Frozen foods have become a mainstay of the American diet, with good reason. Freezer space is often taken up by a variety of different meals and meal ingredients, with the promise of leftovers being preserved for a later date in addition to high-quality dishes being served up in the future — oftentimes at the press of a button.
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With that in mind, what frozen foods are best to stock up on while on a budget? Here are some quick and easy ideas below. Also, see how to immediately save money on food and groceries here.
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Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
Frozen fruits and vegetables, contrary to popular belief, retain much of their nutritional value and sometimes are more nutritious than fresh alternatives, per Food & Wine.
Frozen fruits and vegetables are also very affordable compared with their fresh counterparts. Walmart frequently sells 12-ounce bags of peas and carrots for less than $1, and broccoli florets for a bit over that price. Bags of mixed fruit (16 ounces) sell for less than $2.50, while mixed berries in particular sell for about $3.50.
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‘Flavor Bombs’
A separate Food & Wine report cited Amy Mehrtens, executive chef of New Orleans-based Copper Vine, as endorsing “flavor bombs” — frozen sauces, reductions, pastes or similar items — that can be added to dishes as needed.
“I am a big fan of ice cube trays to store frozen flavor bombs. All you do is make your base, put it into ice cube trays, and pop them out into an airtight bag for later. These are great to have on hand always. It’s also a great way to store leftovers. You can do this with reduced chicken stock, basil pesto, tomato paste, chopped herbs, roasted garlic, and even avocados,” Mehrtens said.
This method cuts down on food waste while also utilizing several inexpensive, and common, kitchen ingredients to best effect.
Tater Tots
Taste of Home provided a list of nearly two dozen delicious recipe ideas incorporating the humble tater tot, which Walmart sells for less than $3 for a 2-pound bag.
From the iconic tater tot casserole to nacho tater tots and beyond (the cowboy casserole variant and the bacon-wrapped tater tots looking especially appealing), the frozen crispy potato treat deserves a home in any freezer.
Frozen Dinners
With Eat This, Not That! outlining some of the tastiest frozen dinners available — Trader Joe’s paneer tikka masala with spinach rice and Marie Callender’s pot pies made the short list — it’s never been easier to keep a five-minute meal at hand in the freezer.
Most single-serve frozen dinners come in at under $5, with family sizes being a bit more economical per serving even if the total price tag is higher.
“These days, there are so many frozen meal options that rival restaurant quality you don’t need to leave the house to indulge your tastebuds,” contributor Leah Groth wrote.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 4 Affordable Frozen Foods To Always Stock Up On
