HOW TO MEAL PLAN | FREEZER CLEANOUT | FEEDING A LARGE FAMILY ON A BUDGET


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I decided to clean out my entire chest freezer, take inventory, and make a large family meal plan using what we have. I love a good freezer clean-out challenge …

30 replies
  1. Judi Boyce
    Judi Boyce says:

    I use cardboard boxes in my freezer because frozen plastic bins crack too easily and I can always find a cardboard box to fit the size I need. I have separate boxes for chicken, beef and pork, one for dairy and one for bread. Then I can see exactly what I have, what I need and what I shouldn't keep buying.

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  2. Jodi Santillan
    Jodi Santillan says:

    I usually take about half of my boneless skinless chicken breast and cook in the instant pot then shred. Bag in 2 cup portions and put it back in the freezer. Then it’s ready to go when I wanna make a casserole/fried rice/pasta with chicken. I do the same with ground beef sometimes as well. I know that doesn’t get it out of the freezer lol but it takes up a little less space that way.

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  3. catherine barlow
    catherine barlow says:

    Hi christine when your freezer completely empty why don't you defrost it then clean it out plug it back in start again with your bargain food you find and you might have bit more room as well

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  4. Julie Unfiltered
    Julie Unfiltered says:

    A tip for those with deep freezers. I picked up a small 8×11 white board from walmart for $2 i think. I have everything written on it and as we pull meat i can adjust qty or cross off easily. Once a month i go downstairs and make sure numbers correct and update as needed

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  5. Claire Marie
    Claire Marie says:

    WHY have I never thought of putting the list on a magnet pad and crossing off as I use??? 🤦🏼‍♀️
    I often take inventory and try to reorganize (shuffle things around) our freezer, but this tip will be really helpful! Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Kim
    Kim says:

    I watched a video where the youtuber used an Expo marker to write her freezer inventory directly on the freezer chest. When the item was taken out, it get's erased….how clever!!

    Reply
  7. Mary Wanic
    Mary Wanic says:

    Growing up my Mom had "restaurant night" once a week. It was the leftovers from the week, there was not enough of each meal for everyone in our family of 6 to have again, so on Friday night, we got to pick what we wanted. It was always a lot of fun!

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  8. Our Unfiltered Life
    Our Unfiltered Life says:

    To keep your chest freezer better organized. The dollar tree sells these xl bags in the section with hangers. Meant to use for storaging clothes and such to save space. They have handles. I zip lock/wrap my meat into meal size portions. Then put all of one kind in the big bags. Then when you are looking for lets say, chicken breast. You just pull a xl zip lock bag full of pre portion chicken breast without having to dig or mess up your organization of your other meats. As all meats are separated in thier own meat category xl bag. I hope that makes sense and helps someone. Bc chest freezers make it so hard not to loose things in….

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  9. Jessicat Trollagek
    Jessicat Trollagek says:

    You should make different pizzas with chicken! My favourite is sundried tomato with chicken on pesto, and you can do like mushrooms, peppers, olives, whatever you like as a bonus. Or for some other chicken ideas, check out peri peri portuguese chicken! I know you got some potatoes from the misfit boxes. Some chicken, potatoes and rice is what my portuguese family has lived on for decades, LOL.

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