Company's coming! Stock your freezer!

By Chris Scheuer | Updated on November 3, 2018

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Now's the time to stock your freezer for entertaining. There will be lots less stress when the holidays roll around!

Hosting family and friends for the holidays? Let us help! Just think how wonderful it would be to have a freezer stocked full of delicious food ready to ease you through the holiday hosting season.

Start preparing now, and relieve yourself of some of the stress that can come with hosting guests. We've got all kinds of ideas for you to stock your freezer- for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert! Oh, and there are some helpful tips at the end to help make sure your food comes out of the freezer tasting delicious!

Overhead view of granola in a white bowl

Best Ever Granola - This is a family favorite and shows up almost everytime we're all together. Freeze it in glass mason jars and you'll have a wonderful topping for fruit and yogurt!

 

 

Almond Granola in a clear jar

Deliciously addictive, this oat-free Double Almond Paleo Granola is easy to throw together with just five basic ingredients! This is perfect if your company happens to be gluten-free. It also makes a delicious snack!

 

 

Morning Glory Muffins in blue and white muffin liners on a blue cake stand

These rustically beautiful Morning Glory Muffins are moist and super delicious. They're also loaded with fiber - and lots of great nutrition- and they freeze beautifully!

 

 

Buttermilk Brioche Buns on a metal cooling rack

These delicious, golden glazed Buttermilk Brioche Buns have a soft, tender crumb, and come together, start to finish, in less than an hour! They pair perfectly with the Brown Sugar Balsamic Pork below, but would also be wonderful for sandwiches of any kind.

 

 

Overhead view of pulled pork with a brown sugar balsamic sauce in a white bowl

This easy slow cooker (or instant pot) Brown Sugar Balsamic Pulled Pork takes minutes to put together - what a delicious crowd pleaser! You can make it completely ahead and then freeze!

 

 

Overhead view of white bean chicken chili topped with cheese and tortilla chips

 

 

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili- Drawing on the flavor of classic Buffalo chicken wings, this chili is super easy, and loaded with delicious flavor!

pumpkin curry soup in a white bowl

This Roasted Pumpkin Coconut Curry Soup so easy and SO delicious! It makes a wonderful lunch with some crusty bread (see below!) and maybe a green salad.

 

 

overhead view of focaccia bread cut into slices

With less than 10-minutes of hands-on time, the name Ridiculously Easy Focaccia Bread says it all! Almost. It's also ridiculously delicious! And it's a lifesaver to have when you stock your freezer for company. Perfect for sandwiches, soups, and dinner!

 

 

close up side view of buttermilk cake with candied pecan topping and sea saltEasy Farmhouse Buttermilk Cake- Everyone will flip over this moist, delicious buttermilk cake. My friends have nicknamed it “crack”. No one has to know how EASY it is! And again, this freezes beautifully! Dessert from your freezer!

 

 

 

close up view of peanut butter cup cookies on a white stand

If you love peanut butter cookies and quick, easy recipes, you'll go crazy over these crisp, buttery, One-Bowl Reese's Peanut Butter Cookies!

 

Café Tips for Stocking Your Freezer

  • When freezing individual things like muffins and cookies, place them in the freezer on a sheet pan or a plate for about an hour, then transfer to a ziplock bag or storage container. Then you will be able to pull out just the amount you need and they won't be squished or stuck together.
  • For soups and chilis (and anything else hot), cool completely before freezing either in the refrigerator or over an ice bath if you're in a hurry.
  • I find it helpful to freeze things like soup and chili in smaller quantities instead of the whole batch. This way they thaw faster and also you are able to pull out only the amount you need.
  • Be sure to label and date your food!
  • The safest way to defrost food is in the refrigerator. The FDA recommends 5 hours of defrosting time for every pound of food.

Dining Room Fall Tablescape

So, get started now and stock your freezer so you can really enjoy your company this holiday season!

Shop Our Café Loves

We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

8 Comments

  1. So many delicious ideas here and I hope my neighbors are ready for samples. My plan is to clean out the freezer this weekend and make lots of room. That Buttermilk Cake is amazing!

  2. All of these are making me want to have another Thanksgiving! So much goodness 🙂 And so fun to be having your first Thanksgiving in your new mountain home!

  3. Amazing that Thanksgiving is, only two weeks from this Thursday! Great list of do-ahead ideas. I've been gathering similar ideas for myself since we're hosting the whole family this year 🙂 I still need to try that wonderful foccacia of yours!

  4. Great ideas, recipes and tips Chris! Hope you and Scott have a fantastic holiday season.

  5. So excited for the holidays Chris! I'm sure all your guests will enjoy what you'll be serving up at your new home! Happy Holidays!