Use this freezer inventory printable to keep track of what’s in the freezer. Save money by stocking up on meat and produce without any waste.
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Having a big chest freezer is really handy. You can stock up on meat and other foods you can freeze when they’re on sale. It’s easy for it to get messy, though. Pretty soon, you have no idea what’s in there. This freezer inventory printable is the perfect solution.
Advantages of a chest freezer
My in-laws bought us a chest freezer for Christmas one year. It’s been a lifesaver and probably saved us thousands of dollars on groceries over the past five years.
I have been able to stock up on chicken breasts and ground beef at the grocery store when it’s marked down on a manager’s special. We also have relatives who are ranchers and we have taken advantage of opportunities to get a lot of meat from them that we probably wouldn’t have otherwise. I can stock up on other foods we eat often, like frozen corn so that I don’t run out.
All of these things have added up to big savings on my grocery budget. I know I can stock up when things are on sale and then can be even thriftier between those times. This is one of the biggest things I do to keep my grocery budget low.
What isn’t helpful is when I think we have chicken, but there’s none when I go to get some out of the freezer. Or I buy fresh bell peppers on sale to chop and freeze, then find a bag already in there.
Freezer inventory organizing
I love organizing, but somehow this is an area that I’ve never tackled until now.
The chest freezer is out in the garage, so it’s really inconvenient to go out and check for things while making my weekly grocery shopping list. I spend my time running back and forth when I could just pull up a list, so I made one.
My chest freezer is used for meat and larger packages. The smaller freezer attached to my refrigerator holds everything else – frozen vegetables, fruit, ice cream, pizza, etc.
I made this freezer inventory printable and listed everything I have out in the chest freezer. I put it on the refrigerator in my kitchen so that I know exactly what I have. As a bonus, I also can see the dates and plan to use the older meats first.
Freezer organizing tips
Organize meat by type
Keep beef, chicken, pork, game, etc. with items of the same kind. This will help you know at a glance what you have the most of and what needs restocking.
Keep meat and produce separately.
Create a section for each type of food. This will help you know what you have lots of and what to keep an eye out for stocking up. This freezer organizing guide has more tips on creating space.
Wrap foods thoroughly
Use several layers of plastic wrap and/or zip bags to store foods long-term. This will help to avoid freezer burn; sometimes the store packaging is enough, but often it isn’t.
Label everything
Write on every package to label everything with what it is and when it was purchased. These labels are cute.
First in first out
Even frozen foods lose their quality and flavor. Use the older foods first so that nothing gets thrown out because it expired. Here’s how long everything lasts. Stocking up when something is on sale is great, but only if you’ll use it.
Make a list
Keep a freezer inventory to track everything. I keep mine in the meal planning section of my household binder so I can see it at a glance.
Get the printable
The freezer inventory printable fits on regular 8.5×11-inch paper, but can be resized to print smaller if desired. This version has been updated to match the rest of my printable planner inserts.
There are 2 ways to get this printable:
- Pick your price and download just this item using the form below. (Type 0 to download for free. Suggested $2-5 supports OMDD!) Enter your email address to get instant access and also have it sent to your inbox.
- Join The Printables Library for a one-time fee that gives you access to all current and future printables! If you’re already a member, you can find this file there now.
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Check out some other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
This is incredibly clever! I end up doing an inventory like once a week when menu planning. It would be so much simpler to have a master list!
Thank you!!
Glad you like it! I’m terrible about assuming I have something when I don’t.
love it, makes meal planning so much easier
Thanks!
Great idea, thanks
You’re welcome!
These are perfect for what I need! Thank you for sharing 🙂
I’m glad I could be of help.
This is a great idea! I plan to laminate mine, hang on the freezer door then write the items with an Expo marker. That way, I can update as we use things. Thanks!
Thanks, Amy!
Do you happen to have a spices list? I really like the style of these lists.
I haven’t made a spices list yet, but that’s a great idea! I’ll try to put one together this month.
do you have the orginal version available?
Hi Rikki! I’ve just added both of the originals back to the post at the end. Thanks for asking!
I kind of laughed at this. I can so relate. My husband bought a chest freezer for us years ago. We still have it. But it does have a down-side. When I clean it out, I literally have to get over in there to deep clean. This freezer inventory will help me tremendously. My son said, “Mom, no more chicken!” I had no idea we had 15 bags. Also No more cookie dough… 8.He is the one who usually puts things in the deep freeze, as we call it. when I was growing up, we had an upright freezer. It was very convenient. The older I get, I think I would rather go back to that. So thanks for your ideas. Love it.
Thanks, Gail! It’s so handy to have extra when the store is out of something, but easy to overstock too.