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    Home » Kitchen Tips » Freezer Cooking

    Freezer Cooking: What Can You Freeze? (50 Freezer Meal Ideas)

    Published: Aug 5, 2020 · Modified: Jan 26, 2021 by Jessica Fisher

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    Freezer cooking is a great way not only to preserve food but to buy yourself some time. You save money as well when you bulk buy and cook in bulk. Wondering what can you freeze? Here’s a starting list as well as 50 freezer-friendly recipes.

    casserole dished onto plate near serving dishes this …

    Often when people hear the words, freezer cooking, they imagine a cold, hard slab of a casserole covered in ice crystals. Ick. Makes freezer cooking sound unappealing, doesn’t it?

    Or they think about spending days in the kitchen cooking meals for a month.

    And I get that. Back in the days, those images weren’t too far from the truth. Traditionally freezer meals were casseroles or consisted of a base of canned cream soup. And to practice freezer cooking meant a day of shopping and planning and at least two more sweating by the stove.

    That’s so not the case any longer.

    As the internet has grown up and we’ve swapped ideas more quickly, freezer cooking has evolved. You’re not limited to casseroles and creamed soup concoctions any more!

    sliced Asian chicken breast on white plate

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    Freezer Cooking FAQ

    As we enter a month of freezer coking I want to tackle some basic freezer cooking questions.

    Do you have to cook a full meal to freeze?

    While it’s nice to have a pan of enchiladas or a lasagna all ready to go in the oven, freezer meals don’t have to be complete meals. In fact, meal components and meal kits are great ways to transform your favorite dishes into freezer meals.

    How do you know what you can freeze?

    Just think through your favorite recipes. What can you do in advance without loss of texture or taste?

    I have experimented with meals such as Peanut Butter Chicken and found ways to make parts of it ahead of time. I cook the chicken and veggies, cool and wrap, package the sauce separately, and make sure that I have noodles in the pantry to cook on the day of serving. Then I can assemble the meal quite quickly without having to chop, shred, dice, or mix, saving myself a ton of time and energy.

    What if you’re not sure it will freeze well?

    If you’re not sure something will freeze, test it out next time you serve it for dinner. Freeze a portion size before or after cooking. Then try it a few days later. If it tastes good, you know it will freeze well.

    You’d be pleasantly surprised by what you can cook and freeze for later. I love casseroles with the best of them, but you don’t have to limit your big batch cooking to just 9×13 inch pans. The following is a list of what I’ve found that freezes well. It’s not an exhaustive list. There’s more that I haven’t yet discovered. Your options are almost limitless!

    step by step photo collage for making balsamic pork chops

    Freezer Cooking: What Can You Freeze and Still Enjoy?

    Cooked/uncooked proteins

    • meatloaf – I like to mix and form the loaf, wrap in foil, stash in a freezer bag and freeze prior to baking. I think it tastes fresher this way. Here’s my favorite recipe.
    • meatballs – Use the same meat mix that you use for meatloaves, form the balls, bake them in the oven and then freeze family-size portions in freezer bags. Later you can turn them into Swedish Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Meatballs, Spaghetti and Meatballs, and Boules de Picolat.
    • hamburger patties – Flash freeze uncooked patties on a plastic-lined cookie sheet. Once patties are frozen, place in a freezer bag. See the full method here.
    • seasoned ground beef – Cool the cooked meat and store in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container. Incorporate later into tacos, chili, casseroles, nachos, burritos, and chimichangas.
    • meat and chicken in marinades – Place uncooked meats in freezer bag or freezer-safe container with marinade. Thaw in a dish in the refrigerator and cook as you normally would, right before serving. Here’s the full tutorial.
    • meat and chicken pre-sliced for stir fry – Store in freezer bag or freezer-safe container. You can even make freezer meal kits for stirfry.
    • cooked chicken – Seal securely in a freezer bag and use later in chicken salad, soft tacos, burritos, nachos, Asian dishes, soup, and sandwich fillings.
    • carnitas and shredded beef or pork – Store cooked meat in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. Use in tacos, burritos, nachos, soup, and BBQ sandwiches.
    table set with lasagna, salad, and stack of plates

    Complete main dishes

    • casseroles and lasagnas – I use my regular baking pans, cover with a sheet of aluminum foil and then place in a freezer bag. If I don’t have a big enough freezer bag, I double wrap it with heavy-duty aluminum foil that I reuse over time.
    • chimichangas – Prepare burritos or griddle-crisped chimichangas, cool completely and seal in freezer bags. Wrap in plastic wrap first if you’ll be stashing these in lunch boxes.
    • tamales – Leave steamed tamales in their cornhusk wrappings. Seal well in a freezer bag. Resteam right before serving. This recipe for tamales is super easy!
    • taquitos – Flash freeze on cookie sheets then stash in a freezer bag. Bake frozen. Get the recipe for Beef Taquitos.
    • stews, soups, and chilis – Cool and freeze in freezer-safe containers. Consider making portion-size containers as well for quick lunches and snacks.
    • quiche – Freeze before you bake them. Then bake from frozen. Check out these quiche recipe basics.
    freezer kit for meatball subs

    Meal kits

    • taco kits – precook the meat and package it up in a freezer-safe container with bags of cheese and tortillas alongside.
    • pizza kits – prepare the dough and bag it up in a greased freezer bag before the second rise. Bag up the sauce and toppings in separate bags and collect them all in a larger bag or container to store in the freezer. Thaw the dough in a greased bowl overnight before baking.

    Meal components

    • pasta sauce – Cook up a big batch of sauce, with or without meat, in freezer-safe container.
    • cooked beans – Prep a big batch of dried beans and store 2 cup portions in freezer bags or freezer-safe containers. 2 cups is just about the size of a can of beans. Perfect for all your favorite recipes.
    unbaked cranberry scones on a tray
    • baked goods – Cool completely and wrap in plastic wrap or ziptop bags.
    • unbaked baked goods – You can freeze unbaked scones and rolls so that you can have fresh baked goodies in the morning without the hassle. These butterhorns are great this way, as are these scones.
    • unbaked pies – It’s so nice to have fresh baked pie without the work! They don’t even need to thaw before baking them.
    • cheese – You can freeze goat cheese as well as freeze cheese that has been shredded.

    What You Can’t Freeze

    There are some things that are better left unfrozen. Here’s my short list:

    • white potatoes – These generally discolor and lose texture. Try this recipe for mashed potatoes that really works for me. Here are some other important things to note about freezing potatoes.
    • certain recipes containing mayo – The mayonnaise can tend to separate, but I’ve never worried about it too much
    • lettuce/salad and veggies to use in fresh applications – Sog City, baby. ‘nuf said.

    step by step photos of making asian chicken marinade

    50 Freezer-friendly Recipes

    Chicken Tikka Masala

    This Indian recipe comes together super quickly making it an easy meal to double and freeze half.

    To freeze: Leave off the cream, divide into freezer-safe dishes, chill completely, and freeze.

    Chicken Street Tacos

    Taco night will come together lickety-split with the chicken filling already made.

    To freeze: Prep the chicken as directed, divide into freezer-safe dishes, chill completely, and freeze.

    Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe 

    This Enchilada Casserole is ultimate comfort food!

    To freeze: Prepare as directed, but do not bake. Wrap well, chill, and freeze. Thaw completely prior to baking for best results.

    Chicken Bacon Subs for the Freezer

    Sandwiches for freezing? You betcha!

    To freeze: Chill the fillings prior to assembly, assemble the sandwiches, wrap, label, and freeze. Thaw completely prior to baking for best results.

    Chicken Fajita Burritos that You Can Freeze

    Make your own freezer burritos for delicious ease!

    To freeze: Chill the fillings prior to assembly, assemble the burritos, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Chicken and Wild Rice Bake

    This comforting chicken and rice casserole is made-ahead as a kit!

    To freeze: marinate the chicken in one freezer-safe container. Assemble the vegetables in another; the rice in a third. Store the three together in the freezer. Thaw the chicken and assemble the casserole when ready to serve.

    BBQ Chicken Pizza with Bacon & Pineapple

    Pizza kits are a great way to enjoy a homemade pizza night without a lot of last-minute fuss.

    Assemble the dough and toppings in separate freezer-safe bags or containers. Collect them all in one larger bag and store in the freezer. Thaw the dough in a greased bowl overnight in the fridge. Assemble and bake!

    Easy Chicken and Cheese Flautas

    Flautas, a cousin of the taquito, is a fun freezer meal!

    To freeze: prepare flautas as recipe directs, but do not bake. Freeze on a tray until firm and then collect in a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen when ready to serve.

    Easy Chicken Strips for the Freezer

    Having precooked chicken on hand makes for easy sandwiches, salads, and burrito fillings.

    To freeze: cook chicken, chill, slice, and freeze on lined tray until firm. Store in a freezer bag until ready to serve.

    Easy Chicken Fajitas

    Fajitas will come together quickly and easily with a fajita kit!

    To freeze: slice and marinate chicken in one freezer bag. Assemble sliced peppers and onion in a second bag. Store the two bags and a bag of tortillas in a larger, third bag.

    Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

    Enchiladas are so delicious. Made even better when they're already made in the freezer.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Simple Chicken Stir-fry with Vegetables

    Take-out fake-out is just minutes away when you've got a stir-fry kit in the freezer.

    To freeze: Assemble bags of veggies, chicken, and sauce ingredients in one larger freezer bag. Thaw the chicken prior to cooking.

    Creamy Chicken Stuffed Shells

    Stuffed shells are easy to make and are such a hearty make-ahead meal.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Grilled Chicken for the Freezer

    Grill extra chicken this week and store the leftover in the freezer for easy meals in the weeks to come.

    To freeze: cook chicken, chill, slice, and freeze on lined tray until firm. Store in a freezer bag until ready to serve.

    Homemade Chicken Enchiladas with Roasted Chiles

    Loaded with shredded chicken and roasted chiles, these enchiladas are both hearty and flavorful.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Homemade Chicken Curry Casserole Even Better than Your Mom's

    Chicken Curry Casserole is such a comfort! Why not make an extra to freeze for later.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Homemade Chicken Pot Pie Recipe (Freezer-Friendly)

    Those little frozen pies can't shake a stick at this proper full-size pie.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. Do not thaw; bake from frozen according to recipe directions.

    Tandoori Chicken Marinade Recipe

    This flavorful marinade infuses chicken with rich, Tandoori spices. Make many batches at once for easy grill nights.

    To freeze: assemble the marinade and chicken pieces in a freezer bag. For best results, thaw completely before grilling.

    The Creamy Chicken Enchilada Casserole You'll Want on Repeat

    This enchilada casserole comes together in minutes and is packed with flavor.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    5-Minute Asian Chicken Marinade Recipe ($1.55/batch)

    Asian Chicken is delicious grilled or sauteed for bowls, salads, and wraps.

    To freeze: assemble the marinade and chicken pieces in a freezer bag. For best results, thaw completely before grilling.

    Beef Taquitos

    Homemade taquitos? Yes, please!

    To freeze: prepare taquitos as recipe directs, but do not bake. Freeze on a tray until firm and then collect in a freezer-safe container. Bake from frozen when ready to serve.

    Spicy Beef & Bean Stew Recipe

    This stew is spicy and dotted with chunks of tender beef and beans. So good!

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Shredded Beef Filling for Tacos, Burritos, Sandwiches, and More

    Taco night comes together in a flash when you've got the filling already to go!

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Guinness Beef Stew

    Stew is super comfort food that practically cooks itself in the crockpot!

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Barbacoa Beef for Tacos, Lettuce Wraps, Bowls, & Burritos

    Rich and savory, this Barbacoa Beef is delicious in tacos, wraps, bowls, and burritos.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Hot Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe

    Make a sandwich kit for a quick dinner of Hot Italian Beef Sandwiches.

    To freeze: prepare the meat according to the recipe, spoon filling and drippings into a freezer-safe container. Chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze alongside a bag of rolls and a bag of veggies that you sautee right before serving.

    Slow Cooker Beef Ragu with Mushrooms and Peppers

    This beef ragu is delicious for topping pasta.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Mushrooms and Olives

    Tender beef chunks in a savory gravy, dotted with mushrooms and olives, this stew feels special without a lot of work.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Red Burritos with Beef and Beans

    These red burritos are hearty and delicious.

    To freeze: Chill the fillings prior to assembly, assemble the burritos, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Rock Taco Night with this Salsa Verde Beef (Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Methods)

    This Salsa Verde Beef is absolutely packed with flavor!

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    How to Make Lawnmower Taco (VIDEO)

    Tacos that got caught in a Lawnmower? Your picky eater will be intrigued.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Catalan Meatballs: Boules de Picolat

    A tradition in Catalan, Boules de Picolat are served over potatoes or rice.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Meatball Sub Recipe (with a Freezer Option)

    Meatballs subs are super easy to pull together so why not freeze extra for later.

    To freeze: prepare the meatballs according to the recipe. Chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze alongside a bag of garlic-buttered rolls, a bag of cheese, and a container of sauce

    Hearty Gluten Free Meatballs

    Meatballs are such a versatile protein: serve them with pasta, over mashed potatoes with gravy, with BBQ sauce on sliders, etc.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Versatile Meat Mixture

    Get a two-for-one with this versatile meat mixture that makes meatballs and meatloaves.

    To freeze: prepare the meatballs according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze. For the meatloaves, form the loaves but do not bake. Wrap, label, and freeze. Thaw completely before baking.

    Slow Cooked Sweet and Sour Meatballs

    These sweet and sour meatballs can be made as a kit or as a complete meal that just needs reheating.

    To freeze as a kit: Place the meatballs in one bag, the pineapple in another. Saute the vegetables and chill them before adding them to a third bag along with the other sauce ingredients. Store all three bags together in the freezer. Assemble in the crockpot, adding the cornstarch at the very end of cooking as directed in the recipe.

    Pork Carnitas Tacos

    Carnitas Tacos are super delicious and filling. Make a double batch and freeze extra for later.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Dijon Pork Tenderloin

    Spicy and tangy, this Dijon Pork Tenderloin makes for a super simple meal with little prep.

    To freeze: assemble the marinade and pork in a freezer bag. For best results, thaw completely before grilling.

    Spicy Pork Chili with Pumpkin

    Pumpkin adds rich flavor to this spicy pork chili.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Grilled Pork Tenderloin with a Homemade Spice Rub

    Grilled pork tenderloin is great on its own or as a filling for sandwiches.

    To freeze: assemble the spices in a small bag and package with the wrapped pork in a freezer bag. For best results, thaw completely before grilling.

    Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tacos

    Make a double batch of this pork taco filling so that taco nights are easy peasy.

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Grilled Balsamic Pork Chops Recipe (84 cents/serving)

    This is one of the easiest ways to prepare pork chops that are packed with flavor.

    To freeze: assemble the marinade and pork chops in a freezer bag. For best results, thaw completely before grilling.

    Best Ever Slow Cooker Pulled Pork [VIDEO]

    We don't exaggerate when we call this the BEST pulled pork ever. Try it and see!

    To freeze: prepare according to the recipe, chill completely, wrap, label, and freeze.

    Ham and Gruyere Quiche with Leeks

    Quiche is both elegant and easy, making for a tasty breakfast, lunch, or supper.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. Do not thaw; bake from frozen.

    Ham and Swiss Sliders (Freezer-Friendly)

    These ham and swiss sliders are simple and delicious, making a stop at the sandwich shop a thing of the past.

    To freeze: Chill the fillings prior to assembly, assemble the sandwiches, wrap, label, and freeze. Thaw completely prior to baking for best results.

    Sausage Noodle Casserole, like Mac & Cheese, but Better

    This sausage noodle casserole is like your favorite mac and cheese -- but better.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Sausage Egg Hash Brown Casserole (87 cents/serving)

    Hearty and flavorful, this make-ahead egg dish is super simple!

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Spicy Sausage Lasagna with Mushrooms and Peppers

    This is not your freezer section's frozen lasagna. So much better than anything you'd buy in the store, this dish is simple to make in bulk.

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Cheesy Sausage Enchiladas

    Spicy sausage and gooey cheese wrapped in corn tortillas? What's not to love?

    To freeze: assemble according to the recipe, but do not bake. Wrap well and freeze. For best results, thaw completely before baking.

    Cheesy Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches

    Sandwich night is simple and delicious when you've got these Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches all ready to go!

    To freeze: Chill the fillings prior to assembly, assemble the sandwiches, wrap, label, and freeze. Thaw completely prior to baking for best results.

    What do you freeze to enjoy later?

    pin illustrating what you can freeze

     This post was originally published November 28, 2009. It has been updated for content and clarity.

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    Comments

    1. K8sMom2002

      February 26, 2014 at 5:40 am

      Contrary to popular belief, you CAN freeze potatoes! I buy big russets when they are on sale, fill my oven to the brim with the potatoes (just cut x’s on them and put them directly on the racks, as many as you can fit) and bake as usual. Cool, then dump them into a gallon zip-top bag.

      To reheat, nuke in the microwave. They come out tasting like Wendy’s baked potatoes. Yum!

      Another couple of uses: they are frozen solid, so they can serve as an ice pack in your lunch … Take one, some tater toppin’s and a drink in an insulated bag, and nuke the tater in your office kitchen microwave.

      And, when you want to make hashbrowns, nuke a tater, shred it in your food processor, and voila! You can use in your favorite hashbrown recipe.

      This is a great way of taking advantage of those 10 or 25 lb bags of potatoes at rock bottom prices. And it’s EASY!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        March 01, 2014 at 10:18 am

        You certainly can, provided they are cooked. I don’t love the texture as well as fresh, but I’ve found that mixing them with fat makes them work better. Here’s a post I shared on Good Cheap Eats about that: https://goodcheapeats.com/2010/12/freezing-potatoes/

        Reply
    2. Carla

      October 29, 2013 at 7:11 am

      Bell Peppers & onions, pumpkin puree, I’ve been trying to cut down on produce waste. If it looks like it isn’t going to be eaten in time I’ve sliced, diced or pureed and tossed in the freezer. Pureed squash (summer varieties) & pumpkin work great in soups, stews & spaghetti sauces with bonus veggies in the meals with no one the wiser. I love to have peppers & onions on hand to toss in a quick breakfast dish or shorten prep time for dinners.

      Reply
    3. Carol

      October 16, 2013 at 9:49 am

      I cooked rice, coat with a small amount of olive oil, then freeze. it was easy to use in soups & stir fy

      Reply
    4. Tammy Hall

      October 05, 2012 at 1:48 pm

      FYI– to nayone new to freezing. Most things, if flash froze first, freeze btter, and if you vacuum seal, they last a bit longer and also don’t squish as the air is sucked out. Basically let them get fairly froze or all the way and then put into bags or vacuum bags. Anything from cookie dough, to pancakes and waffles, hasbrowns– pay it all on a cookie sheet, let it freeze then bag. EASY!

      Reply
    5. junebaby

      August 03, 2012 at 6:42 am

      I freeze all these wonderful homegrown tomatoes. If you blanch them first they freeze well – you can’t use them for sandwiches but you can certainly cook with them. I also freeze butter when i get it on sale, it last a long time and still works great in all my baking.

      Reply
    6. Holly

      June 01, 2012 at 10:04 pm

      Can you freeze eggs? I’m wondering if I can make a breakfast casserole and freeze it.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        June 01, 2012 at 10:24 pm

        Yes, you can freeze eggs in a breakfast casserole. I freeze mine prior to baking. Then thaw overnight in the fridge.

        Reply
    7. Teresa

      April 14, 2012 at 2:02 pm

      You can freeze whipping cream, too! I just purchased 10 pints on sale/clearance and froze them all. Just thaw them completely in the refrigerator, and they’ll whip right up for whipped cream. Or, one time I left a pint out on the counter while we went to church (3 hours), and when we returned it was ready to be whipped.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        April 14, 2012 at 2:04 pm

        And it whipped? I’ve heard that it won’t whip after freezing. Hmmm….

        Reply
    8. Amanda

      January 03, 2012 at 7:32 am

      Thanks for all these amazing tips for what can be frozen. I have no actually started doing this yet but plan to as soon as we move. Just wondering if any of you seasoned pros could give me some pointers at making this successful as I won’t have the time to really trial and error any of it.
      I have 2 children ages 6 and 2 and once we move my husband and I BOTH will be starting college. It’s a big step for us and it is going to make life for us pretty hectic. I am just trying to figure out how to still be able to get dinner on the table while trying to maintain school for 3 and at least some what of a normal family life. Any suggestions or tips that you can give me are greatly appreciated.

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        January 03, 2012 at 8:15 pm

        I’ve written A LOT about it throughout the Freezer Cooking archives. If you spend an hour or so reading, you should be able to pick up lots of tips. Good luck!

        Reply
    9. TW

      December 20, 2011 at 7:56 pm

      You can freeze raw or cooked bacon and pork necks to put in the crockpot with lima beans.

      Reply
    10. Sara

      August 05, 2011 at 9:14 pm

      Ashley, I use disposable foil pans and zip lock bags! 🙂

      I have frozen homemade egg rolls a number of times, with good results. But tonight, I used a package of won ton wrappers I got cheap with a sale and coupons and, in addition to some veggie won tons, made crab rangoon to put in the freezer as well. I was/am nervous about the cream cheese, but after reading some of these comments about freezing cream cheese, I am optimistic!

      Reply
    11. Ashley

      May 19, 2011 at 4:03 pm

      does anyone have tips on storing the freezer meals? I have a limited amount of dishes to hold my food and am new to freezer meals!

      Reply
      • Jessica Fisher

        May 20, 2011 at 10:13 pm

        These two posts should answer your questions: http://lifeasmom.com/2011/03/what-dishes-to-use-for-freezer-cooking.html and http://lifeasmom.com/2010/05/freezer-cooking-storage-length-and-methods-of-packaging.html

        Reply
    12. Sarah B

      March 31, 2011 at 2:01 pm

      Wow! I know this is really old, but I just found it! I freeze potatoes in soups and things like that and they don’t turn colors. Examples: Potato Cheese Soup, Beef Stew, etc. Make sure they are completely covered in some sort of sauce and it seals them or I cook them down just a little until they are almost cooked and freeze them that way. This way when I make a meal that needs potatoes they are already somewhat cooked. I was also wondering if you would (or have) give a list of some of the meals that you freeze with the recipes?! I seem to do the same old same old all the time and would love to try some new ones! Thanks!

      Reply
    13. Teresa

      March 14, 2011 at 11:44 am

      I love to freeze homemade pizza ingredients! I chop up peppers and onions and freeze them in 1/2 cup portions in baggies, pepperoni, cooked ground beef, crumbled bacon, cooked chopped chicken, shredded mozarella, you can freeze basil pesto in ice cube trays and use that too for pizza, as well as freezing smaller portions of homemade pizza sauce. I like to make a double batch of pizza dough in my breadmaker, bake one immediately for supper, and roll out and freeze the other one on a pan (w/ parchment paper covering the top and bottom so it doesn’t get freezer burned). Makes it almost as quick to make your own as a purchased frozen pizza, and that helps me for the nights I just don’t know what else to cook. I also like to freeze cookie dough balls–and recently read that this is more successful if you use baking powder rather than soda in the recipe. This is b/c soda activates immediately upon mixing, while the b. powder partially releases during the baking process, so they freeze better that way.

      Reply
    14. Megan

      July 08, 2010 at 1:50 pm

      @Vicky- Freeze your roasts (I use round) and cut thinly by hand or use a meat cutter to cut very thin slices. (The freezing makes cutting my hand really cold but SOOO much easier.) Then put it into a Bulgogi marinade and freeze. This is super yummy!

      Bulgogi

      1-2 lbs. Thinly sliced sirloin or round- freeze to help aid in cutting thin
      1/4- 1/3 C Sugar
      1/4 C Soy Sauce per pound
      2-3 T Rice wine vinegar
      1-2 T Sesame oil
      3-4 cloves Garlic per pound of beef
      2 Scallions per pound of beef, white and green included
      1/4- ½ t Ground black pepper

      (*1-2 T toasted sesame seeds optional- I put on finished product)

      First cut frozen, yet workable beef into thin slices. Let thaw and sprinkle sugar on top. Let sugar sit for about 20 minutes while preparing the rest of the marinade. Combine other ingredients and pour over beef. Let marinade at room temp for 1 hr (or in fridge for 2 hours- minimum) Sauté in wok or large fry pan. Boil marinade in separate pot and serve as sauce for meat. Serve with rice in Romaine lettuce leaf.

      Reply
    15. Tabatha

      July 08, 2010 at 11:09 am

      I actually just did this and we froze beef stroganoff, stuffed shells, lasagnas, shredded chicken for chicken tacos, and a few other items. I love my freezer! Some other things that I know freeze well and we have done in the past is mac n cheese, french toast, homemade perogies, pancakes, and jams. I tell my husband all the time our power better not go out because our cooler isn’t big enough! LOL

      Reply
    16. Rebecca

      May 30, 2010 at 5:30 pm

      I have just a small freezer above my fridge, so I started out mostly using my freezer for meal components. I freeze shredded mozzarella. I freeze diced onions (so I only have to cry once). I made all my son’s baby food (freezing small portions in ice cube trays), and when he was older and on to solid foods, I just used those cubes of veggie puree and added them to spaghetti sauce (my hubby would notice if I added diced veggies, and he would not like it). Whenever I buy chicken breasts for cheap I cook them right away (boiled for 30 minutes), then I fork shred them and freeze them in small (1-2 breast) portions. These can be used later in casseroles, soups, etc. For the woman with all that beef roast to use up, I will throw a big hunk of beef in my crock pot covered with water. I let it cook for 4+ hours or so on low, then I drain most of the water, cut/shred the meat up a bit, and cover with BBQ sauce and cook for another 4+ hours. I freeze this in 1/2 cup portions in ziplock baggies. This makes excellent BBQ beef sandwiches. Nuke the baggie for 90 seconds to 2 minutes, place on sandwich bread, and top with pepperjack cheese. This makes 2 sandwiches.

      Reply
    17. Keri at Eat, Drink, and Be Keri

      May 24, 2010 at 12:22 pm

      I only buy potatoes when they are just crazy cheap, then I buy 10 or 20 lbs at once (obviously too much for a family of 2 to use quickly) and make most of them into portions of mashed potatoes and Ellie Kreiger’s garlic fries, I cool and freeze these in 2 person portions – they come out perfectly when reheated! I also stock up on eggs and freeze them raw, out of the shell with yolks mixed in, in large ice cube trays before transfering to ziplocks. (Then again, I freeze everything – really – just about anything short of lettuce, I will freeze it somehow.)

      Reply
    18. Lois

      February 26, 2010 at 3:05 am

      I got a recipe for rice from a cooking show that freezes great. Using a little olive oil (enough to barely coat the rice), “fry” rice until it begins to turn clear. Add water to about an inch above rice, simmer covered about 20 minutes without checking. Turn off heat, let rice cool. Then I just throw it into a big zip-loc bag mash flat and freeze. It will NOT stick together, you can just break off or scoop enough for whatever dish you need it for. With only me to cook for most of the time, this is the best solution I’ve ever found.

      Reply
    19. AMBER FERGUSON

      February 24, 2010 at 1:34 pm

      If I ever have extra sauce left over I will freeze it using ice cube trays. This way I can make just the right amount of sauce when I need it. So if I want a quick, delicious lunch or fast dinner for one or two I can always make the amount needed without wasting or worse refreezing the rest. This trick also works great with rice. Just spray the ice cube tray with a little pam or olive oil. After its frozen pop out the cubes and store in a freezer bag.

      Reply
    20. Angela

      February 24, 2010 at 10:03 am

      I use this to determine what freezes well.
      http://wilson-family-adventure.blogspot.com/2010/02/thursdays-houshold-tip-freezing-food.html

      Reply
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