A freezer meal that’s made in the slow cooker? Could it even get any easier? This is perfect for those busy days when you literally have one minute to make dinner. That’s all it takes and then you can get everything else done that you need to and still have a hot dinner for your family. Oh, and did I mention it doesn’t even have a can of cream of ________ in it! Nice work, if I do say so myself.
Makes 4 servings
Ideal slow cooker size: 3 quart
1 lb stew meat
1 small onion, diced
2 tsp beef bouillon granules (1 tsp shirley j)
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/8 tsp ground red pepper
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp ketchup
3 Tbsp flour
1 cup water
6 oz sliced mushrooms
1 cup plain yogurt or sour cream, at room temperature
2 Tbsp flour
1. Combine stew meat (make your own), onion, bouillon, nutmeg, basil, peppers, Worcestershire, ketchup and 3 Tbsp flour in a Hefty freezer sliding bag. Label the bag as “beef stroganoff freezer meal” so you know what you have! Freeze until ready to use (you may want to double the recipe and make a couple dinners at the same time). Make sure to freeze into a shape that will fit inside your slow cooker!!
2. When you’re ready to use the freezer meal, unzip the bag and place contents inside slow cooker.
3. Add in one cup water and sliced mushrooms (if you like the mushrooms cooked for a long time add them now. If you like them more crisp, add towards the end of the cooking time).
4. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for about 8 hours (some slow cookers will take longer and some will be done before 8 hours). The beef should be really tender…if it’s not, it’s not done yet.
5. Stir it up a bit to break up the meat. Stir the 2 Tbsp flour in with the yogurt. Make sure the yogurt is at room temperature, if not it may separate and curdle. Add into the slow cooker and stir a bit. Let it cook, without the lid, on HIGH for about 10-15 minutes.
6. Ladle sauce, mushrooms and beef over hot cooked egg noodles.
Review:
The beef was tender, the sauce was creamy. There was just a little kick to it with the red pepper. I appreciated the flavor from the Worcestershire and ketchup…just a little bit went a long way. My husband ate a huge ol’ plate of this. 3 1/2 stars.
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Can I freeze left overs for another time even though it has sour cream in it?
I bet it would be okay to freeze Brenda!
I have found a new idea for low carb potato replacement. It is radishes! I boil the radishes and they taste just like potatoes. I have made potato salad with these and it is great. I have also put my boiled radishes in the freezer and when I want fried potatoes, I slice the thawed radishes and fry them in a skillet. Just wanted to share.
Wow that is a great tip. Thanks for sharing. I must try this soon!
I've heard you should never put frozen meat in a crock pot. Since the crock pot heats up so slowly the meat is in a "danger temperature zone" for too which can cause bacteria to grow. Thoughts?
I have heard the same thing. I do it anyway. Especially when it's smaller cuts of meat and not just a big chunk of meat. If you're uncomfortable with the idea you could always bring the freezer meal out of the freezer the day before and let it thaw in the fridge!
Kristenmakes, probably about 6 hours on low…or until beef gets tender!
This sounds great! But if not from pre-made and frozen, how long would the cooking time be?
We've made the stronganoff a couple of times now and the family likes it. We add 1/4 lb ground beef (more for flavor), 8 oz sliced mushrooms and 1 small sliced onion. Great quick dinner.
Leslie Easterbrook.