If you want to have an easy go-to for dinners any night of the week, then learn how to freeze chili! From meal prep to leftovers the freezer will help you get a delicious meal on the table!
Chili is one of my favorite go-to easy meals for busy days. And it honestly doesn't take that much work, so I usually don't mind throwing it together quickly for dinner.
But there are still days that are so busy that even taking the time to brown up some meat or chop up some peppers feels unattainable.
That's when freezer meals come in handy. Imagine having several batches of chili made up and ready to throw in the slow cooker. No fuss and no need to eat unhealthy take-out.
Options for freezing chili:
- cook ahead several pounds of ground beef and freeze them in one pound portions to save a step when making chili or other ground beef dishes
- add the cooked meat plus chopped peppers and onions to freezer bags and only have a few cans to open when making the chili
- make up the whole recipe and store in large freezer bag for a dump and go meal
- fully cook the chili and portion into servings and freeze for a quick heat up meal for one (I use Souper Cubes to portion and freeze, then transfer to baggies to store)
Base Chili Recipe:
My base chili recipe feed 4 and leaves a little bit leftover for lunch the next day. It is super flexible and leaves the option to add more veggies, beans, or whatever else you like.
- 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, or bison are my favorites)
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 diced jalapeno
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes (I prefer fire-roasted)
- 14 oz can diced tomatoes (I prefer fire-roasted)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons homemade chili seasoning
About Homemade Chili Seasoning:
The chili seasoning recipe I use is also really simple and only requires 4 ingredients. Sounds boring but it's actually perfect and I love how simple it is!
I make up a big batch and always have it on hand!
Freezer Chili Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound thawed cooked ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno
- 28 oz can crushed fire roasted tomatoes
- 14 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons homemade chili seasoning
Instructions
- Cook up ground beef, drain and cool
- Store in 1 pound portions in freezer bags
- Chop up several onions and store in freezer bags (or add ½ cup to each bag of ground beef)
- Remove stems and seeds and dice several jalapeños and store in freezer bags (or add 2 tablespoons to each bag of ground beef)
- Make up a batch of chili seasoning
- If desired, freeze the bags as is, or add seasoning and remaining ingredients and freeze until ready to cook
Notes
- can use regular or fire-roasted tomatoes
- can also freeze cooked chili into individual portions for a quick re-heatable meal for one
- add additional ingredients as desired: some ideas are garlic, bell peppers, squash, black beans, pinto beans or fresh tomatoes
- freezer chili will stay good for up to 3 months in a well sealed container
- thaw before cooking in slow cooker
Great ideas Jennifer. Everything seems easier when the meat is already browned.