Using your Freezer to save money is not always about making FULL meals to throw in bags to cook later on…

Sometimes you can save money by freezing those meal starters & sides, to make your life easier all week long.

We love us some Brown Rice, and it’s one of the best pantry staples to help you stretch your budget.  You CAN cook it fairly quickly in a rice cooker, but if you are at home on a slow afternoon, it can also be a really GOOD way to plan ahead for work lunch and dinners.

Rice freezes so well that it just makes sense to make a big batch ahead of time and freeze it in portions. I prefer Eggs over Easy on my rice, and Dave usually takes it for his work lunch so this makes it really easy to assemble his food for the week.

Paying $2 – $3 for Brown or White Rice in a microwave meal, or even as a side is ridiculous ~ especially when you can get a HUGE bag for $.89 after coupon and make that stretch ALL week.

How to Freeze White or Brown Rice

Make a LARGE batch once a week.  I usually do that on a Sunday late afternoon – we prefer Hinode Brown Rice (which is $.89 at Fry’s).  We make it on the stove according to the directions on the bag.  You can use white rice, too.. whatever you prefer.

After it cooks, allow it to cool, but not cool completely. I left the lid on the rice as it cooked – when I was ready to bag it I just took the lid off and portioned it out.  You want there to be moisture in the bags as you portion it out because it helps when you re-heat them.

Portion into freezer bags.  I put the same amount in each bag, but you can also measure it out with a measuring cup if you wish. Squeeze the air out of the bag as best as you can, and lay flat. They freeze great when you can stack them up – and if the rice is still warm when you bag it up, that moisture will help keep it fluffy when you re-heat.

You can store 3 months in the freezer.  Don’t forget to label it – unless of course you are like we are, and know you will use it within the next 7 days.

When you are ready to eat/use, remove from the freezer to re-heat. Warm the contents in the microwave for 2-3 minutes – I don’t recommend using the bag to warm it up (put it in a microwaveable safe dish).  Dampen a paper towel and place it on the top of the bowl.