Festive Freezer Meals to Prep Now for December (Yes, in August!)

Get ahead this Christmas with our festive freezer meal ideas – perfect for busy households. Prep in August, relax in December! 🎄 Check them out here…

August has arrived — which means there are just four months left until Christmas (we won’t count August itself, of course!).

Kids are already thinking about heading back to school (and, let’s be honest, so are the parents). The TV schedules have started to shift, teasing us with autumn shows and cosy evenings.

Before we know it, the Christmas tree will be up, and the festive season will be in full swing!

Christmas might feel a long way off, but if you’re someone who ends up frazzled in December with a fridge full of chaos and no time to cook, August is the perfect time to get ahead.

Prepping a few festive freezer meals now not only saves time and stress later but also helps spread the cost. And let’s face it—when it’s cold, dark, and you’re juggling school nativities, office parties, and shopping lists, having a homemade meal ready to go is a total gift to Future You.

Here are five freezer-friendly festive dishes you can make now and pull out when December gets hectic.

🥧 1. Make-Ahead Turkey & Cranberry Pie

Why it works: Use leftover cooked turkey (or chicken) and cranberry sauce to create a rich, creamy pie filling that freezes beautifully. Use a good-quality cranberry sauce like this one from Waitrose.

How to prep & freeze:
Make the filling and either freeze it in containers or build the full pie (uncooked), wrap it in foil, and freeze. Bake from frozen at 180°C for around 45–50 mins.

🥕 2. Root Veg Mash (Carrot & Swede or Parsnip)

Why it works: The ultimate festive side that takes ages to peel and boil in December—do it now and thank yourself later.

How to prep & freeze:
Cook, mash, add butter and seasoning. Cool and portion into freezer bags or tubs. Reheat in the microwave or hob with a splash of cream or butter.

🥘 3. Festive Sausage Casserole

Why it works: Hearty, comforting and ideal for cold December evenings. Toss in a few chestnuts or cranberries for a festive twist.

How to prep & freeze:
Cook completely, cool, portion into containers, and freeze. Defrost overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the hob or microwave. Freeze in these handy portion containers with leakproof lids – Like this 5-pack from Amazon.

🥓 4. Pigs in Blankets (Yes, Really!)

Why it works: Everyone’s favourite—and they freeze surprisingly well raw.

How to prep & freeze:
Wrap your sausages in bacon (or veggie bacon) and place on a tray to freeze individually. Once solid, pop into a freezer bag. Cook from frozen at 200°C for 25–30 minutes. Try these freezer bags from Tesco.

🍗 5. Christmas Gravy Base

Why it works: Good gravy makes the meal. Make a rich base now using stock, veg, and wine—add meat juices (or go veggie) later on the day.

How to prep & freeze:
Simmer your gravy base, cool, and freeze in portions. On Christmas Day, defrost and add in your turkey roasting juices for a final flavour boost.

🧊 Pro Tips for Freezing Festive Food:

Label everything with name + date. You’ll forget what’s what by November.

Use freezer-safe bags or containers to avoid freezer burn.

Batch cooking now will save your sanity later.

🎁 Bonus Idea: Host a “Freeze-Mas” Day

Make it fun! Pick a weekend in August, blast a Christmas playlist, sip on mulled wine, and prep a few of these meals. Invite a friend or get the kids involved. It’s weirdly festive, and you’ll be sorted before autumn even hits.

Getting an early start on your festive freezer meals now not only saves you time but also reduces holiday stress, allowing you to truly enjoy the season.

Plus, by preparing now, you’ll have more moments to spend with loved ones come December. To make your prep even easier, check out this must-have kitchen gadget that’s perfect for batch cooking and freezing meals efficiently.

So, why wait? Start planning your festive freezer meals today and look forward to a joyful, hassle-free holiday!