Yellow Curry Meatballs Freezer Meal Recipe

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Imagine tender, flavorful meatballs bathed in a creamy and aromatic yellow curry sauce. It's a comforting combination that will transport your taste buds!
Gluten Free

If you’re on the hunt for a scrumptious and convenient freezer meal that’s perfect for those busy days, you’ve come to the right place. Today, I’m thrilled to share with you my Yellow Curry Meatball Freezer Meal Recipe, a true lifesaver when it comes to make-ahead meals.

Life can get hectic, and we all have those moments when time seems to slip through our fingers. That’s where this freezer-friendly delight swoops into the rescue. Flavorful meatballs bathed in a creamy and aromatic yellow curry sauce. It’s a comforting and exotic combination that will transport your taste buds to culinary heaven.

What makes this recipe truly remarkable is how convenient it is for your life. You can prep a big batch of these delectable meatballs, whip up the luscious yellow curry sauce, and then stash them away in your freezer. That’s right – your future self will thank you! When those busy evenings roll around, all you have to do is thaw, cook, and serve. It’s like having your own personal chef on standby.

An added bonus about this recipe is that the skills needed to prep this recipe is very minimal. A beginner at home chef can make this recipe into the delicious treat that it is. This recipe is easy to prep and requires ingredients that are usually readily available. It’s a flavorful, time-saving, and downright delicious solution to your mealtime dilemmas. So, let’s dive into the recipe and discover how to make your life a little bit easier.

Why you’ll love this Delicious and Easy Yellow Curry Meatball Recipe

  • Quick and Easy Prep
  • Make Ahead Convenience
  • Freezer-Friendly
  • Family-Friendly 
  • Versatile Dish
  • Nutritious Ingredients
Yellow Curry Meatballs Freezer Meal Recipe
Hannah Stewart
Imagine tender, flavorful meatballs bathed in a creamy and aromatic yellow curry sauce. It's a comforting combination that will transport your taste buds!
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Thai
Servings 4 Adults
Calories 839 kcal
Equipment
  • 1 Slow Cooker
  • 1 Baking sheet with lip
  • Parchment Paper
  • 1 High speed blender/food processor
Ingredients
 
 
Meatballs:
  • 3 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup onion diced
  • 1 cup pear (You can also use apples)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
Curry Sauce: Blend together
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
  • 14 oz full-fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice juice of one lemon
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
Supplies for freezing:
  • 1 gallon freezer bag
Instructions
 
Freezer Prep directions:
  • Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Mix meatball ingredients together by hand and form into golf ball sized meatballs.
  • Set meatballs onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
  • Cook in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
  • Blend all curry sauce ingredients in high speed blender or food processor.
  • When meatballs are finished cooking remove from oven and let cool.
  • Once cool place meatballs and curry sauce into labeled gallon freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.
Slow Cooker Directions:
  • Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
  • Dump the contents of freezer bag into slow cooker.
  • Cook on low 1-2 hours.
  • Stir, serve as is or over basmati rice, and enjoy!
Instant Pot Directions
  1. Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, plus 1/2 cup water.
  2. Set to High Pressure for 8 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release. 
  3. Stir, serve as is or over basmati rice, and enjoy!
Dietary Adjustments
Make it Gluten-Free:
  • This recipe is naturally gluten-free.
 
 
Make it Dairy-Free:
  • This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Nutrition

Calories: 839kcalCarbohydrates: 64gProtein: 31gFat: 53gSaturated Fat: 42gCholesterol: 107mgSodium: 322mgPotassium: 1115mgFiber: 17gSugar: 20gCalcium: 199mgIron: 23mg
Keyword freezer meals, frozen meatballs, Slow cooker meatballs, Yellow Curry Meatballs
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Equipment Needed to Make Delicious Yellow Curry Meatballs

  • 1 Slow cooker
  • 1 Baking sheet with lip
  • 1 Gallon freezer bag
  • Parchment paper
  • 1 High speed blender/food processor

Ingredients for your Yellow Curry Meatballs Freezer Meal Recipe

  • 3 lb Ground beef
  • 1 cup Onion, diced
  • 1 cup Pear, diced (You can also use apples)
  • 1 Egg
  • 2 tbsp Curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • Curry Sauce: Blend together
  • 1 tsp Garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp Curry powder
  • 6 oz can Tomato paste
  • 1/4 tsp Ground turmeric
  • 14 oz Full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 2 tbsp Lemon juice juice of one lemon
  • 1/2 tsp Sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper

How to make a Yellow Curry Meatballs

Prep/freezer directions:

  1. Label Freezer bag with Recipe name, cooking from freezer directions and expiration date (todays date plus three months).
  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  3. Mix meatball ingredients together by hand and form into golf ball sized meatballs.
  4. Set meatballs onto baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
  5. Cook in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
  6. Blend all curry sauce ingredients in high speed blender or food processor.
  7. When meatballs are finished cooking remove from oven and let cool.
  8. Once cool place meatballs and curry sauce into labeled gallon freezer bag and freeze for up to three months.

Cooking directions:

  1. Thaw overnight in fridge or in the morning in water (meal may not be 100% thawed but that is ok).
  2. Dump the contents of freezer bag into slow cooker.
  3. Cook on low 1-2 hours.
  4. Serve as is or over basmati rice (cauliflower rice if paleo) and enjoy!

What to serve with your Flavorful Make-Ahead Meatball Curry for Busy Days!

Sides:

Desserts:

Mocktails:

Popular Substitutions and Additions

Substitutions:

  • Ground Meat Variations: Instead of using ground beef, you can substitute it with ground chicken, ground turkey, or a plant-based ground meat alternative for a different flavor profile and dietary preference.
  • Onion Alternatives: If you prefer a milder onion flavor or want to change things up, you can substitute diced onions with diced leeks or shallots, which can provide a slightly different aromatic dimension to the meatballs.
  • Fruit Variation: While pear adds a unique sweetness, you can experiment with other fruits like apple or pineapple to alter the fruitiness of the meatballs. Diced apples, for instance, can add a pleasant tartness to balance the curry.

Additions:

  • Fresh Herbs: Consider adding fresh herbs like cilantro or Thai basil to the meatball mixture for a burst of freshness and an extra layer of flavor. Chopped herbs can enhance the overall taste and provide a bright contrast to the richness of the curry.
  • Chopped Nuts: To introduce a delightful crunch and a touch of nuttiness, add finely chopped nuts like cashews or almonds to the meatball mixture. This addition can elevate both the texture and flavor profile of the meatballs.
  • Chili Heat: If you prefer some heat in your curry, you can include finely chopped chili peppers or red pepper flakes to the meatball mixture. Adjust the amount to your desired level of spiciness to add an extra kick to your curry meatballs.

These substitutions and additions offer creative ways to customize your Yellow Curry Meatballs, making them suitable for various tastes and dietary preferences while maintaining their freezer-friendly nature. Enjoy experimenting with these variations!

How to Reheat and Store Yellow Curry Meatballs after cooking

Best way to store Time-Saving Yellow Curry Meatball Leftovers?

To ensure your Yellow Curry Meatballs leftovers remain fresh and safe for consumption, it’s essential to follow these recommended storage practices. Allow your Curry Meatballs to cool down to room temperature before transferring it to the refrigerator or freezer.

If your plan is to enjoy the leftovers within a few days, opt for an airtight container in the fridge, making sure to seal it tightly to prevent moisture loss and the absorption of unwanted odors from neighboring foods. Don’t overlook the importance of labeling the container with the date of preparation for easy tracking.

However, if you intend to store your meal for an extended period, consider using a freezer bag instead. Remove excess air from the bag, and remember to label it to help you monitor freshness when it’s time to reheat your leftovers.

How long will Yellow Curry Meatballs last in the fridge?

While properly allowing your Curry Meatballs to cool, and using the correct storage containers will ensure that your leftovers remain fresh and quality. With proper cooling and storage, you should expect that your leftovers will remain fresh for 4-5 days. Always check for spoiled food before reheating, regardless of how long it has been in the fridge.

Can I freeze Healthy Yellow Curry Meatballs after cooking?

Here’s a comprehensive guide for freezing your leftover Curry Meatballs. Begin by ensuring that the dish has cooled down completely to room temperature. Once it has cooled, take a resealable freezer bag and gently place your leftovers inside.

To make reheating a breeze later on, consider portioning the leftovers into smaller serving sizes. When sealing the bag, be meticulous about removing any excess air to prevent freezer burn. It’s vital to store the bag in the coldest part of your freezer to maintain a consistently low temperature. Also, be cautious not to stack heavy items on top to prevent any potential crushing. 

If you are planning to make this recipe into a raw freezer meal, follow the steps in the recipe above, ensuring proper cooking of meatballs, in order to hold their shape in the freezer.

How to Reheat Make-Ahead Thai Yellow Curry Meatballs?

Resurrecting the delightful flavors of your Yellow Curry Meatballs can turn it into a satisfying meal once again. You have several techniques at your disposal to reheat your Meatball leftovers:

  • Microwave: Place your Yellow Curry meatballs in a microwave-safe container with a lid or microwave-safe cover. Use medium heat to prevent overheating. Stir the Yellow Curry Meatballs  periodically to ensure even heating. Continue microwaving in short bursts until it reaches your desired temperature.
  • Stovetop: For larger portions, consider using the stovetop to reheat your Yellow Curry Meatballs. Utilize a non-stick skillet or pan over medium-low heat. Add a small amount of oil or broth to prevent sticking and maintain moisture. Place the Meatballs in the pan, covering it with a lid. Stir occasionally to distribute heat evenly and prevent sticking. Reheat the Yellow Curry Meatballs  until it achieves your preferred temperature.

Delicious and Easy Yellow Curry Meatball Freezer Meal Recipe FAQs

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