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The best dishes to make with frozen meat

Dutch ovens are ideal for braising meat.
(Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times)
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Here are the cuts of poultry and meat that are ideal for freezing and the best ways to use them:

Chicken

Best cuts to freeze: bone-in, skin-on thighs; whole chicken legs
Best techniques: braising; stewing

Chicken Thighs Braised in Spring Onion Salsa Verde

Time 1 hour
Yields Serves 4 to 6

Brine-Braised Chicken Thighs With Kale and Avocado

Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Yields Serves 4
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Tuscan chicken stew

Time 1 hour
Yields Serves 4

South Indian-style chicken curry (dakshin murgh)

Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Yields Serves 4

Duck

Best cut to freeze: bone-in, skin-on legs
Best techniques: braising; stewing; confit

Duck rillettes

Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Yields Makes about 2 cups
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Thai red curry duck with pumpkin

Time 2 hours
Yields Serves 4

Fabiolus Cafe duck ragu

Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Yields Serves 6 to 8

Duck tacos

Time 2 hours
Yields Serves 4 to 6
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Beef and veal

Best cuts to freeze: ground meat (80/20); short ribs; chuck; shank; shoulder blade; brisket; rump roast; cheeks; oxtails; veal shanks
Best techniques: braising; stewing; meatballs

Monday meatballs

Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Yields Serves 6

Beef daube

Time 5 hours
Yields Serves 6 to 8

Coffee'd brisket

Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Yields Serves 8 to 10

Osso buco from Mi Piace Restaurant

Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Yields Serves 6

Pork

Best cuts to freeze: ground meat (75/25); bone-in shoulder (Boston butt); belly
Best techniques: braising; stewing; slow-roasting; dumpling filling

Pork dumplings

Time 2 hours
Yields Makes 80 dumplings
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Badmaash Goan Pork Curry

Time About 4 hours plus marinating time
Yields Serves 10 to 12

Lamb

Best cuts to freeze: ground (70/30); shoulder (whole and thick chops); shanks
Best techniques: braising; stewing; meatballs or patties

Mongolian lamb patties

Time 55 minutes
Yields Serves 4 to 6 (makes 16 patties)

Pomegranate braised lamb

Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Yields Serves 6 to 8

Spoon lamb

Time 2 hours 45 minutes
Yields Serves 4

Pizzeria Ortica's lamb ragu

Time 2 hours
Yields Serves 12 to 16
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