Sundays are Meal Prep: Frozen Dinner Ideas

As you can already tell, this has nothing to do with photography. However, I love to cook and having dinner as a family every night is a big deal to me. That being said- most week nights are a mash of craziness with a splash of chaos. I would be lying if I said we’ve never eaten cereal for dinner…but by golly, we ate it together, as a family. 😉

To help my sanity, I have decided to start meal prepping again since the school year has started and my busy season is picking up. I posted a picture on my personal Facebook page of my accomplished freezer bag meals and received a bunch of inquiries for the recipes. I figured it would be easier to just post them on the blog so everyone could enjoy them.

That being said- tada! Here’s a few recipes that freeze well and are on the whole trying-to-feed-my-family-as-healthy-as-possible-without-having-a-stroke-over-all-the-rules genre. 😉

I hope you enjoy! Let me know which one is your favorite!

Unicorn Magic and Octopus Hugs,
Jenn

Frozen Dinner Ideas:
Place items in a gallon freezer bag and make sure to squeeze out all of the air.

Cilantro Chicken
Chicken Breasts (can be whole, chopped or stripped)
handful of cilantro, snipped/chopped
½ -1 whole lime- squeezed
Salt Pepper
1 tsp of Cumin
½ tsp of chili pepper
2-4 tbsp of olive oil
Shake Meat in the bag until fully coated.

Crock pot 4-6hrs on high, 6-8 hrs on low
-or-
Bake at 375 F for 30-40 minutes or until internal temp is 165F

Honey Mustard Pork
1.5-2 lbs of Pork Chops
1-2c of baby carrots
2 tbsp of gourmet seeded mustard
2 tbsp of honey
1 tsp of minced garlic
salt and pepper
Shake Meat in the bag until fully coated.

Bake at 375F for 25-35minutes or until internal temperature is 150F

Fried Herbed Pork Chops with Blueberry Sauce
1.5lb of Pork Chops
2-4 tbsp of flour
1tsp of brown sugar
¼ tsp each of thyme, sage, salt, pepper, garlic, paprika
Dash of nutmeg
Shake Meat in the bag until fully coated.

Night of: 1 cup of blueberries or blackberries reduced in a simple syrup (water and honey/sugar), dash of thyme and sage, salt and pepper

In a heated pan at medium temp, add 2 tbsp of olive oil, swirl. Place meat and cook on each side for about 8 min (16-20min total), or until internal temperature is 150F. Plate meat an drizzle reduced blueberry sauce over the top.

Jerk Chicken
Chicken Breasts, thighs or mixed (can be whole, chopped or stripped)
1 sweet onion, chopped
½ c of bell peppers
2 tbsp of jerk seasoning*
2-4 tbsp of olive oil
Shake Meat in bag until fully coated

*Jerk Seasoning: 1 tablespoon garlic powder 2 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons dried thyme 2 teaspoons dried parsley 2 teaspoons sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Crock pot 4-6hrs on high, 6-8 hrs on low
-or-
Bake at 375 F for 30-40 minutes or until internal temp is 165F

Greek Chicken
Chicken Breasts, thighs or mixed (can be whole, chopped or stripped)
1 sweet onion, chopped
1 bag of chopped spinach
1 tbsp of minced garlic
1-2tbsp of Greek Seasoning*
2-4tbsp of Olive Oil
Shake Meat in bag until fully coated

*Greek Seasoning 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon basil 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1⁄2 teaspoon thyme 1 1⁄2 teaspoons onion powder 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 teaspoon dill 1 teaspoon marjoram 1 teaspoon cornstarch 1 teaspoon pepper 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes 1 teaspoon rosemary 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crock pot 4-6hrs on high, 6-8 hrs on low
-or-
Bake at 375 F for 30-40 minutes or until internal temp is 165F

Chicken and Veggies
Chicken Breasts, thighs or mixed (can be whole, chopped or stripped)
1 sweet onion, chopped
1-2 cups of whole baby carrots
1 cup of chopped celery
1tbsp of minced garlic
1tsp of thyme
salt and pepper
2-4tbsp of Olive Oil
Shake Meat in bag until fully coated

Crock pot 4-6hrs on high, 6-8 hrs on low
-or-
Bake at 375 F for 30-40 minutes or until internal temp is 165F

Yellow Chicken and Rice
Chicken Breasts, thighs or mixed (can be whole, chopped or stripped)
1 sweet onion, chopped
1tbsp of minced garlic
1 cup of peas, carrots and corn mixture
1 cup of rice (uncooked)
1 ½ tsp of turmeric
½ tsp of cumin
½ tsp of salt
½ tsp of pepper
handful of snipped/chopped cilantro
2 tbsp of olive oil
Shake Meat in bag until fully coated

Add two cups of chicken broth or water once you are ready to cook. Bake 375F in oven for 30-40 minutes, or until internal temp of chicken is 165F.

Yummy Shrimp
1-2 lbs of uncooked shrimp
½-1 bottle of Italian dressing
¼-1/2 cup of honey

Shake Meat in bag until fully coated.

Once thawed, spoon out unto an aluminum foil covered pan. Bake at 400F for about 8 minutes, until pink and firm.

Fajita Chicken
Chicken Breasts, thighs or mixture; cut into strips
handful of cilantro, snipped/chopped
1 onion sliced
1 green and 1 red bell pepper, sliced
½ lime squeezed
1 tbsp of minced garlic
Salt
Pepper
1 tsp of Cumin
½ tsp of chili pepper
Pinch of cayenne pepper
2-4 tbsp of olive oil
Shake Meat in the bag until fully coated.

Crock pot 4-6hrs on high, 6-8 hrs on low
-or-
Bake at 375 F for 30-40 minutes or until internal temp is 165F