August 5, 2010
DONE! Freezer Cooking – Proteins
About once a month or so, I do a few prepping techniques to stock my freezer with proteins that I can use to make mealtime go a bit smoother. I went to Costco yesterday and stocked up on a few proteins. While the kids were napping, I went to work.
Here are the proteins that I purchased – two rotisserie chickens, chicken tenderloins (6 pounds), and 3 pounds of ground beef. ($38.41 total)
Here’s my start time:
And my end time ( I did field 3 phone calls during this time, so it could have been a bit quicker).
First I started by browning up all the hamburger in a big pan.
While the hamburger was browning up, I mixed up my favorite chicken marinade, substituting dried herbs for fresh because it’s going to be frozen anyway. Here’s a printable of this recipe – it is so good. Did you know you can put raw meat in a marinade and freeze it? When you are ready to use it, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and you have a meal ready to be cooked.
I split the 6 pounds of chicken tenderloins into 3 large zip top freezer bags.
I poured the marinade over the chicken and sealed the bags, squeezing out any air in the bag.
After the marinated chicken was done and in the freezer, I cut up the chicken from the rotisserie chickens and put it into zip top bags – I saved out about a cup for our chicken salad tonight.
By this time, the ground beef was done and cooled slightly, I added salt and pepper to taste and portioned it into three freezer containers.
So in a little over an hour, here’s what I prepped for the freezer:
3 bags of marinated chicken = 6 meals
4 bags of rotisserie chicken = 4 + meals
3 pounds of browned beef = 6 meals
- marinated chicken for eating plain as grilled chicken or in chicken fajitas
- rotisserie chicken for quesadillas, tacos, salads
- browned beef for pasta sauces, tacos, taco salads
So about an hour in the kitchen and at least 16 meal starters ($2.40 a meal for 4 people) – definitely an hour well spent and another item off my DONE! list – yeah!
What’s your favorite prep-ahead freezer food?
Kristen Says
I love Costco for this! We do the same. I find marinating steaks and then freezing them works really well. The flavor is just great afterwards.
Tiffany Says
I had never thought to freeze meat in the marinade, what a great time saver! I do those same things except I cook my own chicken then shred and freeze it instead of using a rotisserie chicken. I also make and freeze broth from the bones. And I make a few complete casseroles to freeze to use on really busy days.
EF Willi Says
Amazing time AND money savers! I had no idea about being able to freeze meat in the marinade. I bet it’s crazy flavorful when you finally prepare it. Thanks for the tips 🙂
Vibrant Mommy Says
I HEART you, Clean Mama. I have been wanting to do this for about a year now and I think your simplicity helps. You are awesome!! Going to try the marinade stuff!!
La Yen Says
I always brown onions in with my ground beef–because I swear everything I need the beef for requires onions anyway! Great idea on the marinade. Going to do that next time!
Clean Mama Says
Love the suggestions – thank you!
Amy K Says
Thanks for the marinade tip.
I also buy large packages of chicken and divide into freezer bags, and brown my ground beef and freeze.
Although it’s not freezer related, I also take time to make my own taco seasoning ahead, so I’ve got it ready when I need it.
Melissa Says
Oh I love doing this! Its so funny that if the meat is already cooked…dinner just seems so much easier!
Colette Says
Wow… great idea! 🙂 Stopping by from Tatertots & Jello.
michelle@somedaycrafts Says
/great job! I will have to try this!
Jeanette Says
Great ideas!
Braley Mama Says
now this is very useful info!!Thank you so much for sharing!! Very cute blog too:O)
alanaransley Says
I have been trying to figure out how to get ahead with meals before school starts. Thanks for the great ideas!
Amy Bowman Says
I saw your link at The Girl Creative and after reading the title under the link box I thought, “I gotta click over and tell them to share this at “AP Tuesdays!” When my click brought me to your page I had to smile. I thought “I should have knows such a catchy title and great idea came from her!” This is a great post!!!!
Domestic Nerd Says
This is a great idea. I’ve seen so much about OAMC freezer cooking and it never seemed attainable for me, but this….I can do!
Thanks!
Maryann @ Domestically-Speaking Says
I’ve been wanting to start cooking like this more often. I might make a meal last for 2 meals, but to prep so much at one time is so smart. I’m going to try your marinade… thanks!
Marianne Says
Great idea and really good tips. I really needed this as doing dinners at times can be a little difficult for me.
It will make it easy now for me to just pull something out on days where I am at a loss for ideas and just need somethings easy and fast.
Thanks a bunch.
Throw Open the Windows Says
This is great. I never thought to pre-brown my ground meat. Thanks for the tips. Rebecca
Amy Bowman Says
Featured post at “AP Tuesdays!” You won most clicked on Flexible themed link, too. My readers just love you!
Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden Says
I’ve been wanting to try something like this for a while. Thanks so much for your post!
You have a new follower!
RJ @ A Life Designed Says
Great idea! We recently bought a chest freezer so we could do something similar with local in-season produce to have it on hand for the winter months.
CozyStitches Says
I think I love you for posting this, it’s awesome! Great step by step for those of us who need the step by step and the pics….some of us (ahem, me) are slow… 😉 Thanks again! 😀
Jessica Says
What herbs do you use for your chicken marinade?
Clean Mama Says
Jessica-
Fresh or dried work and any combination…
fresh – basil, oregano, thyme, sage
dried – rosemary, oregano, thyme
Allison @ House of Hepworths Says
I featured you because you’re awesome!
http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2010/08/25/hookin-up-with-hoh-14/
Feel free to grab a button if you want. 🙂
joyfullyjulie Says
I did not know you could marinade and freeze at the same time! So glad to find this out. Did you know that you can boil your hamburger or ground turkey instead of frying it up? I do this in my largest pot, it makes it so fast and I don’t have to do anything to it (like stir or keep a real close eye on it) once I’ve dropped pieces into the boiling water.
Billie's Scrappetique Says
JUST found your site today and had to comment on this post! I love your ideas and thought I’d share a few of my own.
I also brown my hamburger meat when I purchase it. It saves the messy, greasy clean-up, but it’s also a HUGE time-saver when it comes to dinner time! I do a base seasoning (Tony Chachere’s, garlic powder and chili powder) on it so I can use it for tacos, enchiladas, in chili, Sloppy Joes, etc.
I also dice veggies (carrots, bell peppers, okra, green onions, etc), rinse and freeze as well. I need to “learn” how to freeze squash too. It never seems to be “in season” when I want to have it. ha!
Thanks for the great site!!
Kristin Says
Great tips. The rotisserie chickens make the best chicken broth. just toss in everything that is left after you take the meat off. Then add some carrots, celery, onion and a bay leaf and let it simmer. It is so good and you can freeze the broth for future meals too.
Jerald Says
Looks amazing!!!! /I look forward to your feedback /thanks for this man it was very helpful.
Freezer
Julia Says
Great, thank you
For my tomato sauces, every rest of meat is frozen young few by young little and when I have the quantity, I defrost, chops and puts in the tomato sauce.
The French lol