Meals to Clean Out My Freezer | Save Money and Waste Less Food

[@Loulou-sr3tk]

She should have a show: she is funny, bubbly, down to earth, living in a real house ( not a fancy fake kitchen), real smile… go on Lisa.💖

[@pravdaamo]

Seconded!

[@ElectrabuzzXD]

I'd watch every episode!

[@paulglover7048]

Yep....I agree.

[@petyachakarova]

I agree as well! Lisa is awesome 👏🏻

[@lisajean1212]

Agree! She's one of my favorite KZbinrs. I get excited when she puts out a new video!

[@Genna.K]

Yay!!!! 49 minutes of Lisa???????? Hooray!

[@LoLoLifeinFlorida]

I agree ❤

[@whimsywoodland]

I thought the same!

[@maliaw8392]

Me too! Me too!❤

[@sharmaineburnside9154]

Yes!

[@blarkin777]

I usually scroll over anything over 20 minutes, but not Lisa Dawn. Knew it would be worth it

[@debbiechaney6607]

I did a "Use up what's in the freezer and pantry". As of today I have gone 12 weeks. Just about used up everything. One pack of chicken thighs left and one pack of hamburger. Now I have to read the grocery ads and go out shopping to replace everything. I am a 73 year old widow so it was just my little dog and I. Last month I had a bad fall in the house so believe me this really helped having things on hand and avoiding the store. I do eat some unusual things, I not a fussy person so that helped too. Very little waste. Saved alot of money though that was not my intention. It was a win win and gave me time to heal from the fall. Feeling much better now. Thank you for all your recipes, they are beyond terrific. I make big servings and freeze leftovers. I am so used to cooking for a large family in the past. Please keep up the great work!. You are so very talented and sweet of course! Happy New Year, I love your channel so much. Have referred my friends and family to watch you also. Love from Debbie and Dexter-Dog 🐶🐾🙏 my sweet tiny rescued Chihuahua companion living a quiet crafty life in southern California. 🙋🧑‍🦽🙏🐾🐶💕🐤💌🎇🐰💞🌍🏠

[@GW-gz8jh]

I love this comment. Hugs to Dexter too!

[@rockythefreak]

Hi debbie, I am a 25 year old low-income disabled man, and comments like yours really make budgeting and cooking at home feel feasible :) thank you so much for sharing. I know your comment is quite old but I'm glad you shared it for me to read 11 months later

[@flufftronable]

Let's get Lisa to 100k this year.❤❤🎉

[@debbiechaney6607]

Yes that would be fabulous!

[@clarecoleman801]

Yeeoo

[@clarecoleman801]

I used to want to be Lisa, now I want to be Andrew

[@ErinBerlintop10]

She deserves it!! Does she do TikTok? I know it's more work for her, but it would get her more exposure and hopefully build her channel.

[@sandraschick1916]

You are amazing! Thanks for all of your honest down-to-earth comments. I can relate so well with your thought processes. I'm single, 70 years old, and you entertain me as well as lifting my spirits! Thank you so very much❣️🥰

[@WowplayerMe]

Hey LD, hope you all had a great Holiday Season & Happy New Year! I have 2 tips to share that will help with managing your freezer stock. 1. get a foodsaver vaccuum sealer. even the lowest cost model will be a huge help. I use it to to break up larger packages into smaller single use packages. 2. keep a list of the items you've purchased that go in the freezer. as you use things, cross them off the list. doing these 2 things has done wonders to cut down on wasted food.

[@donnastratton8397]

Yes. I have had my vacuum sealer for several years. It's great for long term freezer storage. I recently cooked a chuck roast I bought in late 2020. It was perfect, no freezer burn or ice crystals.

[@MyHeroMacademia]

@@donnastratton8397 2020?? 😲 I've gotta get one of those...

[@donnastratton8397]

@@MyHeroMacademia Yep!

[@Scatial]

Love your no-recipe style of cooking. BTW, I’ve read online that because old fridges use so much more electricity, it’s actually cheaper just to buy a new one. Keep the videos coming!! 🌺♥️

[@ShellyS2060]

I am still giggling about the cat edit! Glad to see more of the freezer(s) clean out. Best of the New Year to all!

[@janetleeharrison]

Wow, so many wonderful dinner ideas in one video! Your voice & videos are so relaxing and soothing. You are like a female Bob Ross in the kitchen! Thanks for the video and Happy 2024!💗

[@leytonfortnite4724]

😂😂😂😂 Bob Ross

[@janetleeharrison]

@@leytonfortnite4724 😂👍

[@debventris]

I agree!

[@ashleyruma9591]

Here’s a great freezer org tip - like it to move it to top of comments :) Take your old Tupperware “bottoms” as in they are mysteriously missing lids, and place them in the freezer with labels of dates tapes to the front. A label with a piece of packing tape across it will stay. Place zip lock bags of leftovers or unused portions inside those containers and also line them up left to right in order of date. Left older (like a timeline). Use those left containers first in order if you can. And work your way to the right.

[@debbiechaney6607]

Great suggestion. Thank you!

[@tinadavis9796]

Great idea

[@tinadavis9796]

I kind of do this on the door. With small items

[@ksacosta69]

I was out of tomato sauce one time when making chili, but I did have enchilada sauce so I used that in place. I swear that was the best chilli I've ever made!

[@tinadavis9796]

I've started using chorizo in my chili. (Another freezer item)

[@tinadavis9796]

I'm going to try the enchilada sauce, too. Great way to use without rolling enchiladas.

[@SillyMeKimmieG]

i ALSO WANT to say that Thank you for being SO real life. With your chipped bowl because...same.... and I don't peel my carrots either. I just scrub them real good. I read somewhere one time that a lot of the nutrients are in the peel and it just sems like a waste to me to peel it. I love how real your channel is. And everything always looks good.

[@tammiepowell2818]

First and foremost, Happy New Year to you and yours! Love these kind of meals. We are on a no/low spend challenge to use up our freezer and pantry items for as long as we can go. Right now I’m guessing we can do at least one full year. I do have a small budget of $40-50 for some fresh produce but might get adjusted as the year goes. You are one of the most creative and pantry utilizing cooks on KZbin. Thanks for all the work you do.

[@sweethomealamanda]

Wow... that's awesome. I couldn't make it more than a few days.

[@survivinglife__unplugged]

We do this regularly also. I absolutely hate wasting food. Great video! ❤❤❤

[@auntrowdy]

I bet the light was covered by too much ice so you couldn’t see it working! 😂 Glad you finally got your freezer defrosted! You’ve motivated me to get on the ball and defrost mine!

[@daisyd90]

Hope you and your family had a great holiday season! I've been working on cleaning out my freezer too, so this comes at a good time!

[@Gravy314]

Totally agree that both fresh garlic and onions and the powdered versions are often called for. Great video - I feel inspired to dig into my freezer. Always happy to see you’ve posted a new one! 💕

[@tawanajackson5545]

I love how you are so real and not try to make fancy dishes but belly filling warm dishes❤

[@Joy31900]

I love watching your videos. I don’t cook big meals like I used to. My boyfriend is a steak and pork man, I’m more fruit and vegetables, so making these meals would be way too much food for us. But I do take a lot of tips you use and always look for different ways to add ingredients. You do a great job! And your hair is beautiful by the way!

[@sharmaineburnside9154]

Yay!!! Lisa Dawn! I sure have missed you!

[@maliaw8392]

One of my tricks with my freezers is I get the cheap metal wire baskets from Dollar Tree. I put like frozen foods in each basket. So when I open the door, I am not digging thru bags and packages, I am grabbing a basket of food instead. This makes it much easier to find what I need or find what I forgot. No food left behind! And I also rotate food from my downstairs deep freezer to my upstairs freezer. I keep a couple extra wire baskets next to the downstairs freezer to put food in that needs used to take upstairs. I put a sticky note on the fridge door of what I brought upstairs that I need to use in my meals plans. This also helps save space for freezer meals! Happy New Year everyone!🎉

[@ThatLisaDawn]

Great tips! 💙

[@reneechaplin8686]

Omg, every time I watch your channel, I say “this one is the best”, then of course the next one comes up, & I think the same thing! I love the recipes & all the ways you utilize everything available in your pantry & freezer! Great job as usual & of course now I’m starving! LOL 😆✅👍❤️

[@gitana6791]

New subscriber here from California and I just want to say you are so inspiring and so adorable to watch. You seem so genuinely good hearted and I just love supporting content creators with a positive message and who teaches us something useful and may I say that your boyfriend is the LUCKIEST GUY🍀 My boyfriend wishes I tried to save us money and not throw so much food waste away😢Si thanks to you I am trying harder to use what I have and be more mindful of how much I spend on our groceries😊So thanks again and I can’t wait for more new videos!!!

[@miranduri]

She truly is adorable and good hearted.

[@keart65]

Great ideas! Very creative! The cat meowing with his picture popping up on the screen cracked me up!! lol

[@twatquat3322]

Yaahhhh.....Lisa has a new video, and it's so relatable. I'm constantly freezer crawling 🤣😅😂

[@delilahzierer8682]

I just wanted to pop on here and tell you that I enjoy your down to earth, normal, everyday approach to cooking. You certainly have reminded me (and stepped on my toes) to get in my cabinets, pantry and freezers and use what I have! Keep the content coming 🎉

[@vegemitegirl1971]

I just happened to sort and clean my chest freezer last night. I was thrilled to find 2 freezer meals I had previously prepped but had forgotten about. By prepped meal I mean I put all the raw ingredients in the freezer bag to cook at a later date, either in the slow cooker or a casserole dish.

[@susanmoore8074]

I have a 1980 Montgomery Ward stand up deep freezer that preforms great.

[@rubyjackson5630]

Have you ever considered pressure canning some food up for long term storage? Hope you had a great Hoilday season. Love the longer !! 😊

[@ThatLisaDawn]

I've definitely been thinking about getting into canning someday!

[@mariabperez9672]

Thanks for sharing your ideas! You really have a wonderful personality and I appreciate your videos. If I feel beaten up by life I love to watch them. Keep up the good work!

[@janeadams5207]

Thank you SO much for releasing this at exactly the right time. I am using all of back of freezer items and really doing my best to not buy anything if I already have something to make. I also totally appreciate you saying it was a tough start on dinner. I totally identify with this. I do like cooking but sometimes just not feeling it.

[@taylorstryker]

A trick I use for my chili is a jar of salsa best chili you’ll ever have give it a try! I add turkey or beef and beans … done. Super easy and quick

[@MeloyKimberly]

Would LOVE to see your emergency stash of food! Always enjoy seeing anything new from your channel and click right away 😊 Happy new year!

[@shellywhite3961]

We plant Super Sauce tomatoes for our Salsa and spaghetti sauce we can. They’re a low plant but produce huge meaty tomatoes next to no seeds

[@deannafrench7062]

I could watch her cook all day. Another great video

[@ErinBerlintop10]

I really love your cooking videos -- firstly, your voice is very calming, but even if I've seen one of your videos before, I will watch again because I don't always remember all the recipe ideas and it helps to go back.

[@mjmk8928]

I just did this last week and WOW!IFOUND THINGS CLEAR IN THE BACK THAT I FORGOT ABOUT!!!! SUCH A THRILL I FOUND A CONTAINER OF HOMEMADE CHILI FROM END OF SUMMER.....THOUGHT WE ATE IT ALL! GLAD I SAVED/FROZE SOME OF IT

[@tessrobin4548]

Meal #2 - Rice &Chick Peas- cook 1 cup seasoned rice, then cook 1 pk. sausage links, add in diced up onions, asparagus, tomatoes and 1 can garbanzo beans. Gently fold the cooked rice into the pot. Delicious!🥕🫑🥘🍽

[@jeanelliott4468]

Lisa, you are my favorite cook to watch because you are so practical, creative and upbeat! Thank you for sharing your kitchen with all of us!❤😊

[@RJack1915]

Props to you for saving food and not like my parents who threw so much away. Dad is gone but She does it. I save all I can and less meat in freezers but some oldies. Used some the other day for Chili. Peppers were 2 years old. We have never gotten sick on our food. Expired or not.

[@candicedeyoung8622]

I label my food and keep an excel spreadsheet of what is in my freezer. when I am deciding what to cook, I look at the date on the spreadsheet and concentrate on the oldest. This January I highlighted everything from 2022 and am concentrating on using that up.

[@Kimberley_Black_White_TV]

Another great video!! Can you please (if you have time -- I know you have another job) some more of your grocery hauls? I love to see what you pick up week to week. Even a short video would be fun (for us! LOL) Thank you!

[@katherinetyrrell8810]

I love watching you cook, but I have 1 suggestion ...allow the garlic to rest for at least 10 minutes after cutting it to allow the allicin (the medicinal part) to activate. Otherwise, it is only flavoring. I sincerely want you, and everyone here, to be healthy. Thank you for all you do to give us ideas. Attempting a low-spend January.

[@LAactor]

Hey babe it's me again. Sometimes when you jostle things around, the tungsten filament will rehook onto each other and make the connection and light up again. If that's the case, try not to use the light too long that it gets too hot and break the connection and then you'll have to find another bulb. Try to be gentle too when putting stuff in if you throw it or slam the door, the broken filament can unattach and ita new bulb time. Also, you can also use a box fan to blow the ambient air into the cold area and displace the colder air inside it. A pedestal fan works too but it moves much less air. Keep those old fridges. They last decades like you know. The new ones last half a decade at best. Some just last a couple years. Best of luck!

[@juliemiller8437]

I always enjoy seeing your videos! I come away with a lot of ideas and love to see a normal, real person cooking normal real foo in her normal kitchen😄

[@sandypittman8182]

I just heard you say these are meals from the year so guess not new pan, but I still like the size. Love watching you cook. It is calming to watch other people cook and I really have no clue as to why but I really love your videos.❤❤❤❤

[@shannahonea714]

Hahaha love that the light works now weird how things like that happen

[@j.j.savalle4714]

Happy New Year. Great impromptu recipes! And love the ham bone. It's like the best part of buying a ham. Mine go into the crockpot overnight with water and bay leaf and by morning it's got the whole house smelling incredible, and a ham broth and meat just waiting for the next step (usually potato, bean or split pea soup). Keep up the great ideas and time to go dig in the back of the freezer!!!

[@wendywatts2260]

So glad to see your smiling face! I check every week for new videos!! 😊

[@r.k.2823]

Excellent video again Lisa! That chicken dinner and roasted veggies looks to be one I need to replicate. Yummm.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

I am glad your freezer light repaired itself! Thank you for the video

[@PeggyParrish-sg1eu]

Love me a Lisa Dawn video!! So excited to see a long one from you!! Hope youve had a wonderful holiday season!!!❤❤❤ This was ab awesome video full of great meal ideas!! Thank you Lisa!!!!

[@johnle3389]

This is exactly the inspiration i needed to cook through my freezer!

[@kittycat888]

Thank you so much for sharing. I love how creative you are in using up the older foods from your freezer. Great Job!!😉

[@carolwoodward6141]

So glad to see you again🍅🍕🥖

[@LoriLindley-eu3qz]

Happy New Year!! I don't remember when you got your new stove, but I noticed it right away. Hope all continues to go well for you Andrew and your mom. Thanks for a video

[@deniseodaniels7356]

Great cooking skills Lisa Dawn. just simple ingredients and u make a feast. that chicken and veggies looked so so good. wow! my tomatoes have been gone now since sept. i can wait to get my garden in ...but we have to wait till june 15th to plant. we have about 108 days. i miss my garden but i have to use up lots of veggies and fruits from our garden. they are in my freezer. this was a great video. thank u.

[@sallyapplegate4591]

Great use of freezer stuff!!! Yummy dinners!!!! So good to see you again!!!

[@sheilabus5475]

I am impressed by all the recipes, and also the freezer thawing. I have to say those kind of shelves are a less favorite kind that solid ones.

[@Melisa_CPP_WAP]

So excited for a 40 min video lol. I love all ur recipes n I've been using alot of them in regular rotation! I've been subbed since the beginning n one of the things I love the most is that u very rarely ever make the same meal twice n when u do it's got a different spin. keep it up.

[@debimorsette1685]

I use pots of hot water on top of the freezer ice. Makes the process go faster. My freezer is in my laundry room so I toss the melted ice into my washing machine. The new freezers are all frost free. Well worth the money.

[@cherylgardner4742]

I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your videos, keep up the good cooking.

[@sharonsmart3984]

Hey Lisa. You are just a beautiful soul. I enjoy watching you. God bless y’all.

[@Kristy1uga]

I absolutely love your videos! You inspire me to cook more delicious meals, be more creative in the kitchen, and not be wasteful & save money. I learned how to use my instant pot by watching you! I would love to see more freezer clean out videos! 😊

[@CaliMishell]

Add a pinch of nutmeg to your chili!! It’s magical!

[@stacyrussell460]

Yes! Or a pinch of cocoa powder. It really enhances the chili flavor.

[@tinadavis9796]

Going to try these, thanks

[@erinkerbs6789]

I love freezer cooking and shopping sales and markdowns. You had some great ideas here.

[@patmesser2615]

I get Excited to see a video of yours up…especially a longer one !!Would ❤ to see more!!!

[@marketavymazalova4341]

I love the video, Lisa. I rewatch your videos often to keep me motivated to cook everyday and be frugal. We want to buy a cottage/cabin one day with my husband to give home to our kids and escape genwrational financial struggles. You help me achieve our goals❤

[@confessionsofadollartreeaddict]

Yummmm this sausage rice skillet is a fabulous idea

[@marylynmiller5158]

Some great recipes Lisa! Makes me think about using my chicken carcasses in the freezer and making a pot of chicken vegetable soup tomorrow. Thanks for the inspo!

[@xingcat]

'All of your dishes look good, but those meatball subs really made me check my freezer to see if I have any meatballs that I made earlier that I can make my own. (Spoiler: I did!)

[@heathereton5582]

I love it! You’re so resourceful. We do meatballs in the air fryer. They turn out well and we use them for subs and ravioli. Happy New Year!❤

[@stephaniebaker4024]

Yay you are back .❤️

[@jaydavis8394]

Lisa, I really enjoy all of your vids. I sometimes make "cheese peas" by simply throwing some velveeta into my english peas. They sound weird but they're delicious!

[@hollyking2580]

That last chicken dinner with the roasted veggies looked mouth-watering! Cool ending with the lightbulb coming to life. 💡Happy New Year, Lisa Dawn!

[@barbaranytes-baron7377]

Happy New Year to you and yours. Glad to see you back. I check daily and am so happy to see this new video.

[@Zyxwvutsrq]

Happy new year friend! Absolutely loved this video and the money shot of your empty freezer. I admire your approach to minimizing waste while making delicious meals for your family. Would love to see more of these in the future!

[@greylance473]

I would suggest adding a bit of ground cumin to your chili. Love your videos and share them with my grandchildren who are starting out in the adult world.

[@ericaluna00]

This couldn’t have come at a better time! Out of food budget this month after Christmas and needing to make do with what I have in the freezer and cupboard… thank you so much for all the great ideas. Your food looks so delicious! Thank you 🙏 ❤

[@nadeawilliams7749]

Fantastic ideas for meals, and waste less food!

[@debbiec4224]

I need to remember to mix bouillon with my rice first. I also cook mine in chicken broth.

[@Karoline_g]

I love so much that you point out when you’ve made a mistake and how you could do it better next time. (The buns in this case.) I learn at least as much from that as from overall recipes. Thank you!

[@debventris]

Thanks!

[@melissabillett640]

Yea...your back. I wish you cooked for us more often. ❤

[@evelyngarcia8015]

I love those Campbell's seasoning it added so much flavor but yes the 1st time I used it I did put too much but now I know it's strong a little goes a long way

[@tinadavis9796]

Hi. You used many of the same items I have in my freezer and pantry that I'm trying to work through, so I took many notes. Thank you for speaking at a rate that allowed me to do that comfortably. (Brussel sprouts, bread, lentils, dried beans, chickpeas [5 cans at closeout], sweet potatoes, and even that brand of grated cheese - I have three packages in my freezer!!) Thank you for bringing us along with you. I feel like we're friends chatting while you prepare . I'd be chopping the veg, though! Lol. Take care from southeastern Virginia.

[@maydavedilago7344]

I love love to see you cook very soothing keep it up

[@cofoothills]

the best way to improve a plain can of peas is to add in a block of cream cheese! it's amazing! we only make it one time a year around thanksgiving

[@debbiechaney6607]

That sounds fantastic!

[@57msdeb]

Those tomatoes look better than any tomato I’ve seen since I used to go picking in the fields with my mom like 50 years ago.

[@sweetpeach2867]

Wonder ideas, thank you for your time to put videos together, you’re appreciated!

[@katthefantastic]

Really thinking about geting a small freezer. Love your homestyle cookin. Hope you have a happy new year!❤

[@ginareed2889]

Seeing all the markdowns I told my husband here's my people lol! Great uses of using what you have!

[@eloiselle7933]

That mozzarella oil is wonderful to use to fry eggs or an omelet in!

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

Thank You for the Instant pot ideas, I am using it quite a bit now and really like it!! Happy 2024 to you and Andrew!

[@monica9277]

I love your videos. The light bulb thing cracked me up 😂. Totally relatable 😅

[@61hollywood]

Lisa you are amazing in the kitchen! I also wing it alot too.

[@FluffyMarshmallow-x6r]

If you have any more of the Black Hungarian peppers, u can take seeds from it and grow them again 😊 🌶️

[@lb9031]

thanks, Lisa! 😊

[@Fdt172]

I always save the asparagus with the tips and put them in a lot later than I do the stock part of the asparagus. That way the asparagus with the tips doesn’t cook as long because they don’t need as long of a cooking time.

[@SauerPatchGardening]

I was wondering where you got those beautiful tomatoes in the winter! Makes sense now, since you started the video earlier in the year! Lol. Happy New year! Here's to more beautiful tomatoes in your future! Cheers!