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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Frozen aisle inspiration past peas and fishfingers

131 replies

Ibleedibreedibreaatfeed · 05/02/2022 20:01

I can't think of anything frozen fruit or veg that's really good to have in the freezer. Trying to save money and less waste. What is your ultimate frozen food for cooking. I'm not a brand snob so happy to try out cheaper if it's worth it! Not ready meals though 😃

OP posts:
oopsIdiditagaintoo · 05/02/2022 20:04

I like scampi, chips and peas as an at home pub meal as a treat.

Also chicken Kiev, mash and veg. All out of the freezer. The mash that comes in a big bag of small pellets of mash is good.

Aldi have leek, spinach and cheese lattices in the freezer section that are good. Spicy bean burgers are also nice.

Not too keen on frozen broccoli but other veggies are fine frozen.

Ibleedibreedibreaatfeed · 05/02/2022 20:07

Where do you get your mash from? I might try those lattices they sound divine!

OP posts:
TartanPyjamas · 05/02/2022 20:09

Not particularly cheap, but Tesco have frozen avocado which I use to make guacamole when having Mexican food. Too many disappointing moments of cutting into avocados that claim to be ripe and ready but are either black and stringy or much too hard. DH LOVES guacamole and thinks I have pulled out all the stops if I make some! Oh and I use frozen coriander, chillis and garlic in it too.

Drivingmisspotty · 05/02/2022 20:11

Frozen butternut squash or cauliflower can still be roasted but without the faff of cutting up.

Sausages or veggie sausages

I like frozen crushed ginger/garlic cubes but not sure if they are cheaper than fresh.

Blueberries or summer fruits don’t have the same texture as fresh but I still like them on muesli or porridge or can be used in smoothies.

Iceland do nice frozen salt and pepper chicken wings.

oopsIdiditagaintoo · 05/02/2022 20:12

@Ibleedibreedibreaatfeed

Where do you get your mash from? I might try those lattices they sound divine!
Frozen mash and lattices are both Aldi 😀
Ibleedibreedibreaatfeed · 05/02/2022 20:14

I love gauac but never tried frozen avo before. But yes avacados tend to from rock hard to gone off in the space of an hour I swear!

OP posts:
Malariahilaria · 05/02/2022 20:14

Frozen onion. Frozen soffrito. Frozen garlic. Frozen chilli. All of these mean most basic meals like spag bol, take minimal engagement. I haven't chopped an onion in years.

Ibleedibreedibreaatfeed · 05/02/2022 20:15

I've seen packets but not cubes, where do you buy yours from?

OP posts:
Palavah · 05/02/2022 20:15

Dim sum

PartyPlan · 05/02/2022 20:16

I keep looking at the Itsu frozen gyoza. I would have those with a microwave rice pack.

PurpleDaisies · 05/02/2022 20:16

Frozen spinach and sweetcorn are always in the freezer here (with peas and veggie fish fingers).

Frozen pizza is a regular weekend treat. Dr Oetker is often on offer and is our favourite. Also onion bhajis, samosas and naan are always in for Indian take away night. Much cheaper than a take away.

I use the freezer a lot for nice bread that’s been reduced or batch cooking which definitely helps cut our food bill.

What do you like to eat?

Yotrotro · 05/02/2022 20:16

Frozen cauliflower cheese is a good side for a lot of things like fish cakes (also good freezer food) or leftover meat etc. Just need to add a bit more cheese towards the end of cooking imo.

Bag of the small mixed veg, usually sweetcorn, peas, carrots and green beans is generally useful for adding on the side.

I also buy a frozen fish pie mix as it's usually a fair bit cheaper but is also cook from frozen so less faff.

Oh and frozen onion, either but ready chopped and frozen or chop up any that are looking on the edge and bing them into the freezer yourself, saves time and waste!

oopsIdiditagaintoo · 05/02/2022 20:17

Yes to the frozen onion. Along with frozen spinach and frozen sliced mushrooms. Can go in curries, stews and omelettes.

Frozen bag of grated cheese too. It's fine cooked in an omelette.

HermioneWeasley · 05/02/2022 20:17

Itsu prawn gyoza are divine

Highfivethatfart · 05/02/2022 20:19

Frozen stir fry veg. Frozen spinach - always adding that to any tomato sauce I make for pasta. Frozen green beans. Mixed fruit for making smoothies. Meat and veg pies. Prawns. Sweet potato fries for a bit of change to normal chips. Onion rings and sweet corn cobs to go with burgers. Hash browns for breakfasts. Strudel (for pudding in front of the telly with cream!).

Sausagesausagesausage · 05/02/2022 20:19

Fish cakes, chicken Kiev's, birds eye falafel, veggie sausages, pastry for a quick tart.

Usually have frozen spinach, peas and sweetcorn in too.

damnthisvirusandmarriage · 05/02/2022 20:20

Frozen green beans.
Frozen pizzas.

I do kids quinoa green veg and cheese. They love it.

I’ve tried a few cook from frozen roasting joints which haven’t been too bad.

mrsfeatherbottom · 05/02/2022 20:20

I always have frozen sweetcorn, peas and spinach all of which I use a lot. Also fruit to make smoothies. Sainsburys do a great stir fry mix so always have a bag of that too.

Frozen veggie sausages and Quorn nuggets for DD2 who is veggie and they can both be cooked from frozen.

BoodleBug51 · 05/02/2022 20:21

I always have a mountain of veggie stuff in the freezer - Waitrose do a good range of frozen. I got a butternut squash gratin today, with RIchmond veggie sausages, Linda McCartney chicken pieces, Good Life falafel and Kieves.

Veg - edamame beans, sweetcorn, McCain skin on fries, broccoli and petit pois. And smoothie mixes for fruit.

Simonjt · 05/02/2022 20:21

Not really cheap, but iceland have zesty bean and quinoa steam bags are really nice. It does work out at 50p per steam bag. The mediterranean veg in basil is really nice as well.

Bloballbovish · 05/02/2022 20:21

I use frozen garlic, and frozen chopped onions. I also sometimes use frozen chopped peppers when doing quick curries etc. I do prefer fresh but the frozen ones make for a really quick meal.

Frozen spinach gets used a lot here, I like adding it to various things like pasta bake, omelettes, curries, soups etc. Just makes sure you defrost and squeeze the water out, or put less water in your stock etc to accommodate it.

Frozen breaded chicken, either strips or fillets, make for a quick wrap meal, with some cheese, lettuce, mayo bbq sauce etc.

I also use my freezer a lot nowadays for batches of things. Even stuff like cheese sauce. A bit of a faff to make, so I make loads and freeze it in portions to do a quicker cauliflower cheese or mac and cheese dinner. And sometimes I fry up a big pack of mince (turkey only here but I'm sure it'll worked with others) and put it in portions ready to make things like chilli and bolognese.

MrsClatterbuck · 05/02/2022 20:21

I use frozen mixed peppers for cooking. Much cheaper than buying fresh and so handy. Sometimes also use frozen chopped onions and mushrooms. I love broccoli but DH doesn't so I buy the frozen florets to steam with other veg as a whole head would be a waste.

TrobadoraBeatrice · 05/02/2022 20:22

Frozen parathas are great to have in, cook in minutes. Frozen edamame. Frozen leaf spinach (not the chopped stuff though). Ikea meatballs...

TabithaHazel · 05/02/2022 20:23

Frozen chopped garlic, and onions are great to have if you are a lazy cook (like me), we always have frozen spinach which is great to put in dishes like shepherds pie to up the vegetable content. Blueberries are much cheaper bought frozen and are good in smoothies or yoghurt. Frozen Yorkshire puddings and roast potatoes are always good to have, and of course the usual chicken nuggets, fries, pizzas etc for a quick weekend meal.

PurpleDaisies · 05/02/2022 20:25

I’ve usually got a few easy meals in thereto stave of the McDonald’s cravings… things like:

Quorn sausage patties, muffins and hash browns (and a fried egg from the fridge)

veggie burgers (bean or fake beef), burger buns and chips
Veggie chicken nuggets (fry’s or quorn) to go with chips/sweet potato fries
Plus halloumi fries if we’re being super indulgent

Nothing particularly healthy but better and cheaper than the alternative.

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