The numbers don’t lie. Freezer Cooking saves money and provides you with homemade convenience foods. Learn how you can make the most of your dollar with frozen assets.
Freezer cooking has been a way to save me time and energy for over 20 years. Not only do I spend less time in the kitchen each night, but I also don’t have to think too hard to find something for dinner. Usually. (That’s my disclaimer because there are plenty of nights when I’ve forgotten to thaw anything and then I have to get very creative.)
Way back in 1997, I had no idea that a simple practice would reap such benefits: I’ve been able to get dinner on the table in minutes on nights I’ve been too tired to cook; I’ve been able to send homemade meals to work with my husband and save big bucks avoiding fast food. Even as recently as last week, I’ve been able to take a meal to friends who’d experienced a hardship — on the spur of the moment.
Freezer cooking has made me feel like a super hero in so many ways.
How Freezer Cooking Saves Money
There is a whole host of good reasons to give freezer cooking a try. One of the most tangible reasons is that the practice of freezer cooking saves money. Here’s how:
You can buy in bulk.
Some families, like ours, can quickly go through a bulk pack of chicken breasts or a 5 pound bag of grated cheese, items that can often be a terrific bargain. But smaller families may have a harder time using up bulk packages.
With freezer cooking, you can easily use that bulk package and reap the cost savings. Just read pricing carefully as not all bulk packages are the better deal.
You can avoid processed foods.
While processed foods are often inexpensive to buy with coupons and sales, their regular prices are actually quite high. And they aren’t always the best tasting or the healthiest.
By putting a few hours of work into cooking and freezing foods prepared from scratch, you can avoid processed foods.
You’ll have the added benefit of knowing exactly how your food was prepared so you can rest easy, knowing that you’re feeing your family the best meal possible.
You can avoid allergens.
Due to cross contamination in factories, the list continues to grow shorter which foods my daughter who’s allergic to nuts can enjoy. In fact, a whole host of breads and commercially packed foods are completely off limits to her — in most cases, it’s the affordable items that are off limits, leaving us the option of the more expensive, specialty items.
When I make freezer meals, I’m ensuring my daughter’s safety at the same time as protecting our budget.
You can limit your takeout.
I love to have someone else do the cooking just as much as the next person. But, too much takeout eventually makes us sick – to the stomach or the pocketbook.
Keeping a stash of freezer meals on hand helps me avoid the drive thru and save money.
You go grocery shopping less often.
Since I do big shopping trips to do big cooking, I go grocery shopping less frequently. Staying out of the store helps me avoid those impulsive purchases that we don’t really need.
Freezer Cooking Saves Money!
Freezer cooking is one way that I can keep our grocery budget lean and trim. It takes a little effort and planning, but the money savings is well worth it.
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Curious about freezer cooking?
Consider preordering my cookbook, the newly revised and expanded Not Your Mother’s Make-Ahead and Freeze Cookbook. It’s chock full with over 200 freezer-friendly recipes, planning pages, shopping lists, cooking plans, and basic and advanced how-to’s to making freezer cooking work for any home, family, and lifestyle.
The book hits the shelves in early December, but when you preorder via Amazon, you’re guaranteeing that you’ll pay the lowest Amazon price between now and the book’s release.
Originally published August 5, 2010. Updated October 7, 2017.
Mandy
I am so thankful to you and Money Saving Mom for introducing me to freezer cooking!! So sad that I haven’t been able to participate in recent months though! I am hoping to get back in the swing of things next month!
Christy
Freezer cooking is something I rarely do – I must get better at it. I linked a pizza dough that can be frozen for a couple months.
Cathy @ NurtureStore
Hi! Great to discover you. I’ve linked up for the first time. Off to read the other links now & gets some ideas!
Jennifer
I have been saying I want to do this for months! Thank you for sharing, you’ve inspired me to jump on the bandwagon. I can’t wait to read more, as I don’t even know where to start, but anxious to learn. 🙂
Annie Kate
We have 5 children, three of them teens. We go through so incredibly much food that we barely can make enough for left overs with our stove and huge pans. (My sister in law has a 6-burner stove; that would work!)
I’d love to do some freezer cooking, but at this stage in our life we have a different approach: The older ones each are responsible for one supper a week. They plan, prepare, and cook, sharing the load with me. It’s great.
Annie Kate
Georgia
Love the post! Having another baby soon and need to start working on my freezer meals. Very helpful!
Kristia@FamilyBalanceSheet
I need to do more freezer cooking. As my kids are getting older, dinner time is becoming more hectic with activities.
Ella @ Frugal Ella
My mom used to do freezer cooking – I think I’m a little bit scarred from it. But as my family’s life gets busier, it’s sounding more and more appealing and I’ve started putting my own spin on it
A few months ago I started making bread and then turning Monday’s into my baking day. I try to make 3 or 4 things along with the bread – crackers, cookies, biscuits, etc. I freeze a lot of the dough for use during the week. It really cuts down on my food prep time and my family can still eat really good, homemade, whole foods.
Michele @ Saving Money In Real Life
That is a great budget for a family of 8 – I am impressed! We spend about $400 for a family of 5.
Mara
You’ve totally convinced me of the wisdom of freezer cooking. I can’t quite do a big day like you do yet, but I do triple or quadruple recipes when I make them, so at least I’ve got 4 or 5 of something in the freezer at any given time. The days when I can pull something out of the freezer go so much more smoothly!
Lucky
I made a few dinners last week, and I’m planning on baking this week. I couldn’t face the freezer during the first trimester of this pregnancy, so I’m trying to step it up these next few weeks until things start going down hill again!
I’m excited to try your chocolate butterhorns!
Andrea @ Simple Organized Living
I’m obsessed with freezer cooking (and baking). I love how much time and money it saves me each month.
I think I’ll be making about 10 loaves of zucchini bread tomorrow!
Heather in her Mothermode
Thanks for inspiring me as the kids’ fall activities approach….this may the key to survival!
Olivia
I love the idea of freezer cooking, but it doesn’t often happen. Thanks for the reminder!
You are invited to Of Such is the Kingdom’s first birthday party! We’re looking back at old posts and giving away daily prizes. Come on over for some fun!
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Alex@A Moderate Life
Yep, my recipe definitely counts as a freezer recipe. This awesome and healthy Mark Bittman Meat Sauce Bolognese tastes EVEN better after spending some time in the fridge or freezer! Thanks so much for hosting this great frugal carnival! Have an awesome weekend. Alex@amoderatelife
Nancy
It’s been months since I’ve done what I call batch cooking but I’m doing it today. School starts for our teenage girls on the 16th. The youngest is on the dance team which means we’re committed to Tuesday and Friday night games to watch her perform. Knowing that my time after work will be limited, here’s what I’m putting in my freezer today:
~ 3.5# taco meat
~3.5# ground beef, browned & seasoned for Italian dishes
10 c. of cooked brown rice
2.5# of cooked chicken breasts – diced & sliced for planned meals
I’d still like to get 2 batches of cookie dough in the freezer but I’m not going to get that done today. Maybe tomorrow evening.
Janet
I like to cook components and freeze. Our grocery had lean ground turkey on sale for $2.49/lb this week so I purchased 5 pounds, browned it with S&P and onion and then stashed 8 oz packages in the freezer. With the addition of just a few ingredients I can have any number of dishes on the table in short order including turkey soup, pot pie, and turkey enchiladas.
Jessica Fisher
Cooking components is a great strategy to give you lots of flexibility.
Anne
Ugh! I know I need to start this-I’ve just been too lazy!! I am pre ordering your book today! Thanks for all you do to help other women have an easier life! It has been a blessing to me,for sure!! I also keep thinking about your saying”have a simpler season” I know I need to make some changes in this area!! Also your previous post-to start planning for thanksgiving early, so it’s not crazy stressful!
Jessica Fisher
Not laziness, just different priorities. I’m glad I can help you! Let me know if you have any questions!
Heather - sloCooking
Great article. I’m a big freezer dinner lover because of my own food allergies. Good to know I’m not the only one – and yes, the struggle to remember to that things out is real! Looking forward to reading more.