These vegan batch cooking recipes are freezer-friendly and will save you time and money
If you want to make cooking less of a chore, save money on your food shop and reduce food waste, then batch cooking is the way to go.
There are many delicious vegan batch cooking recipes to choose from, which makes life so much easier on the days when you can’t be bothered to cook.
We’ve put together a guide to the best vegan batch cooking recipes that can be frozen, from comforting curries to hearty stews and soups.
Use these dishes as a guide and feel free to adapt them to make larger portions that suit your household. You can even cook these dishes in your slow cooker.
1. Chilli
Is there anything more versatile than chilli? It’s the perfect remedy for cold days, easy to make and packs plenty of protein and fibre.
You can throw a vegan chilli together using a few cupboard staples, such as tinned beans and tomatoes, garlic and spices.
Chilli is ideal for batch cooking and freezing for later use, but if you don’t want to freeze the chilli, the leftovers taste even better from the fridge two or three days later.
It goes perfectly with rice and can be topped with vegan cheese or tortilla chips to make it more indulgent. You could even use any leftover chilli to top your baked potatoes.
Vegan chilli recipes
2. Bolognese
You can’t go wrong with a veggie-packed Bolognese for a quick weeknight dinner. This is a classic comfort dish for the whole family to enjoy and is easy to veganise with supermarket veggie mince, tempeh or lentils.
You can usually prepare Bolognese in less than an hour, making it a convenient and filling meal to batch cook and freeze for later use. Bolognese can be frozen with spaghetti or on its own.
Vegan Bolognese recipes
3. Lasagne
You don’t need meat or dairy to make a delicious and creamy lasagne. For the best results, prepare and assemble a large lasagne and freeze before cooking it, but you can still freeze after cooking if you prefer.
A vegan twist on traditional lasagne normally includes lots of veggies such as aubergines, but lentils make a tasty meat-free filling too. A large lasagne can make up to eight servings, which is ideal for dividing into portions and freezing for later use.
Vegan lasagne recipes
4. Curries
Curries are some of the best vegan batch cooking recipes. Not only are they full of flavour and easy to make, they are also customisable and budget-friendly.
You can whip them up using any veggies you have to hand, such as cauliflower, sweet potatoes or chickpeas.
Cooking one-pot curries in large batches and freezing them is a great way to reduce time spent in the kitchen, and you’ll be less tempted to spend money on takeaways when you have your own delicious curries waiting for you in the freezer.
Vegan curry recipes
5. Stews
A nutritious and filling stew is the ultimate warming winter meal. This is another dish you can easily customise using whatever veggies and kitchen staples you have available, making it ideal if you’re on a tight budget.
Throwing together hearty, nutrient-packed stews usually takes minimal effort, as they can be made in one pot or a slow cooker. Enjoy with flatbreads, crispy bread or rice.
Vegan stew recipes
6. Soups
Soups are some of the easiest vegan batch cooking dishes to make because it’s so easy to adjust recipes to make larger batches. You can also pack plenty of hidden veggies in soups, making them the perfect healthy dish for families.
Make your favourite vegan soups ahead of time for convenient lazy lunches and dinners. Soup is a good enough standalone meal, but you can also make it more indulgent with some thick, crusty bread.
Vegan soup recipes
7. Dals
A fragrant, wholesome and filling dal is a great family pleaser. Plant-based dals make rich, nutrient-dense and comforting meals and are easy to make in one pot, divide into portions and freeze.
Lentils will become your best friend when batch cooking vegan meals like dals, as they’re versatile, healthy and can be bought on a budget. Reheat and serve with rice or flatbreads when you’re in the mood for an aromatic and sweet dish.
Vegan dal recipes
Vegan Batch Cooking Tips
When batch cooking and freezing meals, there are a few rules of thumb to keep in mind to ensure you get the best results.
Cool food before freezing – Leave your meals to cool for an hour or two before adding them to the freezer. Placing warm food into your freezer will cause the freezer temperature to increase and will defrost other foods.
Avoid freezer burn – Storing foods in secure, freezer-appropriate containers or bags will ensure your meals don’t become shrivelled and unappetising over time.
Eat frozen meals within three months – While some batch-cooked vegan meals will last longer than three months in the freezer, it’s best to avoid leaving them in there for too long. A simple label system can help keep older portions at the front of the freezer and newer ones at the back.
Thaw meals before reheating – For the safest results, take your frozen meals out of the freezer and thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before eating. However, it’s safe to thaw frozen meals in the microwave if you plan to eat them immediately.
Some foods freeze better than others – Although many everyday foods are freezer-friendly, some aren’t. When batching cooking vegan recipes, always check if an ingredient is suitable for freezing or not.
Read our guide to eating vegan on a budget for more tips on getting the most out of your grocery shop.
