Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (2024)

By Sophie Van Tiggelen 7 Comments

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (1)

All of the seasoned AIPers I know are unanimous on this one fact: if you plan ahead, it will be so much easier to be successful on the Autoimmune Protocol. There is nothing worse, in my opinion, to find yourself hungry with nothing safe to eat in the house! That’s when you might reach for something convenient but not so healthy. The name of the game is “plan ahead“!

How can you do that? Well, a good way to have food on hand is to batch cook. Batch cooking means cooking larger quantities so you have leftovers for several meals after. You do the work once in the kitchen, but you can make it last for several days. If you are worried about eating the same thing for several days in a row, you can also freeze your leftovers in small portions for later use.

But which AIP recipes are the best for batch cooking and freezing? Not all recipes are suitable for this purpose. That’s why I went on the hunt to find the best recipes that will give you the most bang for your buck!

I have asked some of my AIP blogger friends to give me THE ONE recipe (suitable for batch cooking and freezing) they keep going back to, week after week, because they think it is just the best! That one recipe you love so much that you have it on repeat at your house and you never tire of it. Below are their responses (as well as my two favorite batch cooking recipes from the blog!).

1 – The Best Pressure Cooker Chicken Vegetable Soupfrom Sophie Van Tiggelen at A Squirrel in the Kitchen

A good chicken vegetable soup is worth its weight in gold, and if you can make it happen in 20 minutes or less in your Instant Pot pressure cooker, it is priceless!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (2)
2 – Slow Cooker Sage Pulled Porkfrom Sophie Van Tiggelen at A Squirrel in the Kitchen

There are very few meats that look as appetizing to me as a hot-out-of-the-slow-cooker pork shoulder. This sage pulled pork is not an exception! The taste is incredible and I never tire of the soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (3)
3 – Coconut Curried Chicken from the Paleo AIP Instant Pot Cookbook

Curry lovers will rejoice with this quick, flavorful, and perfectly compliant rendition using chicken and fresh vegetables.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (4)

4 – Quick and Easy Shredded Chicken from the Paleo AIP Instant Pot Cookbook

This shredded chicken can be used in so many meals: in tacos, on salads, in soups, even enjoyed on its own!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (5)

5 – Magic Chili from Mickey Trescott at Autoimmune Wellness

If you are looking for a quick, simple “chili” recipe free from the usual offenders in conventional variety–beans, tomatoes, and nightshade spices–be sure to give this a try!This is winter cooking at its best, a nice meaty one-pot stew with bone broth, lots of herbs, and flavors that intensify the next day.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (6)
6 – Paleo Chicken Pot Pie (AIP) from Jaime Lubich Hartman at Gutsy by Nature

If you thought that creating an AIP chicken pot pie witha creamy filling and a delicate biscuit topping was impossible, think again! Enjoy thisquintessential American comfort food in a version that is compatible with the requirements of the Autoimmune Protocol!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (7)
7 –Rainbow Roasted Root Vegetables from Mickey Trescott at Autoimmune Wellness

This simple recipe can be adapted to use whatever roots you have on hand – any type of beet, carrot, sweet potato, yam, turnip, rutabaga, etc. Use whatever is freshest and most available to you.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (8)

8 – Quick Shepherd’s Pie with Golden Horseradish Mashfrom Kate Jay at Healing Family Eats

This cozy and comforting dish can be on your table in less than 45 minutes! The secret? Keeping the sauce at a brisk simmer, cooking the roots at the same time, and assembling the dish while everything is still hot so all you need do is set it under a hot broiler to brown and bubble.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (9)
9 – Venison Meatballs from Maria Krummen at Zesty Paleo

Meatballs are excellent for breakfast and they are extremely easy to prepare. All you have to do in the morning is warm them up and add a healthy carb and veggies.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (10)
10 – You Won’t Believe It’s Tomato-Free Ragu Bolognesefrom Joanna Frankham at Joanna Frankham Health Coaching

The thing about Bolognese is that, while it does take a long time to come to its full flavor potential, because you’re making a largeamount, you have enough to feed a crowd. In fact,once you portion it out and pop it in your freezer, this recipe makes enough for eight to ten servings.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (11)
11 – Beef and Broccolifrom Laura Vein at Sweet Treats

This recipe comes together pretty quickly with minimal prep, minimal planning ahead, and minimal clean up. Sometimes, simple, easy, and delicious is just what’s needed!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (12)
12 – Hearty Beef Soup from Erin at Enjoying This Journey

The heart is one of the best ways to introduce (even if on the sly) someone to organ meats. Heart cooks very much like a roast or steak when sliced thinly and is incredibly versatile.

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (13)
13 – Fennel-Herbes de Provence Sausage from Martine Partridge at Eat, Heal, Thrive

This sausage recipe is utter juicy deliciousness and, like any good AIP recipe, can be eaten at breakfast, lunch, or dinner.Pair this with a side of your favorite sautéed greens and you’re set!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (14)
14 – Instant Pot Bone Broth from Eileen Laird at Phoenix Helix

When you simmer the bones, you release a lot of nutrition into the broth. Bone broth isespecially beneficial for reducing inflammation and helping our bodies heal. So keep calm and broth on!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (15)

Click it to Pin it!

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (16)

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above may be“affiliate links or Amazon affiliate links”. This means that if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsem*nts and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (17)

About Sophie Van Tiggelen

Sophie Van Tiggelen is a passionate foodie, recipe developer, author, and photographer. Diagnosed with Hashimoto's thyroiditis in 2009, she used the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) to reverse her condition, and today, Sophie lives a full and vibrant life free from the anxiety and flare-ups that often accompany autoimmune diseases. With her food and lifestyle blog, A Squirrel in the Kitchen, Sophie shares her AIP experience and empowers others to develop new habits to promote good health and wellness. Through years of experience, she has developed simple strategies to be successful on AIP, including numerous mouth-watering, allergen-free recipes that everyone (even those without autoimmune diseases) can enjoy. Sophie is on a mission to make the Autoimmune Protocol - and all that it encompasses - more accessible and sustainable for anyone looking for a more nutritious, more delicious, more health-conscious life.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (18)Erin says

    This is a fantastic list, Sophie! So many people ask for freezer friendly meals in the AIP FB groups.

    Reply

    • Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (19)Sophie Van Tiggelen says

      Thanks Erin 🙂 There is something for everyone in this list for sure!

      Reply

  2. Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (20)Gita says

    Thanks Sophie, always looking for batch cooking ideas !

    Reply

  3. Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (21)Chante says

    I was recently diagnosed with Hashimotos’ after 20 years of symptoms. I am delighted with your blog. Thanks for putting in the hard work!

    Reply

    • Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (22)Sophie Van Tiggelen says

      Thank you so much for your positive feedback Chante! Welcome and do not hesitate to ask any question! Good luck, Sophie

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] permitting, a slow cooker and an Instant pot are great small appliances for batch cooking! Check out my “Slow Cooker Recipe Roundup” for inspiration. Do you know about this […]

    Reply

  2. […] week. If this is something you are interested in, you can find batch cooking recipes here, here, and […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Top 14 AIP Recipes for Batch Cooking and Freezing - A Squirrel in the Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

How do you freeze food in a batch? ›

If you're short of containers, put a plastic bag or clingfilm inside one, pour the food into it and put it in the freezer. Once it's frozen, take the food out of the container and store it in the clingfilm or plastic bag.

What are the disadvantages of batch cooking? ›

Batch cooking may save time, but it comes at the cost of losing taste, quality, and nutritional value. Additionally, pre-cooked meals can spoil and compromise your health. The drawbacks of batch cooking outweigh the benefits and often fail to provide healthy, tasty meals every day.

What foods should you avoid freezing? ›

Here are 12 common ingredients that don't freeze well due to quality issues and safety concerns.
  • 01 of 12. Milk. ...
  • 02 of 12. Mayonnaise. ...
  • 03 of 12. Cream Cheese. ...
  • 04 of 12. Cucumbers. ...
  • 05 of 12. Zucchini. ...
  • 06 of 12. Lettuce and Cabbage. ...
  • 07 of 12. Tomatoes. ...
  • 08 of 12. Baked and Boiled Potatoes.
Oct 5, 2022

How long can you freeze batch cooked meals for? ›

Put the newest food at the back

Batch cooked food left in the fridge will need to be eaten within a few days and meals that are frozen usually need to be eaten within three months. If you already have batch cooked food in the freezer, put newer food behind it to ensure you don't eat that first.

What foods freeze really well? ›

15 freezer friendly foods
  • 1) Cheese. Toggle accord. ...
  • 2) Milk and dairy free milk. Toggle accord. ...
  • 3) Eggs. Toggle accord. ...
  • 4) Mushrooms, broccoli and other vegetables. Toggle accord. ...
  • 5) Cooked rice. Toggle accord. ...
  • 6) Potatoes. Toggle accord. ...
  • 7) Cooked pasta. Toggle accord. ...
  • 8) Bananas. Toggle accord.

Can you freeze raw potatoes? ›

You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

Does shepherd's pie freeze well? ›

Wrap cooled pie in a layer of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Label with contents and date; place in freezer. For best quality, serve within 2-3 months; however, shepherd's pie will remain safe indefinitely, stored at 0° F. When ready to eat, thaw for about 24-hours in the refrigerator.

Can you cook batch cooked meals from frozen? ›

Batch cooking is a great option if you want healthy, homemade meals in no time at all, or if you know that you've got a busy few weeks coming up. It basically means cooking in bulk and storing meals in the freezer. You can then either microwave them from frozen or allow them to defrost before reheating.

What is the new method of freezing food? ›

Isochoric freezing is a new technology with relatively low energy requirements that preserves food products at subfreezing temperatures without damage due to ice crystal formation inside the product.

Can you freeze already prepared meals? ›

When freezing prepared meats, vegetables, grains, and pastas, it's wise to slightly undercook to just tender before freezing. Each of these ingredients will cook slightly more when reheated, so they can easily become overcooked if stored well-done.

Which cooking method is unhealthy? ›

Pan Frying- Pan Fried foods are harmful to the body like deep fried food items and contain a harmful component Acrylamide. Acrylamide can cause cancer. Acrylamide forms from sugars and an amino acid (asparagine). It forms during certain types of high-temperature cooking, such as frying, roasting, and baking.

Is batch cooking unhealthy? ›

Batch cooking is a great way to simplify meals and make them more nutritious but it can also be a recipe for monotony, especially if you're eating the same meals over and over again.

How do you batch cook effectively? ›

Here are our top 10 tips:
  1. Make sure your freezer's set to the right temperature. ...
  2. Cool foods before you freeze them. ...
  3. Freeze fresh. ...
  4. Don't freeze and forget! ...
  5. Keep your freezer full. ...
  6. Wrap up. ...
  7. Space to grow. ...
  8. Keep it clean.

What is the best method of freezing food? ›

Cool all foods and syrup before packing. This speeds up freezing and helps retain natural color, flavor and texture of food. Pack foods in quantities that will be used at one time. Most foods require head space between the packed food and the closure for expansion as the food freezes.

Can you reheat batch cooking from frozen? ›

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to defrost everything in the fridge before reheating; it is fine to pop your leftovers into a pan, the microwave or the oven to reheat straight from frozen.

Can you batch cook and freeze chicken? ›

Yes, you can absolutely freeze chicken that has been cooked. Freezing cooked chicken (and cooked food in general) is about convenience. When you have a busy schedule, preparing meals ahead saves time. And when you have leftovers that are frozen properly, you also decrease your food waste, saving money in the long run.

What are the benefits of batch cooking? ›

Batch cooking is a great way to minimise food wastage and maximise the nutrient value of fresh produce as you're cooking and storing veggies right away, instead of leaving them to wilt in the fridge. You can also plan your weekly menu based on seasonal produce and budget-friendly ingredients to maximise savings.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 5822

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (73 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.