Here Are 9 Weeks’ Worth of Freezer Meal Plans (2024)

FAQs

How long are freezer meals good for? ›

Great news, according to the USDA, frozen meals are safe to eat indefinitely. However, after about three months, the quality (i.e. flavor and texture) of food can degrade. Therefore, we recommend eating foods within three months of stashing them in 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.

Make a meal plan of about four days of safe storage in the fridge and about four months of safe storage in the freezer. Watch for changes (smell, color, texture, and mold) to your meal prep food as a sign that it's gone bad. If you're unsure if food has spoiled: when in doubt, throw it out.

The majority of freezer meals will last anywhere from 3 to 9 months, depending on the ingredients used.

According to the USDA, if food is frozen properly (at 0°F or below) it should be safe to eat indefinitely. 1 But that doesn't mean that that pizza from a year ago will taste good. Here are a few signs your frozen food may be past its prime.

If food is properly frozen it will stay safe to eat indefinitely, although after a time the taste and texture may suffer. Whether you have a chest freezer or upright freezer, the principles of good freezing are the same.

While some frozen meals can be very cost-effective, others may be more expensive than cooking the same meal from scratch. If you're cooking a meal for multiple people, you may find it's cheaper to buy the ingredients separately than to purchase enough frozen meals for everyone.

There are advantages and disadvantages of owning a freezer. The main disadvantages are the initial cost of the freezer itself plus the additional cost of running the machine. On top of this, if there is a lack of space within the home, it may be difficult to find a place for it.

Can You Freeze Anything for Meal Prep? The short answer is that pretty much any food can be frozen. The US Department of Agriculture explains that you can freeze almost any food, except eggs in their shell and canned products. However, you may not want to eat every food after it has been frozen.

Soups, stews, lasagna, empanadas, and pie dough are some of our favorites to freeze—check out more ideas below.

What cooked food can you freeze? ›

You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

To keep pasta fresh for several months, opt for the freezer method. Even if you just want to store fresh pasta for more than a day, you should freeze it rather than refrigerate it. If left in the refrigerator for too long, the humidity may alter its flavor and texture or encourage the growth of bacteria.

How long can you store chicken in your freezer? According to the USDA, frozen chicken will be "safe indefinitely" as long as you keep it continuously frozen (i.e., you're not unfreezing it and then re-freezing it because you didn't have a chance to cook or eat it).

How Long Can You Freeze Casserole for? Frozen casseroles will last for up to six months when stored using the above method, assuming your freezer is set to 0 degrees F or colder. While the casserole will be safe to eat for up to six months, the quality may begin to deteriorate at the three-month mark.

The United States Department of Agriculture recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days. Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth.

Always check the use-by date on ready-meals

Cooked meats for example must be stored in your fridge at 5° Celsius or less. Always check the label for instructions around storing. A food label will also tell you how long the food will stay safe after opening the packaging. Normally you should eat it with in 2 or 3 days.