Pro Tips, Food Waste, Food Trend

Meal prep with curries: pre-cook, freeze and enjoy!

Save time, enjoy a variety of flavours and reduce food waste – all this is possible with delicious aromatic curries and a little meal prep. We'll tell you exactly how in this overview.

Fancy a delicious meal without the daily stress of cooking? Then creamy or veggie curries are just the thing for your meal planning. The advantage: they can be perfectly pre-cooked and, with a little meal prep planning, are an ideal family backup for every day. Here you can find out how you can prepare meals with prepared curries in no time at all, which varieties are particularly suitable and the best way to freeze and defrost them.

Why curry is perfect for meal prep

These flavoursome dishes have a number of characteristics that make them the perfect choice for meal prep:

Long shelf life: The use of spices such as turmeric, ginger and garlic often has a natural preservative effect.
Improved flavour after infusion: The flavours develop even more intensely after a day or night in the fridge.
Versatility: Whether vegetarian, vegan or with meat - these spiced specialities are easy to adapt.
Good consistency after freezing: Unlike many other dishes, curries retain their texture even after defrosting.
Easy to prepare in large quantities: These savoury dishes are ideal for cooking several portions at once.

These curries are great for freezing

Not every dish remains equally delicious after defrosting. But our creamy Curries are perfect for your meal prep plans. Instead of leaving proteins such as chicken or paneer to marinate in your favourite paste for just an hour, you can simply pop them straight into the freezer and then defrost them in the fridge overnight if required.

Not every dish retains its taste and texture after freezing, but these curries are especially freezer-friendly:

Indian Lentil Curry: Lentil curries are not only rich in protein, but also extremely filling. They retain their consistency after defrosting and often taste even better when reheated.

Our recipe tip: Indian lentil curry >>

Thai Curries (Red or Green Curry with Coconut Milk):The creamy coconut base remains smooth after freezing, and flavors stay intact. Works well with tofu or chicken.

Our recipe tip: Thai Curry with sugar snap peas, broccoli and zucchini >>

Chickpea Curry (Chana Masala): Chickpeas are a great source of vegetable protein and retain their firm structure even after freezing.

Our recipe tip: Indian curry with chickpeas >>

Butter Chicken (Murgh Makhani) This creamy, tomato-based curry freezes beautifully and reheats to its original richness.

Our recipe tip: Tandoori butter curry with chicken >>

How to freeze curries the right way

To ensure your curry tastes just as delicious after freezing, follow these key steps:

Let the Curry Cool Completely. Placing hot food directly in the freezer can create ice crystals, which alter the texture when thawed. Always let your curry reach room temperature first.
Freeze in Portions. Portion ready-made curry into suitable containers or freezer bags so that you can defrost it later easily.
Use the Right Containers: Glass containers with lids are good for soup-like curries, but should not be filled too full as liquids expand when frozen. Freezer bags are often space-saving and ideal for flat storage. Silicone Muffin Trays are perfect for freezing small portions that can be easily popped out later.
Seal Airtight. Minimizing air exposure prevents freezer burn and keeps the curry fresher for longer.
Note shelf life. These spicey dishes keep for around three to four months. Label the containers with the date and contents to keep track.

 How to defrost curries properly

Freezing is only half the process - proper defrosting and reheating are just as important:

Gentle: It's best to defrost overnight in the fridge or at room temperature. 
Quick: If it needs to be quicker, you can heat the curry directly in a pan or in the microwave. 
Refresh: After reheating, you can freshen up the flavour with fresh herbs (e.g. cilantro), a little fresh lemon juice or a dash of coconut milk.

Conclusion: Whether for lunch, a quick dinner or as an emergency ration in the freezer – curries are a fantastic choice for meal prep: healthy, easy to prepare and just as delicious once frozen. Try it out and enjoy a delicious dish at any time.

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Sonja

As an experienced marketing expert and smoothie lover, Sonja enjoys relaxed cooking experiments. She loves the flavours of faraway lands, especially Asian, Indian and Mediterranean flavours. At home, things get exciting when she tries to combine her family's preferences, from simple and tasty to sophisticated flavours, on one plate. Her motto: the more colourful the better!