Ultimate freezer-friendly recipes

Stock your freezer with these hearty, meaty, melt-in-the-mouth meals.
Published 19 April 2020 | Updated 23 April 2024

Freezer-friendly recipes to make when at home


The freezer isn’t just for frozen peas and backup loaves of bread, it’s also your best friend when it comes to batch cooking. Spend some time cooking some freezer-friendly recipes so you have healthy, nutritious meals on hand when you need it. Is your freezer full already? Why not cook a freezer recipe for some of your neighbours and drop it off when you go for a walk.

To keep your meals in the best possible shape, it’s important to be across the basics of safe and effective freezing. If you’re in need of a little freezing 101, here are some tips to get you up to speed.


1. Frozen food should be frozen hard

When done correctly, freezing food is an effective way to prevent bacteria from multiplying. If the temperature of the freezer is increased, not only can food be damaged, it can also allow bacteria to grow, compromising the safety of food. Make sure that your freezer is not overfilled and the door is not kept open for longer than necessary so that the temperature is maintained.


2. Cool before freezing

To avoid increasing the temperature of the freezer, cool foods before placing them inside (but don’t leave food out to cool for longer than two hours).


3. Freeze in small portions

Freezing meals in small portions not only helps it to cool down faster, which reduces the growth of bacteria, it’s also a good way to portion meals and prevent waste.


4. Package it well

Place food in freezer bags (making sure to squeeze out any extra air) or sealed food-safe containers to protect it from freezer burn and contamination. If using containers for soups or other dishes with a high water content, remember to leave a little extra room for expansion.


How to thaw safely


Food shouldn’t be thawed at room temperature, as this can allow dangerous levels of bacteria to grow. To defrost your frozen foods safely, use the defrosting setting on your microwave or place it on the bottom shelf of the fridge overnight. This last step is important, as keeping it on the bottom shelf prevents it from contaminating other foods if leakage occurs during defrosting.

Soups suitable to freeze

Most soups are suitable to freeze. Simply make a big batch of your favourite soup and ladle cooled soup into individual portion-sized airtight containers, leaving a 1–2cm gap at the top for expansion. Label, date and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the microwave or a saucepan.

Casseroles, stews & curries suitable to freeze

Casseroles, stews and curries also work well when freezing. If possible, avoid freezing with garnishes such as grated cheese, yoghurt, and fresh herbs. Instead, it's best to add these just before eating. To freeze, cool and transfer to an airtight container in individual portions or as a big batch. Seal, date and label, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven, microwave or on the stovetop.

Pies & bakes suitable to freeze

Pies and pasta bakes are especially easy to warm up—simply heat at 180°C, covered, until warmed through. As a guide, allow 20–30 minutes for food that is already defrosted, and an hour or so if starting from fully frozen.

Desserts & sweets suitable to freeze

It's not just savoury dishes that lend themselves to freezing - desserts and other sweet treats can be frozen too. Muffins, slices and banana breads are just a few that work well. Simply place in an airtight container and pop in the freezer.