Batch Cooking & Freezer Meal Calculator

Batch Cooking Guide

What Freezes Well

Best freezer candidates: soups (any variety), stews and casseroles, bolognese and ragu, chilli, curry, tomato-based pasta sauces, cooked grains (rice, lentils, quinoa), pizza dough, cookie dough, burritos and enchiladas, muffins and bread. Poor freezer candidates: dishes with cream or high-dairy sauces (may split), egg-based dishes (texture changes), cooked potatoes (texture becomes grainy), lettuce, cucumber, and most fresh vegetables (ice crystals damage cell structure). Pasta and rice can be

Efficient Batch Cooking

The biggest time saving comes from combining similar preparation steps across multiple dishes rather than making 5× the same recipe. Chop all onions, garlic, and base vegetables for the week at once. Brown large batches of mince or chicken breast and split between dishes. Make a large pot of tomato sauce base that goes into bolognese, chilli, and curry. Use the oven efficiently — while a casserole braises, roast vegetables on another shelf. A 2-hour batch cooking session can produce 20–25 portio

Storage and Labelling

Freeze in portion sizes you will actually use — individual portions for solo meals, pairs for couples, family portions for large meals. Label every container with dish name, date frozen, and portion size. Most batch-cooked meals last 3 months in the freezer at −18°C. Defrost overnight in the fridge rather than at room temperature — safer and results in better texture. Soups and sauces can be defrosted directly in a pan on low heat. Use airtight containers or freezer bags with as much air removed

Cost Savings

Home-cooked batch meals typically cost £1.50–3.50 per portion vs £6–15 for equivalent restaurant or high-quality ready meals. For a family of 4 eating 5 dinners per week: at £2.50 per portion batch-cooked vs £10 for comparable ready meals: £20/week vs £80/week = £3,120 per year saved. Beyond cost, batch cooking reduces decision fatigue (no 'what is for dinner tonight?'), reduces food waste (you plan portions), and makes healthy eating the path of least resistance when tired.