Freezing Meatballs: Raw or Cooked

Freezing meatballs is a convenient way to have a delicious meal ready to go whenever you want it. Use our expert tips for how to freeze meatballs two ways–either raw or fully cooked.

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You’ve Come to the Right Place

As authors of two popular freezer meal cookbooks, we’ve done our fair share of testing freezer meals of all kinds and have become experts at the best methods for freezing.

Meatballs happen to be one of our family favorites, especially our Baked Italian Meatballs and Easy Meatball Subs recipes. We’ve frozen meatballs SO many times, you can be assured our directions are correct.

How to Freeze Meatballs

Whether you want to freeze uncooked or fully cooked meatballs, either method will work if you follow these instructions. The key is properly packaging them for the freezer and then thawing correctly.

Method 1: Freezing Raw Meatballs

Here are some steps for freezing uncooked meatballs:

1. Prepare the uncooked meatballs according to your recipe.
2. Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other.
3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the meatballs to flash freeze for 1-2 hours, until frozen solid.
4. Once the meatballs are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Be sure to label the container or bag with the date and contents.
5. Place the container or bag in the freezer and store for up to 3-4 months.

When you are ready to cook the frozen meatballs, thaw in the refrigerator overnight or using a cold water bath. Once thawed, cook the meatballs as you normally would, whether baking in the oven, on the stovetop, air fryer, or in a slow cooker.

Method 2: Freezing Cooked Meatballs

If you have extra cooked meatballs, here’s how to freeze and prepare those.

1. Allow the meatballs to cool down completely to room temperature.
2. Arrange the meatballs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they are not touching each other.
3. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and allow the meatballs to freeze for about 1-2 hours.
4. Once the meatballs are frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Be sure to label the container or bag with the date and contents.
5. Place the container or bag in the freezer and store for up to 3-4 months.

When you are ready to use the frozen cooked meatballs, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost setting of the microwave. Warm them in 30-second increments in the microwave or in marinara sauce on the stovetop in a pot or in the slow cooker.

Freezer Meatball Recipes

As freezer meal experts and cookbook authors, we’ve been developing all kinds of freezer-friendly meatball recipes of years. Here are some of our most popular ones.

Baked Italian Meatballs

Baked Turkey Meatballs (with Sneaky Veggies)

Asian Turkey Meatballs

Baked Meatballs with Sneaky Veggies

Freezing meatballs is a great way to preserve their flavor and texture for future meals. So use your time in the kitchen wisely, make meatballs in bulk, and freeze some for later!