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If you’re not on the freezer cooking bandwagon, it’s about time! Freezer meals save money and time, especially if you’re cooking for a big family and want to make sure everyone’s eating healthy! By preparing meals ahead of time, you’re avoiding the temptation of ordering pizza or takeout. Here are our top 8 freezer cooking tips for beginners:

1. Choose a prep day. Save more time by prepping all your meals for the week at once. Not only will this be a relief to have done and organized, but now you don’t have to rush during the week!
2. Choose foods you love. If you choose family favorites to freeze, you won’t have to sit through any protests come mealtime. Plus, your favorites are likely to be the simplest and easiest meals, which is always a bonus.
3. Start with one recipe you know well. Don’t try to make a whole week’s worth of meals at once if you’re just starting out! If you start with one familiar recipe, it’ll be easier to double or triple it successfully and troubleshoot any problems with the process.
4. Set aside an hour to cook and prep. You might want to cook aromatics, sauces, or meats before freezing, which takes time. You also need time to chop up all your ingredients, so be sure you have ample time to cook, prep, and store the meals you’re making.
5. Wait for everything to cool. Don’t make the mistake of trying to store your food when it’s still warm. You could ruin your food that way! Let all cooked food or sauces cool completely, then mix everything together (if necessary) and make sure there’s no air left in the bag before freezing.
6. Freeze more than just dinner. Who says freezer meals are only for dinner? You might want to save the Crockpot meals for the evening but you can make all kinds of delicious breakfasts and lunches that freeze well for quick or on-the-go eating!
7. Or freeze just the staples. Meal staples like sauces, rice, chicken, or beef are often the most time-consuming to cook. Pre-cooking a huge batch and freezing it in meal portions is a great way to make meals more quickly and combine fresh and frozen ingredients to preserve flavor!
8. Label your bags. Grab a permanent marker for this one and write cooking instructions and the date on your bags while you’re prepping. You could also use a piece of sturdy tape to write on so you can reuse your bags.

Want to save even more money? Check out our top 15 Money-Saving Meal Planning Tips!

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