Can i freeze a chilli con carne that has lentils in it?

WantToBeSE

I am new to batch cooking/freezing meals.
Tonight i am planning to make a big pan of chilli, and want to bag up half to freeze for another day.
To bulk it out, i will be using red lentils as well as the kidney beans.
Is it still OK to freeze it? And do i just pour it into a freezer bag and pop it in the freezer?

SpikyHedgehog

Freezing lentils is no problem!

I find if I can pour stuff into a tub to freeze, then put into the bag, it's easier when I put it out of the bag as I don't loose bits to the corners, but bags work fine too.

sassyblue

I would have thought so. I've never known a warning not to freeze lentils?

WantToBeSE

Great, thanks guys. I dont know why i was so worried really...just new to it all i guess.

My freezer is small (only 3 drawers) so i find bags easier as they tale up less room.

WantToBeSE

Can i also freeze the rice, or is that not freezable?

sassyblue

I would say it is too, but be careful when recooking, it can cause food poisoning if not reheated thoroughly.

Being really anal, if you want the rice frozen without sticking together in great big lumps, spread it out thinly over a tray and freeze it like that, first then tip into bags.

Linda32

You can freeze the chili, no problems at all there. Same with any other mince based meal (and pretty much everything else as well).

As for the rice, for every answer you get saying "its fine I do it all the while", you will get another saying "No :eek: don't, rice is very suspect etc" :rotfl:

I'm of the No :eek: don't brigade. Its best to cook a fresh batch of rice to go with the chili as you need it.

WantToBeSE

Thanks, i decided not to bother freezing rice, as it only takes 10mins to make some anyway