Podcast Summary: Simple Farmhouse Life – Episode 290: Simple Meal Systems & Batch Freezer Cooking in Busy Seasons | Jamerrill Stewart of Large Family Table

Release Date: May 20, 2025 | Host: Lisa Bass

Introduction

In Episode 290 of the Simple Farmhouse Life podcast, host Lisa Bass welcomes Jamerrill Stewart, the founder of Large Family Table. As a seasoned mom of nine and a successful online entrepreneur, Jamerrill shares her expertise on creating effective meal systems and leveraging batch freezer cooking to manage busy family seasons seamlessly.

Guest Introduction

Jamerrill Stewart introduces herself as a dedicated mother of nine, an entrepreneur, and a content creator with over a decade of experience in blogging and YouTube. She has amassed over 100 million views by sharing her large batch cooking techniques and meal prep strategies tailored for big families and various community settings.

“My main YouTube channel is Jamerrill Stewart, and my blog is largefamilytable.com.” (06:22)

The Importance of Freezer Meals & Systems

Jamerrill emphasizes the necessity of developing robust meal systems to handle unexpected events and hectic seasons, such as sports commitments.

“Whenever you have some kind of basics in your freezer, it's going to help you when the unexpected happens or it's sports season.” (04:37)

She explains how having a well-stocked freezer acts as a safety net, enabling families to maintain healthy eating habits even during the most chaotic times.

Strategies for Effective Meal Prep

Bulk Cooking and Storage
Jamerrill details her method of cooking large quantities of proteins, such as ground beef and chicken, and storing them in the freezer for monthly use.

“I would cook all of my meat for the month... So I'd have all my shredded chicken for the month and then I would have all of that broth also.” (08:08)

Adjusting Portions for Family Size
She shares insights on customizing meal packs based on family size, allowing flexibility for smaller or larger households.

“I have group homes that have purchased them... I have 24 or 25 of those now.” (07:56)

Budget Shopping and Grocery Planning

Jamerrill discusses her approach to budget-friendly shopping by utilizing bulk stores like Sharp Shopper to maximize savings.

“Shop at Sharp Shopper... they'll have the big bulk bags and Bob's Red Mill products.” (08:30)

She recounts her early days managing a tight grocery budget of $250 to $350 per month by strategically shopping and meal planning.

Transition to Larger Batch Cooking

Starting as a single mom, Jamerrill navigated the challenges of feeding a large family by adopting structured meal planning and bulk cooking methods. This transition was pivotal in ensuring her family's nutritional needs were consistently met without the daily stress of meal preparation.

Tools and Kitchen Setup

Refrigeration Solutions
Jamerrill highlights the importance of having ample fridge and freezer space, sharing her experience with multiple refrigerators to accommodate her large family's needs.

“We have a large fridge, which I love because we run out of fridge space all the time.” (25:00)

Efficient Kitchen Appliances
She praises the benefits of having high-capacity appliances like an eight-burner gas stove and dual ovens, which facilitate large-scale cooking projects efficiently.

“I have a 60-inch gas stove... it's been good to us.” (27:13)

Managing Leftovers and Family Preferences

Jamerrill adopts a buffet-style approach to meals, allowing family members to select their preferred components, thereby catering to diverse tastes and minimizing food waste.

“We have parts of meatloaf and unstuffed pepper casserole... some got just meatloaf and ketchup.” (17:28)

This method empowers even teenagers to customize their meals, fostering independence and satisfaction.

Handling Busy Seasons

During peak periods like sports seasons, Jamerrill leverages slow cookers and pre-prepped freezer meals to ensure dinner is ready without additional stress.

“I started to make sure I had dinner in the slow cooker in the morning.” (03:20)

This proactive approach prevents meal-time chaos and ensures the family remains well-fed amidst a hectic schedule.

Family Involvement in Meal Prep

Engaging older children in the meal preparation process is a cornerstone of Jamerrill's strategy. She assigns tasks like wrapping freezer meals, which not only distributes the workload but also teaches valuable life skills.

“One of my young adults was directed to just put that [gravy] in the slow cooker... they ended up doing sheet pan eggs and someone made four dozen biscuits.” (13:35)

Canning and Food Preservation

Jamerrill advocates for canning as a reliable method for preserving food, citing how it supplements her meal prep system by providing shelf-stable protein options.

“I've done broth, ground beef canning... I used the National Center of Food Preservation for safety guidelines.” (54:18)

She emphasizes following safety protocols to ensure the longevity and safety of canned goods.

Time Efficiency Tips

To maximize efficiency, Jamerrill recommends breaking down meal prep into manageable steps, such as prepping ingredients the day before and assembling meals in the afternoon.

“With the big batch freezer meal guides, I might do the prep guide the day before and then do meal assembly the next day.” (59:01)

This structured approach minimizes daily cooking time and streamlines the meal preparation process.

Managing Freezer Inventory

Jamerrill discusses the importance of organization and regular inventory checks to prevent forgotten meals from spoiling and to ensure easy access for family members.

“They are used to having that base. Someone asked me something similar the other day and my goodness, I just feel like so many things have worked out well.” (55:49)

She underscores the role of family awareness in maintaining an efficient freezer system.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways

Jamerrill Stewart's insights into large batch cooking and batch freezer systems offer invaluable strategies for managing large families or any household looking to streamline meal preparation. Her emphasis on planning, budgeting, and involving family members creates a sustainable and efficient kitchen environment.

“Just a little bit of preparedness can save you from, you know, just expensive, unhealthy takeout.” (60:02)

Listeners are encouraged to explore Jamerrill’s resources on her YouTube channel and website, largefamilytable.com, to implement these strategies in their own homes.

Resources Mentioned:

• Jamerrill Stewart’s YouTube Channel: Aamerrill Stewart
• Website: largefamilytable.com

This summary encapsulates the core discussions from Episode 290, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of effective meal systems and batch freezer cooking techniques shared by Jamerrill Stewart.