Wednesday, October 13, 2010

How to Package Your Freezer Meals

This is one of the most important steps. If you neglect to freeze things properly you will likely experience a freezer burnt meal. Nobody spends all day cooking to have meals that have to eventually be thrown away, so take the time and protect your food.

Packaging Methods:

1.Freezer Bags

•This is my preferred method
•It saves a lot of freezer space

Here are some ideas for this method:

•Soups
•Baked Goods
•Casseroles
•Cooked Meats (Plain or in Sauce)
•Marinated Meat
•Fruit and Veggies


2.Foil Containers

•Great for meals that need to hold their shape
•No dishes
•Easy to take a meal to a friend

Here are some ideas for this method:

•Lasagna
•Casseroles
•Enchiladas


3.Glass Dishes

Two different ways for this method:

1.Put meal in dish and freeze

2.Line dish with foil
Place meal in dish
Freeze until firm
Remove from pan, wrap in foil, freeze
To thaw, place meal back in dish

•Ties up dishes
•Takes up a lot of freezer space
Uses same ideas as foil containers


4.Flash Freezing

•Great for fruit
•Use for things that would freeze into a clump
•Place food on lined baking sheet and freeze until firm

Here are some ideas for this method:

•Hamburger Patties
•Fruit
•Cookie Dough
•Meatballs


5.Vacuum Sealer

•I use this method all of the time when it comes to freezing meat
•This method will increase the freezer life for months and months
•It is a little more costly than some methods…you have the initial investment and then the investment of bags.

Here are some ideas for this method:

•Meat
•Meat in marinade
•Fresh Vegetables that have been blanched
•Soups
•Really…I would say pretty much the same things as freezer bags…it will just extend the life!





How do you package your freezer meals?



This post is linked to WFMW at http://www.wearethatfamily.com/

14 comments:

Kimi said...

I have to make them first!! Ok, I do have a couple things in the freezer. Marinated pork & beef steaks and they are in freezer bags. My twice baked potatoes were flash frozen, wrapped in saran wrap & them put into a freezer bag. (does this make me an over achiever?!) lol I seriously think that's all I have in the freezer that isn't bought frozen & in it's own packages. I am working on that however. Today is applesauce day. I have little plastic freezer containers for it if I get it done. (been a week daily project that doesn't get done this week) AND I think I will have yet more coffee so I can ramble on and on and on!!

Katie said...

You are too funny, Kimi :)

Sounds like you package your meals about like me. I love the whole freezer bag thing.

I hope your applesauce turns out yummy :) I need to get my apples in the crock pot here this week and whip some up, too.

Bitterroot Mama said...

I have done a few foil packets and plastic containers, but I really love plastic freezer bags. Great post!

Tightwad Mom said...

Great ideas! I love that the Dollar Store always has a good selection of foil pans!!!! I love being able to throw away the cooking pan instead of having to wash it!

The Saved Quarter said...

I'm surprised that you didn't mention using a vacuum sealer. It makes a big difference in the length of time my frozen meals last in the freezer!

My mom made me a bunch of meals when my son was born and she did the freezing in foil in the pan method. The nice thing was that she froze every meal in the same 8"x8" pan so they stacked beautifully in the freezer.

I try to use things I can reuse (I can reuse vacuum sealer bags a few times) so as not to waste and make extra garbage, but frozen meals make my busy life easier!

Mom2fur said...

I love my vacuum sealer, too! On the flash freezing front, don't forget cookie dough (already made into 'balls') and meatballs! In fact, whenever I make cookies I always flash-freeze a dozen or so dough balls. Once they are hard, I put them in a baggie (I don't actually shrink wrap everything) and write the cooking instructions on the bag. There's nothing like being able to just put already-made dough in the oven when you are in the mood for cookies and don't want to haul out the mixer!

Katie said...

Bitterroot Mama,

Thanks! I just love the convenience of freezer bags...it doesn't get much easier!

Katie said...

Tightwad Mom,

Yeah, I found that out quickly. The dollar store has a great selection. When I first tried that method I went to Walmart and I couldn't believe how expensive they were...crazy!!

Katie said...

The Saved Quarter,

THANK YOU! Thanks for reminding me of my precious vacuum sealer...how did I forget about it??!!??

I fixed that post, because that is a great way to package things for the long haul. I always do my meat that way.

Thanks for the tip on reusing bags, I had no idea you could do that!

Katie said...

Mom 2 Fur,

Yes, I added in the cookie dough balls and meatballs...they are both great things to flash freeze!!

Tiffanee said...

These are great ideas..thanks for the great reminders. I have a vaccuum sealer and forget to use it!!

Katie said...

Tiffanee, I often forget about mine, too. Especially when it comes to using it for things that aren't going in the freezer. There are so many uses for that thing...

Janet said...

Thanks for the tips. They'll be very useful as I do more freezer cooking. I have a vacuum sealer that I love. I mostly using when I buy meat in bulk but plan to use it more now that I've started OAMC.

Katie said...

Janet,

Good luck with your freezer cooking. I know you will enjoy all of those meals you made!

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