To think batch cooking is awful

[Newyear2025]

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

I agree that many (all?) vegetables lose their texture when frozen, so am not surprised that batch cooked vegetarian food doesn’t taste ‘right’, by which I mean the same. I don’t think fish stands up well to freezing and reheating either. Mashed potato is fine, but home cooked rice doesn’t keep its texture well, and neither does pasta. So yes, definitely better suited to some meat dishes.

But, if food actually tastes of freezer, whatever that is, then I’d be suspecting either not completely clean containers or a dirty freezer tainting the food.

Do you batch cook and freeze the entire meal? I make big pans of chilli, pasta sauce etc cos it's as easy to make 4 portions as 2. But I don't add the fresh herbs, or the carbs to eat with it. I adjust when reheating, and add extras then. So I'll make a fresh salsa or flatbreads, whilst the meal is reheating. If the flavour has dulled a little in the freezer, I'll chuck on some chilli oil, or add a tadka or some lemon juice, whatever I feel it needs. I think some dishes do dull off in the freezer but that's why you taste as you reheat. I reckon a few quick fixes would transform your batch cooking. Flavoured butters to drop on top. Fresh herbs. Tadka and spice oils. Chutneys. Sour cream. Citrus juices. Vinegars. Use what you have!

I think some frozen food tastes ok- chilli, curry, stew etc. I often don't fancy it once it's been through the freezing and then defrosting stage though as nothing beats freshly cooked. I often freeze leftover chicken breasts, mince, chops etc. and once defrosted I find them unappetising and definitely changed by the freezing process.

I always make a huge batch of Bolognese sauce, and freeze in various portions sizes. It means the children can just grab a 1 portion tub for a meal, or I can use a 4 portion tub for a quick meal

I absolutely agree. Freshly cooked meals are the best!

I don't do much batch cooking because I like preparing meals from scratch and stuff gets eaten but I don't think you can be doing it right.

If food is properly stored and frozen it shouldn't taste of the freezer.

I know exactly what you mean OP. There is often a specific 'freezer' flavour to foods that have been cooked & frozen. I hate it.

I'm not sure what causes it, and whether there's a discernable difference between using freezer bags or foil trays or tupperware type trays

I don't bother much now after too many disappointments.

I cook double quantities of several meals each week & we eat it over 2 nights & it's stored in the fridge - curry, chilli, stew, bourguignon, lasagne, ragu etc

Then we only have to cook the sides fresh daily.

The other nights we have quick meals like stir fry, salmon, omelette etc

I think some people just don't notice the freezer taste as I've also noticed it in food from family & friends.

I do it occasionally but I like eating different stuff so don’t find it very practical.

You're clearly not doing it properly then!

Batch cooking is such a depressing concept. Suggesting that someone with far too much on their plate should batch cook, should be an immediate month-long ban from MN.

Absolutely no interest in how I can be a better servant thanks.

A thermometer probe is your best friend for food safety temps. Generally, food needs to cook or reheat to at least 75° throughout to be safe (there are lower exceptions like rare steak) .

Oven, microwave, saucepan all work, depending on the dish, you just want to be careful not to dry things out. I often find adding a tablespoon or so of water and keeping covered helps with reheating most things.

No clue what "tasting of freezer" means.

I don't batch cook as a rule but if I have a massive pack of mince I'll cook double quantities of pasta sauce or chilli or whatever and freeze half. But I don't set days aside to batch cook for the following fortnight or whatever.

This makes no sense

So don't do it if you don't like it?

Not sure what your point is?

Yes, op! It all ends up as a congealed sludge and has a really distinctive taste to it. Even when frozen immediately and thoroughly defrosted.
I don’t bother now. Would rather make some pasta, omelette, beans on toast if I’m in a hurry.
In fairness, I don’t much like casserole type meals anyway.

It definitely has a frozen/reheated taste but I think it comes down to money & time some can't afford to change

I don’t like batch cooking per se but if I cook a stew, curry or spagh Bol I’ll often have one or two portions left over and that goes in the freezer for when I’m busy or someone doesn’t like what I cooked. I don’t really think it tastes of freezer though.

I do find the concept of batch cooking for the entire week depressing but it’s certainly better than throwing on a pizza

The flavour of frozen food deteriorates quite quickly - aim to use it within a month.

I agree OP, I've tried it twice but we prefer a meal cooked fresh from scratch rather than cooked and frozen. Actually, before I read your post I thought it was just us! I don't think it saves much time either. We really enjoy the mindful chef boxes and take it in turns to cook.

I make eg curry or soup and freeze a selection of sizes. And then defrost whatever is appropriate for when we want to eat it ie depending who will be at home

I LOVE batch cooking, it means I can eat nice home cooked food more often than I have to cook! If you have time toncook fresh everyday then there isn't much point in it of course.
Honestly- sounds like you need better freezer containers and to clean your freezer if it tastes of 'freezer afterwards 😅.
Of course it depends what you are freezing. Soups, chilli, curry's, bolognese etc all freeze really well.
You don't HAVE to make 20 portions for the freezer, sometimes you could eg, double or riple a recipe and have one hot, one in the fridge for use that week and pop one in the freezer for later.
The batch lady has some good tips, although she uses a lot of ready made stuff which doesn't suit me.

What kind of things do you like to cook/eat?

You just don't enjoy cooking. Which is fine.

I made a vat of dhal yesterday. 21 boxes in the freezer. They are handy for when I cba. Microwave. Easy.

How long before you would get through this?

I'm disappointed by this thread because i only opened it in the hope people would share their amazing-never-disappointed-freezer-suitable batch cooking recipes ;-)

i normally freeze soup, chilli, channa masala (only I eat it) and occasionally bolognese.

I try and batch cook but usually, even when I make extra, DH and DS eat it before I get chance to freeze it