Essential Items for Freezer Meal Prep

A little meal prep ahead of time can go a long way on a busy weeknight. Instead of rushing to cook an entire meal from scratch, using your freezer to meal prep relieves the time crunch and allows you to get a home cooked meal on the table in minutes. New to freezer meal prep? Check our our Ultimate Guide to Freezer Meal Prep. Then to help you be even more successful with freezer meal prep, we've compiled a list of our favorite kitchen tools, gadgets, and cookbook.  

Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables

(photo: amazon.com) 

For those that garden or tend to love a good Costco haul, Freeze Fresh: The Ultimate Guide to Preserving 55 Fruits and Vegetables by Crystal Schmidt is an extensive guide to ensure your produce stays as delicious as possible from your freezer. Along with techniques, she also provides more than 100 freezer-friendly easy recipes to make freezer meal-prep a breeze.  

Souper Cubes Complete Freezing Set 

If you're going to freezer meal prep, there is no better way to freeze your food than with Souper Cubes. Souper Cubes allows you to freeze your food in portions so you can eat what you want, when you want, in the portion you want. Even if you're feeding a large group of people, heating up smaller blocks of food versus one large chunk goes a lot faster. This new complete set includes a 2 Tbsp, 1/2-cup, 1-cup, and 2-cup tray, two cookie trays, and two stoneware dishes that custom-fit the stoneware cubes. 

8-Quart Instant Pot Duo with Quiet Steam Release 

(photo: instantpot.com) 

Electric pressure cookers, like this large 8-quart Instant Pot, reduce the time needed to cook large portions of meat, dry beans, rice, and more. Just set it and forget it, then come back to a hearty meal. Making a large portion means you can cook once and eat twice when you serve half now and freeze the rest for later. 

GIR Ultimate Tool Set

(photo: gir.com)

A really good ladle and spatula are essential tools for any kitchen, but particularly when you are making large batches of soups, stews, and baked goods. We've tested a lot of options and this silicone version is our favorite. GIR, which stands for Get It Right, tools give just the right amount of flexibility while also staying strong, and wash easily in the dishwasher. Plus, they come in a ton of fun colors. 

Water Based Paint Marker 

(photo: staples.com) 

There's nothing worse than digging around your freezer and not knowing what you froze. Labeling your Souper Cubes, Tupperware, or freezer bags is essential to keeping your freezer organized, and for not letting the frozen food go to waste. You can use a regular permanent marker with masking tape or you can use this water-based paint marker and write directly on the Souper Cubes tray, Tupperware, or freezer bags without worrying it'll be permanent.   

Scotch Expressions Masking Tape

(photo: target.com)

A great way to label your Souper Cubes tray, Tupperware, or freezer bag is also with this Scotch Masking Tape. It's strong, even when damp from the freezer, and the color helps you identify it immediately. We also like to use it to label any bins that you store in the freezer. 

FoodSaver Vacuum Sealer

For long-term freezing, or for food that's particularly susceptible to drying out or freezer burn, a vacuum sealer is your best friend. By removing as much air as possible from the bag, a vacuum sealer reduces the growth of bacteria, extending the life of your food in your freezer. It's also great for marinating and brining meat. 

Freezer Inventory Sheet 

(photo: zazzle.com)

To keep track of everything you have in your freezer, a freezer inventory dry erase magnetic sheet is incredibly useful. Not only will you know what you have in your freezer but you'll also know what is the oldest and therefore, what should be eaten first. We like this version from Zazzle because it indicates a use-by date so you don't have to do math while standing over your cold freezer!