Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think batch cooking is awful

366 replies

Newyear2025 · 01/01/2025 10:17

It takes forever to do and everything comes out tasting of freezer.

OP posts:
quietplaceday5 · 01/01/2025 12:14

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 12:12

Then they are not wrapping their food enough.

Show quote history

Quite possible.

Wolfiefan · 01/01/2025 12:14

Some food doesn’t freeze well. I tried freezing shepherds pie but hated the mash reheated.
I felt the same as some of you about my slow cooker until I found a slow cooker group on FB. Satay and curries delicious. It’s also fab for pulled pork and ham.)

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 12:14

ShadowsOfTheDays · 01/01/2025 12:12

I don't ever get why batch cooking is suggested so often on here.

I mean...the very very last way I'd ever spend a free day is cooking multiple meals. What an utter waste of a day! No meal takes that long to cook really.

You're missing the point.
You just cook double what you need.

I made 3 batches of meat for a casserole and put it in 3 freezer bags so I've got 3 meals ready to go.

I cook meat for nearly 2 hours in the oven for casseroles, so doing that once saves fuel and time.

There is just me and DH usually, but if DCs come I can whip out 2 bags of casserole and Voila!

curious79 · 01/01/2025 12:13

I use ikea Pyrex and stainless steel containers. No issue with it

SanFranByAir · 01/01/2025 12:12

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 11:59

Do you lick your freezer? What does it taste like?

Freezers only smell if they need cleaning.

You can't 'taste' freezer.

Show quote history

Why do people deny and ridicule other peoples' experiences like this? I know sometimes I taste things some others don't. I'm not insulting their (or your) taste or cooking. Of course no one licks their freezer, what a daft comment.
I know exactly what the OP means, there is a freezer taste for some people.
Just in the way that some people think coriander tastes of soap and some people find much food too salty.

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 12:12

quietplaceday5 · 01/01/2025 12:11

You mean you can’t. Other people can.

Show quote history

Then they are not wrapping their food enough.

janeandmarysmum · 01/01/2025 12:12

Newyear2025 · 01/01/2025 11:44

Yes slow cooked food all tastes of slow cooker too! It's horrible! The same recipe cooked in an oven/on a hob, delicious!

Show quote history

Good grief how/what on EARTH are you cooking??

ShadowsOfTheDays · 01/01/2025 12:12

I don't ever get why batch cooking is suggested so often on here.

I mean...the very very last way I'd ever spend a free day is cooking multiple meals. What an utter waste of a day! No meal takes that long to cook really.

quietplaceday5 · 01/01/2025 12:11

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 11:59

Do you lick your freezer? What does it taste like?

Freezers only smell if they need cleaning.

You can't 'taste' freezer.

Show quote history

You mean you can’t. Other people can.

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 12:10

Newyear2025 · 01/01/2025 12:01

Clearly I'm not alone with this as others in the thread know exactly what I mean. And no I don't lick my freezer.

Show quote history

You are almost alone.

I think you're talking of freezer burn which may come from not wrapping enough or freezing foods that don't freeze well- eg mushrooms and cauliflower.

If there was any truth in what you're saying then surely ALL frozen food would 'taste of freezer' whether that's frozen over chips, fish fingers, ice cream etc etc?

AhBiscuits · 01/01/2025 12:10

I agree that slow cooker food has a certain taste and is rank. Not all foods are suitable for batch cooking. Anything mince based or curry usually tastes fine to me.

GRex · 01/01/2025 12:09

Strikeoutnow · 01/01/2025 11:13

I tend to get a big order, then chop and freeze veg like baby leek, baby courgette, aubergine, cauliflower etc; easy to whip chunks out and throw loads of different veg in a pan to stir fry.

Why not buy frozen veg?

I don't like soggy peppers etc, and haven't found any high quality mix of the veg we like. Cauliflower rice is fine though, I'll buy that.

Applesonthelawn · 01/01/2025 12:08

I'm a big fan, especially when the kids were small and we both had full time jobs. Big Costco haul plus a day of cooking and you're sorted with home cooked, tasty, healthy meals in minutes for about six weeks. What's not to love?

Goldenbear · 01/01/2025 12:06

tilypu · 01/01/2025 10:24

But it takes little extra time to, say, double up on a recipe in order to have plenty to freeze.

How is that wasting life? It's a time saver...

Show quote history

I think the doubling up is a good idea, I have started to do this as I wanted to have stuff in to avoid the Charlie Bingham purchases when I couldn't be bothered.

I wouldn't spend a day batch cooking though as I just find that level of dinner planning and making too much in one day.

VodkaCola · 01/01/2025 12:04

Sahara123 · 01/01/2025 12:00

@VodkaCola my pleasure ! I need to up my game on labelling, I thought it was bolognaise.. it was a nice surprise though 🤣

I did that once, what I thought was leek and potato soup was stewed apples 😆

Jellycatspyjamas · 01/01/2025 12:03

Better things to do with it than stand there batch cooking like a little hand maid!

Im no one’s hand maid, I do have a very busy life so batch cooking means something home made and delicious in the freezer without relying on UPF. I’ll sometimes plan a big batch cooking afternoon but more often than not I’ll make a huge chilli and freeze 2/3 of it. So no more time than usual but meals for busy week nights.

I don’t think I’ve ever tasted freezer, my food tastes great.

Pussycat22 · 01/01/2025 12:03

VodkaCola · 01/01/2025 10:21

What a strange thread. How does something taste of freezer?

Freezer burn ?

Strictlymad · 01/01/2025 12:01

Personal choice, some people swear by it. Personally I’m not a fan. I have a small freezer, I find flavours are good post freeze, but textures, esp of veg can be odd. I have lots of quick recipes up my sleeve and I actually like cooking daily as a wind down from day to evening. I do keep lots of ingredients to hand in the freezer, herbs, ginger, mince, salmon, tomato sauces etc, just not batch cook

Strikeoutnow · 01/01/2025 12:01

I do kind of know what OP means by the freeezer taste, choc ices is a good example and Ive noticed it with ice cubes. I don’t want to get flamed but I can get a slow cooker taste too.

Mrswhatsit40 · 01/01/2025 12:01

Ive never batch cooked either - I prefer just making simple, quickish meals. Also bc I have a large family I’d need huge amount of ingredients to batch cook.

And the idea of heating up stuff out of Tupperware and leftovers etc turns my stomach. When I see people taking home crusts of pizza and a few chips off everyone’s plate home in a box I properly want to boak. I get that’s on me though and it’s normal for some people.

Original poster
Newyear2025 · 01/01/2025 12:01

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 11:59

Do you lick your freezer? What does it taste like?

Freezers only smell if they need cleaning.

You can't 'taste' freezer.

Show quote history

Clearly I'm not alone with this as others in the thread know exactly what I mean. And no I don't lick my freezer.

Screaming Home Alone GIF by Bell Brothers
OP posts:
Sahara123 · 01/01/2025 12:00

@VodkaCola my pleasure ! I need to up my game on labelling, I thought it was bolognaise.. it was a nice surprise though 🤣

Strikeoutnow · 01/01/2025 11:59

It probably does depend on lifestyle too. I work p/t and am 8 minutes from the high street. DH is hybrid so he often puts something on at lunch & we often use Mindful Chef so we are rarely without time to cook or pick something up that’s quick to cook & healthy. I do enjoy baking, is it the mixture/dough that freezes well or can you freeze certain baked goods?

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 11:59

Newyear2025 · 01/01/2025 11:58

I don't recall saying my food smells odd. I said it tastes of freezer, because it does. The food is lovely and tasty when fresh, but frozen it tastes of freezer.

My freezer is less than a year old.

Show quote history

Do you lick your freezer? What does it taste like?

Freezers only smell if they need cleaning.

You can't 'taste' freezer.

Original poster
Newyear2025 · 01/01/2025 11:58

Wizzardry · 01/01/2025 11:53

I wonder if the OP means her food smells odd?

If so, it may be the packaging isn't good enough if her freezer is never cleaned and defrosted, when they can develop a musty type of smell.

What do you think @Newyear2025 ?

I don't recall saying my food smells odd. I said it tastes of freezer, because it does. The food is lovely and tasty when fresh, but frozen it tastes of freezer.

My freezer is less than a year old.

OP posts: