I am overly organized when it comes to planning out my freezer cooking days because it keeps me on budget and helps ensure that I will use up the food I already have in my pantry.
What is your approach to freezer cooking? There are 3 very common approaches people use for freezer cooking days-double/tripling meals, once a month cooking, or freezer meal group. There is no right or wrong way, it’s just whatever works best for you.
Double/Triple Meals:
It’s great place to start. This is a great way to get your feet wet if you are new to freezer cooking. You can try it out and see how you like it without committing to eating a whole month worth of meals.
This method doesn’t require much time. It only takes a few extra minutes to double a meal for the freezer. If you are really short on time try doubling 3 meals a week. After awhile you will have a nice stash of meals in the freezer.
Buying in bulk can really save you money. This is especially true for the small family who has a hard time finishing a whole casserole or pot of soup. Enjoy it for dinner and freeze the rest for a later date.
Once a Month Cooking:
When I talk about oamc, I find that a lot of people assume that I spend a whole day in my kitchen sweating over the stove making 30 different meals. You don’t have to spend a full day in the kitchen. You would be surprised at how much you can accomplish in just a few hours in the kitchen. I’m usually done in 2-3hours.
Freezer Groups:
Cook Together with Friends – To form a cooking group you just need to find some friends to cook with. Set up a budget, divide up shopping list/costs, divide up prep work, and get together and cook. I used to cook with my mother in law and we had fun! It cut down on time and gave us time chat.
Meal Swap – Form a group with six friends. You would make six of one meal, and they would do the same. When done you set up a time to meet up and come home with 6 different meals in your freezer. The nice thing about this method is that you only have to make one type of meal. Save plenty of time and money. And don’t forget gives girlfriends more time to be together.
What approach do you take when freezer cooking? Do you multiply meals, cook alone, or are you a part of a freezer meal swap? I would love to hear what you do!
Northerly Nosh 
I do a mixture of all of those things. I double and triple recipes, I do a whole day of canning/freezer cooking, and I have a group of friends (there are four of us) who occasionally get together and swap. We cook separately at home, not together. That woudl be carnage. Wait – no, we actually do ravioli day too… and it IS carnage… and fun though.
i love that when i cook for my freezer meal swap, if i have to use unusual spices, i don’t feel guilty spending money on something that i will only use once. i will get to use it for all 10 meals i’m cooking. it has helped me expand my recipe repertoire because i know i will use things up. the same goes for buying in bulk. i also will sometimes ask the butcher for a bulk discount on meat. they have never said no!
I’ve been following your blog for a while, but won’t actually have a chance to put into practice what I’m learning until next month…. My question is this: when you double or triple a recipe, do you cook it then freeze it? Or do you put it in the freezer before cooking?
Also, when doing oamc, it’s just prep and freeze, right?
Thanks so much!! I really love your blog!
Becka
I’m so glad you are following. feel free to ask questions. I love when others want to dialogue about freezer cooking. Some of my dishes make are cooked ahead time and frozen. And Others are just prepped, frozen, and cooked at a later date. Yes to your last question. You are welcome! Come back often.