Can you freeze already-made gravy?

[ajrsmom]

I plan on making meatloaf for dinner next week. My family likes it with gravy instead of any kind of tomato toppings. I figured since I was making some already, why not make extra & cover with gravy before freezing....kinda like those freezer meals. Will this work?


Im going to try the muffing tins for the meatloaf. Ive read that many people on here say it takes a lot less time to make this way.....I can use all of the extra time I can get these days!! ;-)

Also, when you make this in the muffin tins, Im assuming that you bake them first and then freeze or do you freeze them in the tins and pop them out to store, then bake? HHHMMM?!?

[Sally Smith]

I've made meat loaf in muffin tins, I always go ahead and bake , then freeze them after wrapping them individually. I think it might be best to do it this way because of all the ingredients you add to meat - probably a good idea to cook it first - sometimes I bake use a loaf pan and slice and freeze individually by the slice - be sure to wrap each slice well with foil - then put all those slices in freezer bag - (same for muffin servings) makes for quick meals.

[ajrsmom]

Will do! Thanks a lot!!




Tami

[GRANDMAANGEL]

I live alone, and frequently cook "normal" sized meals and pop in the freezer. Meat loaf is one of my favorites. I, too, bake in muffin tins -- quicker and portion control! lol After they are cooled a little, I just put them all in a gallon-sized ziplock bag and pop in the freezer. There is so little moisture in them, they barely even stick together. Then I can take out 1 or 2, warm, and dinner is rolling!

I don't use gravy on mine -- preferring ketchup instead ; however, there are a lot of frozen entrees which have gravy on them (including biscuits and gravy for breakfast), so I can see no reason why this wouldn't work for your family. If it's a cream gravy, there probably will be some separation due to the milk in it, but just stir after it's warmed up!

Good luck, and God Bless You!

[claudjam]

I don't see why you can't freeze your meatloaf with gravy on it. We freeze bacon gravy all the time for my niece and nephew when they come to visit and all they have to do is defrost it in the microwave and put it on biscuits.

[lisadoffin]

I agree, freezing gravy is perfectly fine, but always remember to put items in the refrigerator first to get them cold, then transfer to the freezer. Putting things like meatloaf in the freezer before doing this can lead to an unpleasant case of food poisoning... unfortunately this was learned from experience

[ajrsmom]

Thanks for all of your great tips.

I will bake them first, pop them into the frig. to cool and then into the freezer. This will make one dinner time a little easier!


Tami


Thanks for the cooling tip too. I have had food poison before and it is no fun!!

[Jeannie]

We are a 2 people household.. so I'll make a meatloaf and slice it into portions, and wrap individually when the meat loaf is cold.
I make gravy as I need it... ..

[Georgieanna]

I make my brown gravies from a roux and I find when I freeze a dish, that when I defrost it to reheat, the gravy has somewhat thickened and I have to add a tiny bit of water to it. But I'm talking about 1 pot casseroles I fix so it may not be the same for meatloaf. I'd rather make meatballs than meatloaf which is actually the same difference as far as I'm concerned.

[lisadoffin]

I was just curious about what kind of gravy you ladies are making for your meatloaf. I usually do a ketchup or chili sauce topping on mine but would love gravy ideas/recipes. Do you use the drippings or what exactly to make the gravy?