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!

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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

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Thai Green Curry Rice Soup

Afragrant,aromaticsoup filled withnuttybrown rice and vegetables!

Similar alternative:

Miso Brown Rice Soup

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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.

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Spanish Chickpea Stew

This Spanish Chickpea Stew issupereasyto make,healthyyetsatisfying.

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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

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White Bean Chili

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

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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

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Sweet Potato Peanut Soup

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

Similar alternatives:

  • Pumpkin Soup
  • Pumpkin Curry Soup

View recipe

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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

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Thai Green Curry

This Thai Green Curry isfragrant,creamyand supernutritious!

Similar alternative:

Thai Massaman Curry

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Corn Chowder

This Corn Chowder issweetandcreamy,supereasyto make, andnutritiousandfilling!

Similar alternatives:

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

View recipe

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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!

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Eggplant Chickpea Peanut Curry

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

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Tortilla Soup

This Tortilla Soup isrichandflavourful,comfortingandwarmingand sonutritious!

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

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Chickpea Tikka Masala

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

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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 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.

Can you freeze meals you make? ›

Start Small & Work Your Way Up. Avoid prepping and freezing a huge batch the first time you freeze a new recipe or food. It's much better to experiment with small portions and see how you like it reheated before you make larger batches. If you're not sure if something will freeze well, just freeze 1-2 portions.

How do freezer meals work? ›

Freezer meal cooking involves planning meals ahead of time that can be easily frozen for later use. There are two main ways to do this: 1 - One option for freezer meal cooking is to use your "freezer smarts" and simply double a recipe you intend to cook and eat that day and then freeze one for later.

Is it cheaper to cook or eat frozen meals? ›

While some frozen meals can be very cost-effective, others may be more expensive than cooking the same meal from scratch. If you're cooking a meal for multiple people, you may find it's cheaper to buy the ingredients separately than to purchase enough frozen meals for everyone.

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.

What are the most filling vegan foods? ›

Healthful foods that are high in protein, fiber, or both tend to be filling. Rich sources of protein for vegans include foods such as soybeans, pulses, and some nuts and seeds. Oats, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and fruit are all good sources of fiber.

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

What are the most filling plant foods? ›

Plant-based foods you can add to your meals to help improve satiety
  • Lentils. Lentils are an economical and readily available ingredient that are used as staples in most plant-forward meals. ...
  • Chia seeds. ...
  • Oats. ...
  • Chickpeas. ...
  • Walnuts or Almonds. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Brussels Sprouts. ...
  • Avocado.

What is the best container to freeze food in? ›

Zip-top bags are great for freezing food because it's easier to get all the air out of them than it is with rigid containers. And zip-top bags have an added space-saving benefit: You can stack them, if you lay them flat to freeze first.

What food is best to freeze? ›

15 freezer friendly foods
  • 1) Cheese. Toggle accord. ...
  • 2) Milk and dairy free milk. Toggle accord. ...
  • 3) Eggs. Toggle accord. ...
  • 4) Mushrooms, broccoli and other vegetables. Toggle accord. ...
  • 5) Cooked rice. Toggle accord. ...
  • 6) Potatoes. Toggle accord. ...
  • 7) Cooked pasta. Toggle accord. ...
  • 8) Bananas. Toggle accord.

Can I freeze mashed potatoes? ›

Yes you can. You can freeze mashed potatoes made with plenty of butter and cream, and then reheat them on the big day using one of four methods. Here's how to ace the time management portion of prepping your thanksgiving dinner.

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.

How do you keep freezer burn off frozen meals? ›

How can I prevent freezer burn?
  1. Step 1: Prepare your food for freezing. ...
  2. Step 2: Use airtight storage containers. ...
  3. Step 3: Set freezers to the proper temperature. ...
  4. Step 4: Limit the amount of time your freezer is open. ...
  5. Step 5: Rotate your foods to help prevent freezer burn. ...
  6. Step 6: Avoid thawing and refreezing food.

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.

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? ›

Cold Food Storage Chart
FoodTypeFreezer [0°F (-18°C) or below]
Soups and stewsVegetable or meat added2 to 3 months
LeftoversCooked meat or poultry2 to 6 months
Chicken nuggets or patties1 to 3 months
Pizza1 to 2 months
49 more rows
Sep 19, 2023

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