Does it seem like you don’t have enough time to get a fresh, tasty meal on the table and have to depend on boxed or packaged foods? Well, you’re not alone. There’s a reason that freezer meals are such a hit these days: they’re super convenient! Check out this 5 step freezer meal prep guide, and you’ll soon be on your way to homemade and convenient meals!
Step one of your freezer meal prep: Clean Your Kitchen
Hiring a cleaning company might seem like overkill, but it’s a lifesaver if you’re short on time. Having a dirty kitchen is not going to motivate you to do freezer meal prep in there. Look in your area; a cleaning company Houston won’t differ too much from a cleaning company in Seattle. Once your kitchen is clean, reorganize your freezer. Throw away anything older than six months and make room for your meals. If possible, do this on a hot day. The freezer will keep you cool while you work!
Step two: Shop for the items you’ll need
Find recipes that appeal to you and your family and plan a shopping trip. Shop for ingredients that you don’t have in the cupboard for freezer meal prep; and at the same time, stock up on necessities like flour and salt. Buy plenty of aluminum foil, plastic wrap, disposable cooking pans and containers for when you package up your food.
Step three: Prepare your freezer meals
Once you have everything home in your clean, tidy kitchen, (and you got the cat off of the table…believe me, I know) it’s time to get to work. Pull up the recipes you chose and start making them. Freezer meal prep includes everything from chopping vegetables to browning meat: this is where the action happens. If you need help, call in recruits like your kids or your spouse. This can be a fun bonding activity for the whole family and who knows, you might awaken somebody’s inner foodie!
Step four: Package your freezer meals
Remember the foil and containers you bought while you were shopping for your freezer meal prep needs? This is when you get to use them. For things like lasagna and casseroles, prepare them in your disposable foil pans. You can bake them now and freeze them (make sure they’re fully cooled first) or you can simply prepare and freeze to bake them later. Whatever you choose to do, make sure that all your meals are properly covered to avoid freezer burn and an unpleasant taste later on.
Step five: Freeze and Forget
This is the best part: Once you’re finished preparing, all you need to do is throw your food in the freezer and wait until you need them! You can prepare as many meals as you have room for, but once they’re in the freezer, your job is done. Go catch up on your favorite shows and wait until dinnertime.
Using real, whole foods to feed your family is so much nicer than depending on Hamburger Helper or ordering pizza. Prepare meals ahead of time to make weekday dinners easier and healthier.
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