The 7 Freezer Staples I Stock for Fast Weeknight Dinners

Whether I’m trying to save a buck, some time, or the mental energy of planning meals for my family, I head to the frozen section of my local Kroger market (where I live, it's called Ralphs). My must-buys include frozen proteins, like raw chicken, plus starchy sides, fruits, and vegetables that help me get meals on the table quickly.

Here's everything on my shopping list!

1. Frozen White Rice

Rice always goes over well with my family, so I’m constantly turning to Kroger’s frozen rice as a quick and easy side dish, as a base for bowls with teriyaki chicken, and even to mix into soups. (I add this rice to the pot while it's still frozen!)

There’s no measuring or timers needed—simply zap each steamable bag in the microwave for three to four minutes for perfectly fluffy results every time. Each four-serving package costs about $3, making it a budget-friendly find.

2. Frozen Raw Chicken Breasts

Kroger has frozen chicken in every cut I could possibly need. It saves me at least a buck or two per pound compared to the prices in the meat aisle. My go-to staples are the boneless chicken breasts and thighs (both $9.99 each) since they’re so versatile.

I thaw out enough for dinner, and the rest keeps in the freezer for up to three months. I also really love how easy they are to cut into pieces when they’re still partially frozen. No more mushy, uneven slices in our skillet dinners!

3. Frozen Smoothie Blends

Kroger’s bags of mixed frozen fruit take the guesswork out of creating the perfect smoothies, and at $6.99 for 48 ounces, they’re also a lot less expensive than the name-brand versions.

There are about ten varieties to choose from, but my family never gets bored with the strawberry-banana and tropical fruit blends. I also appreciate that the larger fruits are either diced or sliced, making them easier to blend.

4. Frozen Angus Beef Chuck Patties

Making a mouthwatering burger without having to blend, season, and shape ground meat is a serious win in my book. That’s why I keep a box of Kroger’s beef chuck patties in my freezer at all times. They’re made from pure beef, so they’re big in flavor but low in sodium, and surprisingly inexpensive (I bought a package on sale for under $12).

I thaw the entire box in the refrigerator overnight, then throw the patties right on the grill, or toss 'em into a skillet for smashburgers.

5. Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper Roasted Potatoes

Unless I’m making baked potatoes, it’s unlikely that I’ll choose to scrub, peel, and cut a pile of spuds. Instead, I grab Kroger’s frozen potatoes to skip the hard work and save myself some time. There are a bunch of varieties available, but the Sea Salt & Cracked Black Pepper Roasted Redskin Potatoes ($3.99) are one of my favorites. since they go with everything from omelettes to steaks. They feel like a splurge, yet don’t cost much more than what you’ll find in the produce section.

6. Frozen Stir-Fry Starters

I have enough frozen vegetables in my freezer to feed my neighborhood, but it’s Kroger’s Stir-Fry Starters that I turn to when making my family’s favorite Asian dishes. Each five-serving bag is a real deal at $2.99 and packed with sweet sugar snap peas that add so much flavor and texture. To avoid mushy veggies, I thaw and drain them in a colander before cooking.

7. Frozen Bread Dough

I can never resist freshly baked bread…as long as I’m not the one who has to make it. The exception is Kroger’s frozen, ready-to-bake bread ($7.99). I grab it in loaves or dinner rolls, then just thaw, proof, and bake. No measuring, no figuring out the science behind yeast, no artisan bakery prices. Soft and fluffy almost-homemade bread doesn’t get simpler than this.

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