This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Mazola. All opinions are mine alone. #MakeItMazola #simpleswap #CollectiveBias

For this post, I am partnering with one of my favorite brands, whom I have worked with before, Mazola® Corn Oil. (See my Sheet Pan Chicken Taco recipe here.) I love the idea of using Mazola Corn Oil in these recipes to assure that no matter how you cook them, the oil will have a neutral flavor and cook well, since the smoke point for cooking Mazola Corn Oil is 450 degrees! A clinical study showed Mazola Corn Oil reduces cholesterol 2x more than extra virgin olive oil*, so keeping with this better-for-you option, I am sharing some great marinades on some lean meats with 3 food swaps for serving good for you meals!

*To learn more about this claim, see MAZOLA.com.

With the impending new baby coming in t-minus 4 weeks, I am getting ALL the freezer meals ready. I have some casseroles, soups, etc, all lined up for some good comfort foods, but I love the idea of having some lighter, flavor-filled freezer meals ready to just add to a side salad for a quick, easy meal to make life much more smooth post-baby.

These recipes are all really simple and can taste great cooked in a variety of ways. Grilling is always my number one choice, but they can all be sautéed, stir fried, baked, and even put into the slow cooker! It’s so nice to have something so versatile, especially just in the freezer for later use!

Instead of serving the tacos on flour tortillas, you can serve in corn tortillas, which is a better-for-you option that still allows you the joy of eating a taco! Another swap option is serving salad or roasted vegetables instead of rice or another starchy side with your meals. The marinaded meats are so flavorful, you won’t miss the carbs! The third swap was actually inside the recipes! I subbed honey anywhere sugar may usually be called for! This natural sweetener is a much better option.

The bonus swap is using Mazola Corn Oil in general. It’s an all-purpose cooking oil that is a smart, heart-healthy choice for your family. We love using it in our home! See below for the 5 Easy Freezer Meals you won’t want to miss out on!

SHRIMP TACOS

1 lb Shrimp (Peeled, deveined, tail-off)
1/4 c Mazola Corn Oil
Juice of 1 Lime
1/2 T Garlic Powder
1/4 T Salt
1/2 t Chili Powder
1/2 t Paprika
1/4 t Oregano
1/4 t Cumin

ITALIAN CHICKEN

1 lb Chicken (Boneless breast or thigh, chopped)
1/4 c Mazola Corn Oil
1 t Honey
1/2 t Salt
1/2 t Oregano
1/2 t Basil
1/2 t Onion Powder
1/2 T Garlic Powder
1/4 t Thyme
1/4 t Parsley
1/4 t Celery Salt
Splash of Vinegar (Around 1 tablespoon)

BEEF FAJITAS

1 lb Sirloin Steak Strips
1/8 c Mazola Corn Oil
1/8 c Soy Sauce
Juice of 1 Lime
1 T Honey
1/2 t Cumin
1/2 t Pepper
1/2 t Chili Powder
1/2 t Garlic Powder

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN

1 lb Chicken (Boneless breast or thigh, chopped)
1/4 c Mazola Corn Oil
Juice of 1 Lime
1/4 c Chopped Cilantro
1/2 t Onion Powder
1/2 t Garlic Powder
1/2 t Cumin
1/2 t Salt

ANCHO CHILE PORK

1 lb Pork Loin (Chopped into chunks)
1/8 c Mazola Corn Oil
1/8 c Orange Juice
Juice of 1 Lime
1/2 t Garlic Powder
1/2 t Ancho Chile Powder
1/4 t Red Chili Pepper Flakes

After mixing any of these marinades with the meat, I then remove the air from the bags, label them, and include a date. You can throw them in the freezer for up to 6 months! Just be sure to take them out overnight to thaw in your refrigerator and cook until meat is done to your typical liking. If you’re putting any of them in the crockpot, it can be done from frozen!

I hope these freezer meals really help you out. I love having them handy and know it will come in so useful over the next few months! Be sure to stop by your favorite store to pick up Mazola Corn Oil & the other simple ingredients to make these marinades. Let me know what you think about freezer meals in the comments below!