31 Instant Pot Freezer Meals Better Than Takeout!
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more information.
Sometimes it’s 6 pm and I just don’t feel like cooking what’s on my meal plan. So to avoid running out to Chipotle AGAIN I keep freezer meals on hand. If you’re like me, I’ve got 31 Instant Pot freezer meals that will solve your takeout problem too.
Why Instant Pot Freezer Meals Are The Best
I like to use crockpot meals as inspiration for Instant Pot freezer meals with the knowledge that Instant Pots are just so much better equipped for freezer meal prep.
Unlike a crockpot, you can put frozen meat in your instant pot without it spoiling so there’s no excuse not to eat at home just because you forgot to defrost dinner.
Instant Pot also cooks your food way faster than the oven. I’ve tried baked freezer meals and they just take so much time. I much prefer the speed of the electric pressure cooker.
Tips for Freezer Instant Pot Meals
Batch prep. Make 4-6 at a time.
Try to use one protein throughout. Buy a 10lb bag of frozen chicken or a bulk sale of beef, etc. and make multiple freezer meals with it.
Buy frozen. It’s usually cheaper
Don’t freeze shelf-stable staples. Add pasta, rice, dry beans and legumes later.
Same with vegetables. If you’re freezing a meat that’s going to take an hour in the pot, don’t freeze it with 4 min vegetable. Sometimes it’s easier to throw in a bag of frozen vegetables later
Use freezer bags. You need the durability and protection freezer bags offer. Here are some of my favorite reusable freezer bags.
Defrost. If you’re planning, do it overnight, if not, place the bag in warm water until the contents fit into the pot or nuke in the microwave for a minute or two.
Use a cornstarch slurry. 1 Tbsp of cornstarch + 1Tbsp of cold water mixed together for every cup of liquid in the Pot will thicken the liquid for a nice sauce. Put it on saute mode and stir until you get the consistency you want.
Prep with friends! Get one or two friends in and each make multiple of a single meal. It save a little extra time and money and is a fun group project.
31 Instant Pot Freezer Dump Meals
These 31 Instant Pot freezer meals are som of my favorites and ones that I’ve been dying to try.
5 Healthy Instant Pot Freezer Meals
Lets start with a few healthier version of meals I like.
Hamburger Soup
Now I love a good hamburger but unfortunately, I don’t go for the healthy kind. Instead of swearing them off altogether, I found this Hamburger Soup. I would make this if I was preparing a big batch of ground beef and throw it in the freezer bag once it’s cooled with everything else. Then heat it up in the pot in high for 10 minutes.
There’s pasta in this one so leave that out and just cook it separately while the rest of the soup is cooking.
Chicken Chili
You can’t go wrong with chili in the Instant Pot and this Chicken Chili is a healthier version of the traditional. I freeze everything on the list and cook on high for 20 minutes.
Shrimp Boil
I love a good Shrimp Boil too! I haven’t done this one because my husband doesn’t like seafood but I’m saving it in my back pocket for a special girls night. I’d save the beer for cook day but everything else can be thrown in together. And definitely use pre-frozen shrimp!
Potjiekos
If for some reason you have oxtails lying around then try Potjiekos. I’m not sure if 3-4 lbs will fit in one bag so this may be one you make for dinner and freeze half for later. Leave out the zucchini, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and tomatoes til the end but you can freeze everything else.
Orange Chicken
I love this Orange Chicken when we have leftover OJ in the fridge. When prepping as an Instant Pot freezer meal, cut sauce ingredients in half and definitely use a cornstarch slurry at the end to thicken that sauce. More IP tips for this meal are at the bottom of the recipe.
6 Whole30 Instant Pot Freezer Meals
Next we’ve got some Whole30 approved freezer meals because Lord knows every January is torture for those of us out there trying to compensate for December.
Picadillo
This Picadillo is another one I’d make when doing a big batch of ground beef or make it and freeze half for later. Everything is good to freeze together I’d just keep the cauliflower rice separate and prepare on cook day.
Butter Chicken
I’m a big fan of Butter Chicken and this one is excellent. Everything can be frozen together (minus the cauli rice) and bonus points if you let it thaw for 24 hours because the chicken will soak up all the flavorful marinade as it defrosts.
BBQ Pulled Pork
The secret to this Whole30 BBQ Pulled Pork is the homemade BBQ sauce. You can find the recipe in the link but it can be frozen right alongside everything else.
Atakilt Wat
Atakil Wat is an Ethiopian cabbage stew. It really is more delicious than it sounds and cabbage is perfect in the Instant Pot. This version is also vegetarian and everything can be frozen together.
BBQ Chicken Meatballs
Meatballs are great Whole30 snacks and this recipe uses leftovers of the homemade BBQ sauce I mentioned earlier. Definitely shape the Chicken Meatballs before freezing them and consider freezing them on a tray then transferring to a bag.
Stuffed Cabbage Bowls
I really like cabbage in the Instant Pot so it’s a go-to in my freezer meals. Stuffed Cabbage Bowls are perfect. I use ground turkey and keep the cauliflower rice separate.
10 Vegetarian Instant Pot Freezer Meals
I was a vegetarian for 10 years so I still like to have a variety of meatless meals. And sometimes I’m like, “why would I freeze meat, it’s so expensive?”
Tikka Masala
This is a great Tikka Masala sauce and I’ll add cauliflower, chickpeas, or tofu as a protein. All work great.
Coconut Lentil Curry
Cocnut Lentil Curry is a great freezer meal. Lentils are delicate so even dry I add them on cook day. You can also sub out lentils for any other protein. I love chickpeas.
Mexican Quinoa
I usually say “don’t freeze the shelf-stable stuff” but quinoa holds up pretty well to freezing. This Mexican Quinoa is another one I like to make a big batch of and freeze half for later.
Cuban Black Beans
Cuban Black Beans are what I make when I want a fancier version of beans and rice. I make a big batch with dried black beans then freeze half for later.
Puttanesca
Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca can really be made with all your shelf table staples so you don’t need to freeze it but I love it so much I can’t not put it on the list because it’s certainly freezable if you leave the pasta out.
Tortilla Soup
Tortilla Soup is another one where everything can be frozen together, just leave out the lime garnishes for serving.
Smoky Tomato Soup
I’m a sucker for anything smoky so this Smoky Tomato Soup is my dream! I am known to freeze the ingredients together or freeze already made soup in mason jars for my husband to take to work. This is a great one if you have tomatoes that are about to go bad.
Yellow Dal
You can use yellow split peas, lentils, or chickpeas for this one. If I’m no making Yellow Dal then freezing it I try to stick to canned beans or legumes.
Vegetarian Chili
Vegetarian Chili can be frozen together and it’s a great way to get “on the edge” produce into a freezer meal.
Mushroom Risotto
Freezing Mushroom Risotto is a caveat to the “don’t freeze pasta” rule because it’s supposed to be mushy! So I make my risotto in the Instant Pot, freeze some and reheat it in the same Instant Pot later. It’s wonderful.
10 Comfort Instant Pot Freezer Meals
Last but not least, the ultimate comfort freezer meals.
Loaded Potato Soup
Loaded Potato Soup is the ultimate comfort soup and everything can be frozen together. Yum.
Chicken w/ Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce
When you have a jar of sun dried tomatoes you need to use up, this Chicken in Cream Sauce is the way to use them. Don’t freeze the parmesan or heavy cream. Leave those for cook day and stir in after everything’s cooked through.
Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Gnocchi Soup is perfect for using leftover frozen gnocchi. You won’t make a roux when cooking the soup but you can use a cornstarch slurry after to thicken the soup.
Italian White Bean Soup
I sub canned Cannellini beans for this White Bean Soup but everything else stays the same and gets frozen together.
Beef Stew
Beef Stew is a great way to use bulk stew meat and everything can be frozen together.
Carnitas
Don’t just think of Crispy Carnitas in tacos, they can be used in several ways (though tacos are my favorite.) Freeze the pork in the mojo sauce and I advise letting this one defrost for 24 hours so it can soak up all that flavor.
Chicken Adobo
Chicken Adobo is a really simple marinade and a great one to toss in fresh produce on it’s last leg.
Bang Bang Pasta
Add frozen shrimp to this Bang Bang Sauce then defrost, cook and stir in cooked pasta. Yum!
Tortellini Alfredo
Get around the pasta rule in this Tortellini Alfredo by using whatever frozen tortellini or ravioli you like! Leave out the half and half until cook day but feel free to use frozen spinach in your freezer bag.
Beef Stroganoff
Everything in this Beef Stroganoff can be frozen together and finish off with the cornstarch slurry then follow her directions with the sour cream. Trust her, she’s good.
Instant Pot Freezer Meals Save The Day!
If you haven’t tried freezer meals before, now is the time! You will save so much money and time when you have these on hand. I guarantee you’ll come to rely on them as much as I do!
Jen Smith is a personal finance expert, founder of Modern Frugality and co-host of the Frugal Friends Podcast. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Lifehacker, Money Magazine, U.S. News and World Report, Business Insider, and more. She’s passionate about helping people gain control of their spending.