| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Sep 06 2016 : 12:32:15 PM
I am planning on making some freezer meals at the first of October and would love to see what everyone's favorite freezer meal recipes are. I am starting my search and list now so I don't miss anything. Sticky notes are my new friend. My mind seems to slip away lately!
What are your favorite freezer meal recipes?
Krista |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Apr 27 2022 : 12:33:30 PM
They are super easy for my family. We only have a couple left because everyone likes them so much. I’ll have to make some more again. You only get one big mess at the start and the rest is mess free.
Krista |
| naturemaiden |
Posted - Apr 26 2022 : 3:54:55 PM
Krista funny you mention breakfast burritos, I was going to suggest that. They heat up fast and there's no mess.
Vintage sewing machines, original parts & related book titles.- http://www.thriftyfarmgirl.com/
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Feb 14 2022 : 1:06:59 PM
We made our breakfast burritos last Saturday and ended up with 80 burritos. Half with onions and peppers and half without any peppers for the weirdos in my family who don’t like them lol!
Krista |
| Carely |
Posted - Feb 11 2022 : 5:15:45 PM
Nubidane, sorry I didn't see your post earlier. Maybe next time you get out, we can get together for lunch!! Let me know.
Carrie
Farmgirl #8358
Member since March 23, 2021.
Rural Farmgirl dreaming of having a mini-farm of my own.
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 26 2022 : 1:32:34 PM
I came across another meal over the weekend and gave it a try on Monday. It was delicious! And afterwards I found out it can be used as a freezer meal! I’m super excited! It was called sausage tortellini soup. So yummy.
Krista |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 24 2022 : 1:36:31 PM
Carrie, you make me laugh. I’m so glad I’m not the only one. I’ll definitely give the multiple meat meatballs a try and see how I can handle them!
Krista |
| Carely |
Posted - Jan 22 2022 : 1:11:21 PM
Krista, I think the multiple meats really does help with the flavor. I was like you, I didn't like venison either, the only way I had ever had it before I met my husband, it was very gamey tasting and really put me off of wild meats. When I met my husband, he was an avid hunter and I knew I needed to learn to like it... I started with stew.
Our trick with whole venison meat is to soak it in heavily salted water for 3 days, changing the salt water at least 1 time per day. This pulls out the gamey flavor. It also helps that he isn't hunting for that giant old buck. 
When I learned to like stew, I started making venison roast, it took me about 5 years to start making the meatballs and also a 3 meat meatloaf (same meats). Recently I started making venison chili and tacos.
I still can't eat venison steaks or chops and really dislike venison sausage and burgers, it's just too dry. If you notice, the majority of what I make with venison are heavily seasoned/flavored meals. 
Carrie
Farmgirl #8358
Member since March 23, 2021.
Rural Farmgirl dreaming of having a minifarm of my own.
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 21 2022 : 5:11:02 PM
Carrie, I am not a fan a venison, but I like how the recipe calls for multiple meats. Does that tend to help with the flavor?
Denise, let me know if you try it!
Krista |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Jan 20 2022 : 09:00:02 AM
Carrie,
Sounds so good. We love venison!
Krista, going to check out that fajita recipe
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| nubidane |
Posted - Jan 20 2022 : 08:40:32 AM
Those sound good Carrie! I like the idea of using oats for breadcrumbs
By the way, my husband and I have property in Brookville, around 60 acres, mostly wooded. We don't get out there nearly enough. We are about 2 hrs away, but it sure is gorgeous. |
| Carely |
Posted - Jan 20 2022 : 05:59:15 AM
One of my favorite freezer meal-starters is homemade meatballs. These are way better than store-bought frozen meatballs. My husband is a hunter so we always have ground venison. When I first began cooking venison this was the only way I would use the ground venison (I'm much more adventurous now with it).
Three meat meatballs
1 lb ground venison
1 lb ground beef round
1 lb ground pork
1 medium onion finely diced, grated works well too
6 cloves garlic minced
3 large eggs, beaten
1 T dried Italian seasoning (more or less for your taste) (for a more versatile meatball swap the Italian seasoning for dried parsley, i.e. Swedish meatballs)
2 tsp black pepper
2 1/2 tsp sea salt
1 1/2 cups parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cups ground oats + (I put whole oats in my food processer and blitz until they look a bit like bread crumbs- store in a jar in freezer for use in other recipes that call for breadcrumbs)
2 cups milk +
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix completely, if mixture feels dry, add a little bit of milk until it's moist and will form a ball, if too wet, add a little extra ground oats until it's still moist but will hold a ball.
Using a cookie scoop, scoop out individual balls, lightly roll them in your hands trying not to pack too tightly, and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet, making sure there is space between all balls.
Bake in oven at 350 for 12 minutes, ( they will be par-baked) remove and cool completely.
Move to a cold cookie sheet lined with parchment and place the tray flat in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Remove frozen meatballs and place in bags with 3-4 balls per person, using 1 bag per "meal." A vacuum seal system works great for this (2nd favorite kitchen tool)
Repeat as necessary until all of the mixture is balled, baked, frozen and bagged.
For meal use, empty one bag of frozen meatballs into a pot/skillet, with the sauce of your choice, cook for approx 20 minutes on medium-low. Serve over/with pasta/rice/veg of your choice,
Carrie
Farmgirl #8358
Member since March 23, 2021.
Rural Farmgirl dreaming of having a mini-farm of my own.
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 19 2022 : 1:17:26 PM
Heather you won’t be disappointed! My favorite of all these recipes is the chicken fajitas from Jamie on the first page. I make it all the time without even freezing. I will probably make 3 of them for the freezer when I make my meals. Definitely give that one a try. We also really enjoyed MaryJanes spaghetti pie as a close second! Will be making some of those too!
Krista
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| nndairy |
Posted - Jan 17 2022 : 6:37:14 PM
I don't know how I missed this thread in the past. I've never made freezer meals before but it seems they would come in handy! I usually just have beef in the freezer and some bags of frozen veggies. Soups are usually canned. I'll have to go back over the recipes listed and see what sounds the best to try out.
~Heather
Farmgirl Sister #4701
September 2014 Farmgirl of the Month
"The purpose of life is to enjoy every moment" - Yogi teabag
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 17 2022 : 3:40:01 PM
Thank you Carole for the 2 new recipes! I’m going to check them out and see if they will work for my family. I decided I want to make a bunch of breakfast burritos for the freezer before baby arrives. I usually make them with my mother in law. She is sick right now, so once she is feeling better we will get together and get those made. I will make my other freezer dinner meals with my moms help.
Krista |
| ceridwen |
Posted - Jan 15 2022 : 07:36:02 AM
Oh, just thought of another recipe that I freeze ... a side addition to a meal ... flatbreads. I make a batch and freeze in a plastic bag. It thaws in no time. I enjoy a flatbread with soups etc. They are great for in a pinch pizzas etc. The recipe is from King Arthur Flour website.
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-flatbreads-recipe?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=content&utm_term=curalate_like2buy_yfO2JlI2__0cb57d66-fbfd-4fff-acb1-8d3b1e303c8c&crl8_id=0cb57d66-fbfd-4fff-acb1-8d3b1e303c8c
Cheers!
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http:www.carolesquiltingetc.com
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| ceridwen |
Posted - Jan 15 2022 : 07:27:43 AM
One recipe that freezes really well that I absolutely love is from Valery Bertinelli - Three Bean Turkey Chili from the Food network. Love to watch/listen to that channel as I knit!
the recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/valerie-bertinelli/three-bean-turkey-chili-3482841
I like that it's not very tomatoey.
Cheers,
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http:www.carolesquiltingetc.com
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 14 2022 : 1:00:16 PM
Carole, there really are so many delicious recipes in this thread! I haven’t found one I didn’t like.
Krista |
| levisgrammy |
Posted - Jan 14 2022 : 05:13:44 AM
Jaime,
Would you mind sharing your White Chicken Chili recipe? I have done WW often but have never seen this.
~Denise
Sister #43~1/18/2007
"I am a bookaholic and I have no desire to be cured."
"Home is where we find comfort, security, memories, friendship, hospitality, and above all, family. It is the place that deserves our commitment and loyalty." William J. Bennett
"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
http://www.ladybugsandlilacs.blogspot.com/
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| ceridwen |
Posted - Jan 13 2022 : 10:15:57 AM
Wow1 What a great thread! Thank you all for your tips and recipe. I bought a freezer last fall and loving it!
Carole
Farmgirl Sister 3610 - Nov 7/2011
http:www.carolesquiltingetc.com
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Jan 10 2022 : 12:11:39 PM
Anyone have any new freezer recipes they love? I’m getting ready to make a bunch more and would love to see what else is out there to go along with my favorites!
Krista |
| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Sep 18 2017 : 11:25:17 AM
Jamie, my cheesy potato soup is from WW as well! They have some of the best recipes. Thank you for the recipes! I'm getting so excited to try them. I'm actually thinking of trying the herb cream cheese recipe soon before freezing!
Welcome Katie! Please keep us updated on what recipes you try. As far as thawing goes I would read the recipe. Some say they can be frozen up to cooking but majority need a full 24 hours to thaw. So if you know a particular day will be crazy you can plan ahead and get the food out to thaw in advance.
Krista |
| farmgirl68 |
Posted - Sep 17 2017 : 11:11:27 AM
So many ideas. Thank you everyone! I think this will make my life a lot easier as well. I have a friend coming over to help me get to the grocery and maybe knock out one or two meals. Again, thank you for the recipes and so many awesome tips!
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
| farmgirl68 |
Posted - Sep 17 2017 : 08:46:54 AM
I love reading through all of these. Dinners are really hard for me to prepare as I've used up all my spoons by that time (if you've never heard of the spoon theory I highly recommend googling it!!) Maybe I could make freezer meals in the mornings of my "good days" and then in the evenings I wouldn't have to suffer, just take something out of the freezer.
How do you know how to thaw it?
Katie #7422
Friends are the flowers that bloom in life's garden. |
| AuntJamelle |
Posted - Sep 15 2017 : 12:28:56 PM
Thank you!
Freezing might be an option the cheesy potato soup - or I'll just make it for a party we are going to or something. I shouldn't be eating a LOT of it either! lol
I do have a WW recipe for White Chicken Chili that I freeze in single portions too. After thawing I top with avocado, sour cream and shredded cheese - BLISS!
The herb cream cheese mixture is just 8 oz softened cream cheese mixed with salt and black pepper to taste (maybe 1/2 tsp each?), 1 T freeze dried chives, 1 tsp dried dill, 1/2 dried parsley or fresh if you have it, just eyeball it, 1/2 tsp onion powder and 2 small minced garlic cloves or garlic powder instead to taste. I don't even measure anymore honestly, I just throw things in there until it looks "right" and stir it up!
The Twice Baked New Potatoes are inspired by this recipe by Pioneer Woman:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/fluffy-new-potatoes/
I might add cooked, chopped bacon sometimes. But I would only garnish with green onions after reheating, they can taste funky after freezing, look odd, etc. :)
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| MaryJanesNiece |
Posted - Sep 15 2017 : 10:30:55 AM
Okay! Next time I see her share a recipe I'll save it for you!
Too bad food like this doesn't mail well, otherwise I would send you some! Not sure if it can be canned but I'm so new to canning I wouldn't know what I was doing! Maybe you can freeze some in single servings for yourself. I might do that for lunches. I love white chilli! Do you have a recipe already for white chilli?
Your pinwheels sound way yummy, especially the herb cream cheese. What's your recipe for that one? Also is your twice baked new potatoes basically a baked potato then?
Krista |
