28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

Looking for Vegan Freezer Meals?

I've put together a collection of 28 Vegan Freezer Meals. They're all quick and easy recipes that rely mostly on pantry ingredients (for more on this topic, check out my 100 Vegan Recipes Using Pantry Staples). They're full of flavour, packed with nutrients, and are gluten-free and refined sugar free too. I've particularly focused on recipes that freeze and reheat well.

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (1)

What type of food freezes well?

  • In general, saucy foods like curries, stews, soups and pasta sauces tend to freeze best.
  • I find gluten-free pasta is generally not good reheated. For this reason, I find it's usually easier to freeze just the pasta sauce and boil your own pasta when you reheat the sauce.
  • Freezing rice can be a bit hit and miss too. Unless you're really careful, white rice can get quite mushy/watery/overly sticky when frozen and reheated. Freezing brown rice tends to have better results, especially when it's in a soup, so I've only included recipes that use brown rice.
  • Freezing potatoes makes them mushy - any recipes that contain potatoes should be replaced with sweet potatoes or some other vegetable.

Tips on how to store these freezer meals

These freezer meals are best stored in Tupperware containers in the freezer.

Tips on food hygiene/safety for frozen food

  • Transfer into a well-sealed Tupperware and leave to cool.
  • Place in the freezer as soon as it has cooled down - don't leave it sitting around at room temperature for too long.

Tips on defrosting freezer meals

  • Though you can leave the frozen food Tupperware to thaw out at room temperature for a few hours before you intend to reheat it, it's safer to do it in the fridge.
  • The night before you want to eat it, transfer it from the freezer to the fridge to let it thaw out overnight.

Tips on reheating frozen food

  • You can reheat it in the microwave, but it's safer and the texture is better if you do it in a pot on the stove (hob) because you can make sure it has been properly heated through.
  • Stir regularly to make sure the heat has evenly distributed.
  • Always reheat until piping hot.
  • For soups, curries, pasta sauces, stews etc you will sometimes need to add a small splash of water if liquid has been lost during the freezing and defrosting process.

How long do freezer meals keep for?

Up to a few months. Any longer than that and the flavour and texture can begin to deteriorate.

Chickpea Korma Curry

Asweet,creamy, mildcurry with chickpeas and cauliflower!

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (2)

Potato Pea Curry

Anutritious andnourishingcurry made with super simple ingredients!

Tip: Potatoes don't freeze well (they go mushy), so replace potatoes with sweet potatoes or any other vegetable.

Similar alternatives:

  • Cabbage Potato Curry
  • Pumpkin Curry

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (3)

Thai Green Curry Rice Soup

Afragrant,aromaticsoup filled withnuttybrown rice and vegetables!

Similar alternative:

Miso Brown Rice Soup

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (4)

Roasted Red Pepper Pasta

This Roasted Red Pepper Pasta iscreamy,nutritiousand packed withflavour! Avibrantlycolourfuldish.

Tip: Freeze just the pasta sauce and boil the pasta fresh when you reheat the sauce.

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (5)

Spanish Chickpea Stew

This Spanish Chickpea Stew issupereasyto make,healthyyetsatisfying.

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (6)

Tofu Bolognese

ThisTofu Bolognese isfillingandsatisfying,healthyyetcomfortingandfull of flavour! Acrowd-pleasingdish that’s bound to satisfy even picky eaters.

Tip: Freeze just the pasta sauce and boil the pasta fresh when you reheat the sauce.

Similar alternative:

Shredded Eggplant Lentil Ragu

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (7)

White Bean Chili

This White Bean Chili is superflavourful,comfortingandhealthy. Asubtly spiced,richwhite sauce filled withcreamywhite beans andnuttysweetcorn.

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (8)

Creamy Tomato Soup

ThisCreamy Tomato Soup isrich and indulgent,full of flavour andwarming and comforting!

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (9)

Japanese Curry

A salty-sweet,subtly spicedcurrysauce that's muchhealthierthan the traditionalversion!

Tip: Potatoes don't freeze well (they go mushy), so replace potatoes with sweet potatoes or any other vegetable.

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (10)

Sweet Potato Peanut Soup

ThisSweet Potato Peanut Soup iswarming and comforting,spicy and flavourfulandsuper nourishing!

Similar alternatives:

  • Pumpkin Soup
  • Pumpkin Curry Soup

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (11)

Peanut Tofu Satay Curry

Thefragrant, rich, peanutty curry sauce transforms tofu into something you won't be able to stop eating!

Similar alternative:

Chickpea Sweet Potato Peanut Curry

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (12)

Thai Green Curry

This Thai Green Curry isfragrant,creamyand supernutritious!

Similar alternative:

Thai Massaman Curry

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (13)

Corn Chowder

This Corn Chowder issweetandcreamy,supereasyto make, andnutritiousandfilling!

Similar alternatives:

  • Cream of Mushroom Soup
  • Cream of Asparagus Soup
  • Zucchini Soup

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (14)

Chickpea Coconut Mango Curry

ThisChickpea Coconut Mango Curry is fresh and fruity, hearty and satisfying and filled with juicy mango, nutty chickpeas and creamy cashews!

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (15)

Eggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry

ThisEggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry is super nutritious, rich and creamy and perfectly spiced!

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (16)

Tortilla Soup

This Tortilla Soup isrichandflavourful,comfortingandwarmingand sonutritious!

Tip: If making the tortilla strips, make them fresh when you reheat it.

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (17)

Chickpea Tikka Masala

ThisChickpea Tikka Masala isrichandcreamy,perfectly tangyandfull of flavour. It's muchhealthier than the traditional version!

View recipe

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (18)

If you try out any of these vegan freezer meals,I’d really love to hear anyfeedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes onInstagram! Thank you.

28 Vegan Freezer Meals (Gluten-Free) - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How many freezer meals should you make? ›

If your maternity leave is short or you plan to eat out regularly, then 10-20 make-ahead freezer meals should do the trick. But if you have more time before the baby comes or if you plan on eating at home most of the time, then 30-50 freezer meals might be more suitable for your family.

How to make vegan food satisfying? ›

I highly recommend having a mixture of grains, protein, and vegetables — it provides a great balance not only with flavor/bulk but also texture. Grains and legumes help keep the meal filling while the vegetables bring everything together.

How do you cook then freeze meals? ›

Reusable freezer bags are great for sauces – freezing them flat also helps with space as you can stack them on top of each other. Muffin trays are also useful if you want to defrost smaller portions at a time. Cool the food quickly after cooking and before freezing.

Can you freeze meals you make? ›

If you still want to eat delicious homemade meals but don't have much time, freezing could do wonders for you! Although it has its pros and cons, freezing ingredients and even full meals is great for stocking up on produce, preserving leftovers from other recipes, and making meal planning a little easier.

Is it okay to eat frozen meals everyday? ›

On most days of the week, you'll want to rely on fresh meals — or tasty leftovers. “At the end of the day, I would limit frozen meals to no more than twice a week,” notes Taylor. But when you need the convenience of a frozen entrée, these tips can guide your choices.

How healthy are freezer meals? ›

While frozen meals are a convenient way to eat a balanced meal, it's easy to be led astray–they're also known for being packed with sodium, calories, and saturated fat, making moderation important.

What do vegans struggle with the most? ›

10 Vegan deficiencies to be aware of - and how to nix them
  • Iron. ...
  • Vitamin B12. ...
  • Omega-3. ...
  • Zinc. ...
  • Choline. ...
  • Iodine. ...
  • Vitamin D. Who isn't a little bit deficient in the 'Sunshine Vitamin'? ...
  • Protein. 'This nutrient is not an issue in most people's diets especially those who eat meat, fish and eggs,' says Hobson.
Dec 22, 2022

Which foods are surprisingly vegan? ›

Top 10 surprising vegan foods
  • Crumpets. This might be an obvious one to some, but a quick poll with our vegan and dairy-free friends shows many mistakenly believe crumpets contained dairy. ...
  • Dark chocolate. Chocoholics assemble! ...
  • Cream crackers. ...
  • (Some) biscuits. ...
  • (Some) crisps. ...
  • Ice Cream. ...
  • Pasta. ...
  • Peanut butter.

What foods do vegans love? ›

Protein from beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, tofu, tempeh and seitan, along with healthy fats from avocado, nuts, seeds, and coconut and olive oils, can also keep your blood sugar stable. High-protein vegan diet: Protein is one of the nutrients often lacking in a vegan diet.

Can I freeze mashed potatoes? ›

But when you make too much or want to get a head start on the Thanksgiving menu, you might wonder: Can I freeze mashed potatoes? Yes, you can. Freezing mashed potatoes is a great way to plan for the holidays or avoid wasting any leftovers.

What meals freeze the best? ›

Soups, stews, lasagna, empanadas, and pie dough are some of our favorites to freeze—check out more ideas below.

What does not freeze well? ›

Foods That Do Not Freeze Well
FoodsUsual UseCondition After Thawing
Cheese or crumb toppingsOn casserolesSoggy
Mayonnaise or salad dressingOn sandwiches (not in salads)Separates
GelatinIn salads or dessertsWeeps
Fruit jellySandwichesMay soak bread
11 more rows

Can you freeze eggs? ›

According to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), you can freeze eggs for up to one year. When you're ready to use frozen eggs, thaw them overnight in the refrigerator or under running cold water. Use egg yolks or whole eggs as soon as they're thawed.

Can I freeze potatoes? ›

You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

What meals can I batch cook and freeze? ›

Freezable family recipes
  • Sausage pasta bake. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
  • Meatballs in tomato, cardamom & lime sauce. A star rating of 3.8 out of 5. ...
  • Chicken & chorizo ragu. ...
  • Broccoli stem falafel bowl. ...
  • Creamy halloumi & tomato curry. ...
  • Chicken & bacon pie. ...
  • App onlyCheesy potato patchwork pie. ...
  • Peanut butter chicken.

How many times should you freeze food and why? ›

Raw defrosted food may be frozen once more, only if it has been cooked after defrosting and before re-freezing. Never leave food to defrost in a warm place (defrosting in the fridge at 5C is the safest way to do it), cover loosely, and ensure it is thoroughly defrosted before cooking - cook food soon after defrosting.

Does making freezer meals save money? ›

I have found that eating home-cooked vegetable-filled meals is not only healthier for me and my family, but also cheaper. Having a well-stocked freezer saves even more money by removing the temptation of takeout. It also saves prep, cooking, and cleanup time during the week so you can enjoy time with your family.

How many times can you cook and freeze food? ›

According to senior food editor Rick Martinez and Robert Ramsey, chef instructor at the Institute of Culinary Education, you can refreeze and re-thaw food—but just because you can doesn't mean you should. At ICE, Ramsey and his colleagues have a blanket rule: "If something's been frozen once, that's it."

How long do homemade freezer meals last? ›

Great news, according to the USDA, frozen meals are safe to eat indefinitely. However, after about three months, the quality (i.e. flavor and texture) of food can degrade. Therefore, we recommend eating foods within three months of stashing them in the freezer.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Nathanial Hackett

Last Updated:

Views: 6329

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (72 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Nathanial Hackett

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: Apt. 935 264 Abshire Canyon, South Nerissachester, NM 01800

Phone: +9752624861224

Job: Forward Technology Assistant

Hobby: Listening to music, Shopping, Vacation, Baton twirling, Flower arranging, Blacksmithing, Do it yourself

Introduction: My name is Nathanial Hackett, I am a lovely, curious, smiling, lively, thoughtful, courageous, lively person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.