These gluten-free freezer meals are a collection of tried and tested meals you can add to your freezer stash. We all need these as backup on those busy days when things are just not going to plan.
Gluten-Free Freezer Meals Today
The freezer aisle, years ago, was not an aisle visited much, as there was a dismal selection of ready-made gluten-free freezer meals. Fast forward to today, and you have so many choices. And, I urge you to try them. We all need a little help during the week, and these meals come in handy.
I always have a few in my fridge, as my fussy eater can take one out if the meal I've cooked isn't hitting the spot. They also work so well when after-school activities are just not working out. Depending on the portion size, we each select our own and can all eat at varying times.
Additionally, I have a selection of my go-to favorite gluten-free recipes that freeze well. When I make those dishes, I often double the recipe and freeze it, as it requires minimal extra effort.
The 5 Best Ready-Made Gluten-Free Freezer Meals (And Homemade Options)
I'm sharing my top five gluten-free freezer meals that you can get in most frozen food aisles, many of which you can also order online. And I'm also sharing a few homemade freezer meal recipes you can make fresh and freeze at home.
First, let's talk about my favorites... the homemade recipes. These tend to avoid the sometimes staggering sodium levels of their store-bought counterparts. And they store well in the fridge or freezer, so I can batch them on Sunday for easy mid-week recipes.
My favorite homemade gluten-free freezer meals are:
Homemade Gluten-Free Lasagna
In my opinion, every freezer should have a homemade gluten-free lasagna stashed in it. Just before your guests arrive, just pop the lasagna in the oven to bake for just over an hour and a half.
You can even prepare some gf fried cheese sticks as an appetizer. It works really well as everyone is having an appetizer and chatting, and before you know it, lunch or dinner is ready.
Gluten Free Meatloaf
This gluten-free meatloaf is a dish that freezes really well. It stays tender and juicy, and in my opinion, tastes better than fresh. It is another dish that is great if you are expecting a crowd.
Gluten-Free Chicken Casserole
This chicken casserole tends to freeze really well. Most casseroles freeze well. And I can never pass up chicken, cheesy goodness with peas and carrots. And because it's made with gluten-free ingredients, it's a favorite around our household any time of the year.
There are also a bunch of excellent gluten-free crockpot recipes worth making during the week. And that gives you even more variety to work with. After all, it's so easy to slow cook beans, pork, potatoes, or chicken.
Let's move onto the store-bought options:
- Beecher's Mac and Cheese
- Amy's Cheese Enchilada Meal
- Blake's Pot Pie
- Real Good Food's Orange Chicken
- Shar Calzones
Beecher’s Gluten-Free Mac & Cheese
This Beecher's gluten-free mac and cheese is premium comfort food, with a great gluten-free pasta texture and cheese melt. It generally has a good ingredient list but is a bit higher in terms of sodium content, so we balance it out with some steamed veggies. And Beecher's gluten-free baked ziti is also delicious.
Amy's Cheese Enchilada Meal
Amy's cheese enchilada meal is a clean, gluten-free frozen dinner with organic ingredients, high protein, and fiber. Although the sodium content is about a third of the daily limit, pair it with a fresh salad or a low-sodium side. The enchilada sauce is really tasty, and we love a good Mexican dish. They have an extensive gluten-free range to try out.
Blake's Gluten-Free Pot Pie
Blake's gluten-free pot pie is homestyle comfort. It has a lovely GF crust done well. It is good for freezer meal stock. Bear in mind that the filling will not beat a homemade version where we tend to add more chicken.
It has about 930 mg of sodium, so this one should not be on a weekly rotation.
Real Good Foods Frozen Gluten Free Orange Chicken Bowl
Real Good Foods’ Orange Chicken Bowl stands out with 25 grams of protein and just 1 gram of sugar per serving. It checks many of the freezer-meal boxes for being gluten-free certified, reasonable carbs, strong protein, and a clean ingredients list. The flavor and texture also stand out amongst most frozen foods.
Its sodium landing at 640 mg is something to flag, so add a fresh, low-salt side like steamed broccoli or a crisp salad to help balance the meal. We like to add some steamed rice.
Don Lee Farms Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos
These Don Lee Farms Crispy Shredded Chicken Tacos deliver about 14 grams of protein, a crisp corn-based GF shell, and a brand commitment to real ingredients.
The sodium 520–600 mg, depending on portion, is a bit higher than ideal, so think of them as part of a full meal with fresh sides. They go well in the air fryer, stovetop, or oven. We prefer the air fryer as it's super easy.
Shar Gluten-Free Mini Calzone Bites
We've all gotten excited when we've seen a Shar section at the grocery store, right? They have so many gluten free products. And their mini calzone bites are on my list of favorites. I was a little torn on including these on the list, because they're more of a snack or an appetizer for us, but they could make a meal in a pinch. They also have some pretty good pizzas!
We also love having any of the best gluten-free frozen pizza brands available for when the children have friends over. Not an everyday thing, of course, but they're always easy dinners.
Kevin's Thai Coconut Curry Chicken
This was a new one for me, but it has such a stellar reputation. Kevin's has a few really strong options. The Thai curry chicken is just one of our favorites. It's also Keto, soy free, dairy free, and packed with 20 grams of protein.
That makes it a powerhouse among the frozen dinner game, at least for those of us who require gluten-free ingredients. For variety, Kevin's also has a gluten-free beef bolognese that's worth checking out.
How to Store & Reheat for Best Results
If you're buying from the store or making it at home to freeze, here are a few things to consider.
- Freezer burn - When preparing your own meals to freeze, make sure you use a container or packaging that is meant for freezing. For store bought, that means avoiding packages that have frost on the outside when you see them in the store's freezers.
- Cool the food - It is important to let the cooked food cool before freezing. The reason for this is that you have a lower chance of ice crystals forming, which contributes to freezer burn.
- Portion it out - Depending on what I am making, I like to freeze in the portion sizes we eat. This is such a helpful way to meal prep, too. Just take out the servings you plan to use, and you don't have to thaw any extra food.
- Thaw correctly - I prefer thawing out in the fridge overnight and then either cooking it or reheating it in the oven or microwave, depending on what it is.
As I have matured (gotten older), I would have seen buying frozen meals as a sign that I couldn't manage my time and home. But the pace of life is very different from when my granny was growing up, so you definitely need to go with the times and save time.
What To Look Out For When Buying Ready-Made Freezer Meals
Freezer meals have often gotten a bad rap for not being healthy, tasteless, and having minimal variety. But things have changed from that bygone era, as the pace of life has exponentially picked up so quickly, and these are a must for meal planning.
So here are a few tips to help you choose easy gluten free freezer meals :
- Sodium content - Sodium is an important ingredient, but the federal recommendation is less than 2,300 mg per day. So take this into account when choosing a freezer meal. They generally are higher, so try to balance your intake for breakfast and lunch.
- Reading food labels - Look for a gluten-free label or certification. If it does not have one on proceed with caution and revert to going through every ingredient, or call the manufacturer's call centre to be sure.
- Check ingredients - A list of simple, clean ingredients is generally better. Longer lists tend to have preservatives.
- Taste and texture - This is a big one for me. Try and see if you can visually see through the packaging.
- Portion size and nutrition - Check that there is enough of a combo of protein and vegetables to be considered as a main meal. It is important to follow dietary guidelines.
Pick one of these suggested meals and start working up to getting that freezer stash going. Free up time for the things that really matter.
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