Your Guide To Freezer Meal Prep

Preparing your meals ahead of time is beneficial in so many ways. Besides sparing the dent in your wallet and saving time, cooking meals in batch and then storing them in the freezer also help to reduce food waste. It’s incredibly easy too, so keep reading!

What can I freeze?

Unfortunately, you can’t freeze everything because some dishes depend on their texture to maintain taste, and freezing can change them drastically. However, there are dishes that you may be able to freeze without their taste being compromised:

• Stocks (beef, poultry, vegetables)

• Soups (clear)

• Sauces

• Stews

• Bread or muffins

Though it may be up to your preference, here are some food we recommend you avoid freezing:

• Cream or any dishes containing it–they separate when reheated and can become gritty.

• Cooked pasta–reheating them in hot water can result in overcooked pasta. Instead, try undercooking your pasta before freezing them.

• Soft cheeses–they too can become gritty when thawed. 

How do I freeze my meals?

Now that you know what types of cooked food can go in the freezer, here are some tips on how to set and store them.

Use ice cube trays, tin foils, silicone containers, or zip lock bags to store food. Avoid using glass or plastic containers as you may find it hard to take its content out.

If you’re stuck on what to actually make for this freezer prep, we got you. Here are some of our favorite dishes that’ll do well in the freezer!

• Lasagna

• Tomato soup

• Mac and cheese

• Meat pies

• Bone broth

• Cookie dough

• Zucchini bread

Note: Before popping them in the freezer, make sure to let your dishes cool completely after cooking.

Reheating

Ready to eat? Just reheat your frozen dishes! Thawing isn’t necessary, but if you do–make sure to do so safely by leaving it out in the fridge or using a microwave. 

If you’re using containers that don’t work well with heat, you must transfer the food content to a heat-safe pot, pan, or dish before reheating them on the stove or in the microwave and oven.  

Paying attention to what kind of dishes you cook and what you store them in is crucial when it comes to freezer meal prep. Doing those blindly can affect the quality and the duration of your food can last before you get to eat them.