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One of the ways that I have been able to manage my time with such a large family and still manage to have dinner on the table is to do most of my cooking in batches of freezer meals. When our son had to begin a gluten-free diet, I had to make changes to my usual freezer meal recipes to accommodate his new food sensitivities.
There are certain considerations to be aware of when converting a regular freezer meal recipe to a gluten-free one. I’m sure there are some that I have not considered here, but these are what works for me when making freezer meals for my family.
The most critical thing to know to be able to convert regular recipes into gluten-free recipes is how to read labels to find hidden gluten. Gluten can be called many things and it’s important to be able to identify it. Here is a list of ingredients to be on the lookout for if you are trying to avoid gluten.
Another thing to be aware of is that the consistency of gluten-free items can be very different than non-gluten-free, so for certain recipes, you will have to experiment.
For pasta, I prefer Tinkyada brand because it maintains its shape well and doesn’t seem to get as mushy like some other brands. The other trick I’ve found with pasta when it comes to gluten-free freezer meals is to either cook it to just under what you normally would before including it in the freezer meal or to leave it uncooked and attach it to the bag and then cook it normally and add it on the day you serve the meal.
When it comes to things such as tortillas, the gluten-free varieties don’t always hold up well to being in a freezer meal. I have yet to find a recipe that works for gluten-free burritos in the freezer. I have personally used Udi’s gluten-free tortillas in some of my freezer meals and had them turn out and have also used corn tortillas. I suggest you experiment to find what works best with each recipe.
When I make freezer meals, I generally plan ahead and make one or two month’s worth of meals. This is done over one or two days. I often do it in a small group or with a friend. Just a week ago, my friend Christie and I made 110 freezer meals (55 each) in just over two days. I have it down to a system! You first need to plan it out, then need to get everything prepared, and finally, execute it on what I call The Big Day. It’s a lot of work, but so worth it! I love not having to think about what I’m going to make for supper for the next few months!
There are some ingredients that seem to be very popular in freezer meal recipes. However, you need to be careful when avoiding gluten.
Ingredients to be cautious of for gluten-free diets:
Dry Onion Soup Mix
Most of the store-bought versions of this contain gluten. There are some versions that are gluten-free but you need to read the labels very carefully. At a bulk bin store near me, they carry a gluten-free dry onion soup mix. Alternatively, you can also make your own using a recipe such as this one.
Condensed Soups
There are condensed soups available to purchase such asCondensed Cream of Mushroom Soup from Pacific Naturalor Amy’s Organic Cream of Tomato. There are also recipes readily available online for making your own cream soups such as this one for cream of mushroom soupbecause gluten is usually found in most condensed soups.
Sauces
Some of the common sauces often called for in freezer meal recipes usually contain gluten. These include soy sauce and hoisin sauce. Be careful to choose a brand of soy sauce or hoisin sauce that does not contain gluten.
Seasonings
Many seasonings, especially seasoning blends contain gluten. A lot of my freezer meal recipes call for taco seasoning. Most taco seasonings contain gluten, but there is a tex mex seasoning blend that does not contain gluten. This can be substituted for taco seasoning without compromising flavor. Again, you can also make your own taco seasoning mix. This is my recipe for homemade gluten-free taco seasoning.
I buy many of my seasoning blends through Epicure Selections, as they have really wonderful spice blends and mixes and they are gluten-free. Many are also sodium-free which is a preference of mine because then I have control over how much salt I add to the dishes.
Gluten-Free Freezer Meal Plan
Our gluten-free freezer meal plan includes 5 of our tried and true recipes, shopping lists, prep lists, and printable labels.
Of course, for the fastest freezer meal recipes (enabling you to assemble 10 meals in just one hour), check out my Chicken Dump and Beef Dump Recipes. All of the recipes include gluten-free instructions.
A list of our gluten-free freezer meals:
- Slow-Cooker Mixed Bean Casserole
- 5 Chicken Dump Recipes
- 5 More Chicken Dump Recipes
- 5 Beef Dump Recipes
- Freezer to Crock Pot Chicken Taco Soup
- Gluten-Free Stuffed Peppers
- Crock Pot Pizza Casserole
- Better Than it Sounds Prune and Olive Chicken
- Freezer Vegetable Pesto Minestrone
- Sloppy Joes
- Spanish Rice Casserole
- Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas
- Beef and Corn Casserole
FAQs
Weight Watchers, a gluten-free-friendly weight loss program, licenses Smart Ones, which are made by H.J. Heinz Company Brands LLC. Smart Ones' line of frozen dinners includes four gluten-free dinner options: Chicken Enchiladas Suiza, Chicken Mesquite, Chicken Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Rice and Beans.
How do you cook for someone who is gluten-free? ›
To cook for a gluten-free guest, follow these guidelines: Cook from scratch: To avoid hidden gluten, use whole, fresh ingredients. Avoid "convenience" ingredients such as gravy mixes, soup mixes, bottled sauces, salad dressings, condiments, and seasoning mixes, since these may contain gluten-based ingredients.
Can you make frozen meals? ›
By making your own frozen meals you will be able to tailor them to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Homemade meals can have far less sodium and preservatives than store-bought counterparts. Try improving their nutritional quality by using brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and low sodium pasta sauces and broths.
How do you package meals for freezer? ›
Proper packaging helps maintain quality and prevent freezer burn. Aluminum foil, freezer paper, plastic containers, and plastic freezer bags will help food maintain optimum quality in the freezer. Plastic wrap alone will not provide enough protection by itself, but can be used to separate foods within another package.
Are there any frozen dinners that are gluten-free? ›
Find the perfect balance of delicious and nutritious while sticking to your goals with our gluten free frozen meals.
Are Stouffers frozen meals gluten-free? ›
This gluten free frozen dinner offers 16 grams of protein per serving, and contains no preservatives. Stouffer's Gluten Free Mac and Cheese Frozen Meal is easy to prepare in the microwave or oven, making these gluten free frozen meals a convenient option for an easy meal anytime.
What are the worst foods for celiac disease? ›
Foods to avoid with celiac disease
- Cereals, breads, or other grain products that include wheat, rye, barley, or oats. ...
- Processed cheese, cheese mixes, low-fat or fat-free cottage cheese, or sour cream.
- Dairy products such as yogurt or ice cream that contain fillers or additives.
- Canned soups or soup mixes.
Celiac disease is an illness caused by an immune reaction to eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in foods containing wheat, barley or rye. If you have celiac disease, eating gluten triggers an immune response to the gluten protein in your small intestine.
What do most gluten-free people eat? ›
Many naturally gluten-free foods can be a part of a healthy diet:
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Beans, seeds, legumes and nuts in their natural, unprocessed forms.
- Eggs.
- Lean, nonprocessed meats, fish and poultry.
- Most low-fat dairy products.
Potentially harmful additives
Some frozen foods contain additives that can be harmful when consumed regularly. Try to avoid meals that list ingredients like butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and synthetic food dyes.
Whenever it is unlikely that the core temperature will reach the required level for the correct amount of time then food should not be cooked directly from frozen. This is often the case for large joints of pork, rolled beef joints and large poultry. There is then an increased risk of food poisoning.
Are homemade freezer meals healthy? ›
Freezer Meals are way healthier than commercially prepared frozen or packaged foods, ordering in, or chowing down on snacks because you don't have anything prepared! I know that life can be hectic, and it is impossible to find the time to make meals from scratch every night.
Is it better to freeze food in plastic wrap or aluminum foil? ›
So, unless you're storing it there, you might not want to use plastic wrap in the freezer too much. Because of this poor temperature resistance, Brisk recommends wrapping food intended for long-term freezer storage, such as baked goods, in plastic wrap first, then adding a second layer of protection with aluminum foil.
What is the best container to freeze casseroles in? ›
Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.
What meals can I batch cook and freeze? ›
Freezable family recipes
- Sausage pasta bake. A star rating of 4.4 out of 5. ...
- Meatballs in tomato, cardamom & lime sauce. A star rating of 3.8 out of 5. ...
- Chicken & chorizo ragu. ...
- Broccoli stem falafel bowl. ...
- Creamy halloumi & tomato curry. ...
- Chicken & bacon pie. ...
- App onlyCheesy potato patchwork pie. ...
- Peanut butter chicken.
WeightWatchers has a wide variety of gluten-free breakfasts, dinners and sweet dessert recipes, making it simple to follow a gluten-free diet while achieving your weight loss and health goals.
Is there a gluten-free Weight Watchers plan? ›
WW is suitable for those following a gluten-free diet. Check out these recipes for inspiration, and to get an idea of what you'll eat on the WW programme.
Does Weight Watchers have a gluten-free menu? ›
WW program and gluten-free
Our program includes all types of food – from gluten-free crackers to bread. You can also use our app to work out the Points of your favourite recipes. Remember, WW is here to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle.
Does lean cuisine have any gluten-free options? ›
Yes, LEAN CUISINE does offer a variety of gluten free entrees, but not all our dishes are gluten free. Refer to the ingredient panel on the product for more information to ensure that you've chosen an entrée that fits your dietary restrictions.
The most critical thing to know to be able to convert regular recipes into gluten-free recipes is how to read labels to find hidden gluten. Gluten can be called many things and it’s important to be able to identify it. Here is a list of ingredients to be on the lookout for if you are trying to avoid gluten.
Of course, for the fastest freezer meal recipes (enabling you to assemble 10 meals in just one hour), check out my Chicken Dump and Beef Dump Recipes. All of the recipes include gluten-free instructions.