Eating healthy, home-cooked meals can be difficult to fit into a busy lifestyle. Meal kit delivery services like Freshly have emerged as a convenient option for people who want tasty, nutritious food without spending hours planning, prepping and cooking. Freshly delivers pre-made meals that can be heated up in just 3 minutes. While the convenience is appealing, many wonder if Freshly meals can be frozen for even easier meal prepping. This article will explore whether Freshly meals can or should be frozen.
How Does Freshly Work?
Freshly is a subscription-based meal delivery service that ships pre-cooked, fresh meals nationwide. Customers can select from a variety of meal plans and customize their weekly delivery. The freshly prepared meals are packaged in microwave-safe containers and arrive refrigerated with ice packs to maintain temperature. This allows the meals to be shelf-stable for up to 5 days when properly refrigerated.
Upon arrival, Freshly meals are ready to heat and eat. Most meals can be heated in the microwave in 3 minutes or less. Customers do not need to do any additional prep, cooking or cleaning up. Freshly takes care of preparing balanced, flavorful meals and conveniently delivers them pre-cooked right to your door.
Can You Freeze Freshly Meals?
Freshly does not actually recommend freezing your Freshly meals for future use. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Freshly meals are perishable and optimized for freshness for 5 days when refrigerated properly. The ingredients are pre-cooked and ready to heat and eat.
- Freezing can negatively affect the texture and quality of certain ingredients like grains, pasta, bread, etc. The meals may not taste as fresh after thawing.
- Each meal comes in microwave-safe packaging. Putting that packaging in the freezer may impact its ability to safely go in the microwave after freezing.
- Frozen storage timelines vary based on ingredients. Some components of Freshly meals may not freeze well for extended periods.
While Freshly does not recommend freezing, some customers do choose to freeze a portion of their weekly deliveries to store for later use. If you decide to freeze your Freshly meals, keep the following precautions in mind:
Tips for Freezing Freshly Meals
- Ensure meals are frozen safely before the 5-day freshness window expires.
- Portion out individual servings into freezer-safe bags or containers before freezing.
- Avoid freezing meals with pasta, bread or delicate ingredients like fish.
- Track dates and don’t exceed 2-3 months frozen storage.
- Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
- Inspect for signs of spoilage before reheating thawed meals.
- Some thawed meals may need additional cooking time or moisture added.
Reasons to Freeze Freshly Meals
Despite Freshly’s recommendations, there are some circumstances where customers choose to freeze a portion of their deliveries. Here are some of the potential benefits of freezing Freshly meals:
- Portion control – Freezing individual portions allows you to thaw just what you need for a meal.
- Reduce food waste – Freezing extras decreases the likelihood of food spoiling before you can eat it.
- Cost savings – Getting multiple meals from one delivery helps maximize the value of the cost.
- Future planning – Having frozen meals ready decreases the temptation to order take-out on busy nights.
- Diet adherence – Frozen meals can help you stick with a diet plan when fresh options aren’t available.
- Emergency prep – Having healthy frozen meals can be helpful in weather emergencies or power outages.
Best Practices for Freezing
To freeze Freshly meals properly, here are some best practices to follow:
Storage
- Use freezer-safe, airtight containers or bags to prevent freezer burn.
- Exclude as much air from packaging as possible.
- Lay packages flat in a single layer to freeze fully and quickly.
- Once frozen, packages can be stacked closer together.
- Label packages with meal name and freeze-by date.
- Organize similar meals together for easy access later.
Timelines
| Ingredient Type | Ideal Frozen Storage Time |
|---|---|
| Raw meats, cooked meats | 2-3 months for optimal quality |
| Soups, stews, chili | 2-3 months |
| Cooked grains and pasta | 1 month |
| Baked goods with frosting | 2-3 months |
| Pre-cooked vegetables | 8-12 months |
Following these best practices for freezer storage times helps maintain food safety and optimal quality.
Thawing and Reheating Tips
To safely thaw and reheat frozen Freshly meals:
- Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, not at room temperature.
- Microwave thawing is safe if reheating immediately after.
- Add extra water before reheating if the meal seems dry.
- Cover and stir during reheating to distribute heat evenly.
- Bring soups, sauces and stews to a full rolling boil after thawing and before serving.
- Check internal temperature using a food thermometer. Minimum safe temperatures are 165°F for poultry, 160°F for ground meats, 145°F for whole cuts of beef, pork, lamb, fish.
- Discard any meals that smell unpleasant or look unsafe after thawing.
Freezer Meal Ideas
Some Freshly meals freeze better than others. Here are some of the best Freshly meals to freeze:
| Meal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Chicken Pot Pie | Hearty stew filling ideal for freezing. |
| Unwrapped Salsa Turkey Burrito Bowl | Rice and turkey freeze well. |
| Italian-Style Meatballs | Frozen meatballs retain texture. |
| Beef Chili | Stews and chilis freeze and reheat nicely. |
| Chicken Enchilada Bowl | All components freeze well. |
Avoid freezing ultra-fresh meals like salads or dishes with delicate seafood. Stick with heartier dishes that contain ingredients known to hold up better during freezing.
Is It Worth Freezing Freshly Meals?
Freezing Freshly meals comes with some risks and downsides. The convenience of Freshly is having fresh, not frozen, meals delivered weekly. However, for some people, the benefits of freezing a portion of meals may outweigh the negatives.
If you do decide to freeze, be very mindful of proper freezing, thawing, and reheating guidelines to avoid food waste and safety issues. Portioning meals into individual servings and using airtight packaging helps maintain quality. Stick to meals with freezer-friendly ingredients and avoid exceeding recommended frozen storage times.
Conclusion
Freshly does not recommend freezing your meal delivery service orders, but some customers do choose to freeze a portion of meals to save for later. If properly portioned and stored using freezer-safe packaging, some Freshly meals can be frozen for up to 2-3 months without significantly impacting taste or texture. Stick to meals with sturdy ingredients like chili, stew, or chicken-based dishes. Always thaw in the refrigerator and follow food safety guidelines when reheating to reduce risk of illness. With some precautions, freezing a few Freshly meals can provide easy access to home-cooked food for future hectic days.
