Meal Prep: Freezer Cooking That Saves Money

Freezer cooking, also known as investment cooking, is a great way to save time and money. Setting aside a chunk of time on the weekend to cook and freeze a bunch of meals will enable you to relax on those busy weeknights. This will allow you to streamline your grocery shopping and avoid impulsive fast-food pick-ups when you are too tired to cook. Here are some helpful tips for freezer cooking like a pro. 

Benefits of Freezer Cooking 

Freezer cooking enables you to do your ingredient gathering, food prepping, and kitchen cleaning in one sitting. Portioning out several meals ahead provides quick, easy food on those days when you don’t feel like cooking. Freezing meals allows you to cook small portions for picky eaters or those with dietary needs. Generally, investment cooking allows for healthier eating: you can avoid drive-thrus and pull the fast food from your freezer instead. 

Helpful Supplies 

Stock the following supplies for successful investment cooking: 

• Plastic wrap is great for individually wrapping portions. 

• Freezer bags with zip-tops will avoid freezer burn. 

• Disposable pans, especially those that fit into gallon-size freezer bags, are helpful for freezing casseroles. 

• Tape made especially for freezer use is helpful for labeling. This tape will hold ink, stay sticky without peeling up, and adhere easily to items in the freezer. 

• Permanent markers that do not smudge are a must. 

Safety Tips 

Food safety is always important. Here are some tips for safely preparing food to freeze: 

• Freezer temperatures should always stay at zero or lower. A full freezer stays colder. 

• To thaw frozen raw meat, remove it the day before planned use, place on a dish with a paper towel, and refrigerate for 24 hours. 

• Cool cooked items completely before freezing. Place in the refrigerator uncovered for a few hours until it reaches approximately 40 degrees. 

Organizational Hints 

Have you ever been overwhelmed by a mass of unidentifiable food in your freezer? Here are some ideas for keeping your freezer organized and user-friendly: 

• Freeze in manageable portions. Assemble by wrapping the pan in plastic wrap, leaving a bit of space for expansion. 

• Label everything including freezing and "use by" dates. 

• Include instructions for reheating on an index card For ease of meal prep, include serving information with a list of side dishes from food available in your refrigerator, freezer, or pantry. 

• List all food items on an inventory sheet so you can easily see what's available in your freezer. 

• Organize your freezer with the oldest items in front for easiest access and to make sure they are used first. When you add something new to the freezer, place it in the back. 

Investment cooking takes a bit of pre-planning but pays off in money and time saved. Healthy home cooking and avoiding fast food is an added bonus!