39 Freezer Meals to Surprise Yourself With Later (2024)

FAQs

What meals freeze well? ›

Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cooker soups and stews, and more. You guests will never guess that you just popped that Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole out of the freezer.

I have found that eating home-cooked vegetable-filled meals is not only healthier for me and my family, but also cheaper. Having a well-stocked freezer saves even more money by removing the temptation of takeout. It also saves prep, cooking, and cleanup time during the week so you can enjoy time with your family.

Yes. You can use regular zip-top storage bags in the freezer. However, foods stored in these bags in the freezer might not hold up as well over long periods of time, and can be more prone to punctures and rips.

Yes! Prepare your mashed potatoes ahead of time, ready for when you need them. Refrigerate for up to 3 days and freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Check out the full recipe for reheating instructions (you can reheat your mashed potatoes from frozen)!

You can freeze just about any vegetable except celery, watercress, endive, lettuce, cabbage, cucumber and radishes. These foods have a high water content and become soggy and water-logged when thawed.

"Generally speaking, anything that has dairy, or a very high water content, is not going to do well when frozen," Patel says. "Freezing these ingredients—or recipes that feature these ingredients up front and center—is going to be disappointing."

Yes, you can freeze eggs. Eggs can be frozen for up to a year, although it is recommended to use them within 4 months for freshness. Many people find themselves being left with spare egg whites or yolks after a recipe requiring just one or the other, or even throwing out unused eggs when the box hits its expiry date.

Excessive Sodium, Sugar, and Saturated Fats

Even so-called “healthy” pre-packaged frozen meals can contain excessive amounts of these additives. Sodium, sugar, and saturated fats are often used to enhance flavor, extend shelf life, and improve texture.

How long should you keep meals in the freezer? ›

No matter the reason, learning how to freeze potatoes and other produce is a great way to stock your larder for months of meals. The best way to freeze potatoes is to cut and cook them first. Because potatoes are up to 80% water, parboiling helps them maintain their flavor and texture once frozen.

Properly stored butter can be frozen for up to four months if frozen prior to the USE BY date on the package. Butter may begin to lose its fresh butter taste and pick up flavors and odors from the freezer if stored for longer than four months. Once the butter is removed from the freezer, use it within 30 days.

Use "freezer" bags, not "storage" bags for storing food in the freezer. Freezer bags are thicker than storage bags and will keep the food fresh longer.

"Generally speaking, anything that has dairy, or a very high water content, is not going to do well when frozen," Patel says. "Freezing these ingredients—or recipes that feature these ingredients up front and center—is going to be disappointing."