Freezer Meal Beef and Gravy – economical cubed chuck roast made with tasty onion and mushroom gravy. It’s a perfect no-fuss meal.
There’s nothing better (or easier) than heading to the freezer and pulling out a ready-to-go meal for supper. Pop it into the oven or slow cooker (no thawing required) and you have dinner started. It’s hands free from there. A meat and potato dinner will fill everyone at the table, whether you serve it over mashed potatoes or, even easier, a baked potato. This meal is so nice and cozy on a cold winter night!.
Remember the old saying, “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover”, well this is a good example. The truth is that it’s tough to capture the beauty of brown food in a picture without adding something bright. For this freezer recipe, I want you to see exactly how it looks after cooking. Here you have it…in all it’s brown gravy glory!.
Let me tell ya, I love going to the freezer and pulling out one of these meals. AND saving money by buying a large chuck roast that can be easily cut into cubes. It costs less than buying stew meat, and it only takes 20 minutes to get 4 dinners ready to freeze. Honestly, I spent most of that time cutting up the meat! Speaking of time, this is one of those recipes where you can put it in the pot, then put on your pajamas and wait for dinner to be ready.
Tip – Keep the freezer and pantry stocked with easy ready-to-heat sides like veggies, mashed potatoes and rice.
*Freezer bags generally take up less space than containers, so if space is limited use the bags. I use throw away bags, but freezer-safe reusable plastic bags might be something to investigate.
A beautifully cooked roast beef covered in rich, flavorful gravy is the ultimate comfort food. But not everyone can finish a whole roast and gravy in one sitting The good news is that you can freeze leftover cooked roast beef and gravy for enjoying later With proper freezing and reheating, you can keep roast beef and gravy tasting fresh for up to 3 months.
Overview of Freezing Roast Beef and Gravy
Both leftover cooked roast beef and gravy freeze very well either combined or separately Gravy helps keep roast beef moist when frozen together. For best quality, use fresh roast beef and gravy within 3-4 days in the fridge Freeze any remaining portions for longer term storage.
When freezing roast beef and gravy
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Allow to fully cool first. Divide meat into meal-sized portions.
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Use freezer bags, airtight containers, or heavy duty foil to package.
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Remove as much air as possible before sealing.
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Label with contents and freeze date.
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Freeze meat and gravy together or separately.
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Store at 0°F or below.
With proper freezing techniques, roast beef and gravy will retain excellent flavor and texture for 2-3 months frozen.
Step-by-Step Freezing Process
Follow these simple steps for freezing roast beef and gravy:
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Allow cooked roast beef and gravy to fully cool to room temperature. Separate fat from gravy if needed.
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Portion roast beef into meal-size servings about 3-4 ounces each.
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Place servings in labeled freezer bags or airtight containers.
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Ladle cooled gravy over beef or in separate containers if freezing gravy alone. Leave 1⁄2 inch headspace.
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Remove as much air as possible and seal bags/containers tightly.
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Freeze immediately at 0°F or below. Avoid overpacking freezer.
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Once solidly frozen, packages can be consolidated in larger bags if needed.
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Use within 2-3 months for best quality.
Thawing and Reheating Frozen Roast Beef and Gravy
Always thaw frozen roast beef and gravy slowly and safely in the refrigerator overnight. Do not thaw at room temperature.
To reheat, use one of these methods:
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Place still-frozen roast beef in a covered dish with gravy and reheat at 325°F oven until hot, at least 165°F internally.
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On the stovetop, simmer frozen gravy in a saucepan until thawed and steaming. Add roast beef slices to reheat.
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Microwave individual portions on 50% power for 4-5 minutes for meat and 2-3 minutes for gravy, checking often.
Bring both roast beef and gravy to an internal temperature of 165°F. Do not refreeze any thawed leftovers.
Serving Ideas for Frozen Roast Beef and Gravy
Beyond plated roast beef dinners, frozen roast beef and gravy make easy additions to:
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French dips – Thinly sliced on toasted rolls with melted cheese
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Beef hash – Diced with potatoes, peppers, onions
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Enchiladas – Shredded beef rolled in tortillas and enchilada sauce
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Pasta dishes like stroganoff or meat sauce for pasta
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Casseroles like shepherd’s pie or beef pot pie
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Gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or biscuits
Get creative with your frozen roast beef and gravy! The possibilities are endless.
Ground Beef and Gravy in the Freezer
Like roast beef, cooked ground beef and gravy also freeze very well for 2-3 months. Simply cook completely, let cool, and portion ground beef and gravy into meal sizes. Reheat frozen ground beef mixture fully to 165°F.
Can You Freeze Raw Roast and Make Gravy Later?
Freezing uncooked roasts is fine, but for food safety, it’s best to make fresh gravy after thawing and cooking the roast. Avoid making gravy ahead of time with uncooked meat juices which can harbor bacteria. Cook meat fully before making gravy.
Storing Roast Beef and Gravy Safely Without Freezing
For short term fridge storage, place cooked roast beef and gravy in shallow airtight containers and refrigerate for 3-4 days. Reheat fully to 165°F before consuming. Discard if beef or gravy smells, tastes, or looks spoiled. When in doubt, throw it out.
The Takeaway
With proper freezing and reheating, both leftover roast beef and gravy can last 2-3 months in the freezer without sacrificing too much quality. Allow meat and gravy to fully cool before packaging in airtight containers. Always reheat thawed beef and gravy to 165°F. With some planning, you can enjoy delicious roast beef and gravy for months!
More Freezer Meal Recipes To Try
How To Make Freezer Meal Beef and Gravy
This is a super simple freezer recipe with only 3 ingredients. There’s one more to add if you want to thin out the gravy with beef broth.
There are two ways to make freezer meal beef and gravy that I always have success with. One’s the oven method, and second, which is also my life-saver, the slow cooker or crock pot. With the oven method, the beef and sauce need to thaw in the fridge first so I resort to the slow cooker most of the time because I forget to take the bag out to thaw.
Other Good Info:
Only 3 Ingredients – beef roast, condensed cream of mushroom soup and beef onion soup mix.
It’s easy to double, triple, or cut in half. A typical chuck roast at my grocery store weighs about 3 pounds, so I use one to make two meals for my adult male family. When they’re on sale, I get 2 roasts to make 4 meals. If your family is smaller, divide the freezer meal into smaller portions. Easy!.
The best thing about this recipe is how easy it is to change it to use your favorite ingredients. If you don’t want the gravy to taste like mushroom soup, try cream of potato or celery soup instead. Or substitute ranch or Italian dressing mix for the onion soup mix. All are amazing!.
Roast Beef And Gravy Freeze Dried And Reconstituted Ep127
FAQ
How do you freeze roast beef and gravy?
Does cooked roast beef freeze well?
How long does cooked roast beef and gravy last in fridge?
How do you reheat roast beef in gravy?
Can you freeze cooked roast beef with gravy?
Yes, you can freeze cooked roast beef with gravy. It’s best to store it in airtight containers or freezer bags, making sure to leave some space for expansion. Properly stored, it can last in the freezer for several months.
How long does cooked roast beef and gravy last in the freezer?
It is important to remember though that the shelf life of cooked roast beef and gravy depends on how they are handled. If done properly, roast beef and gravy can last in the freezer for a couple of months safely. How to freeze cooked roast beef and gravy? To freeze cooked roast beef and gravy, you first need to cool them down.
How do you thaw roast beef before freezing?
Cool the roast: Allow the cooked roast beef to cool completely before freezing. This will prevent the formation of ice crystals, which can affect the texture and flavor of the meat. Slice or cube the roast: Slice or cube the roast beef into desired portions. This will make it easier to thaw and reheat later.
Can roast beef be frozen?
Yes, roast beef can be frozen. To do so, tightly wrap the meat in freezer or plastic wrap, then cover the outside layer with aluminum foil. Make sure to wrap individual slices separately for more efficient freezing, and don’t freeze meat thicker than two inches. Step 4. Place Roast Beef In Plastic Bags Or Airtight Containers