12 delicious and nourishing postpartum freezer meals
Why you should prep freezer meals:
When your new baby arrives, it’s pretty much a full time job to keep them fed and happy- let alone feeding yourself! Having a couple of weeks worth of easy dinners to grab can help so much when you just can’t put two brain cells together by evening, especially if you’re dealing with the “witching hour.” They’re also hot, filling and nourishing for the postpartum mama!
When to prep freezer meals?
I recommend starting to prep around 36 weeks, to make sure you have enough time before potentially going into labor. These meals will all save just fine for at least 3-6 months in the freezer! If you’re already ready to pop and don’t have the energy to cook, send this blog post to that friend or family member who keeps asking you what they can do to help. I’m sure they’d be happy to whip up and delivery one of these dinners for you!
How to prep?
If you click on each recipe you’ll get detailed instructions on how to prep them for the freezer and how to thaw and cook safely. You might even double some recipes so you have even more on hand, depending on the size of your freezer! I created this master shopping list in case you decide to make all 12 meals, so you can go to the grocery store once and grab everything you need to prep!
You’ll need:
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Baking Trays/ casserole dishes or disposable aluminum pans and foil
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Large Freezer Ziplock Bags or Glass Tupperware
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Tape or Labels
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Sharpie Marker
Other Notes:
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Many of these recipes call for a Crock Pot/ Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. We LOVE our Instant Pot and it’s so worth having!
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Be sure to check each recipe for recommendations on day-of garnishes and sides which you may need to pick up the week or few days before you decide to pull out one of these meals (for example, fresh basil to garnish the baked ziti or sour cream to top your cilantro lime chicken).
The recipes:
These meals are all freezer friendly and kid approved in case you’ve got older kids to feed as well.
From Pinch of Yum
Note: Be sure you prepare using the “freezer meal version” instructions!
From Savor & Savvy
From Dinner at the Zoo
From Happy Money Saver
From Love and Lemons
From Love and Lemons
Ranch Chicken Meatballs & Cous Cous
From How Sweet Eats
Note: Not technically a freezer meal but this is one of my kid’s favorite dinners! For this recipe I am fully cooking the meatballs and freezing them, plus portioning the broccoli to freeze. When I’m ready to cook I’ll defrost the meatballs in the fridge and pop in the oven to reheat, then just make the cous cous. I’ve made the meatballs with ground chicken or ground turkey, so use whatever you prefer!
From Thriving Home Blog
From The Real Food Dietitians
From Thriving Home Blog
From The Schmidty Wife
From The Nourished Caveman
Note: I LOVE butternut squash soup. This recipe is incredibly simple and easy to prepare, and would be perfect if your tummy is feeling sensitive during recovery. If you wanted to spice it up a little bit, you could cook some onion and garlic to add in as well. I like to top with some sour cream and fresh cracked pepper with a side of buttered sourdough toast!
More postpartum recovery ideas
Another thing I love to have on hand when postpartum is tons of homemade bone broth. Bone broth may sound intimidating but it’s truly SO easy especially when you use a pressure cooker or instant pot. There are lots of great recipes out there (just google bone broth recipe) and it’s super simple to make. I’ve kind of combined recipes over the years and tend to just use whatever I have on hand as far as veggies and herbs. For bones I typically ask the butcher for chicken necks and backs.
Bone broth has so many amazing benefits and is truly a miracle food when healing from birth. You can freeze in mason jars and pop in the fridge to thaw as you’re ready to use them. To use, make a soup with the broth or just sip it in a mug. It’s the best topped with a little lemon juice, sea salt and cracked pepper!
You’ve got dinner handled — now let’s make newborn sleep feel just as manageable. The Newborn Masterclass is your no-stress guide to navigating those early weeks with confidence. Whether you’re still pregnant or already in the thick of the fourth trimester, this masterclass will help you feel prepared, supported, and way less overwhelmed.
For more on healing, nourishing meals for the postpartum mother, check out:
FAQs About Postpartum Freezer Meals
Whether you’re nesting before baby arrives or scrambling with a newborn in tow, these are the questions I hear most when it comes to stocking your freezer. Let’s get you set up to eat well (with as little brain power as possible).
When should I prep freezer meals?
I recommend starting around 36 weeks so you have time to cook and stash without feeling rushed. These recipes keep well in the freezer for 3–6 months, so you’ll have a buffer past delivery day. (If you’re past 36 weeks, don’t stress — you can still stagger cooking.)
How do I prep, freeze, and thaw safely?
Each recipe link includes step‑by‑step instructions for “freezer meal version” + how to thaw safely. Generally: cook or partially cook, cool completely, use airtight freezer bags or containers, label with date, and thaw in the fridge overnight or reheat via stovetop/oven/Instant Pot per instructions.
What tools or supplies will I need?
Here’s your overachiever (but essential) list: baking or casserole dishes (or disposable pans & foil), large freezer zip bags or glass containers, labels/tape + sharpie, and a good slow cooker / Instant Pot / pressure cooker if recipes call for it (we love ours).
Do I need to make all 12 recipes? What if my freezer is small?
Nope, don’t feel pressured. Pick a few that appeal to you, double portions, or rotate through them. The master shopping list is optional — use it if it’s helpful, but tailor to your space, taste, and freezer size.
Can I adjust ingredients (e.g. allergies, preferences)?
Yes — these are flexible. Swap proteins or veggies where needed, but watch changes in cooking time or freezing safety. If you swap in something that releases more water (like zucchini), consider draining or reducing added liquids.
How do I use these meals once baby arrives?
When that witching hour hits and you’re brain-dead, just pull a meal out the night before to thaw (or use Instant Pot’s “reheat” function). Add any fresh garnishes or sides the day you eat. These recipes are meant to carry you through without extra effort.
What if I didn’t prep ahead of time?
It’s okay. You can still make a few meals now and freeze them as you go. You can also ask helpful friends or family to contribute one or two meals using these recipes (share the list!). Every frozen meal you have later is a gift to your future self.
https://lilynicholsrdn.com/real-food-postpartum-recovery-meals/
Take care of yourself, new Mama!
Get some good meal ideas? Save it for later, mama!
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