Eating nutritious, wholesome meals each day is important. However, some days are hectic, and we might not always have time to make a healthy home-cooked meal. If you're a pro at cooking with healthy ingredients and create meals that taste delicious but find that you no longer have time to make them, then we have a solution. Freezer meal prepping! Start clearing out your freezer, because once you learn about the benefits of freezer meal prep, you'll be filling it up with delicious meals for weeks to come.When it comes to freezer meal prepping, there are some common "do's and don'ts" that you should brush up on before starting. Understanding the correct way to meal prep and which meals are the easiest to freeze will help save you time and money when getting started. Keep scrolling to discover exactly how you can get started with this time-saving technique!
What Is Freezer Meal Prepping?
Have you ever dreamed of prepping two weeks of meals in just a few hours? If so, then this meal prep method is one that you'll love. By prepping your meals beforehand and storing them in the freezer, you can spend less, waste less, eat smarter and save a whole bunch of time! Now, if you're wondering what in the world is freezer cooking? Let us explain. Simply, freezer cooking is freezing meals or pre-prepped ingredients ahead of time to make mealtimes more manageable. Like other meal prep methods, freezer cooking is often done in bulk, and can save you a lot of time. When first starting, it's easiest to begin by simply doubling a recipe that you're already making. Eat one serving immediately and freeze the second serving for later. Once you become more familiar with this method of meal prepping, you can then start planning your meals ahead of time, cook in bulk and then not have to cook from scratch again for several weeks!If freezer cooking doesn't sound like a new idea to you, it's because it's not! We're sure that you've indulged in a frozen pizza or meal from time to time. And why not? Frozen meals are easy, tasty and convenient. By making freezer meals, you can create that store-bought convenience in your own home with healthy, wholesome ingredients that you choose. The best part of this meal prep method is that you have complete control over what goes into your food. Ditch the extra sugars, preservatives and processed ingredients and make meals that your entire family will enjoy. When done right, freezer meals are a great way to revamp your weekly menu while spending less time in the kitchen. To ensure that you're successful throughout your meal-prepping process, our freezer meal experts have put together a list of freezer meal prep of "Do's and Don'ts."
Don't: Start Big
If you have never made a freezer meal before, then we suggest starting small and working your way up. Though many successful meal planners can (and do!) make over 20 meals in one day, it is a lot of money and time to invest if you've never tried freezer meal prepping before. First, discover which meals your family enjoys most and learn a bit more about this prepping style before spending an entire afternoon making meals. Once you've mastered a few of your favorite recipes, then you can easily double the recipes and make more meals at a time.Looking for a great meal to start with? Try making this Classic Vegetable Soup.
Do: Freeze Fruits and Vegetables in Separate Bags
Do you love smoothies like this Chai-na-na Smoothie, but never know what fruits and veggies to combine? If this is the case, then we recommend scouting out delicious recipes beforehand. Setting aside time to choose a few yummy smoothie recipes to make for the week will not only save you time, but it can also help you save money when grocery shopping. Knowing what ingredients and the quantity of each, that you'll need to make your weekly smoothie can help prevent you from overstocking on fruits and veggies. When it comes to freezer prepping smoothies and other vegetable and fruit-based meals, it is best to freeze these ingredients in a separate bag from the rest. The truth is, when fruits and veggies are left to sit with or soak in other ingredients while thawing, it doesn't result in the best taste or texture. By keeping these ingredients separate from the rest, you can ensure that your freezer meals always taste fresh and delicious!
Do: Freeze the Right Ingredients
Some ingredients freeze better than others. Meats, fruits and veggies can be kept in the freezer for long periods without spoiling. But what about other grocery staples? Knowing which foods freeze best can be helpful when you're planning out your weekly meals. Whether there's a sale on your favorite fresh fruit, or you accidentally purchase too much spinach, storing these foods in the freezer can help prolong their life and ensure that they're kept fresh until you're ready to enjoy them. Here's a list of the most common food items that do well in the freezer.
Steel-cut oats
Fried rice
Lasagna
Soups
Quinoa
Casseroles
Cooked beans
Cooked corn
Fresh berries
Muffins
Quick breads
Pasta sauce
Chicken + marinade
Meatballs
Breakfast burritos
Don't: Freeze the Wrong Ingredients
Now, not every food freezes well. Foods with high moisture content like watermelon, apples, cucumbers and oranges shouldn't be kept in the freezer. Dairy products can also raise a few challenges when it comes to freezing. Dairy-based foods like yogurts and soft cheeses usually don't hold up well once they're frozen and will likely lose their texture when they are defrosted. Hard cheeses should be grated and sealed in airtight freezer bags before being frozen.Aside from knowing the right foods to place in the freezer, there's also the question, "Is it okay to refreeze already defrosted food?" While this depends on the type of food, in most cases it is best not to refreeze thawed food.
Do: Freeze Liquid in a Bag
Liquid foods like soups and sauces are best stored in freezer bags. When making a soup like this Creamy Lentil Soup to store in the freezer, it is recommended that you allow it to cool completely before placing it in the freezer. Doing so will lessen the chance of your soup getting freezer burn, plus youll avoid raising the temperature of your freezer and partially thawing other foods. Once the soup is completely cool, carefully pour your soup into a freezer bag. Storing liquids in bags will make these meals easier to access and is a great way to save space. Additionally, when freezing sauces like tomato sauce or barbeque sauce, the same method should be followed.A quick tip: If a freezer soup recipe calls for cooked vegetables in the soup, it is best to undercook the vegetables a bit. This way, when you thaw and reheat your soup, you won't end up overcooking your veggies!
Do: Label Everything
All of those freezer meals are no doubt saving you time. But even the best thought out freezer meal can cause confusion if it is not labeled properly. So whether you're simply making a few meals a week or planning a month of meals, it's important that you label everything before you freeze it. What should you include on the label? We recommend labeling your meals with the name of the meal, the date you made it and any specific instructions on reheating. For better taste and a quicker reheating time, all frozen foods should be thawed overnight in the fridge. Doing so will preserve the texture of your meals and make them easier to cook! Generally, when reheating food, it's best to reheat it in the same way that it was cooked. For example, if a meal was originally baked in the oven, then the oven would be the preferred method to reheat it.
Easy Freezer Meals to Get You Started
13 Bean Chili
Craving a comfort food classic? Then we have the perfect recipe for you! This 13 Bean Chili is the ideal meal to enjoy at your next backyard barbeque or serve alongside tasty appetizers on game day. Easy to make and full of healthy ingredients, this recipe combines our 13 Bean Soup Mix with garlic, onion, chili powder and ground beef to create a mouthwatering chili that everyone will love. Eat as is, use it as a topping on freshly grilled chili dogs, or pair with a fresh load of cornbread for a delicious homemade meal.
Beef and Vegetable Hand Pies
Perfect for those who are new to freezer cooking, this recipe is one that the entire family will enjoy! Kid-approved, it's a delicious and simple recipe to add to your weekly menu. Made without Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix, these Beef and Vegetable Hand Pies make the perfect light meal or on-the-go treat. Add them to your children's lunch box or eat them yourself as a tasty mid-day snack. These hand pies are a great recipe to begin your journey into freezer meal prepping.Now that you've studied up on the do's and don't of freezer meal prepping, it's time to get started! From knowing which ingredients freeze best to understanding the importance of labeling, we hope this guide has given you the confidence needed to get creative in the kitchen. While freezer meal prepping will save you loads of time, it will also give you control over the quality of food that's filling your plate, making it easier to stick to a healthy lifestyle.Have a favorite freezer meal prep tip of your own? Share it in the comments below! From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, Happy Meal-Prepping!