Eat from the Freezer Cleanout Challenge | Pantry Challenge with My Freezer Stockpile

I spent some time going through our two freezers to remind myself what I had stockpiled in the freezer! It was amazing how much I fit in there, and this month, I am challenging myself to work through our freezer and eat from the pantry more. I'm still going to shop the sales, but I am trying to keep my low $475 monthly budget even lower than usual. Want all the details? Join me as a I clean out the freezer for this pantry challenge! #pantrychallenge #freezercooking #frugalliving
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[@mizsuzee]

Wow, that ground Flax - egg substitute is a GREAT tip! Especially since we all know eggs are made of gold these days ! I was thrilled to see this because I too have a bag of ground flax in my freezer! :-)

[@joyfullythriving]

You are so welcome! It really is a handy and healthy substitute. I do this for all my muffins now! 🙂

[@erynbethrinehart4506]

That's a brilliant way to keep chopped onions on hand for quick use!

[@joyfullythriving]

Thanks! I don't love chopping onions, so this lets me do a whole bunch at once and save the tears! 😂

[@angelenerash5160]

It must have been the year of the pepper for NE Indiana. I had the best year for peppers as well. I love a good freezer cleanout. Thank you for sharing!

[@joyfullythriving]

It must have been! I had jalapeños that kept producing plenty for months...in addition to lots of green peppers! 😂 I canned lots of salsa and froze lots of green...obviously. And thank YOU for watching! 😊

[@itstime3976]

Your organization is the best!

[@joyfullythriving]

Oh, thank you! 😊 There is definitely room for improvement but I do try my best!

[@jackieburnett6881]

That is some delicious meals you have planned! I only have a small upright freezer but am hoping to get another freezer soon!Fingers crossed!!

[@joyfullythriving]

Ohhh, I hope you do get another freezer. It is a frugal game changer! 😊

[@Layla-ir3sl]

It’s only me and I have one tiny freezer so I make the best of it. Things still get lost there on occasion, so it’s good to do a freezer/pantry cleanout every so often.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yes! It is amazing how easily and quickly things can get lost. Good for you for staying on top of it...and maximizing the space you have!

[@EvelynOrtman]

We have a chest freezer in the garage. We just moved temporarily to our rental house which has a smaller side by side refrigerator which I hate (no room). We have a commercial refrigerator and freezer at our normal house, so it is quite a shock to go down to side by side!

[@joyfullythriving]

I hear you! I have never quite understood the appeal of side by side. It seems so narrow to me, especially the freezer side! Good luck to you adjusting for now!

[@brg2743]

You get the best deals!

[@joyfullythriving]

Thank you! I do love a good deal! 😁

[@Sandrashideaway]

You have a good stockpile in the freezer-love all that butter! 😃 I think I have about 20 lbs in my freezer. 🧈 I have a 6 ft upright in the garage & also a small chest one in the basement. Love having extra freezer space.👍 I need to do this too, I always accumulate little random bags of veggies thrown in the freezer before they spoil. Then I like to make a big instant pot of veggie soup with all of them. 🥘

[@joyfullythriving]

Yay for extra freezer space! And yes, I always have butter in the freezer. I tried to stock up enough this Thanksgiving to at least get me until the Easter sales! 😁

[@conniekellenberger7117]

Yes we have our front frezzer and two long deep freezer I could not live with out them. I keep one filled with marked down meat the other is all my butters and viggies.

[@joyfullythriving]

I like how you have it sorted between meats and other things between your extra freezers! So glad you have extra freezer space too! 😍

[@kathytaylor446]

Thank you i enjoyed your video loved your idea of how you store your apple crisp from Kathy in Spain 🍋🍋🍋🍋🍎🍏

[@joyfullythriving]

You are so welcome! Here is the full recipe for how I do it. With crust, a great pie...without crust, a tasty crisp! 😊 joyfullythriving.com/apple-pie-kits-for-the-freezer/

[@brg2743]

We finally found a system for our frig freezer that is working better for us. The bottom shelf is a basket of fruits and a basket of veggies. The top shelf is processed in one basket that has been opened. The other one is for broths, and leftovers needing used. It is so much easier to pull it out like a drawer than having it stuffed in like we always have done. Everything else goes in the other freezer. Everyone has their own system that works for them.

[@joyfullythriving]

Love this idea! Yes, I've been thinking about the idea of baskets or bins. The 2 gallon bags do help group things but a basket would be so much more convenient! The trick is finding ones that fit the shelves! Where did you find yours?

[@brg2743]

I had these baskets from Aldi years ago. In the frig freezer I use the baskets that are about 5 inches high. They are made with plastic and have open spaces. Has really helped us. Saves frustration. Finally found a good system for us.

[@joyfullythriving]

@brg2743 I am going to start looking more in earnest for baskets. It really is trial and error sometimes! So glad you finally have a working system! 🥳

[@rexcarebear4701]

I also freeze my onions but if I get some that are starting to go soft I will chop them up later I'm out on a cookie sheet until Frozen individuate then store in a mason jar in the fridge it is really convenient to pull these out then to start any mail cuz they're already chopped up

[@joyfullythriving]

I've actually been thinking of switching to doing this very thing next time I chop up onions! Thanks for reminding me! 😊

[@rexcarebear4701]

@@joyfullythriving your future self will be glad when you need some in a hurry and you can skip all the tears and stuff by having it already done. Prepping when you have time is a lifesaver. I have a chronic illness and sometimes I just don't have the energy to cook but must eat so this helps!

[@joyfullythriving]

@@rexcarebear4701 Way to prep and plan ahead! It's the same reason I like to cook some ground beef before I freeze it...to save time when we don't feel like cooking!

[@rexcarebear4701]

@@joyfullythriving smart woman I have learned so much from you!!

[@joyfullythriving]

@rexcarebear4701 Awww. You are so sweet! Glad I can help share ideas! 🥰

[@kdonor]

I just cleaned out a freezer today,just switched everything to a different freezer. I have a 20 cu ft chest freezer , 20 ish cu ft upright, 2 10 cu ft chest freezers but one is completely empty and unplugged right now and a 2nd fridge with freezer on top. Honestly, it's a lot of inventory to manage. I halfway want to sell one chest freezer. We bought the 2 small chest freezers after our Frigidaire upright died after only 16 months from purchase, brand new! But after a few months Frigidaire gave us a percentage off rebate for a new freezer so we bought the big chest freezer. Oh and I meant to follow up on your encouragement to stock up on the ground beef but sadly it was limit 2 lbs.

[@joyfullythriving]

Wow! That is a lot of freezers! And my first upright died about 6 years after we bought it. Things sadly don't last as long as they used to! Chest freezers do seem to last longer, but the uprights are do convenient! And I'm glad you got a bit of meat...but I'm sorry for the limit!

[@lisaolson1345]

I'm going to try my darndest to get a extra freezer this year. Can you do a blueberry cobbler with all of those extras?

[@joyfullythriving]

Having an extra freezer is amazing! I do hope you can get one! It's a great investment that will definitely save you money on groceries in the long run. And good idea! I need to make a cobbler or was thinking of this blueberry pie, which we love! joyfullythriving.com/blueberry-layer-pie-with-cream-cheese/

[@connieb5931]

I could not survive without my extra freezer and it is full! Your Canadian readers are asking how you have Birds Custard powder. You make Nanaimo bars...a Canadian delicious bar that your aunts love.

[@joyfullythriving]

I need to find the recipes and make them! I remembered it was for a Canadian recipe. Adding it to my list this month! 😄

[@kathyconger2188]

I do have a huge chest freezer. I have been trying since before Christmas to rotate some things in there that haven’t seen the light of day for a very long time! It was full to the top. I feel like we haven’t made that much head way for the time we have been doing it. But I also cannot pass up any good deals either. That would just be foolish of me not to, while I can afford to right now & it’s still available. Because we never know when we may have to fall back on things we have stored!👍🏻

[@joyfullythriving]

I agree completely, Kathy!👏 When the deals are here and available, it is so important to stock up! So, yes, like you, I am trying to rotate through some things...but I will definitely keep stocking up on the deals this month!

[@kathyconger2188]

@@joyfullythriving I feel the same way!😉

[@sunshineonmapleridgeacres1376]

I've went to putting my freezer food in containers. Less plastic waste, and reusable. Easier to see and I use masking tape on the ends to date and keep track of. Also hubby can see easily what we have. Now this is only for my in house freezer. My big upright freezers hold our pig and beef and such. I have another side by side that holds all the butter, and chickens and extras. I've also been working on cleaning out my house freezer. That somehow 😕 got a bit disorganized lol.

[@joyfullythriving]

Good job! I love hearing how everyone organizes their freezers. And sadly, yes, they do get unorganized despite our best intentions. 😉 Real life! I love that you have an extra freezer for butter and veggies. I'd love to do this someday too!

[@sbbsgee3319]

Question once you buy raw chicken & freeze it how long would you think its ok to eat still. Weeks, months etc

[@joyfullythriving]

6 to 12 months easily once frozen! Chicken lasts a long time in the freezer!

[@LindaASJ]

You could do French toast casserole with your bread bits

[@joyfullythriving]

Oh, I like that idea! Yum! 😍

[@billieshomelife8313]

I have extra freezers. I could never work with just one lol

[@joyfullythriving]

I hear you, and I feel the same way! 😁 An extra freezer (or two) is soooo handy!

[@LaneyDanae]

Great stockpile! Do you have an ultimate goal for the clean out challenge (use up a certain % of the food, use anything older than x amount of months, etc) We don’t currently have an extra freezer where we are living but I have in the past and am looking forward to having the space for one in the future. 😀

[@joyfullythriving]

Great questions! This time, no, I don't really have an official plan other than use things up! 😂 I am trying to use up the assorted bags and things that there is only one of, so I can easily see what I have better in the freezer. Here's hoping you get an extra freezer again...but I am sure you are utilizing all the freezer spaces you have!

[@lisamoyer1681]

How do you cook your brussel sprouts? I have not found a way to like them frozen like that.

[@rexcarebear4701]

Spread on a baking sheet single layer. Drizzle olive oil then salt and pepper. You can stop there or add garlic and onion powder or any fave spice. Bake at 400 or whatever temp the rest of meal is baking at. You want them cooked through with the edges beginning to crisp. Define. Life changing

[@joyfullythriving]

Yes! This is exactly what I do!

[@NOVAFrugalFamily]

Have you ever tried taco pizza? It is an amazing way to stretch the meat. You can use salsa or enchilada sauce for the sauce and top with cheese of choice. We love crispy lettuce on top after it cooks. I have been making that and taco soup with leftover taco meat. We have an extra freezer that I asked for over 20 years ago when I bought my first house. We love it. I need to work down some of the stuff in there to defrost it but I keep buying more meat sales. Just bought a 7 lb pork too which I have never cooked. Trying to decide between tacos or bbq.

[@joyfullythriving]

That's a great idea, Alison! Yes, I love taco soup...but taco pizza is something I haven't made! I should definitely try doing that. I don't know if the kids would like it, but I know my husband and I would! 😁 And yay for extra freezers! Defrosting is a hassle but still, so worth it for the money we save on groceries!

[@NOVAFrugalFamily]

@@joyfullythriving Totally agree. We make pepperoni for my son and taco pizza for us :)

[@joyfullythriving]

@alisonphillips4403 Smart! My kids are cheese and black olive kiddos. Next time we make homemade pizza, I am going to try my hand at taco pizza for the adults!

[@TheImperfectReader]

I'm going to accept the challenge. Just me while husband is away.

[@joyfullythriving]

Yay! Here's to cleaning out our freezers a bit! Thanks for joining me! 🥰

[@carollast6264]

How do you mark your items so they don't stay too long in the freeze? Do you give training sessions on how fast to clean out a freezer,ha,ha?

[@joyfullythriving]

Ha! I wish. We probably won't go through our freezer as fast as I want either! 😁 I need to get better at marking. Really, I just do a basic rotation so when I package new meat for the freezer, I stick it in the back and pull the other things forward. I need to get better about dating, but since we are using everything pretty regularly, I don't stress about it. 😉 When I see things that need to be used quickly, I move them from the extra freezer to my fridge freezer to remind me to use them.

[@dianerobertson7988]

Make a big sheet pan of roasted veggies!

[@joyfullythriving]

That's my favorite way to cook veggies! 😁

[@crystalh1402]

Got an extra freezer about 6 months ago after a decade of contemplating 😂

[@joyfullythriving]

Yay! 🥳 Do you love it? I hope you do! It will save you SO much money!

[@LindaASJ]

You really need a food saver machine to keep that meat fresh in the freezer

[@joyfullythriving]

It's on my someday list! 😁