If you’ve ever stared at your pantry wondering what to make again for dinner, or felt overwhelmed trying to feed your family gluten-free on a tight schedule, gluten-free freezer meals might be your new best friend.
With just a little prep, you can have homemade, gluten-free meals ready to grab any time. I’ll walk you through what to freeze, how to store it, and which of my recipes freeze best (plus a few breakfast and veggie prep tips!).
❤️ Why I love freezer meals:
1. They save money – Buying gluten-free ingredients in bulk and cooking larger batches lowers the cost per meal. For more money-saving tips, read more about gluten-free on a budget.
2. They reduce stress – Do you have busy weeknights or weekends full of kids’ activities? Dinner is already made! You only have to thaw and heat.
3. They prevent waste – Leftovers don’t get forgotten in the back of the fridge, they become tomorrow’s dinner.
4. They are economical – I love to take advantage of sales and freeze the extras for later.
Need gluten-free help? If you’re just getting started learning about gluten-free, check out my Gluten-Free Resources for help in learning how to start living on a gluten-free diet, where gluten ingredients are hidden in foods, how to dine out safely, and trusted gluten-free baking resources.
Freezer Tools That Make a Big Difference
- Glass Containers – Perfect for casseroles and full meals, especially if you want to thaw and bake in the same container.
- Souper Cubes – These are my favorite, and I have several sizes of Souper Cubes to freeze soups, stews, or sauces in perfect single servings. I also have the 2 TBSP size to freeze lemon juice and tomato paste in.
- Freezer Zipper Bags – Great for stacking and freezing flat to save space.
- Vacuum Sealer – This tool has been really handy for preventing freezer burn on foods. This brand is very easy to use, and if you have a Costco membership, they have an even better deal on it.
How to Freeze and Reheat Like a Pro
- Depending on the meal you want to reheat, you can use the stovetop, oven, air fryer, or microwave. Remember, do not reheat your food in plastic.
- Cool the food completely before freezing. This is very important to avoid freezer burn.
- Use airtight containers or bags to prevent freezer burn. A Vacuum sealer is even better!
- Label and date everything!! I use painter’s tape and a Sharpie to label containers. If using a zipper bag or vacuum sealing, write directly on the bags.
- Thaw overnight in the fridge or defrost gently in the microwave.
Freeze in an Ice Cube Tray!
There are so many things you only need in small quantities. Try freezing extras in your ice cube tray. They pop out quickly and can be moved to a labeled freezer bag.
- Tomato paste
- Lemon juice and zest
- Pesto
- Garlic and/or herbs in olive oil
- Sundried tomatoes in oil
- Tahini
- Ginger
- Coconut milk and cream
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Fruits and Vegetables That Freeze Well
Best for Freezing (minimal texture change):
- Berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.) Perfect for smoothies and baking.
- Bananas (be sure to peel them before freezing)
- Grapes (wash, dry, and freeze)
- Peaches, mangoes, and pineapple (cut and flash frozen)
- Spinach, kale, chard (wash, pat dry, and freeze)
- Carrots (peeled and chopped or shredded)
- Zucchini (shredded or sliced, great in baked goods or soups)
- Corn, green beans, and peas (blanched or frozen raw)
- Onions and peppers (chopped for sautéing)
- Fresh herbs (wash and pat dry). Freeze with olive oil in an ice cube tray!)
👀 Sandi Says: Frozen purple carrots can turn casseroles purple! Ask me how I know…
Avoid Freezing These:
Lettuce, cucumbers, and other high-water-content veggies go mushy. I do love to freeze tomatoes, but I recommend roasting them first in the oven to release their water.
My Favorite Gluten-Free Freezer-Friendly Recipes:
To save money, buy ingredients to make recipes in bulk. This will give you a lot of extras to freeze, all at a lower cost per serving!
Casseroles
- Gluten Free Lasagna: Layer gluten free lasagna noodles or zucchini ribbons with a variety of roasted or sautéed vegetables, tomato sauce, and cheese. Freeze in individual portions for quick and satisfying meals.
- Chicken: Combine cooked chicken, rice, mixed vegetables, and a creamy Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce. Freeze in a casserole dish or individual containers for a hearty meal. This Salsa Chicken and Rice is also easy!
- Sloppy Joe Pie: Make this pie with any ground meat and mixed vegetables in a mashed potato crust. Freeze in a baking dish or individual portions for a comforting meal. You can also freeze this Gluten Free Sloppy Joe Meat for easy thawing. Kids love Sloppy Joes!
Soups, Sauces, and Stews:
- Chicken Vegetable Soup: Cook this in an Instant Pot or on the stove. Simmer chicken, vegetables, herbs, and spices in a flavorful broth. Allow it to cool, then freeze it in portioned containers for a comforting and nutritious meal.
- Unstuffed Pepper Soup is easy and satisfying.
- Ground Pork Chili: Cook ground beef (or any ground meat) with beans, tomatoes, onions, and chili spices. Freeze in individual portions for a quick and satisfying dinner option.
- Gluten Free Chicken Stew: This creamy homemade chicken stew is full of tender chicken and vegetables. Make it in the Instant Pot or stovetop.
- Pasta Sauces: Pasta sauces freeze incredibly well. Gluten Free Pork Pasta Sauce, Marinara Sauce, and Homemade Pizza Sauce are all great for freezing.
Stir-Fries and Skillet Meals:
- Gluten Free Salisbury Steaks: This is a hearty meal that is easy to make and freeze. The beef patties cook in a creamy mushroom sauce. Serve over these Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes, which also freeze very well.
- Stove Top Chicken Legs Skillet: Chicken legs cooked with vegetables and seasonings in a skillet… make a quick and easy recipe that freezes perfectly.
Prepped Ingredients:
- Marinated Vegetables and Proteins: Marinate vegetables, chicken, fish, or tofu in your favorite marinade. Freeze them in individual portions for easy weeknight dinners.
- Pre-chopped Vegetables: Chop and freeze vegetables like onions, bell peppers, and carrots. They can be easily incorporated into stir-fries, soups, or casseroles. See the list above for what vegetables are best for freezing.
- Cooked Rice or Quinoa: Cook a large batch of rice or quinoa and freeze it in portioned bags for convenient meal additions. I do not recommend freezing gluten-free pasta. It gets mushy.
- Gluten Free Meatballs are easy to cook and freeze for quick appetizers and dinners.
- Freeze raw meats with the marinade. It allows the flavor to penetrate. Thaw the meat to be used in stir fries, easy grilling, etc.
For Campers: Take freezer meals with you and reheat them in a cast-iron skillet or grill them for a delicious gluten-free camping dinner!
Breakfast Options:
- Breakfast Burritos: Fill gluten free flour tortillas (Mission or Siete brands) with scrambled eggs, cooked bacon or sausage, cheese, and vegetables. Wrap them individually in foil and freeze them for a quick and protein-packed breakfast.
- Egg Muffin Cups can be customized easily and are perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts!
- Smoothie Packs: Pre-portion fruit and greens for smoothies and freeze them in individual bags. In the morning, blend with liquid for a nutritious breakfast on the go.
- Gluten-Free Pancakes and Waffles are always a big hit. They go easily from the freezer to the toaster! Try these Gluten-Free Mochi Waffles or Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pancakes.
- Gluten-Free Scones and Gluten-Free Muffins also freeze very well! They are great with breakfast, but we love to put them in a lunchbox too!
Frequently Asked Questions:
I don’t recommend freezing gluten-free pasta—it tends to get mushy.
For the best flavor and texture, I would store food in the freezer for up to 3 months. If you use a vacuum sealer, you can store it longer.
Have a tip to share?
Do you have freezer meal tricks or favorite recipes? Leave a comment and help others make gluten-free cooking easier and more affordable.
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