39 Freezer Meals to Surprise Yourself With Later (2024)

FAQs

How to make meals ahead of time and freeze? ›

To prepare a meal for the freezer, you'll want to fully prepare it ahead of time. Be sure to let it cool fully, and then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag. Date it, pop it in the freezer, and it'll be ready to go in a pinch! Most freezer meals keep for around 2 months.

If your maternity leave is short or you plan to eat out regularly, then 10-20 make-ahead freezer meals should do the trick. But if you have more time before the baby comes or if you plan on eating at home most of the time, then 30-50 freezer meals might be more suitable for your family.

What food lasts the longest in the freezer? Whole chickens or turkey, beef steaks and roasts and eggs out of the shell may last up to one year in the freezer if stored properly.

A few foods we suggest you not freeze include: eggs, creamy soups, sauces and dressings, pre-fried foods, lettuce or cucumber, to name a few. The best-suited recipes for freezing include meats/seafood, broth-based soups, stews, casseroles, and curries.

Some of the best freezer meals for new parents include stewed meats, lasagna, meatballs, soups, casseroles, and stir-fry. These can be prepared in advance, frozen, and easily reheated whenever needed, providing convenient and nutritious options during the hectic early days of parenthood.

Freezer meals don't just help you save money; they offer other benefits too! For instance, since most recipes make enough for multiple servings, there are often leftovers for lunch or dinner another night during the week—you're a busy person and don't want to have to prepare food from scratch every day!

Can you freeze any food and eat it later? ›

You can freeze almost any food. Some exceptions are canned food or eggs in shells. However, once the food (such as a ham) is out of the can, you may freeze it.

Milk, yogurt, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, and soft cheeses all become inedible once frozen, since they separate and curdle upon defrosting, changing the texture and consistency entirely. Your milk will separate into a watery mess, for example, and your yogurt will become grainy, curdle, and separate when defrosted.