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November 29, 2015

16 Freezable Slow Cooker Dinners (with instructions to make ahead, freeze, and then cook)

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I am the biggest fan of crockpot freezer meals. The idea is that you take a chunk of time and put together several meals, freeze them and then when you’re ready cook them. This is awesome for those days that you just don’t have time to make dinner or, if you’re like me, you just don’t feel like making dinner. Dumping the contents of a plastic bag into your crockpot takes hardly any energy at all. You may remember my 20 crockpot meals in less than 3 hours post and 8 healthy crockpot meals in one hour (and my newest one 7 meals in 55 minutes). This post is a little different but it allows you to pick out the recipes that sound the most appealing to you and your family. I hope this helps you get some great ideas and get dinner on the table.
16 Freezable Slow Cooker Dinners (with instructions to make ahead, freeze, and then cook)
Pin it for later!


1. Slow Cooker Taco Casserole

Taco Casserole in the slow cooker (freezer meal)

















































Ingredients you’ll need:

1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
2 Tbsp taco seasoning
1 (13.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10.5 oz) can rotel tomatoes
1 (14 oz) can black beans
1 cup frozen corn
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese
Toppings: tortilla chips, sour cream, cilantro, avocado



Freezing and cooking instructions
Follow instruction #1 here. And instead of putting everything in the slow cooker, place ingredients in a gallon size freezer zipper bag. When ready to cook, pour ingredients into slow cooker. If thawed, cook on low for 2-3 hours. If frozen, cook on low for 4-5 hours. Then follow instruction #3. 

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
Recipe for Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup #crockpot #slowcooker #chicken #soup

Ingredients you’ll need:
1 cup chicken broth
1 (15 oz) can black beans
1 (15 oz) can corn
1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 tsp cumin
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts 
1 (16 oz) can refried beans
Salt and pepper
Optional toppings: sour cream, chopped cilantro, sliced avocado, grated cheddar, tortilla or corn chips

Freezing and cooking instructions
Follow instruction #1 here, except add everything into gallon size freezer zipper bag. Freeze. When ready to cook pour ingredients into slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 6 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 8 hours. Then follow instructions #3-#5. 

3. Chicken Sloppy Joes
Easy sloppy joes made in the crockpot with CHICKEN! YUM!

Ingredients you’ll need:

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1 (15 oz) can sloppy joe sauce
8 buns

Freezing and cooking instructions:

Follow instructions #1 and #2 here except add everything into gallon size freezer zipper bag. Freeze. When ready to cook, pour ingredients into slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. If frozen, cook on low for 6-8 hours. Then follow instructions #3 (the second part) and #4.

4. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Slow cooker beef stew freezer meal

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 lb beef stew meat or 1 lb roast cut into small, bite-size pieces
2 carrots, finely chopped
2-3 potatoes, cubed
3 celery stalks, finely sliced
2 T dehydrated onion or 1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
2/3 cup water
1 (10 3/4 oz) can of tomato soup
2 T dry tapioca

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Add all ingredients except for potatoes to gallon size freezer zipper bag. Freezer. When ready to cook, pour ingredients into slow cooker. Cut up potatoes and add to the slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. 

5. French Onion Beef Stroganoff
Recipe for French Onion Beef Stroganoff. Caramelized onions, tender beef chunks and mushrooms served over egg noodles. All made in the slow cooker!

Ingredients you’ll need:

2 medium yellow onions
1 tsp sugar
1 lb mushrooms
2 lbs beef stew meat or 2 lbs of chuck roast
6 Tbsp Orrington Farms French Onion Soup Base
1 cup water
1 1/2 cups sour cream
1 Tbsp flour
Hot cooked egg noodles

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Follow the freezing instructions listed at the bottom of the recipe in this post.

6. Cheesy Chicken, Rice and Broccoli Casserole
cheesy casserole with broccoli, rice and chicken and it's made in the slow cooker

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 cup minute brown rice 
2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 oz frozen broccoli florets
Salt and pepper
2 cups extra sharp cheddar cheese

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Follow instructions #1-3 except add ingredients into a gallon freezer zipper bag instead of into the slow cooker. Freeze. When ready to cook dump contents of bag into slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 3-5 hours. Follow instructions #5 and #6.

7. Garlic Lime Chicken
Easy recipe for slow cooker garlic lime chicken...juicy, tender and flavorful all with just a handful of ingredients


Ingredients you’ll need:
2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or you can use 6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin removed)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced 
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 Tbsp minute tapioca



Freezing and cooking instructions:
Add all ingredients to freezer zipper bag. Freeze. When ready to cook dump contents of bag into the slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred up chicken and serve with rice.


8. Coconut Chicken Curry
Easy slow cooker recipe for coconut chicken curry--restaurant quality!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 small yellow onion
1 tsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp minced ginger root
1 Tbsp tomato paste
1 lb yellow potatoes (about 2 large potatoes)
1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 large carrot
1 red pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 (13.5 oz) full fat coconut milk
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1 Tbsp minute tapioca 
3 Tbsp red curry paste
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 Tbsp water
1 fresh lime, juiced
Salt and pepper
Hot cooked rice, for serving

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Follow instructions #1-3 here, except instead of adding everything into the slow cooker add it all into a gallon freezer zip bag. Also do not add the potatoes at this point, they don’t freeze well. When ready to cook, dump contents of bag into the slow cooker. Add in the potatoes. If thawed, cover and cook on low for about 6 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for about 8 hours. Then follow instructions #5-7. 

9. Korean BBQ
Make slow cooker korean bbq pork, chicken or beef for dinner tonight.  So easy and so delicious!

Ingredients you’ll need:

2 lbs meat (pork roast, chicken thighs, beef chuck roast, or you could even do ground chicken or lean ground beef)
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 1/2 tsp rice wine vinegar
1/2 tsp Asian sesame oil
1 1/2 tsp chili garlic sauce or sriracha
1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1/2 tsp black pepper

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Follow instructions #1 and #2 here. Except instead of adding ingredients to the slow cooker you’ll add them to a freezer zipper bag that is gallon size. Freeze. When ready to cook dump contents of bag into the slow cooker. Cover and cook according to directions in the recipe. If the contents are frozen, you’ll add 2 hours to the cooking time. Follow instruction #4. 

10. Green Salsa Chicken
Recipe for slow cooker green salsa chicken plus a video.  This recipe is so easy a kid can do it!

Ingredients you’ll need:

6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cup jarred tomatillo salsa
1 (13.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
Cornstarch

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Combine the chicken, salsa, and cream of chicken soup in a gallon size zipper freezer bag. Freeze. When ready to eat, pour contents of bag into the slow cooker. Follow instruction #2, 3 and 4.  If contents of bag are frozen add 2 hours to the cooking time.

11. Cream Cheese Chicken Sandwiches
slow cooker 4 ingredient cream cheese chicken sandwiches

Ingredients you’ll need:
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup chili sauce
1/4 cup apricot preserves/jam/spread
4 oz cream cheese
8 buns or rolls



Freezing and cooking instructions:
Add chicken, chili sauce, apricot preserves to gallon zipper freezer bag. Freeze. When ready to cook dump contents into the slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 2-4 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove chicken and shred. Cut up cream cheese into cubes and stir into the slow cooker. Stir chicken back in. Serve chicken on toasted buns or rolls.

12. Turkey Lentil Chili
Recipe for crockpot turkey lentil chili...protein and fiber packed.  Totally flavorful recipe!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 lb ground turkey
1 medium yellow onion
2 minced garlic cloves
2 Tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 cup dry green lentils
2 cups water
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 (4 oz) can diced green chiles
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp pepper
Cilantro and sour cream, optional

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Do instructions #1-3. Except instead of adding the ingredients to the slow cooker add them to a gallon freezer zipper bag. Freeze. When ready to cook pour contents into the bottom of the slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Do instruction #5. 

13. Pizza Soup
Slow Cooker Pizza Soup is a perfect way to make pizza at home.  It's so easy and tastes amazing!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 Tbsp dried onion flakes
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 tsp ground thyme
1/4 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried rosemary
1/4 tsp dried marjoram
1 Tbsp brown sugar
2 (14.5 oz) cans petite diced tomatoes
3 cups water
4 tsp chicken bouillon
2 (8 oz) cans tomato sauce
1/3 cup flour
5 oz mini pepperonis
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
Parsley, for garnish
Other options: ham, bacon, green peppers, olives, mushrooms, etc.

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Do instructions #1 and 2. Except put the ingredients into a freezer zipper bag instead of the slow cooker. Freezer. When ready to cook, dump contents of bag into the slow cooker. If thawed, cook on low for 4-6 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Do instructions #4 and 5.  

14. Chipotle Shredded Pork
Easy recipe for crockpot Chipotle Shredded Pork.  Great for salads, tacos, or sandwiches!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 Tbsp minced garlic
2 Tbsp chopped chipotles in adobo sauce
1 cup diced white onion
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
3 bay leaves
1 Tbsp dried oregano
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 Tbsp kosher salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cup water
2 1/2-3 lbs pork loin

Freezing and cooking instructions:

Do instructions #1 and 2. Except instead of adding ingredients to slow cooker add them to a gallon freezer zipper bag. Freeze. When ready to cook, dump contents into the bottom of a slow cooker. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Do instruction #4. 

15. Parmesan, Sausage and Kale Soup
Slow Cooker Parmesan, Sausage and Kale Soup like Kneaders soup except even better!

Ingredients you’ll need:

1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 small onion
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
1 celery rib
1 carrot
2 cups cubed red potatoes
1 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp ground thyme
1 Tbsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 cup butter
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup all purpose flour
2 cups milk
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
5 kale leaves

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Do instructions #1 and 2 except don’t add the potatoes yet and instead of adding ingredients to the slow cooker add them to a gallon zipper freezer bag. Freeze. When ready to cook, dump contents of bag into slow cooker. Add in the potatoes. If thawed, cover and cook on low for 4 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Do instructions #4, 5 and 6. 

16. Crockpot Roast
3-Envelope Crockpot Roast (without the envelopes) #easydinner #crockpotdinner

Ingredients you’ll need:

3 lbs chuck roast 
3 Tbsp ranch dressing mix
2 Tbsp gravy mix
2 Tbsp Italian dressing mix 
2 cups water

Freezing and cooking instructions:
Do instructions 1, 2 and 3. Except instead of putting the ingredients into the slow cooker put them into a freezer zipper plastic bag. Freeze. When ready to cook dump the contents of the plastic bag into the slow cooker. In thawed, cover and cook on low 8-12 hours. If frozen, cover and cook on low for 10-14 hours or on high for 6-8 hours. Do instructions #5 and 6. 

P.S. Check out my newest ebook how to make 7 different meals in 55 minutes! 

Check out my first e-book on how to make 20 meals in 3 hours. It’s only $3.99!
20 crockpot freezer meals made in 2 1/2 hours.  This is perfect for a busy parent.  Make 20 meals on a Saturday and have enough meals for every weekday of the month!

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13 Comments Filed Under: 6 or More Hours, All Recipes, Collections, Slow Cooker Tagged With: freezer meals, All Posts

Recommendations

Comments

  1. Karmen says

    January 6, 2018 at 7:00 pm

    Just looking through these great sounding recipes! Canโ€™t wait to try several of them.

    Reply
  2. Mary Kathleen says

    September 4, 2017 at 12:35 pm

    Your post states do instructions #1-6, but I found no actual instruction on any of you hyperlinks. can you explain each of these 6 instructions

    Reply
    • Karen says

      September 9, 2017 at 8:27 pm

      which specific recipe were you looking at?

      Reply
  3. Gina A. says

    January 21, 2017 at 9:44 am

    For the sloppy joe, do you cook the meat before or do you put it in the bag/freezer raw? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 23, 2017 at 10:25 pm

      you just put it in the bag raw!

      Reply
  4. Emily R. Smith says

    January 21, 2017 at 9:43 am

    These recipes look great! Most freeze-ahead slow cooker meals that Iโ€™ve found are really processed-food heavy (canned soups, ranch spice mixes), but these are not and they are interesting flavors! Canโ€™t wait to try them!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      January 23, 2017 at 10:26 pm

      Thanks, Emily!

      Reply
  5. Kristine Abat says

    December 2, 2015 at 11:32 am

    I love slow cooked meals, but often times running out of time to cook it the traditional slow cooked way, so I use a pressure cooker (it is the best for kitchens!) if I am in a hurry. I will try your suggestion to cook in large batches and freeze it, I never thought of that!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 2, 2015 at 5:04 pm

      Believe it or not I haven't used a pressure cooker before. BUt I'm tempted to buy one. They can speed up cooking so much. My friend Barbara writes a blog called Pressure Cooking Today…you should check it out.

      Reply
  6. Heather Kinnaird says

    December 1, 2015 at 3:49 pm

    this is exactly what I need at this busy time of year!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      December 2, 2015 at 5:02 pm

      Heather, I know. it's the best.

      Reply
  7. Unknown says

    November 29, 2015 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks for posting this. I'm going to make several of these and freeze them. When it's cold as cold as it is right now, I just want to read and not cook but want a good hot meal for dinner. These recipes are perfect for that!

    Reply
    • [email protected] says

      November 30, 2015 at 2:46 am

      I hear ya!

      Reply

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Welcome!

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Hi, I’m Karen. I know that dinner time can be less than relaxing. Busy schedules and cranky kids and a hundred other things can lead to weariness when it comes to putting dinner on the table. I can help! I make homemade, family-friendly slow cooker and Instant Pot dinners and share the recipes with you.

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