Do you go through cooking fatigue? Are there days when cooking dinner is the last thing you want to do? Did you know that you can plan a batch-cooking session and freeze meals that are ready to reheat and eat in minutes? If you prefer home-cooked meals to delivery, batch cooking is an excellent idea. Let’s take a look at some tips for easy meals when you don’t feel like cooking.
What Is Batch Cooking
Batch cooking means planning a cooking session in larger quantities and storing them for later. Instead of cooking meals every day, you prep and cook many at once, then freeze them. This saves time and reduces cleanup.
Batch cooking is especially useful when you are expecting visitors, you will be returning from traveling, or you simply don’t feel like cooking every day.
Which Foods Freeze Best
Not all foods freeze well. Foods with high water content, like lettuce, cucumbers, and raw potatoes, don’t freeze very well.
Here are some meals that are great for batch cooking ideas:
- Soups
- Stews
- Chilis
- Pasta sauce
- Casseroles and baked dishes
Read more: It’s Winter Soup Time! 3 Hearty Recipes, You’ll Love!
How to Plan a Batch Cook Session
When you plan a batch-cooking session, try to include a few recipes that use several of the same ingredients. Reserve a few hours to prepare your batch-cooking from start to finish. Prep and cook all recipes back-to-back. Cool in portions, either for 1 or 2 meals. You can keep whatever you will eat over the next 2-3 days and freeze the rest.
Read more: Batch cooking recipes from Good Food.
How to Portion
If you live alone, freezing single-serve portions is the best option. Remember, smaller portions defrost faster. Label each portion with the meal name and the date that it was cooked and put in the freezer.
Best Containers for Batch Cooking
Containers are important for keeping your frozen meals fresh and preventing freezer burn.
Here are good options:
- BPA-free freezer-safe plastic containers.
- Glass containers with tight lids.
- Silicone freezer trays.
- Heavy-duty freezer bags.
Rubbermaid Brilliance Glass Food Storage Containers
Amazon Basics Reclosable Freezer Quart Bags, BPA Free
How Long Can Batch Cooking Keep in the Freezer
Most meals are best eaten within 2-3 months of freezing. They can last longer, but will lose flavor and texture over time.
Tip: Keep an inventory list of your batch-cooked meals to make sure you know what is in your freezer and when to eat them.
Reheating Tips
Here are some tips when reheating your batch-cooked meals:
- Thaw overnight if possible.
- Reheat soups and sauces on the stovetop.
- Cover containers (not airtight) when microwaving to retain moisture.
- Add herbs or cheese to refresh the taste of the meals.
Read more: Easy Dinner Recipes That Can Last a Second or Third Day.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Do you batch cook and freeze? What are your favorite meals to batch cook? Do you have any suggestions to share? Do you feel inspired to start batch cooking and freezing? Tell us about it in the comments below.
