126 Freezer Meals Mega Meal Prep Marathon

[@jujube2407]

Caramelized onions freezer meal tip😅 5 pounds of onions... sliced in the crock pot... one stick of butter... low over night perfect caramelized onions in the am... I freeze in dollops on parchment and then put them in a freezer bag... then you have on demand caramelized onions for the one kid who asks 10 min before dinner for some for her burger!

[@FreezerMeals101]

This is an awesome idea! I just got gifted a large bag of purple onions. Now I know what to do with them!

[@jujube2407]

@@FreezerMeals101 I've never caramelized purple onions before! Now I kinda wanna try it!! 🤔

[@nadinefrandsen6087]

Awesome!! Thank you! I have caramelized onions without fat and then dehydrated. They are delicious on salads or anything or even as a snack. So good!

[@RS-gl9ht]

Brilliant idea thank you!

[@jujube2407]

@@RS-gl9ht anytime!!! I am an impatient cook... but my girls alllllll love a good caramelized onion!!! I can't mess with them if I'm sleeping... right? Lol

[@gaylemcdonald1281]

I have been doing freezer meals for a few years now, as a person with a chronic illness. So helpful to cook 2 months of meals when I feel well, and be able to eat well from the freezer on my rough days.

[@FreezerMeals101]

I'm really glad to hear this is working for you. It's so smart of you to cook on your good days so you have it already done on your more difficult days.

[@craftedbykittens]

ok the live cooking sessions sound amazing and i have been doing freezer meals since the 80's because you all always give me such great ideas. and the club makes it so i don't have to ever think if i don't want to. I swear the premade stacks are the best things ever. because no decisions are needed and the grocery list is already made.

[@FreezerMeals101]

That makes me so happy to hear!

[@kitford513]

Yay! It's a marathon! These are the best. I love being able to settle in for a couple of hours and soak in the inspiration!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@TracieL1234]

Thank you so much for breaking this video down into easy segments. So helpful

[@FreezerMeals101]

Glad it helped!

[@buffy0214]

So sorry about your losses. You both did so well to come together and soldier through for this video. I'm sure it was an exhaustomg week, mentally and physically. This video was a great one! For anyone wanting to really do large freezer prep it was very informative from the dicing onions to how much ground beef to use in cups. I never thought to put my onions on the chopper like that to make uniform cuts and I usually weigh my ground beef and divide. Much easier to do it by the cup.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you so much. It really was a challenge to get through the meals but it was worth it in the end. I'm always so grateful for Sharla! She is a major cheerleader for me. I'm so glad we could teach you new things!

[@countycalling]

I can’t wait for the cooking classes! While I love the club and it is a life changer, but I need to be able to learn to help others with this. I’ve introduced a friend to this club and she will also need this

[@FreezerMeals101]

That's so great. We can't wait for you to join us!

[@bethsims4402]

So sorry for you losses. I love watching both of you, together and solo. Can't wait for the classes!!!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you!

[@MsFaithAmber]

I love this cooking class idea. I'm on year two of my membership. To be honest, I rarely use your site but I love the videos!

[@MsFaithAmber]

I just realized why. The second time I made freezer meals my ziplock freezer bags started leaking, like they were poked or something, even though they were froze flat with no obtrusions.. so after that I just freeze my meat and veggies separately. Oh, but I Wanna do these meals so bad!!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Oh no! that's such a bummer! Sharla and I find that using brand name zip loc bags work the best and we've had problems with generic bags. Others swear by the generic bags, so it's hard to say. I think sometimes you can end up with a bad box of faulty bags. I want to encourage you to try again! Maybe start with a fresh box and start small. Others swear by the reusable bags and even others perfer the vacuum seal bags. Maybe that's where you'll find your groove. I hope you can make it work!

[@susanrauth3206]

Love the idea of the cooking classes! I am struggling with trying to find a rhythm or schedule to get this done and this just might be my answer.

[@FreezerMeals101]

I hope it is!

[@nicoletaylor5871]

That tip for the even chopping of the onions is gold, thanks so much. I was slicing the onions before chopping and it was just taking more time

[@coltc5360]

The Cajun chicken pasta is great, even if you forget about it and it’s almost 8 months old when you cook it. Thanks ladies.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes! It's definitely one of our favourites, and while we recommend eating your meals up by the six month mark, if it's sealed well and there's not much air in the bag, they are totally fine to eat later than that. Happy New Year!!

[@rachelmick4051]

Such amazing team work! What a blessing these meals must be, especially when life is particularly difficult. Christy, I am so sorry for the losses you experienced. God Bless!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you so much! We are a good team. We really care for each other. ❤️

[@jeanne40ish]

Great recipes again, ladies!! A huge variety. That's what I love about this mega session. 😍 Hey Christie. You've probably covered this before but... what are you tossing the freshly shredded cheese with? Cornstarch or flour? That's brilliant, whatever it is. I hate it when it sticks together. Also, I have to say, I'm so very sorry for the loss your Uncle, Christie. And to you both for the loss of your dear friend. Sending big hugs to you both!! 😢❤

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes, it's cornstarch. Store-bought cheese uses potato starch or sometimes cellulose, which is an additive derived from trees (edible, but... trees...?). Cornstarch does a great job to prevent it from sticking together. I sometimes use it even if I'm not freezing the shredded cheese but I know I'll need to store it for a few days. Works great! And thank you for your condolences. I'm doing much better now.

[@DragonflyArtz1]

Loved the Pro Tips at the beginning! I bought my electric can opener when I watched in the video they said "After 10 years of use" Me- Add to cart! So sorry to hear about your struggles. Losing anyone near and dear to you can really take a piece of your heart. Sharla- you did just great taking the wheel, but you've made FM videos of your own. So we already know that you've got what it takes. The meals all look wonderful. You two Ladies never disappoint! I learned a lot today! Peace.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you so much for your encouraging comments! ❤️

[@CookingwithCatLover0330]

OMG! I have cut my fingers more than once with my slicers. Not from chopping the food but from washing the cutting tool. I love it but man! Be careful when cleaning. :/ Christy, I'm so sorry for your losses. When I see you two cry, I cry. And ladies, I love the little tips and hints. I know some of them but not all. There are so many people who are wondering "how do you do that so easy?" So many years of experience. Thank you both!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you so much! I have had more injuries with my chopper than I ever have with my knives. Sometimes it's just me not paying attention... Thank you so much for your condolences. I cry when I see other's cry too. I sometimes get embarrassed by it, but on the whole, I think it's a lovely quality that shows empathy. Thanks for being a faithful viewer!!

[@tizmehere492]

I can’t wait for the live cooking sessions. You two are great!

[@FreezerMeals101]

We're excited too!

[@christinamacgregor1737]

I am new to the club and I love it!! How do I know which recipes you have added weekly? I would love a "what's new" button!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Super easy! The newest recipes are always at the top! So glad to hear you are loving the Club. 💜

[@christinamacgregor1737]

Ok, yay!!!

[@tracey7241]

Woohoo new marathon!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes ma'am!

[@ColinCropley]

I need more of these.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes!

[@moonlightmelodiesasmr3766]

I look forward to this so much!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Right on! Glad you're here!

[@SpringFlowers537]

I would love to know more on the gochujang noodles! Please tweak the recipe! Love that you're trying to use one pot!!!! We love gochujang! Add it to Fried Rice! (Or Thai Sambal Olek) We do a version of this dish, but use air fried tofu cooked separately than the sauce and serve over rice. I'm excited to try it with noodles. We have an asian market near us where they sell all kinds of fresh noodles, so freezer meals using them would be wonderful! You convinced me to buy gnocchi and I now stock up whenever there's a sale!

[@FreezerMeals101]

We have to definitely tweak it! The flavour was great but the method stunk, so we'll figure something out.

[@cheriepanter9333]

Love you guys ❤

[@saturnia1146]

Amazon has a bag filler holder. It has clips to keep it upright and open what ever the size

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes they do! We have tried them and mostly they just slow us down. They are really helpful with the silicon bags because they don't prop up as nicely.

[@juliehowman3912]

You can get ziplock holders to hold the bags whilst you pour soup into them or chowder etc.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes we've tried them. They generally slow us down when we're doing a large number of meals. We've gotten pretty good at getting our bags to sit up but occasionally have an OOPS! Lol

[@juliehowman3912]

@@FreezerMeals101 have you thought about placing them in a jug. When my kids were little, I would make batches of braided chicken, or kievs, and freeze those and I always had frozen vegetables on hand. I used to par boil potatoe chips (fries that are thick) toss them in cornflour and deep fry them for 2 minutes until crispy on the outside, drain them and let them cool then freeze them. They could then be either grilled or deep fried when you wish to use them. Also I would keep a bag full of parboiled potatoe cubes to throw in stews etc. I would make up mixed vegetable bags too. But now my freezer sits full as I have all day to prepare my meals from scratch but I have them in case of an emergency - a whole freezer full of them🤪🤪🤪

[@craftedbykittens]

oh one more thing cause i know you will appreciate this i got a vegi chopper for my birthday.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yay! 👏 (and Happy Belated Birthday!)

[@lisa3464]

Love your t-shirt, Sharla! 🌈🌈🌈

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you!

[@deserejohns2387]

Adding frozen green beans, peas or chopped broccoli to the tater tot casserole makes it even better! I like to mix the meat, sauce and veggies, use those as the bottom frozen layer, and then put the tater tots on the top in a single layer. I think this makes the tater tots brown up so much better. I like to sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder or paprika on the tots to elevate even more!

[@FreezerMeals101]

We have a group beef tater tot casserole that has the extra vegetables in it. I totally agree it's great! 💯

[@juliehowman3912]

As a woman on my own, I started freezing my meals years ago. Now I’ve changed my process because my freezer is always too full. So I cook two meals for four once a week for my main meal, a soup for my light meal and something baked for breakfast, unless I’m having overnight oats. Although I’ve used freezer meals for more than 30 years, ice never done them in ziplock bags.

[@judyohara959]

Kristy, so sorry for your loss❤️❤️❤️

[@christieweins1502]

Thank you!

[@debramorgan7069]

Hi! I have never heard of coring onions, genius! Do you take out the entire middle? Have you ever used an apple slicer?

[@FreezerMeals101]

It's just at the base of the onion where the roots grow out the bottom. I just use a tomato/strawberry coring tool. It works well. I haven't used an apple corer because I don't need the whole centre removed. Usually I don't bother coring them but it's an option.

[@lisamccoy4216]

Loving this. Thanks. Does adding vinegar affect the texture of your chicken (street tacos)? I've been noticing it does for mine lately (food quality in general also going downhill), and I read something about vinegar contributing to stringy chicken if marinated too long like with thawing a freezer meal. Thoughts?

[@FreezerMeals101]

Oh boy! We haven't come across that but it definitely would act as a tenderizer. That's why BBQ sauce is such a good marinade. The chicken has turned out perfectly when we've made it so I would say it doesn't affect it too much... Sorry I don't have more info on that.

[@melebear84]

You can also use a pair of bone pulling tweezers….also used for pulling out pin bones from fish

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes, that would work. That's kind of what I had in mind.

[@smilingjacks83]

World Peas 🫛 😂 laughed too hard at that 😂

[@beccasmith2901]

Do you use bags that are bigger than one gallon?

[@FreezerMeals101]

No, the biggest we use is one gallon.

[@beccasmith2901]

Thanks!

[@chanty2255]

HI ! I have a question please. I just want to confirm are they freezer bags ? If they are.. how long will the meat be OK and without burned spots please ? Thanks for your help. From Quebec Canada 🇨🇦

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes, we use brand name freezer bags. As long as you get as much air as you can out of them (air causes freezer burn), the meals last 3-6 months in the freezer. Bonne journee!

[@dianaread5768]

Seeing your in canada what did it cost you at cosco for this

[@elliecormier8025]

The hot honey chickpeas would probably be delicious air fried!!!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes, they so would. That's a great idea!

[@SpringFlowers537]

So your girl here accidentally ordered instead of 4 small bags totally 1 pound of shredded cabbage, 4 of the 5 pound bags😳 I order from a bulk grocery distributor. They were to make a few bags of egg roll in a bowl. Well luckily I found in the club cabbage roll casserole and cabbage soup and I’m going to cook some in the instant pot for egg rolls. Now I’m down to 2 bags of 5 pounds of shredded cabbage any suggestions? I think there is an Ethiopian dish with cabbage, I’m going to look for that. Any other ideas?

[@FreezerMeals101]

That's...a LOT of cabbage! lol I can't think of anything else to do with it in terms of recipes we have. Honestly, my favourite way to eat cabbage is to straight up saute it with a bit of onions and celery, salt and pepper. Allow it to start to brown (caramelize) and then add a couple of tablespoons of water and put a lid on it and turn it down to a simmer for 10 minutes. I haven't done it from frozen, only fresh, but it would be worth a try!

[@tbuffi3790]

what size freezer bag -gallon?

[@FreezerMeals101]

Usually yes. Occasionally we use medium bags for things like shredded cheese or sauce.

[@tizmehere492]

❓ What is melted honey? Is it heated honey or something else?

[@stickerbosscreations5306]

In other countries they don't process honey like the US, so it comes in jars and the honey is kind of like whipped honey only less airy. They have to melt it so that it can be easily mixed with other ingredients.

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yes, just liquid honey or if your honey has become hard, you can warm it a bit before putting it in the recipe. It mixes in better.

[@SpringFlowers537]

If you don't have lite soy sauce, mix half water and half regular soy sauce. They usually charge more for the lite soy sauce and we always mix it with water to reduce the salt for our meals. It is especially hard to find lite Tamari so we mix it in recipes all the time.

[@FreezerMeals101]

That's a great tip! Thank you!

[@ileneglenn845]

What book are you listening to Christie?

[@FreezerMeals101]

Right now I'm listening to The Covenant of Water by Dr. Abraham Verghese. I'm only so-so on it. It has so many good reviews but I'm finding it drags a bit. Our book club just picked Circe by Madeline Miller. We'll see how it goes. Before the Covenant of Water a few of us in the book club were reading (or listening as in my case) to Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring. Wow! Such a great book and a wonderful narration by Andy Serkis who played Gollum in the movies. I look forward to the rest of the trilogy.

[@cheriepanter9333]

Oh bless❤

[@bhavens9149]

I'm with your husband, a lot healthier than some other recipes you make. I'll take a paleo bowl any day. and beans and chick peas are NOT Paleo.

[@judithtitterington9862]

Am i missing something? Why are you doing three bags, not four. How are you sharing three??

[@FreezerMeals101]

We make a fourth bag separately, but still on camera to use as "B roll" if we need it in the future. I know it's confusing but we really do make four bags! Good catch! No one has ever asked us before!

[@gailkapusta1342]

So sorry for your Loss Christie..

[@FreezerMeals101]

Thank you.

[@jujube2407]

Inflation is real... bone in chicken is VERY affordable... those bone in skin on thighs will work with thst drumstick recipe you just did too!!! My mom makes a thing called "whacky chicken" drumsticks... French dressing, grape jelly, and an envelope of onion soup mix) fill the crock pot wayyyyy up with meat... she makes it for the lake with a crock pot liner when all 6 kids and hubs are there...and alllll 8 grandkids ages 10 to 22... is it gourmet? NOPE... but it's pretty tasty and everyone will eat it...and very affordable for a big crowd too... one of those recipes that sound weird but taste good... I have also made it in a pinch with canned cranberry sauce in place of the grape jelly... very similar to the meatballs!

[@FreezerMeals101]

Yep! Way more affordable! Your mom sounds awesome!

[@doriscondor1243]

Then I worry about what freezer meal I am going to make

[@FreezerMeals101]

Oh the hardship! 🤣 It's a pretty good problem to have!

[@tdewtx]

Baby? Gow did I miss you having a baby? Is it baby or a grandbaby?

[@FreezerMeals101]

Our (grand)baby who lives with us full time…