Things You Can Freeze For a Better Prepped Whole-Foods Kitchen

I almost always cook for an army when I cook. This is not an accident, but a strategy to always have unprocessed staples in the house. If you come to my house, you will usually find these things in my freezer ready to go to make a quick meal! Someday I will be putting a deep freeze freezer to good use! Until then, these are the necessities that I cannot live without.

Things you can freeze

1. Enchilada sauce (& any sauces you use frequently)

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Once the sauce is made, the rest is just filling your enchiladas with whatever you want! I always have this in my freezer since finding an enchilada sauce with whole-foods ingredients can be a challenge.

2. Homemade broth

Why it’s worth the freezer space: I like my veggie broth without tomatoes and sugar, which is hard to find. And it’s so easy to make!

3. Nut Milk/Coconut Milk/Coconut Water/Raw Milk/Wine

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Great for an ice cream base to throw into a high-speed blender! I always make double batches of my nut milks so I can thaw in my fridge for the week or throw in the blender frozen. Check out how to make nut milk in no time at all here!

If you like to cook with wine, but feel like you waste a bottle when you cook, consider freezing the remainder of the bottle in ice cube portions. Waste free!

4. Freshly squeezed Lemon/Lime/Orange/Grapefruit Juice

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Wouldn’t you love to serve dinner with lemon ice cubes in your water? Or add 1 cube to your smoothies for a tangy lemonade flavor like they do at Jamba Juice?  Or put popsicle sticks in orange juice for a simple treat? I rest my case.

1. Bananas

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Great for ice cream, nice cream, smoothies, shakes, or to dip in chocolate!

2. Chocolate

Why it’s worth the freezer space: If you use any of my chocolate recipes, like my chocolate cups , it’s nice to have a batch ready to go! Or, you can break it up and use it for chocolate chips!

3. Vegetables/Herbs/Fruit

Why it’s worth the freezer space: If when you run out of something fresh, you have backup! I freeze anything anytime I chop too much…always freeze it! I usually keep snack sized bags around for this. Pre-chopped onion? Yes, please!

4. Pureed Vegetables

Why it’s worth the freezer space: If you are ever making something that you want to “boost” the nutritional value of, like, sauces, eggs, Indian Food, etc., this is totally worth keeping in your freezer! Not just for baby food!

1. Leftovers

Why it’s worth the freezer space: This seems like a given, but I think often times I forget that I don’t have to eat leftovers right away. Save your side dishes so you have something to serve with your main course later. Or, assemble your frozen leftovers for lunches away from home.

2. Chocolate Raspberry Truffles

Why it’s worth the freezer space:  It makes an impressive snack, they keep well and are great for you! If you haven’t had these, you have to try them! I like to take my truffles out of the freezer a half hour before my guests arrive and put them on a plate.

3. Raw Butterfingers

Why it’s worth the freezer space:  I don’t envy anyone’s candy at the theatre whenever we go out to the movies. My treat is better and gives me nutrients too!

4. Beans

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Better in taste, nutrition and lower sodium than canned. I like to soak my black beans overnight, boil them the next day with spices, then fry them for flavor. I will have this recipe to you soon! I like to make 3 lbs. of beans at a time and then use them for a side dish, refried beans, in enchiladas, sopas, etc. I usually freeze my beans after the boiling step. That way I can flavor them with cuban/mexican spices like I got them out of a can. P.S. If you haven’t made cuban black beans before, you must make them! They are amazing!!

5. Salsa

Why it’s worth the freezer space: It’s a really great snack to have in the house for “the munchies.” I also can serve tacos pretty quickly when I have salsa in the freezer. I usually make about a gallon at a time and pull out one portion at a time. My husband goes through salsa like it’s water!

6. Waffles/Pancakes/Bread

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Toaster ready waffles anyone!? From the brand you trust. HOMEMADE!

7. Cookie Dough

Why it’s worth the freezer space: Next time you have a craving for cookies, you’ll be ready to go without having to make the whole batch! You can either scoop into cookies, put them in ice cube trays for individual cookies, or roll into a log and slice.

If you have a hack or tip that you use in the kitchen, please share it with us by sending it to mjohnson@vanillaplummedia.com or by leaving a comment. If it tests well, I will feature your tip on my website and social media!

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