Freezer-Friendly Plant-Based Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze plant based meals? ›

In general, all soups, chilies, bean dishes, veggie burgers, burritos, and breads freeze well. Besides freezer meals, freezing individual componenets of a meal is very handy. Individual portions of cooked rice or quinoa, chopped vegetables, cooked legumes, sauces.

Soups, stews, lasagna, empanadas, and pie dough are some of our favorites to freeze—check out more ideas below.

How Long Do Frozen Recipes Last? Great news, according to the USDA, frozen meals are safe to eat indefinitely. However, after about three months, the quality (i.e. flavor and texture) of food can degrade. Therefore, we recommend eating foods within three months of stashing them in the freezer.

If your maternity leave is short or you plan to eat out regularly, then 10-20 freezer meals should do the trick. But if you have more time before the baby comes or if you plan on eating at home most of the time, then 30-50 freezer meals might be more suitable for your family.

- Texture changes - Some foods can become unpleasantly soft or mushy when frozen and thawed. This can ruin the intended texture of the food.

Unlike beef, chicken, or pork, it's generally not recommended to freeze plant-based meat. That's because it's shipped to stores frozen, then thawed and stored in the fresh meat section. If you purchase it frozen, you can then transfer it to your home freezer and store it for up to three months.

Excessive Sodium, Sugar, and Saturated Fats

One of the primary dangers of grocery store frozen meals is their high content of sodium, sugar, and saturated fats. Even so-called “healthy” pre-packaged frozen meals can contain excessive amounts of these additives.

It depends on the cut. A whole chicken or turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to one year. Chicken or turkey in pieces can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. Ground chicken or turkey is best consumed within three to four months if frozen from the date of purchase.

Can rice be frozen? ›

Frozen rice can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months and still be tasty. After that it loses flavor and dries out but won't be unsafe to eat. An airtight container is your best defense against losing quality so vacuum sealing is great if you have that tool in your kitchen.

Yes, you can freeze cooked rice. Cool it as quickly as possible by placing it in a shallow container in the fridge. Once the rice is completely cold, transfer it to freezer bags in desired portion sizes, flatten to about 3cm thick and expel as much air as possible before sealing tightly.

You can! Just make sure to cool the spaghetti completely before freezing, transfer properly in an airtight container or freezer bag, and label it with the date. Can you freeze cooked pasta with sauce? You can, but if possible, it is best to freeze the sauce and pasta separately for best texture.

On most days of the week, you'll want to rely on fresh meals — or tasty leftovers. “At the end of the day, I would limit frozen meals to no more than twice a week,” notes Taylor. But when you need the convenience of a frozen entrée, these tips can guide your choices.

While frozen meals are a convenient way to eat a balanced meal, it's easy to be led astray–they're also known for being packed with sodium, calories, and saturated fat, making moderation important.

Can you freeze Beyond Burgers? If products are purchased thawed, we do not recommend refreezing and suggest following the stickered best by date. If the product was purchased frozen, it can be stored in the freezer following the printed best by date.

Freezing these bean burgers is pretty simple. You just form the patties and then place them onto a baking sheet lined with wax paper. Then you cover them with a sheet of plastic wrap and place them in the freezer for about 30 minutes. This makes them easier to handle when you're wrapping them up for the freezer.

Storage Tips:

Plant-based meat alternatives typically last unopened in the fridge for about 7 to 10 days; however, this can vary by brand, so always check the expiration date. Once opened or cooked, store leftovers in the fridge and consume them within 2-3 days to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

Dairy substitutes like almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, and the likes can be frozen. Just know they tend to get grainier than regular milk when stored in the freezer. If you do end up freezing plant-based milks, use them in smoothies or cook with them.