Delicious Freezer Meals to Give Away to Friends & Family

I am going to tell you about some of my favorite freezer meals to make and give away.

As a busy woman, I know how hard it can be to keep up with the demands of life. One thing that helps me is having easy meals ready to go in my freezer. That way, when I’m pressed for time and don’t have the energy to cook, I can just pop something in the Crockpot or Instant Pot and have a good meal on the table.

I also love being able to give away meals to friends and family who may be going through a tough time or just need a little extra help. It’s so rewarding to make someone’s day a little bit easier with a casserole or other make-ahead meal! And the great thing is, you can make your meals and theirs at the same time. Give yourself and your friend the gift of time and good nutrition.

So here are some of my favorite freezer meals to give away.

What are freezer meals?

Freezer meals are just what they sound like—meals that you can prepare ahead of time and store in your freezer until you’re ready to give them away. They are great for busy people like me because they save time, money, and energy. Plus, you can make a lot of them in one go, so it’s easy to give away multiple meals at once.

The range of meals that you can prep and freeze for later is endless. You can make meatballs, chicken pot pie, mac and cheese, or enchiladas. Soups and stews freeze great. It is easier than you think!

All your recipient will need to do with your easy freezer meal is thaw the meal and put it in their oven, slow cooker, or Instant Pot. What a relief for someone who has a new baby, has just undergone surgery, or is facing another challenge.

hearty chili to give away warms the heart

Why should I give away freezer meals?

There are lots of reasons why making freezer meals is a great idea. First, it saves time—you can make multiple meals ahead of time in one go, so you don’t have to keep making new ones every time you want to give a meal to a friend. Second, it saves money. You can buy ingredients in bulk and save on the cost. And it gives your friends and family something special; homemade food made with love just for them!

What are some good recipes to give away?

There are lots of different recipes that work well as freezer meals.We have a great selection of easy and delicious freezer meal recipes in our database. (Sign up to get full access to our recipe database and more!)

Here are some of my favorites to share:

Lasagna: This classic Italian dish is easy to make ahead of time and freezes well. Plus, lasagna is always a crowd-pleaser!
Chili: A hearty classic dish that freezes well and tastes great when reheated. It’s also an easy way to feed a lot of people at once. Served with a loaf of crusty bread especially garlic bread, it is the ultimate in comfort food.
Soup: Soups are great because they freeze well and can be easily reheated in the microwave or stovetop. Plus, there are so many different kinds that everyone will find something they like!
Casseroles: Casseroles are always a hit with my friends and family because they taste delicious and can be made ahead of time without any fuss or mess.
Pot Pies: Pot pies are another great option for freezing because they freeze well and reheat quickly in the oven or microwave. Plus, they look impressive when served!

How do I best store meals to give away?

Once you have your make-ahead freezer meals ready to go, all you have to do is package them up properly, so they don’t spoil while in storage or transportation. Here are some tips on how to do this:

Be sure to label each dish with its cooking instructions so it’s easy for the recipient to prepare. And don’t forget to include the prep date so that they know when they have to eat them by. I recommend printing these labels on computer paper or water-resistant stickers and taping/attaching them to your bags PRIOR to meal prep.
Make sure to use high-quality freezer bags or airtight containers. Preventing excess air/moisture from getting in will help keep foot fresh for the longest time possible.

What other things should I consider when giving away frozen food?

When giving away frozen food, there are some other things you should consider before handing over your homemade creations:

If you don’t know about your friend’s dietary needs, ask. Receiving a meal that you cannot eat is very discouraging, and you don’t want your friend to assume it is safe if it is not. You don’t want to trigger an allergy that could land them in the emergency room! Make sure you know about food preferences, allergies, intolerances, and any other special dietary information. If you have a friend with multiple allergies or a very restricted diet, ask them for copies of a few of their favorite recipes, and take out the guesswork or frustration of trying to find something that is compliant. The best freezer meals are the ones they can eat!
Make sure your friend/family member has enough space in their own freezer for storing the meal (it won’t do them any good if it doesn’t fit!)
Let your friend/family know how long their meal will stay safe once it’s thawed (it should generally be eaten within three days).
Let them know how best to heat their meal if needed (some dishes may require defrosting first). Include all of the instructions they will need.
And lastly, let them know how much fun cooking these delicious dishes was for you—sharing the joy with those around us is half the fun!

Final thoughts…

Freezer meals make wonderful gifts for friends and family. Not only do they show how much we care about them, but also save them time, energy and money too! With these tips on storage and preparation and some ideas on what recipes work best as freezer dishes, all that’s left is to get cooking—Happy gifting, everyone!