20 Vegan Freezer Meal Prep Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is best to freeze prepared meals in? ›

Freeze in Airtight Bags or Containers. Using an airtight container or bag to freeze your food will help increase the quality of your frozen food for a longer period of time because it will limit the food's exposure to air.

When it comes to meal prep food storage, you have two options: the fridge or the freezer. Each batch food storage option has its own benefits and drawbacks. A fridge is a nice option for meal prep food that will be eaten within four days. This includes prepped soups, stews, chicken and rice, and salads.

When reheating a pre-cooked casserole, you can go direct from freezer to oven. Cook the dish at the same temperature you would if cooking it fresh, but give the dish and extra 20 minutes, checking the progress of the dish intermittently to make sure it's heating properly, but not overcooking.

Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.

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.

Can you freeze chicken and rice? Yes, you can freeze it. Put it in a freezer-safe container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, label it with the date, and it'll keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the fridge overnight, and reheat it using any of the methods above once you want to enjoy it again.

Can you freeze cooked rice? Yes, you can freeze cooked rice. Cool it as quickly as possible by placing it in a shallow container in the fridge. Once the rice is completely cold, transfer it to freezer bags in desired portion sizes, flatten to about 3cm thick and expel as much air as possible before sealing tightly.

Rice and grain bowls

Pictured: General Tso's Chicken Recipe: Better Than Takeout! Rice and grain bowls make great meal preps! They can chill in your fridge for up to four days and are freezer-friendly in most cases.

Yes. It is safe to reheat frozen leftovers without thawing, either in a saucepan or microwave (in the case of a soup or stew) or in the oven or microwave (for example, casseroles and combination meals). Reheating will take longer than if the food is thawed first, but it is safe to do when time is short.

Can I freeze cooked pasta? ›

You'll have the most success storing leftover pasta if you keep the sauce and noodles separate. Keep that in mind before you mix sauce and pasta, especially if you're keeping your leftovers in the freezer (because, yes, you can freeze cooked pasta if you don't think you'll be eating it for several days or weeks).

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. Speed freezing and hasten thawing by freezing foods in a thin, flattened shape in freezer bags. A rounded shape takes longer to thaw through to the middle.

Yes! In fact, mashed potatoes are of the most freezer-friendly potato preparations out there. The key is to coat your potatoes with plenty of butter and cream. The fat from the dairy will protect the potatoes in the freezer and help them retain their flavor.

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. Speed freezing and hasten thawing by freezing foods in a thin, flattened shape in freezer bags. A rounded shape takes longer to thaw through to the middle.

To freeze your food quickly, expose as much surface area as possible to cold freezer air. Distribute foods you're trying to freeze (like meatballs) on sheet trays, then transfer them to freezer bags. Freeze soup in multiple freezer bags, not one large container.

Freeze Foods Flat for Smart Storage

Get yourself some sturdy zip-top freezer bags and fill them up. Press out as much air as you can, place the bags on a baking sheet or the floor of your freezer, and freeze.

Zip-Top Freezer Bags

And I do mean everything. Even liquidy things like soup or chicken in marinade can be frozen in freezer bags. Lay the filled bags on a tray in the freezer to be sure that they freeze flat and don't wrap around wire shelving.