Tips for Freezing Foods (Small Batch Meal Prep)

Looking to learn more about making small batch freezer meals? Learn how to package them in smaller portions to ensure maximum freshness and convenience. Whether you’re meal prepping for yourself, a small family, or just looking to save time in the kitchen, these tips will help you make the most out of your freezer space and keep your meals tasting like they were made fresh.

Tips for freezing in general

Label and Date: Don’t forget to label and date your frozen items. It prevents mystery packages and ensures you use them before they’ve been in there too long.
Airtight Containers: Use airtight containers or freezer bags to keep the cold air where it belongs – around your food. It prevents freezer burn and maintains flavor.
Chill Before You Freeze: Let hot foods cool before freezing. It keeps the temperature in your freezer more stable and prevents other items from thawing.
Wrap It Right: Wrap items securely. Whether it’s meat or veggies, proper wrapping prevents freezer burn and keeps things tasting fresh.

Freezing individual servings

It’s easy and convenient to freeze individual items like muffins, burritos, hamburgers, chicken tenders, or fish sticks. To prevent them from sticking together in the freezer, it’s best to freeze them in single layers.

You can achieve this by placing them in a freezer bag or container and then dividing those layers with parchment paper. This simple trick ensures that you can easily pull out the amount you need without any hassle.

Another handy technique is to flash freeze foods that you’ll be removing individually, such as chicken tenders or burgers. This involves placing them on a sheet pan and popping them in the freezer until they’re solid, which usually takes about 2-3 hours. Once they’re frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together and makes it a breeze to grab just what you need for a quick meal.

Dividing larger meals

Now, let’s talk casseroles. Instead of freezing the entire batch in one big container, consider dividing the recipe into smaller portions and putting them into loaf pans (9-inch pans work great) to make about 2-3 servings each.

Keep in mind that the baking time will be shorter due to the smaller amount, so be sure to keep a close eye on it to avoid overcooking.

Meats

Freezing meat in portions for one or two is one of the biggest impact methods for cooking in small batches. You can freeze raw meat or cook things like ground beef and store frozen.

Bacon can be rolled in individual slices and stored in a freezer bag for easy access to one or a few slices.

Soups

For soups and stews, mason jars are a fantastic option for individual portions. However, it’s important to leave at least 1 inch of headroom at the top of the jar to account for expansion as the food freezes. This prevents the jars from cracking and ensures that your delicious soups stay fresh and tasty.

Fruit

Keeping frozen fruit on hand is a great idea if you’re a fan of smoothies. Keep peeled and sliced bananas, berries, or mango in freezer bags for easy access when you’re ready to blend up a tasty drink.

Herbs and Sauces

One of my favorite tips for small batch meal prep is to freeze sauces or herb mixes in ice cubes trays. Fill the tray up with tasty sauces like homemade pesto or herbs like basil and mint or even lemon zest in a little water and freeze. Once frozen transfer to a freezer bag for easy access.