How To Freeze & Reheat Different Types of Food

Louis Pasteur once said, “fortune favors the prepared mind.” When it comes to saving time and sticking to a healthier diet, it also favors the prepared cook. Whether you’re planning for a new baby, a family vacation or just want to eat better at the office, meal prep can be your not-so-secret, time-saving weapon. Plus, once you start freezing meals ahead of time, stocking your kitchen cabinets with quality ingredients will become second nature.

As to-go cup sizes and meal portions grow larger every year, it can be difficult to eat healthy when strapped for time. From sleep-deprived new parents to employees meeting deadlines, fast food can seem like the only option. Preparing healthy meals and freezing them in ready-to-thaw portion sizes is a smart way to have a healthy, filling meal ready at a moment’s notice.

Meals That Freeze Well

When it comes to finding delicious meals that freeze well, not all ingredients were created equal. While meats and bread can be stored in your freezer for several months, don’t plan on freezing any raw, leafy greens and having them thaw without consequence. During freezing, ice crystals form in plant cells and rupture the cell walls - fundamentally changing texture and flavor.

Luckily, freezing and reheating doesn’t affect all foods negatively. In fact, carbs like noodles and bread become more nutritious after freezing and reheating. It’s true! The process converts starch into resistant starch which improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar and reduces appetite.

Baked Potatoes & Baked Sweet Potatoes

Baked potatoes and baked sweet potatoes can be tasty side dishes or your main course. Bake several ahead of time and freeze for easy meals throughout the week.

• How to freeze baked potatoes: Cool to room temperature, then freeze the potatoes uncovered until they're solid. After frozen, wrap each potato in aluminum foil and place them in an airtight freezer bag.
• How to reheat: Place potato on a microwave-safe dish and cover it with plastic wrap. Lift a corner of the plastic wrap or poke holes to allow steam to escape. Microwave on high heat for 3–4 minutes per potato.
• Best containers: Heavy-duty aluminum foil and freezer bag
• Meal ideas:
  • Top with turkey chili, shredded cheese and chives.
  • Stuff with broccoli and chicken for a Whole30 approved meal.

Bread

Mark bread down as a food item we’re unwilling to go without. From a crusty baguette to perfectly moist banana bread, there’s a texture and flavor for us all. Even better, when frozen properly, fresh bread can last for months and thaw without compromising on flavor or texture.

• How to freeze bread: First wrap fresh bread tightly with plastic wrap. Then wrap again in aluminum foil, label and freeze.
• How to reheat: Thaw a loaf of bread overnight in the refrigerator. To reheat, place in oven for 3 to 5 minutes at 380 degrees. Individual slices of frozen bread can be heated immediately in the toaster. (This takes roughly 1-2 minutes more than toasting fresh bread.)
• Best containers: Plastic wrap and aluminum foil
• Meal ideas:
  • Toast and top with freshly sliced avocado, salt, pepper, and olive oil.
  • Top sliced baguette with camembert cheese and serve with green apple slices.

Burritos

Craving burritos? We’ve all been there! Avoid last minute trips to the drive thru by preparing and freezing delicious burritos to eat later! You can even enjoy them for breakfast.

• How to freeze burritos: Wrap individual burritos in tin foil and freeze for up to 2 months.
• How to reheat: Move to the refrigerator to thaw, then bake in foil until warm OR remove foil and microwave until warm for 3–5 minutes.
• Best containers: Pre-cut popup foil sheets
• Meal ideas:
  • In a large skillet, combine 3 cups shredded chicken, 16 oz salsa, 16 oz refried beans, 4 oz chopped green chilies (drained), one packet of taco seasoning and ½ cup of water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Spoon onto tortilla, roll tightly and wrap in tin foil.
  • Spoon refried beans onto a flour tortilla, top with a slice of cooked bacon and shredded cheese. Roll tightly and wrap in tin foil.
  • Pair your burritos with a side of Spanish rice and some fresh avocado.

Casseroles

For an easy breakfast or dinner, have your go-to casserole recipe ready to pop in the oven. After baking, store leftovers in single serve dishes to enjoy later in the week.

• How to freeze casseroles: Bake casserole in a foil-lined baking dish. Allow to cool, cut into individual servings, cover and freeze.
• How to reheat: Cook at the same temperature you originally baked it at, but add 20 minutes to the time. Monitor the casserole as you cook it to make sure it isn’t overcooked.
• Best containers: Microwave-safe single serve glass dishes with lid
• Meal ideas:
  • Serve a cheesy casserole with a crusty bread and a side salad.
  • Serve a breakfast casserole with a side of fresh hash browns (only 5 mins to make fresh hash browns!)

Chili

After finding the perfect blend of spices and seasonings, you can enjoy every last spoonful of your homemade chili for months to come by freezing it to eat later. Both beef and turkey chili freeze and reheat without losing flavor!

• How to freeze chili: Allow chili to cool, pour into a microwavable plastic deli container and freeze.
• How to reheat: Allow to partially thaw then heat through in a saucepan. You can also pour in a microwave safe bowl, cover to avoid splatter, and heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches the desired temperature.
• Best containers: Microwavable plastic deli containers. Choose a larger size for a quick family meal, or a smaller size for single servings.
• Meal ideas:
  • Enjoy with freeze-ahead cornbread or fresh biscuits.
  • Make a loaded baked potato or loaded baked sweet potato by pouring warmed chili on top, adding sour cream, cheese and other tasty toppings.

Cookies

Meal prep doesn’t stop after dinner. Cookies are the perfect treat to make ahead of time and freeze for later. Freeze ahead cookies make it easy to get a head start on your holiday treats while your schedule is less hectic!

• How to freeze cookies: To freeze baked cookies, wrap the cookies in plastic wrap, place in an airtight container, seal and freeze. Alternatively, you can also freeze the cookie dough on a cookie sheet or in a plastic bag.
• How to reheat: Set out and allow to reach room temperature. If baking the dough, add 1–2 minutes to the cook time.
• Best containers: Rectangle freezer-safe plastic container with lid or plastic bag
• Meal ideas:
  • Thaw peanut butter blossoms and serve with hot cocoa.
  • Thaw ginger cookies and serve with eggnog.

Gumbo

If you’ve ever made a gumbo, you know that a lot of love and plenty of time goes into every pot. It can take up to an hour just for the roux! After all of that hard work, don’t let your gumbo spoil after a few days in the fridge. Freezing gumbo is a great way to enjoy your hard work for months to come.

• How to freeze gumbo: Allow to reach room temperature and pour into freezer safe container.
• How to reheat: Move to the refrigerator to thaw and reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until it simmers. Top with freshly cooked white rice and chives.
• Best containers: Microwavable plastic deli containers—you’ll recognize them if you’ve ever gotten soup to-go!
• Meal ideas:
  • Seafood gumbo with shrimp, blue crab and oysters
  • Gumbo with chicken, okra and spicy andouille sausage
  • For a heartier twist on gumbo, top with savory grits instead of rice. Trust us, it’s so good!

Lasagna

There’s something so comforting about a thick, cheesy lasagna after a long day. When you plan ahead, you can pop a thawed lasagna into the oven, set your wine out to breathe, and grab a quick shower before an at-home date night.

• How to freeze lasagna: Assemble lasagna in oven-safe glass dish, cover and freeze.
• How to reheat: Move to the refrigerator to thaw, then bake as the individual recipe directs.
• Best containers: Glass baking dish with lid
• Meal ideas:
  • Keep it simple! Pair your lasagna with your favorite salad and homemade garlic bread.
  • With your saved time, prepare a quick summer vegetable gratin to go with your lasagna.

Meatballs

There’s nothing quite like a homemade meatball. They can be served as appetizers or star in the main course. Even better? They still taste great after freezing and reheating.

• How to freeze meatballs: Place the cooked meatballs and sauce into a plastic bag, making sure to squeeze out any air, and lay them flat in your freezer.
• How to reheat: Thaw in your refrigerator and reheat meatballs and sauce together in the microwave on high for 2-3 minutes. If meatballs were frozen without sauce, heat both in a saucepan on medium heat for 5-10 minutes until hot.
• Best containers: Gallon plastic bags
• Meal ideas:
  • Layer on an Italian-style roll with sliced mozzarella cheese, and pop it in the oven long enough for the cheese to melt.
  • Top some freshly boiled pasta with your recently warmed meatballs and sauce.
  • Enjoy them as a tasty appetizer served with toasted baguette slices and paired with a Red Ale.

Oatmeal

Looking for a filling, homemade breakfast, but don’t have a lot of time to spare? Freezing your favorite steel cut oats is an easy way to enjoy a healthy breakfast at home or the office.

• How to freeze oatmeal: Prepare your favorite steel cut oats and allow to cool. Pour into a silicone muffin pan and freeze. Once frozen, pop frozen oatmeal cups out of pan and seal in an airtight bag.
• How to reheat: Place in a microwave safe bowl, add water and microwave for 3 minutes. Stir, add milk if desired, and microwave an additional minute.
• Best containers: Airtight plastic bag
• Meal ideas:
  • Top with blueberries to add some vitamin c-packed sweetness to your oatmeal.
  • Add cinnamon and butter to treat yourself first thing in the morning

Rice Bowls

Rice bowls make it easy to eat your favorite cuisine in a convenient package. Whether you’re craving Tex-Mex, Chinese, or something light and healthy, there’s a freezable rice bowl recipe for you!

• How to freeze teriyaki chicken bowls: Allow cooked ingredients to cool. Place rice, frozen vegetables and cooked meat (in that order) in bowl, seal and freeze.
• How to reheat: Remove lid and heat in microwave for roughly 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Best containers: Single serve glass storage bowls with lids
• Meal ideas:
  • Teriyaki chicken, white rice and mixed frozen veggies.
  • Fajita steak, spanish rice, frozen corn and cooked black beans

Smoothies

Smoothies are a great way to get your fruits and vegetables in first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, not everyone has time to chop, blend and clean up before heading out the door. Freezing blended smoothies in individual glasses is a great way to enjoy a tasty breakfast every day.

• How to freeze smoothies: Pour blended smoothie into freezer-safe mason jars. Fill only ¾ full to allow for expansion.
• How to reheat: Move to the refrigerator or an insulated lunchbox to thaw.
• Best containers: Plastic bags, deli containers or freezer-safe glass mason jars (Bonus: they look really cute in your kitchen cabinets or open shelving.)
• Meal ideas:
  • Blend one cup sliced mango, one cup strawberries, ½ cup water, one banana, ½ cup yogurt and one cup of spinach (in that order) until smooth.
  • Blend two cups cold filtered water, seven cups chopped spinach and six cups chopped romaine lettuce until smooth. Add two medium stalks of chopped celery, one medium chopped apple and one medium chopped pear, and blend until smooth. Add one medium banana and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, and blend until smooth.

Soup

There’s nothing like homemade soup on a chilly day, but colder temperatures make a trip to the store for ingredients far less appealing. Luckily, you can freeze your favorite homemade soup for up to four months, and thaw it out for a delicious stress-free dinner.

• How to freeze soup: Allow to reach room temperature and pour into freezer safe container.
• How to reheat: Move to the refrigerator to thaw and reheat on the stovetop.
• Best containers: Microwavable plastic deli containers
• Meal ideas:
  • Spinach, Sausage and Lentil Soup: Combine browned spicy sausage with brown lentils, cannellini beans, chicken broth, and water. Boil, simmer and cover for 30 minutes. Add one can diced tomatoes. Remove from heat and stir in spinach.
  • Find your favorite tomato soup recipe (we like this one) and pair it with a hot and gooey grilled cheese sandwich.

Freezer Meal Prep Supplies

Ready to give freezer meal prep a shot? To avoid extra trips to the store, stock up on the following supplies for freezer storage. If possible, opt for reusable options to cut down on waste and reduce cost!

• Heavy-duty aluminum foil
• Freezer-safe glass mason jars
• Oven, microwave and freezer-safe glass baking dishes with lids
• Single serve glass storage bowls with lids
• Freezer and microwave-safe deli containers
• Gallon-size freezer bags
• Food labels (freezer-proof or dissolvable) and permanent marker

Freezer and Reheating Printable Labels

Always, always label your frozen meals with the meal’s name, “eat by” date and any reheating information. This will help organize your freezer, ensure that your meals are safe to eat and make reheating as easy as possible. Dissolvable labels are a popular choice as they come right off in the dishwasher. We recommend sorting your frozen meals into breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert sections with the items closest to expiration at the front.

Below you can download our template to get you started:

Meal Prep Reference Guide

Building your shopping list for future meal prep? Check out our helpful meal prep reference guide to see which recipes work best for work, home and on-the-go meals.

With freeze ahead meals, you can enjoy less time at the kitchen sink scrubbing dishes, and more time doing, well, whatever you want! Now you’ll have the time and energy (from delicious home-cooked meals) to try that class at the gym, enjoy a much-needed date night, or get outside with your family. Happy meal prepping!