20 Easy & Healthy Freezer Meals (gluten free)
These 20 healthy freezer meals are perfect for new moms or anyone who wants to save time in the kitchen! They are all gluten-free, and many are dairy-free.
What are freezer meals?
Whether you’re an expectant parent or are just trying to save time in the kitchen freezer meals are a great option for having exactly what you want on hand, exactly when you want it! They’re especially helpful if you have dietary restrictions and can’t necessarily rely on takeout or meal trains. With freezer meals, you can still prepare the food you love, but with less work.
Freezer meals can go one of two ways… You can either fully cook and freeze a meal to reheat later, or you can prep the raw ingredients and cook the meals fresh. This roundup has a mixture of both!
Table of contents
What Healthy Meals Can You Freeze?
- Breakfast burritos
- Breakfast sausages
- Baked pastas
- Casseroles
- Casseroles
- Slow cooker meals
- Soups
- etc!
What Foods Do Not Freeze Well?
- Raw leafy greens (romaine, cabbage, arugula, lettuce)
- Plain pasta or rice (they easily dry out)
- Fried foods
- Previosuly frozen foods
- Mayo-based salads (pasta salad, potato salad, etc)
- Milk sauces
Freezer Food Safety & Texture Notes
- Never re-freeze previously frozen food! This is key to maintaining texture!
- Never add frozen food to your crock pot. This is a huge food safety concern as frozen food may not defrost quickly enough in the slow cooker and will put food at risk of sitting in the danger zone.
Should freezer meals be frozen raw or fully cooked?
It depends! I personally think that the texture and flavor are better when these ingredients are prepped, frozen, and then prepared fresh in the slow cooker. The freezer can change the texture of already cooked food (especially vegetables), so I prefer this method for these particular recipes.
What containers should you freeze freezer meals in?
- Glass Pyrex containers. Glass Pyrex containers are what I always store leftovers in! They’re reusable, easy to clean, and can be used for multiple things. However, they take up a lot of room in your freezer, so it doesn’t make as much sense if you’re prepping more than just a few freezer meals at a time. They also can increase the risk of freezer burn if you don’t fill them to the top as the air that your food is exposed to can increase the likelihood of freezer burn.
- Silicone Baggies. I love, love, love my stasher bags! They’re reusable, they freeze everything great, and you can easily wash them in the dishwasher. However, they’re a bit cost-prohibitive if you’re going to be freezing a month’s worth of meals. Every bit counts though, so even if you can only afford a couple, it still makes a difference.
Freezer Meal Tips & Tricks 🤓
- Defrost in a casserole dish or bowl. I’ve learned my lesson one too many times with this when I tried to defrost meat! Even when you’re using freezer-safe packaging there may be a leak that would make a mess and risk cross-contamination. Leaving your freezer meals to defrost in a bowl or casserole dish is the safest bet.
- Use a baggy holder. These baggy holders are a lifesaver! I was awkwardly trying to fill bags by myself and wound up spilling things quite a few times. These baggy holders keep your bags stable and open so you don’t have to fumble around!
20 Healthy Gluten-Free Freezer Meals
Freezer Friendly Breakfasts
1
Freezer Breakfast Burrito
These freezer breakfast burritos are perfect for prepping ahead of time and freezing! Just recrisp them to enjoy.
Freezer Breakfast Burrito Recipe
2
Blueberry Sweet Potato Breakfast Sausage
These Blueberry Sweet Potato Breakfast Sausage are the perfect breakfast for moms on the go! Defrost in the fridge and reheat when your'e ready to enjoy.
Blueberry Sweet Potato Breakfast Sausage Recipe
3
Sweet Potato and Beef Breakfast Taquitos
These taquitos are the perfect fast breakfast! Prep them ahead of time, freeze, defrost and crisp to serve.
Sweet Potato and Beef Breakfast Taquito Recipe
4
Freezer Vegetable Breakfast Hash {3 Ways}
Freezer Breakfast Vegetables Hash (3 Ways)Freezer-Friendly Slow Cooker Meals
5
Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala
This chicken marsala is a comforting and easy meal made in the slow cooker! It’s paleo and can be made whole30, and AIP.
Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala Recipe
6
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe7
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
This slow cooker beef stew is nourishing and easy to make! It’s paleo, whole30, and AIP friendly.
Slow cooker beef stew recipe
8
Paleo Slow Cooker Indian Butter Chicken
This slow cooker Indian butter chicken is an easy and flavorful recipe that can be made into a speedy freezer meal! This recipe is paleo, whole30, and can be made AIP.
Paleo Butter Chicken Recipe
9
Slow Cooker Golden chickpea and veggie soup
Chickpea Soup Recipe10
Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Tacos
Slow cooker ranch chicken taco recipe11
Gluten Free Pizza Soup
This gluten-free pizza soup is made with ground beef, black olives, gluten-free pasta, and more that make it taste just like pizza! It’s gluten-free, and can easily be made paleo and AIP-friendly.
Pizza Soup Recipe
12
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef Recipe13
Instant Pot Chicken No-Tortilla Soup (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
This instant pot chicken no-tortilla soup is quick and easy! It’s paleo, keto, whole30, and easy to modify for AIP.
Chicken No-Tortilla Soup Recipe
14
Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin and Vegetables
Teriyaki Pork Tenderloin Recipe15
Hawaiian Chicken Bowls
These Hawaiian chicken bowls are an easy and delicious slow cooker meal! This recipe is gluten-free, paleo, and can be made whole30 and AIP.
Hawiian Chicken Recipe
16
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos
These cilantro lime chicken tacos are easily made in the slow cooker for a quick and easy meal. They’re gluten-free, paleo, and AIP with a Whole30 option, and can be made into a freezer meal.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos Recipe
17
Asian Inspired Chili (Paleo, Whole30, AIP)
This Asian Inspired Chili is a flavorful and unique Asian fusion chili that has all of the Asian flavors you love but in a hearty chili. Its paleo, whole30, can be modified to be AIP-friendly and is the perfect freezer meal.
Asian Inspired Chili Recipe
Freezer Baked Meals
18
Gluten Free Sheet Pan Lasgana
Gluten-Free Sheet Pan Lasagna Recipe19
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie
Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie Recipe20
Freezer-Friendly Chicken Enchiladas (Paleo & AIP option)
These chicken enchiladas are the perfect freezer-friendly meal to freeze now and cook later. They’re gluten-free, paleo, and can be made to be nightshade free.
Chicken Enchilada Recipe
Bonus Freezer … snacks!!
Here are just a few snacks that freeze great! To freeze these, simply prepare as directed, allow to cool fully, and wrap tightly to freeze.
- Collagen cookie dough bites
- Chocolate chips cookies
- Paleo thin mints (please note to not use peppermint oil if you’re a breastfeeding momma! Trust me these cookies are just as good without it… they’re just yummy chocolate cookies)
- Samoa truffles
How long can you keep these in the freezer before cooking? Trying to decide how far in advance I can prepare them 🙂
I included how long you can store them in the freezer for each recipe. Generally its 2-3 months!
This is the best round up! Thank you!
Hi Michelle!
First of all, I wish I could hug you! I have been struggling with autoimmune food sensitivities for about a year now and your site has been a lifesaver not just for me but for my whole family. It’s been difficult preparing family meals for two toddlers (one with several food allergies) and a husband that’s appetizing but also compliant with what makes me feel okay. Words cannot express how much I appreciate your recipes. We always know it’s gonna be good when it comes from Unbound Wellness! As we prepare for our 3rd child, I’ve done most of these freezer meals and am that much more grateful to you for the peace of mind and health as we transition to a family of 5 in the next couple months. Blessings on you and your family! <3
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much for sharing these. I have some potentially silly questions though as I’ve never done freezer ‘dump bags’ before.
Do you add the liquid into the bag before freezing as well? Do you think it would make a difference if I just added that on the day once the ingredients are in the slow cooker? For example – the wine in the chicken marsala recipe. Also with the chicken marsala recipe – it says to reserve the arrowroot and parsley – is this just added on the day before turning the slow cooker on? Or is that done after the meal has cooked in the slow cooker that day, ie, just before serving?
Also – you talk about not refreezing meat etc that has been thawed. Is this for after it’s cooked as well? IE. If I was to put fresh meat and other ingredients in the freezer, take out and cook, then freeze leftovers?
After it’s been cooked, that’s different! You just don’t want to go from defrosting in the fridge and adding it back to the freezer. 🙂
Do you think it would be ok to put frozen meat (unthawed) in with everything else that is going into the freezer at room temp?
I found the article really helpful, thank you! What size of zip-loc bags are you using?
So glad it was helpful!! I’m mostly using gallon-sized bags so they’ll all freeze flat and they’ll be easier and quicker to defrost but you could make other sizes work 🙂