refrigeration. Perishables still need the fridge or freezer, and thawing should happen in the refrigerator. See the National Center for Home Food Preservation and USDA for details here.

How I Use The FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer

Vacuum Sealer for Meat

If you read our content you know that we like to grow our own food and meat in our backyard, and growing turkeys is something we do just for our family of 4. We think it's super important for our kids to understand where food comes from and raising our own meat birds is part of that.

We save a few turkeys whole for Thanksgiving and Christmas which leaves us about 4 more which we part out into thighs, wings, etc. and then we vacuum seal them and keep them in the freezer.

When we do purchase meat, for example from Costco, we also divide up and put into our vacuum sealing system as well and keep in the freezer. You will just want to make sure there is a moisture setting on your vacuum sealer if you are planning on preserving your meat this way. You will want to get rid of the initial excess moisture in these moist foods, and then have a strong seal to keep the rest of the moisture in.

Vacuum Sealer for Dehydrated Foods

Our dehydrated apple rings, tomato chips, fruit leather and many other things we grow in the garden get dehydrated (then usually eaten) but when we have a lot, they get sealed in small portions in our vacuum sealed bags. Dried and dehydrated foods like these store great in airtight containers or bags, and vacuum sealing helps protect texture by getting rid of moisture and air, and sealing the food like that (vacuum and seal!).

Fruit Leather in the Vacuum Sealer

Fruit leather (which is a huge staple around here during then fall when our apples are ready) freezes really well in the food storage bags once they are vacuum sealed, it's actually a really great way for keeping food fresh. we cut sheets into single-snack sizes (think of a fruit roll up) so we only open what we need. For longest quality, I keep extras in the freezer after sealing, especially in warm months.

Herbs in the Vacuum Sealer

For herbs, I do a number of different things for storing them, such as:

• Vacuum seal the herbs
• Freeze herb cubes in oil, (then seal the cubes).
• Dehydrate the herbs then keep them whole in Mason jars, or use our nut and spice grinder to grind them down really fine and store

This is the nut and herb grinder we use.

Keeping oxygen out preserves the color and aroma of herbs. No matter which method you use for preserving fresh herbs, always be sure herbs are totally dry before sealing them up.

The Best Vacuum Sealer For Food: What To Look For

Suction vs. Chamber

Most home cooks use a suction sealer like the FoodSaver. It's what we use. I's compact, affordable, and perfect for solid foods, meats and pre-frozen items.

Chamber sealers are heavier and cost more, but they handle liquids and marinades with less fuss. If your homestead runs lots of broth or stews, a chamber unit is worth considering.

See the price of the FoodSaver we use here

Compare with a chamber vacuum sealer machine here (this is the top seller)

Moist Mode, Pulse, And Seal-Only

A "moist" setting helps with damp foods, or with meats that are juicy, while "pulse" lets you control suction for delicate items like fruit leather or crackers. Seal-only is great for making custom bag sizes from rolls, which saves money.

You can watch the video of me using the FoodSaver to make a custom size bag, and the moist setting for sealing our raw turkey meat below (and hey, please hit that subscribe button! Every subscriber is SUPER appreciated, I love getting those notifications on my phone!)

Accessory Port For Jars

This lets you vacuum seal mason jars, which is a super awesome way to store dehydrated produce and herbs. It keeps contents crisp and aromatic without crushing.

See the mason jar vacuum sealer here

Built-In Cutter And Bag Storage

These small features reduce waste and speed up the workflow on heavy harvest days. Yes, I also use these features in my video above :)

Safety First When Vacuum Sealing At Home

Vacuum sealing, whether you are looking at moist food like meat or delicate foods such as herbs, removes air which can reduce spoilage signs. That does not mean it totally kills pathogens. Reduced oxygen environments can allow certain harmful bacteria to grow if temperature control is poor, which is why we keep perishables cold and follow strict thawing guidelines.

For dried foods and fruit leather, store in cool, dark places, and aim for single-use packages to avoid repeated exposure to air and moisture.

Step-By-Step: My Vacuum Sealing Workflow

1) Prep And Chill

• Trim, portion, and (optional if you have that "moisture" setting) pat food dry.
• Pre-freeze moist meats on a chilled tray for 30 to 60 minutes.
• Label bags with what it is, the cut and the date.

2) Pack Smart

• Arrange pieces flat in a single layer. This will make stacking your meals easier. I like to place our freeze dry bags that are full on a baking sheet in the freezer with a lightly weighted baking sheet on top (especially great for liquids like past sauces and soups!) and then, once frozen, take the baking sheets away and you essentially have bricks! That's my life hack for you ;)

3) Seal Settings

• Use Moist mode for damp foods.
• Use Pulse for fragile items like fruit leather.
• Use Seal-only to create custom bag sizes.

4) Storage

• Store flat, either stacked or you can stand the bags like books for easy inventory.
• Make a rule: the first in is the first out. Keep a freezer list on the door or put dates on your bags!
• Thaw in the refrigerator. Never thaw sealed meats on the counter.

Vacuum Sealed Food

Turkey, Chicken, And Rabbit

• Portion into family-size packs.
• Bones and trimmings get sealed for broth days, just make sure no bones are poking out (that could potentially tear your bag).
• Seal cooked, shredded meat for quick tacos and soups!

Here's a photo below of my husband preparing the turkeys, which just came out of the chicken plucker. Can read more about that here.

See the chicken plucker we use for our turkeys on Amazon here!

Garden Meals

• Blanched green beans, corn off the cob, and pepper strips seal well and stack beautifully.
• For sauces and soups, pre-freeze in thin sheets or cubes, then seal.

Dehydrated Fruits And Veggies

• Snack-size apple or pear chips stay crisp.
• Tomato powder and pepper flakes go into vacuum-sealed jars to protect color and flavor.

Fruit Leather

• Dehydrate on parchment paper flat, then cut into strips and curl like fruit-by-the-foot or a fruit roll up.
• Keep a few sealed rolls in zipper bags for trail snacks or kids lunches! Extras can live in the freezer for best quality.

Herbs

• Fully dried basil, oregano, and sage (dried whole or blended) get jar-sealed.
• For pesto cubes, freeze first, then seal those frozen herb cubes to prevent punctures and ice crystals.

Quick Reference: What I Seal And How

Vacuum Sealer Care, Bags, And Budget Tips

Bags And Rolls

Buy rolls in bulk so you can make your own bag sizes. Also, thicker bags resist punctures from bones.

See the vacuum sealer bags we recommend for larger items (these are the ones I use in the video above)

Cleaning And Maintenance

Wipe the drip tray after sealing moist items. Keep the heat strip clean. Replace gaskets if suction weakens. Clean boards and knives, and wash hands often when packaging raw meat.

Labeling And Rotation

Use a bold marker for date and contents. I always use a sharpie. If you are super organized, you can keep an inventory sheet on the freezer. Work in small batches so seals stay consistent.

Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)

Does vacuum sealing prevent freezer burn?

It helps a lot by reducing exposure to air, which is what dries out food in the freezer. You still need cold, consistent temperatures and good-quality bags.

How long does vacuum sealed meat last in the freezer?

The food quality stays high for longer when it's vacuum sealed, often many months beyond typical packaging. Always follow cold storage charts and keep meat at 0°F.

What foods should not be vacuum sealed for room-temperature storage?

Any perishable foods should not be kept at room temperature. Vacuum sealing is packaging, not preservation. Perishables must be refrigerated or frozen.

Is vacuum sealing safe for dehydrated foods?

Yes, vacuum sealing is safe for dehydrated foods. When foods are fully dried and kept cool and dark. Vacuum sealing helps maintain quality, and jars with a vacuum lid are great for long storage.

Do I need to open the vacuum sealed bag before thawing?

A good practice is to thaw in the fridge, and some extension guides suggest opening the seal so air can enter during defrosting. Never thaw sealed meats at room temperature.

Key Takeaways

• The vacuum process in vacuum sealing is a packaging tool that protects quality, saves space, and reduces waste.
• Perishables as vacuum sealed food still requires the fridge or freezer, and safe thawing in the refrigerator if frozen.
• For dried foods, vacuum-sealed jars protect color, aroma, and texture.
• Use Moist and Pulse settings to get clean seals without crushing delicate items.
• Label, date, and rotate. Flat, stackable packs make inventory simple.
• Keep it clean, keep it cold, and follow extension guidance for safe results.

Here are some other resources you may be interested in:

BEST Ways To Use Natural Beeswax In Your Home!

Where To Buy Real Beeswax

Shop for the BEST USA-made cast iron cookware HERE

Beekeeping Equipment List | How To Start

Gift Ideas For Gardeners

Shop for beeswax wraps here

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