Freezing Meatballs
Meatballs might be one of the best foods you can keep in your freezer. They hold up well and thaw easily making a busy weeknight meal so much easier!
How to Freeze Meatballs Properly: Cooked, Uncooked and With Sauce
Meatballs are easy to make in large batches, easy to portion and incredibly useful when the last thing you feel like doing is starting dinner from scratch.
But there's a right way to freeze them.
If you throw a pile of warm meatballs into a freezer bag, you're likely to end up with one giant frozen meatball iceberg. Proper freezing keeps individual meatballs separated, protects their texture and makes it easy to grab exactly as many as you need.
Can You Freeze Meatballs?
Yes.
Both cooked and uncooked meatballs can be frozen, although the best method depends on how you plan to use them later.
You can also freeze many meatballs directly in sauce.
How to Freeze Cooked Meatballs
Cook your meatballs according to the recipe and allow them to cool appropriately before packaging.
For individually frozen meatballs:
- Arrange the cooled meatballs on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Leave a little space between them.
- Place the tray in the freezer until the meatballs are firm.
- Transfer them into a freezer-safe bag or airtight container.
- Remove excess air when possible.
- Label the container with the recipe and date.
Pre-freezing them separately means you can later remove five meatballs without defrosting 25. Future-you will appreciate this.Â
Can You Freeze Meatballs in Sauce?
Many meatballs freeze beautifully in sauce.
Allow the dish to cool appropriately, portion the meatballs and sauce into freezer-safe containers and leave appropriate room for expansion.
Freezing in sauce can be especially
Pre-freezing them separately means you can later remove five meatballs without defrosting 25. Future-you will appreciate this.
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How to Freeze Uncooked Meatballs
Shape the meatballs first.
Arrange them on a parchment-lined tray so they aren't touching and freeze until firm.
Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag.
Be especially careful with raw poultry and other raw meats. Follow current USDA guidance for safe handling, storage, thawing
How Should You Package Frozen Meatballs?
Your biggest enemy is air.
Use:
- Freezer-safe bags
- Airtight freezer containers
- Vacuum-sealed packaging when appropriate
Remove as much excess air as practical before sealing.
How Do You Keep Frozen Meatballs From Sticking Together?
Freeze them individually first. You can place them on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer spaced apart like you would when you're cooking them. This way they freeze individually and they won't stick together or become more like a lumpy meatloaf
This simple extra step makes an enormous difference.
Once the exterior is frozen, the meatballs can be combined in a freezer container without immediately becoming one solid mass.
Don't Forget the Label
Write down:
- Recipe name
- Date frozen
- Cooked or uncooked
- Optional reheating instructions
You may think you'll remember what's inside.
Three months later, every frozen round object starts looking suspiciously similar
How Long Can You Freeze Meatballs?
Food can remain safe longer when continuously frozen at proper freezer temperatures, but quality gradually declines over time.
For current storage-time and food-safety recommendations, always consult USDA guidance rather than relying on an old rule of thumb.
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How to Thaw Frozen Meatballs
Safe thawing methods include thawing in the refrigerator and other methods recommended by USDA food-safety guidance.
Avoid leaving raw meatballs sitting on the counter to thaw.
Some cooked meatballs can also be reheated directly from frozen depending on the recipe and cooking method.
How to Reheat Meatballs Without Drying Them Out
Your biggest enemy is air
Use:
- Freezer-safe bags
- Airtight freezer containers
- Vacuum-sealed packaging when appropriate
Remove as much excess air as practical before sealing.
Make Meatballs Once, Save Dinner Later
If you're already going through the work of mixing, portioning and cooking meatballs, making extra is one of the easiest forms of meal prep.
Freeze them properly and you've created your own emergency dinner supply.
Which, considering the name of this website, feels extremely appropriate.
