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Freeze Fresh Meal Prep: 160 Meal Starters and Make-Ahead Dishes for the Freezer
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April 3, 2026Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this awesome cookbook to review!
I love this cookbook! As a busy mom of two who needs quick and easy meals for the weeknight between school and sports, this cookbook has been exactly what I'm looking for! It is split into practical categories-soups, meal starters, veggie side dishes, fruit and vegetable baked goods, and things like jams and preserves. It even starts with some freezing basics and best practices for people who are not very familiar with this practice. I found this section helpful for a quick review before diving in.
The recipes themselves are easy to follow, and split into "Making and freezing" or just "Making" and I LOVE that they did this because not everything can be fully cooked and frozen. This made it super easy to plan what to make for dinner for the week, and what to make and freeze for another time. Some of the recipes also had pictures, which helped when trying a new recipe.
I think my favorite section of this was the vegetable side dish chapter. It really helped to make a bunch of these in one evening (as I made one of them to eat for the night with dinner) and then freeze them so we can add them to dinners throughout the week. They all froze well and were liked by the whole family!
I'd recommend this cookbook to people who are looking to plan ahead, and want to eat well while minimizing their time in kitchen!
I love this cookbook! As a busy mom of two who needs quick and easy meals for the weeknight between school and sports, this cookbook has been exactly what I'm looking for! It is split into practical categories-soups, meal starters, veggie side dishes, fruit and vegetable baked goods, and things like jams and preserves. It even starts with some freezing basics and best practices for people who are not very familiar with this practice. I found this section helpful for a quick review before diving in.
The recipes themselves are easy to follow, and split into "Making and freezing" or just "Making" and I LOVE that they did this because not everything can be fully cooked and frozen. This made it super easy to plan what to make for dinner for the week, and what to make and freeze for another time. Some of the recipes also had pictures, which helped when trying a new recipe.
I think my favorite section of this was the vegetable side dish chapter. It really helped to make a bunch of these in one evening (as I made one of them to eat for the night with dinner) and then freeze them so we can add them to dinners throughout the week. They all froze well and were liked by the whole family!
I'd recommend this cookbook to people who are looking to plan ahead, and want to eat well while minimizing their time in kitchen!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First off, I want to say that I really appreciate that most of the recipes can be made with gluten free flour. I discovered relatively recently that I'm intolerant, and since I live in a small town with very limited gluten free options, I've had to start making batches of food to freeze to make life easier. That's why this book caught my eye; I was hoping I could find some new recipes that freeze nicely.
The book has good, full color pictures, though I do wish there were pictures for every recipe. I'm someone who very much uses the visuals to decide whether or not I want to try a recipe. There are a lot of pictures in here, just not ones for all of the recipes.
Some of the recipes are straightforward. You do all of the cooking and then you can freeze it. Others have you make a starter that you freeze and then at a later point you use the starter with more ingredients to make your meal. To me, the whole starter thing feels a little pointless and more trouble than it's worth. I feel like you're basically dirtying things twice. Once to make the starter and again to finish it. For me, it really doesn't feel like you're saving any time. I definitely prefer the ones that you do it all and it just goes into the freezer then.
Some of the recipes have a longish ingredient list, but most are reasonable and there are at least not a million steps to make the recipes. I always nope out of a cookbook when every recipe has over a dozen steps to make it.
I did try two of the recipes. I went with one savory and one sweet. I have yet to find a beef stew recipe that I love so I decided to try the one in this (Beef Stew over Mashed Potatoes). I can’t vouch for the mashed potato part of it since I just wanted the stew, but the beef stew itself was excellent. It wasn’t difficult to make and the flavor was delicious. The recipe is definitely a keeper and my new go-to beef stew.
I also made the Carrot Cake Cookie Dough. Well, my wife made it because I sliced my thumb while cutting up the onions for the stew (sigh), so I knew it wouldn’t be super easy for me right now. The cookies weren’t any more difficult to make than any other cookie (although maybe slightly more time consuming because of having to shred the carrots). Like the stew, they were also excellent. They were pretty huge and I had to force myself not to eat a second one immediately after the first.
I’m giving this four stars. The recipes I tried were great, but there are a good number of recipes in here that I would never try. Specifically all the fruit sauces and jams. I’d love to try more of the recipes, though, especially the soups, and I will probably buy it one day to add to my cookbook collection.
Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
The book has good, full color pictures, though I do wish there were pictures for every recipe. I'm someone who very much uses the visuals to decide whether or not I want to try a recipe. There are a lot of pictures in here, just not ones for all of the recipes.
Some of the recipes are straightforward. You do all of the cooking and then you can freeze it. Others have you make a starter that you freeze and then at a later point you use the starter with more ingredients to make your meal. To me, the whole starter thing feels a little pointless and more trouble than it's worth. I feel like you're basically dirtying things twice. Once to make the starter and again to finish it. For me, it really doesn't feel like you're saving any time. I definitely prefer the ones that you do it all and it just goes into the freezer then.
Some of the recipes have a longish ingredient list, but most are reasonable and there are at least not a million steps to make the recipes. I always nope out of a cookbook when every recipe has over a dozen steps to make it.
I did try two of the recipes. I went with one savory and one sweet. I have yet to find a beef stew recipe that I love so I decided to try the one in this (Beef Stew over Mashed Potatoes). I can’t vouch for the mashed potato part of it since I just wanted the stew, but the beef stew itself was excellent. It wasn’t difficult to make and the flavor was delicious. The recipe is definitely a keeper and my new go-to beef stew.
I also made the Carrot Cake Cookie Dough. Well, my wife made it because I sliced my thumb while cutting up the onions for the stew (sigh), so I knew it wouldn’t be super easy for me right now. The cookies weren’t any more difficult to make than any other cookie (although maybe slightly more time consuming because of having to shred the carrots). Like the stew, they were also excellent. They were pretty huge and I had to force myself not to eat a second one immediately after the first.
I’m giving this four stars. The recipes I tried were great, but there are a good number of recipes in here that I would never try. Specifically all the fruit sauces and jams. I’d love to try more of the recipes, though, especially the soups, and I will probably buy it one day to add to my cookbook collection.
Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book Review: *Freeze Fresh Meal Prep* by Crystal Schmidt
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I just finished reading *Freeze Fresh Meal Prep: 160 Meal Starters and Make-Ahead Dishes for the Freezer* by Crystal Schmidt, and honestly, I’m so impressed! This cookbook offers a fresh and clever take on freezing meals—not just throwing casseroles in the freezer, but prepping fresh ingredients and partial dishes that you can easily combine later for a quick, wholesome meal.
Crystal Schmidt, who’s well-known for her expertise in garden-fresh cooking, really shines here. She’s taken the bounty of fruits and veggies straight from the garden and transformed them into 160 creative recipes. These range from soups and dips to main dishes, sides, baked goods, jams, and even frozen treats. What I love is how the book is organized—not only by meal type but also by fruit or vegetable, which makes it super handy if you want to use up a particular fresh ingredient.
The recipes themselves are straightforward and user-friendly. One of my favorite features is how each recipe is clearly marked whether it’s for "Making and freezing" or just "Making." That distinction made meal planning so much easier, especially when balancing what I wanted to eat right away versus what I wanted to stash in the freezer for later. The inclusion of helpful photos for some recipes was a nice bonus, making it less intimidating to try new dishes.
The book kicks off with a helpful primer on freezing basics and best practices—perfect for anyone new to freezing fresh ingredients or wanting a quick refresher before diving into the recipes. Plus, the practical split into categories like soups, meal starters, veggie sides, baked goods, and jams keeps everything organized and approachable.
Some standouts for me were the Chicken Tortilla Soup Starter, Spicy Roasted Carrot Dip, Thai-Inspired Pumpkin Veggie Curry, and the Double Chocolate Beet Cookies (yes, beets in cookies—surprisingly delicious!). There’s such a great variety here that there’s something for every mood or craving.
Overall, if you’re someone who loves to plan ahead but still wants meals that feel fresh and homemade without spending hours in the kitchen every day, this cookbook is a gem. It’s perfect for home cooks who want to freeze smartly while enjoying seasonal produce year-round. Highly recommend!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I just finished reading *Freeze Fresh Meal Prep: 160 Meal Starters and Make-Ahead Dishes for the Freezer* by Crystal Schmidt, and honestly, I’m so impressed! This cookbook offers a fresh and clever take on freezing meals—not just throwing casseroles in the freezer, but prepping fresh ingredients and partial dishes that you can easily combine later for a quick, wholesome meal.
Crystal Schmidt, who’s well-known for her expertise in garden-fresh cooking, really shines here. She’s taken the bounty of fruits and veggies straight from the garden and transformed them into 160 creative recipes. These range from soups and dips to main dishes, sides, baked goods, jams, and even frozen treats. What I love is how the book is organized—not only by meal type but also by fruit or vegetable, which makes it super handy if you want to use up a particular fresh ingredient.
The recipes themselves are straightforward and user-friendly. One of my favorite features is how each recipe is clearly marked whether it’s for "Making and freezing" or just "Making." That distinction made meal planning so much easier, especially when balancing what I wanted to eat right away versus what I wanted to stash in the freezer for later. The inclusion of helpful photos for some recipes was a nice bonus, making it less intimidating to try new dishes.
The book kicks off with a helpful primer on freezing basics and best practices—perfect for anyone new to freezing fresh ingredients or wanting a quick refresher before diving into the recipes. Plus, the practical split into categories like soups, meal starters, veggie sides, baked goods, and jams keeps everything organized and approachable.
Some standouts for me were the Chicken Tortilla Soup Starter, Spicy Roasted Carrot Dip, Thai-Inspired Pumpkin Veggie Curry, and the Double Chocolate Beet Cookies (yes, beets in cookies—surprisingly delicious!). There’s such a great variety here that there’s something for every mood or craving.
Overall, if you’re someone who loves to plan ahead but still wants meals that feel fresh and homemade without spending hours in the kitchen every day, this cookbook is a gem. It’s perfect for home cooks who want to freeze smartly while enjoying seasonal produce year-round. Highly recommend!
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I figured this would be just another frozen food book, same recipes, use a massive amount of freezer space, buy super expensive containers, and end up with something that probably shouldn't have been frozen, let alone does it taste good. Imagine my surprise when this was none of those things.
This has a lot of good tips on what to freeze, how to freeze it, and more importantly warns you that some things shouldn't be frozen, and how to get around them. All tools and containers suggested are either things you already would have on hand, or are super affordable (zip top freezer bags), no special equipment needed, but you might find a few things handy if you wanted some extras.
First up was soups, which I freeze all the time, as a whole recipe. This book shows you how to make the base of that recipe, freeze that, then come back with the ingredients that either shouldn't be frozen, or you don't need to freeze (and same some space) like your broth, you can just add it when you make it for serving, and it'll still taste like you spent the whole day making a nice stew. Has multiple recipes per section, from soups all the way to ice creams, and everything in between. Not only that, but how each item is best frozen, should it go in a bag, maybe in a container, or how to wrap the breads and other baked goods.
I've made several of the soups/stew, a couple of the breads, and one of the gelato/no churn ice creams, and they came out great. None of it tasted like it spent too long in the freezer, all that soup didn't take up nearly as much space as I had been using before (which is why we got ice cream!), and everything came out like I had made it all from scratch on the same day. Love this book and it's a great gift for a housewarming, new adult out on their own, or anyone looking to add more foods in that are quick to prepare on those nights when you don't have a lot of time.
I received an advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This has a lot of good tips on what to freeze, how to freeze it, and more importantly warns you that some things shouldn't be frozen, and how to get around them. All tools and containers suggested are either things you already would have on hand, or are super affordable (zip top freezer bags), no special equipment needed, but you might find a few things handy if you wanted some extras.
First up was soups, which I freeze all the time, as a whole recipe. This book shows you how to make the base of that recipe, freeze that, then come back with the ingredients that either shouldn't be frozen, or you don't need to freeze (and same some space) like your broth, you can just add it when you make it for serving, and it'll still taste like you spent the whole day making a nice stew. Has multiple recipes per section, from soups all the way to ice creams, and everything in between. Not only that, but how each item is best frozen, should it go in a bag, maybe in a container, or how to wrap the breads and other baked goods.
I've made several of the soups/stew, a couple of the breads, and one of the gelato/no churn ice creams, and they came out great. None of it tasted like it spent too long in the freezer, all that soup didn't take up nearly as much space as I had been using before (which is why we got ice cream!), and everything came out like I had made it all from scratch on the same day. Love this book and it's a great gift for a housewarming, new adult out on their own, or anyone looking to add more foods in that are quick to prepare on those nights when you don't have a lot of time.
I received an advanced reader copy of this title from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a nice cookbook if you want to start freezing excess garden produce as starters for soups, meals and sauces, or using them to make up things like freezer jam, popsicles and baked goods. There were beautiful photos but for only about a third of the recipes, perhaps fewer. There is no nutritional information. There’s also quite a lot of information on the specifics of how to freeze things well.
I personally prefer to can more than freeze, and I don’t think I would make most of these recipes. They are standard American diet kind of meals, though certainly with far more fruits and vegetables than stuff you would buy in a store. I was hoping more for the kind of things I buy frozen at Costco for when I’m rushed or under the weather, like frittata muffins, keto sausage and egg sandwiches, vegan bowls or even full casseroles. These are more along the lines of here are the steps to make half of the recipe from scratch, and then thaw it overnight and do the other half of the cooking with all these ingredients. It’s also very centered around putting up that glut of zucchini or peaches in some way for later, which may not work as well for cooks who don’t garden.
There were definitely some recipes that appealed to me though, and it’s very in depth if you want to start freezer cooking and you have an extra deep freezer to do it in.
I read a temporary online copy of this book for review.
I personally prefer to can more than freeze, and I don’t think I would make most of these recipes. They are standard American diet kind of meals, though certainly with far more fruits and vegetables than stuff you would buy in a store. I was hoping more for the kind of things I buy frozen at Costco for when I’m rushed or under the weather, like frittata muffins, keto sausage and egg sandwiches, vegan bowls or even full casseroles. These are more along the lines of here are the steps to make half of the recipe from scratch, and then thaw it overnight and do the other half of the cooking with all these ingredients. It’s also very centered around putting up that glut of zucchini or peaches in some way for later, which may not work as well for cooks who don’t garden.
There were definitely some recipes that appealed to me though, and it’s very in depth if you want to start freezer cooking and you have an extra deep freezer to do it in.
I read a temporary online copy of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 8, 2026Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to this book in exchange for my honest review!
This is such a well thought out resource for anyone looking to make their lives a bit easier by freezing their food. Cooking can sometimes be a really daunting task for me, especially when I’m busy, but I’ve also not really had any idea where to start in freezing food properly.
Not only does the author provide a diverse range of recipes, ingredients and instructions, they also provide a TON of background and tips so you’re thoroughly prepared for freezing recipes. The introduction was so carefully thought out, in detailing a background on freezing food and everything you may need before you begin. The author also explains size modifications and reader cues so they can properly modify their recipes. Gluten free readers as also included - something I’ve looked for as someone whose family has experience with celiac.
The author also speaks to the care that goes behind gifting someone frozen food, and the thought that goes behind this. Even going as far as giving tips in what makes your gifting take that extra step for someone you love. I can really tell the author is very kind and thoughtful through this book.
Was really happy to read through this book, and really looking forward to making a ton of these recipes!
This is such a well thought out resource for anyone looking to make their lives a bit easier by freezing their food. Cooking can sometimes be a really daunting task for me, especially when I’m busy, but I’ve also not really had any idea where to start in freezing food properly.
Not only does the author provide a diverse range of recipes, ingredients and instructions, they also provide a TON of background and tips so you’re thoroughly prepared for freezing recipes. The introduction was so carefully thought out, in detailing a background on freezing food and everything you may need before you begin. The author also explains size modifications and reader cues so they can properly modify their recipes. Gluten free readers as also included - something I’ve looked for as someone whose family has experience with celiac.
The author also speaks to the care that goes behind gifting someone frozen food, and the thought that goes behind this. Even going as far as giving tips in what makes your gifting take that extra step for someone you love. I can really tell the author is very kind and thoughtful through this book.
Was really happy to read through this book, and really looking forward to making a ton of these recipes!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley.
As a busy mom of 4 kids ages 11 and under, if I don’t meal prep or have a plan for dinner, it’s an $80-$100 takeout order. This book was so helpful in not only giving me new ideas (why freezing meal starters has never occurred to me before I’ll never know), but she also gave detailed instructions for freezing things that are trickier such as pie fillings, jams, bread mix ins, etc…. I also often find myself unable to use up produce in time and this book is so helpful in giving ideas as well as instructions on how to waste less food. I think this book is also helpful if you are involved in any Meal Trains or regularly bring food to sick friends/family. It would also be a fantastic guide to have if you are expecting a baby.
I found her simple “How to” recipe guides and instructions to be really helpful. The recipes look delicious and I’m excited to try many of them over the next few months, especially the ice creams.
So far I’ve made the zucchini lemon poppyseed bread, the onion and herb dip, the chimichurri sauce, and the Italian beef and veggie stew and they’ve all been fantastic. I will be buying this book as gifts for baby showers and recommend it as another meal prep tool, for busy families, and for people on a grocery budget who struggle with food waste.
As a busy mom of 4 kids ages 11 and under, if I don’t meal prep or have a plan for dinner, it’s an $80-$100 takeout order. This book was so helpful in not only giving me new ideas (why freezing meal starters has never occurred to me before I’ll never know), but she also gave detailed instructions for freezing things that are trickier such as pie fillings, jams, bread mix ins, etc…. I also often find myself unable to use up produce in time and this book is so helpful in giving ideas as well as instructions on how to waste less food. I think this book is also helpful if you are involved in any Meal Trains or regularly bring food to sick friends/family. It would also be a fantastic guide to have if you are expecting a baby.
I found her simple “How to” recipe guides and instructions to be really helpful. The recipes look delicious and I’m excited to try many of them over the next few months, especially the ice creams.
So far I’ve made the zucchini lemon poppyseed bread, the onion and herb dip, the chimichurri sauce, and the Italian beef and veggie stew and they’ve all been fantastic. I will be buying this book as gifts for baby showers and recommend it as another meal prep tool, for busy families, and for people on a grocery budget who struggle with food waste.
May 7, 2026
Really solid cookbook that does something a little different from the standard meal prep approach. The meal starter concept is the main draw here: instead of fully cooking and freezing entire dishes, you prep partway and freeze a base that you finish later with fresh ingredients. It sounds like a small distinction but it makes a real difference in how the finished meal tastes, and it means your freezer is actually working for you rather than just storing leftovers.
The section on freezing basics at the start is worth reading before you dive into recipes. It's practical without being overwhelming, and it answers questions I didn't even know I had about what freezes well and what doesn't.
Organization is good overall. The layout is clean and each recipe is clearly split into the freezing stage and the finishing stage, which makes it easy to follow. Photos are present for a good number of recipes but not all of them, which is my one minor complaint. I tend to use photos to decide whether something looks worth making, so the gaps are noticeable.
That said, this is a genuinely useful book and one I'll come back to regularly. Recommended especially if you cook seasonally or find yourself with more produce than you know what to do with.
Thank you Netgalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC!
The section on freezing basics at the start is worth reading before you dive into recipes. It's practical without being overwhelming, and it answers questions I didn't even know I had about what freezes well and what doesn't.
Organization is good overall. The layout is clean and each recipe is clearly split into the freezing stage and the finishing stage, which makes it easy to follow. Photos are present for a good number of recipes but not all of them, which is my one minor complaint. I tend to use photos to decide whether something looks worth making, so the gaps are noticeable.
That said, this is a genuinely useful book and one I'll come back to regularly. Recommended especially if you cook seasonally or find yourself with more produce than you know what to do with.
Thank you Netgalley and Storey Publishing for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I follow the author on social media and have been inspired by her freezer ideas before, so I was eager to read this book and so excited that I got to read it early.
This book shows you that you can basically prep anything in the freezer. I am used to freezing ingredients but I realized that I need to up my game because I would have never thought to freeze tea bases and such. There are recipes on soups, drinks, sauces, meals, side dishes, desserts, jams and baked goods.
I also love that this book contains many helpful chapters in the beginning apart from the recipes. There is information on good freezing practices, thawing, useful tools and ingredients, and even ideas on gifting frozen items!
Most of the recipes have photos and the photography is so vivid, inviting and colorful. The explanations are very clear and easy to follow. I have not had a chance to try any of the recipes yet but I read through them all and marked quite a lot of them to try as soon as possible. I cannot wait to taste them all. I am especially excited to try the soup section as I rarely remember to make soup and for some reason dread making it when I crave some.
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This book shows you that you can basically prep anything in the freezer. I am used to freezing ingredients but I realized that I need to up my game because I would have never thought to freeze tea bases and such. There are recipes on soups, drinks, sauces, meals, side dishes, desserts, jams and baked goods.
I also love that this book contains many helpful chapters in the beginning apart from the recipes. There is information on good freezing practices, thawing, useful tools and ingredients, and even ideas on gifting frozen items!
Most of the recipes have photos and the photography is so vivid, inviting and colorful. The explanations are very clear and easy to follow. I have not had a chance to try any of the recipes yet but I read through them all and marked quite a lot of them to try as soon as possible. I cannot wait to taste them all. I am especially excited to try the soup section as I rarely remember to make soup and for some reason dread making it when I crave some.
Thanks a lot to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Freeze Fresh Meal Prep offers a creative and practical approach to using the freezer as a tool for flexible, everyday cooking. Rather than relying on fully prepared meals, Crystal Schmidt focuses on “meal starters,” giving home cooks building blocks that can be combined with pantry ingredients for quick, fresh meals.
One of my favorite features is the at-a-glance section that categorizes recipes by main ingredients. It makes the book easy to navigate, especially if you’re trying to use what you already have on hand. The recipes themselves are clear, approachable, and supported by helpful visuals.
As someone who often cooks for just myself, I found this concept especially appealing. At the same time, I would love to see a follow-up resource that includes meal planning guidance: how to rotate these bases throughout the week or combine them in different ways to avoid food fatigue and reduce waste.
Overall, this is a useful and flexible cookbook for anyone looking to simplify meal prep while still enjoying variety and fresh flavors.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
One of my favorite features is the at-a-glance section that categorizes recipes by main ingredients. It makes the book easy to navigate, especially if you’re trying to use what you already have on hand. The recipes themselves are clear, approachable, and supported by helpful visuals.
As someone who often cooks for just myself, I found this concept especially appealing. At the same time, I would love to see a follow-up resource that includes meal planning guidance: how to rotate these bases throughout the week or combine them in different ways to avoid food fatigue and reduce waste.
Overall, this is a useful and flexible cookbook for anyone looking to simplify meal prep while still enjoying variety and fresh flavors.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cookbook. The first book by this author (Freeze Fresh) is one of my go-to references on how to preserve garden produce. Freezing has less of a learning curve than canning or dehydrating, though I do hope to do more of those two as well. Anyway, when I saw there was another book out, I was so excited! This book goes beyond freezing a fruit or vegetable as a single ingredient and moves into dishes. Some of these are starters, where you mix the vegetables and seasonings and then add perishable ingredients or broth when cooking to make a meal (so many delicious soups, but also things like shakshuka or apple, onion, and sage pulled pork). Others are ready to use once thawed and reheated, such as garlic cheddar zucchini bread, strawberry ricotta muffins, and almond cookie crumble baked peaches. The recipes run the gamut from sweet to savory and include things like drink flavorings, sauces, jams, and even ice pops. I can tell this book will become another book I refer to often. I have already preordered my personal copy and requested my library order it as well.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy.
April 29, 2026
Freezer Fresh Meal Prep is the cookbook for anyone who wants to make the most of seasonal ingredients without standing over a boiling canning pot all afternoon. Schmidt offers a practical, approachable alternative: stock your freezer instead.
The recipe range alone makes this worth picking up. Soups, breakfasts, sorbets — the variety is genuinely impressive, and I flagged 12 recipes as immediate makes. Schmidt also goes beyond the recipes themselves, walking readers through how to build their own make-ahead starters and explaining which ingredients freeze well and which don't. For a mid-level home cook, everything felt very doable.
What I appreciated most, especially as a non-gardener, is how flexible the recipes are with quantities. You don't need a bumper crop of paste tomatoes to find value in the book. Half a cup of lemon juice from a grocery run works just as well as a haul from the backyard. That kind of scalability makes the book feel genuinely inclusive rather than aspirational.
If you're interested in whole-foods meal prep without the sometimes-intimidating world of canning, this one belongs on your shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC.
The recipe range alone makes this worth picking up. Soups, breakfasts, sorbets — the variety is genuinely impressive, and I flagged 12 recipes as immediate makes. Schmidt also goes beyond the recipes themselves, walking readers through how to build their own make-ahead starters and explaining which ingredients freeze well and which don't. For a mid-level home cook, everything felt very doable.
What I appreciated most, especially as a non-gardener, is how flexible the recipes are with quantities. You don't need a bumper crop of paste tomatoes to find value in the book. Half a cup of lemon juice from a grocery run works just as well as a haul from the backyard. That kind of scalability makes the book feel genuinely inclusive rather than aspirational.
If you're interested in whole-foods meal prep without the sometimes-intimidating world of canning, this one belongs on your shelf.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC.
May 4, 2026
Freeze Fresh Meal Prep is the kind of cookbook you need if you don't have a ton of time to make dinner every night, but time now and then to prep and freeze. Crystal Schmidt has plenty of experience knowing what and how to freeze and her thoughtful tips and tricks are great. She explains how foods change (or don't) when frozen, provides recipes for using starters. "A good rule of thumb is that if the dish is cooked and the texture is meant to be soft, it will likely freeze well." There are even tips for gifting frozen meals to folks that could use one.
For example, some of my favorite recipes:
French Onion Soup Baked Rice. YUM.
OMG juice cubes - don't waste that fruit - think lower waste.
Peach Iced Tea
Street Corn Dip - just thaw out the starter and add mayo, sour cream, and cheese
Fried Onion and Herb Dip
Shakshuka
Parmesan Ranch Green Beans and Broccoli -
Tomato Butter Sauce Zucchini Noodles
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Peaches
Cherry cheesecake iced cream sandwiches
I mean, YUM, am I right?
Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the advanced reading copy. These opinions are my own. Now I need to go get another freezer.
For example, some of my favorite recipes:
French Onion Soup Baked Rice. YUM.
OMG juice cubes - don't waste that fruit - think lower waste.
Peach Iced Tea
Street Corn Dip - just thaw out the starter and add mayo, sour cream, and cheese
Fried Onion and Herb Dip
Shakshuka
Parmesan Ranch Green Beans and Broccoli -
Tomato Butter Sauce Zucchini Noodles
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Peaches
Cherry cheesecake iced cream sandwiches
I mean, YUM, am I right?
Thanks to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for the advanced reading copy. These opinions are my own. Now I need to go get another freezer.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a free digital ARC of this cookbook thanks to NetGalley.
This is a good resource for freezing fresh food. I liked that in addition to all of the recipes, there is a lot of information about how and when to freeze different fruits and vegetables, so it is also transferable to the reader's own recipes and tastes. The idea of half-preparing dishes to freeze made a lot of sense, such as cooking fresh summer fruit into a pie filling to freeze, and then thawing that filling later in the year to make a pie or cobbler, rather than trying to freeze the whole pastry. It gave me more ideas on how I can preserve food from my garden so it does not go to waste. Although not all of the recipe ideas matched my tastes, there are a few that I found that I am looking forward to trying out.
This is a good resource for freezing fresh food. I liked that in addition to all of the recipes, there is a lot of information about how and when to freeze different fruits and vegetables, so it is also transferable to the reader's own recipes and tastes. The idea of half-preparing dishes to freeze made a lot of sense, such as cooking fresh summer fruit into a pie filling to freeze, and then thawing that filling later in the year to make a pie or cobbler, rather than trying to freeze the whole pastry. It gave me more ideas on how I can preserve food from my garden so it does not go to waste. Although not all of the recipe ideas matched my tastes, there are a few that I found that I am looking forward to trying out.
May 1, 2026
I usually shy away from meal prep for the completely nitpicky reason that I personally have trouble eating the same meal several days in a row. Leftovers the next day? Sure ok. But the same grilled chicken with rice and broccoli for lunch Monday-Friday? Nah. Can't do it. I think that's why this is such a neat book. Prepping and freezing makes it easy to grab a meal when you want it and you don't have to have the same thing if you're not feeling it.
Lots of great ideas here from soups to pastas to sides and fruit dishes and desserts.
Even if your freezer space is at a premium, there's tips on storing and packing that will help make it easier.
I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Lots of great ideas here from soups to pastas to sides and fruit dishes and desserts.
Even if your freezer space is at a premium, there's tips on storing and packing that will help make it easier.
I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley ARC- I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. Going into it, I was of the mind that pretty much anything is probably freezable, however I hadn't given any thought to the steps to properly prep food to be frozen. She gives lots of good advice and the approachable recipes provide a creative way to think about and use produce and other ingredients to create meals for later. I bookmarked a lot of recipes that seem like good family friendly fare. The photography is a nice touch to most of the recipes. I'd recommend this for anyone who like meal prep and healthful eating.
April 30, 2026
As a mom of two little ones I'm always looking for ways to make my life easier. Meal prep is one of these things, but there is a science to it. I read this book to make sure that everything that goes in the freezer comes out as flavourable as it went in or more. The book is filled with enticing recipes which I will try out soon. I'm especially interested in the jams, baked goods and ice cream: mint ice cream anyone? It is also filled with information which we help you with how to freeze and thaw the items which is very interesting.
I would like to thank the author and netgalley for sharing the ebook with me.
I would like to thank the author and netgalley for sharing the ebook with me.
March 11, 2026
I will definitely be buying this cookbook when it comes out. We enjoyed the minestrone soup so much that I froze some in single serve portions to try later, and I'm looking forward to having those ready to go. The balsamic beets were another highlight. I especially appreciated how clearly everything was explained from which containers to use, to how to cool, freeze, thaw, and cook the meals later. It made the whole process feel approachable and practical.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for my ARC copy and my honest review.
Expected Publishing date: April 28, 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for my ARC copy and my honest review.
Expected Publishing date: April 28, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5*
This cookbook is absolutely spectacular! The pictures are beautiful, the recipes are appetizing, and the descriptions of how to do all the prep are impeccable. I cannot say enough good things about this title. I bookmarked so many recipes to try and I can't wait to try some of them!
Thank you to @netgalley for my eARC. I highly recommend this book especially if you are trying to garden and need things to do with your produce.
This cookbook is absolutely spectacular! The pictures are beautiful, the recipes are appetizing, and the descriptions of how to do all the prep are impeccable. I cannot say enough good things about this title. I bookmarked so many recipes to try and I can't wait to try some of them!
Thank you to @netgalley for my eARC. I highly recommend this book especially if you are trying to garden and need things to do with your produce.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've always been a fan of keeping frozen food, and here I found a lot of new, great tips. And it's not all technical, but lots of great photos of mouthwatering recipes. A must for foodies like myself.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A lovely recipe book. I love the section that suggests recipes within the book for each fruit and veg. The photos are lovely and vibrant and are always a welcome feature of as many recipes as possible.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
My freezer and stomach will thank me for this amazingly versatile cookbook! So many tips and recipes to make and preserve our wonderful gardens. I want this cookbook for sure.
My freezer and stomach will thank me for this amazingly versatile cookbook! So many tips and recipes to make and preserve our wonderful gardens. I want this cookbook for sure.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Really great flow and organization to the book, made things easy to find. Loved the wealth of recipes and advice, will definitely be using this over and over again with my meal prep! Especially with a baby on the way!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a great beginner book for instructions on how to freeze customisable dishes for meal prep. This book is full of information and a great starting point to begin your freezer stash.
May 12, 2026
Crystal is back with more incredible recipes and ways to prepare and preserve food to make future mealtimes easier and yummier!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Storey Publishing for this arc!
First the pictures are stunning, so vibrant and colorful!
Loved that the recipes are sorted A-Z in the front of the book, so easy to find and look through and see what sounds good based on the ingredient that you are working with. The book goes on to go through how to freeze, best methods, and tips as well as how to safely thaw the foods as well, which is very helpful. I liked that these sections are in the beginning and aren’t too long.
Each recipe is broken into 2. It has the “making and freezing” section with ingredients and instructions and then the “making the dish” or “serving” section that details what else is needed or just the instructions. There are quite a few starters which is nice, then the meals once made are a mix of freezer and fresh. This book is amazing if you grow your own produce and want to know how to preserve it and use it all year round or if you buy in season and want to enjoy yummy meals anytime of the year.
The recipes look amazing and I am so excited to keep trying them. I tried the Hash Brown Waffle recipe and loved it…as did my toddler 😊
First the pictures are stunning, so vibrant and colorful!
Loved that the recipes are sorted A-Z in the front of the book, so easy to find and look through and see what sounds good based on the ingredient that you are working with. The book goes on to go through how to freeze, best methods, and tips as well as how to safely thaw the foods as well, which is very helpful. I liked that these sections are in the beginning and aren’t too long.
Each recipe is broken into 2. It has the “making and freezing” section with ingredients and instructions and then the “making the dish” or “serving” section that details what else is needed or just the instructions. There are quite a few starters which is nice, then the meals once made are a mix of freezer and fresh. This book is amazing if you grow your own produce and want to know how to preserve it and use it all year round or if you buy in season and want to enjoy yummy meals anytime of the year.
The recipes look amazing and I am so excited to keep trying them. I tried the Hash Brown Waffle recipe and loved it…as did my toddler 😊
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