If I had to pinpoint the number one money and time saver in my life, it would be freezer cooking. Freezer meals are the best things since sliced bread around here {which you can also freeze for the record}.
Yes, it is a lot of work upfront, but that work pays you back each time you look at your bank account and each time you pull a freezer meal out and have a hot, home cooked meal in a fraction of the time. Freezer cooking is totally awesome.
Why Should You Freeze? I know a lot of people are overwhelmed even thinking about it. Your kitchen will be a disaster, there’s a large upfront cost to consider and you’ll be a slave to your kitchen all day. Trust me when I say, once you fill your freezer with easy to prepare meals, there’s no going back. You’ll be hooked.
It’s awesome for when I’m so busy I completely space dinner. It’s awesome for that surprise “oh by the way, so and so is coming for dinner.” It’s awesome for those long days spent in the garden when the last thing I want to do is spend time in the kitchen. It’s awesome for when I fly off on an adventure and leave the rest of the fam home to fend for themselves. It’s awesome on days I simply have no desire to cook.
Open freezer, pull out meal, follow simple instructions and BAM, dinner is served.
How Much Should You Freeze? Go big or go home I say. Because you’ll already be stuck in an apron for hours and the dishes will be piling up in your sink, make it count. Prepare as many meals as you can in one day. Research your recipes {I’ve included a bunch I love below}, have all your steps planned out and your ingredients on hand, and go to town.
Many people like to bribe friends, spouses or kids to help them. I say if they are ever going to benefit from eating one of those tasty freezer meals, they can roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty! Plus it helps to pass the time faster. And if you don’t trust them to cook, you can always enlist their help with the cleanup!
What Should You Freeze? You can check out my Complete List of Freezer Meal Recipes here. There are pretty pictures for all you visual readers {like me!}, so you can see what looks awesome to you before clicking through to the recipe. I lean towards one-dish meals and casseroles, and I always think of how a dish will freeze before adding it to my list. But in addition to all those main dish meals, you can go crazy and freeze desserts, smoothies and cinnamon rolls in a snap!
Another big time saver is prepping and freezing meats and sauces and in advance. I order most of my meat in bulk so I end up with pound after pound of meat to process, cook and freeze. I’ll throw a bunch in the crockpot and season, chop and shred it in preparation for future meals. So in addition to having already fully prepared meals, I’ll save myself tons of time by having the meat completely ready for other non-freezer meal recipes!
How Should You Freeze It? I stick mainly to freezer bags and foil pans {I buy mine at Costco, but I’ve heard some dollar stores sell them as well}. I like the foil pans because they don’t tie up my nice Pyrex dishes and I love freezing in plastic bags because I’ve perfected the art of freezing and stacking those bags to utilize space.
The most important thing is to make sure your meals are completely sealed or properly wrapped, so they’ll keep in the freezer. And make sure you clearly label and date all of your meals. No one wants to eat a 4 year old mystery meal!
So now that you know how awesome freezer cooking is and you have some of my tips and tricks up your sleeve, what are you waiting for? Get out there and freeze something!
~Mavis
Links to freezer pans I commonly use:
- Aluminum Foil Pan Containers with Lids 8.5″ x 6″ x 3″
- Aluminum Foil Deep Pans 9″ x 13″
- Round 9 Inch Aluminum Foil Pans with lids
Find More of My Freezer Meal Recipes
Jenn says
Mavis,
Do your aluminum pans all come with a lid? Do you wrap them in tin foil if they have a lid? I’m fixing to start doing a lot more freezer meals like this but I’m not sure how to keep them from getting freezer burnt. Thanks!
Mavis Butterfield says
Hi Jenn, yes, my freezer pans come with a lid so there is no need for me to wrap them in foil. Freezer cooking is RAD!
Shari King says
Mavis,
Inquiring minds want to know where you get your aluminum storage containers. Costco? I have the book, but need more details…
Shari
Cecily says
I get mine from my local restaurant supply store. I pay a little more up front but the per item price is really low.
Dawn says
Wow! Your kitchen. Love it.
Oh, and I love freezer cooking too.
Did I mention: Wow! Your kitchen.
Karen at A Glimpse Into My Reveries says
I agree: WOW!
Diana says
I love all of the freezer meal ideas! Since I’m a household of one, I freeze my entrees in individual portions. A lot of your recipes are convertible to my method. Thanks!
PattyB says
Diana…. I’ve been a household of one for many many years and started freezing my meals as a way to save money and to exercise portion control. I would take wonderful lunches to work and everyone was jealous. hehe. Now I’m married again and my husband and I like to freeze meals too.
Karen says
I have heard you have to be careful where you buy aluminum pans. Some can be made with not so safe materials…. have you ever checked into that Miss Amazing Mavis?
Sarah says
Mavis,
Can you PLEASE explain why a 1 quart bag holds only 2 cups!?!? I never know how much to put in a freezer bag because the sizing doesn’t make sense to me.
Thanks!
Linda says
Hey Mavis – I’m just now getting around to “catching-up” on your blog (my daughter graduated from high school last weekend!! Can you relate?! LOL). Anyway, a super big thank you for the list of freezer recipes. I plan on giving several a try as I’m probably fixing to be a full time working mom again. I’ve been homeschooling her….and working part-time. I’m hoping to be too busy to fall apart come August – when my precious baby girl starts college!! Bet you can relate to that too? HA! Enjoy her graduation…and your summer. BTW – really enjoy your blog!!!
Mavis Butterfield says
Thanks Linda, and I like your idea of keeping busy. I need to do that too.