Slow Cooker Freezer Meals come in all shapes and sizes, but one thing’s for sure: they can save you time and effort when it comes to getting a hot meal on the table.
Everyone knows that having a few extra meals in the freezer can save your bacon during a busy season. And it’s pretty common knowledge that the slow cooker can pinch hit for the home cook when things get crazy.
So can the two, freezer meals and slow cooking, play well together?
Yes and no. But mostly yes.
There’s a lot of misinformation on the internet about what tastes good as a freezer meal as well as what tastes good in the slow cooker. If you’re not careful, you could end up with what my cookbook editor refers to as “scientific lab specimens encased in formaldehyde”.
You know those dump dinners I’m talking about. The ones that look good on Pinterest, but don’t actually taste good once you’ve spent time and money to assemble?
Yeah, we’re going to avoid those.
Different Kinds of Freezer Meals for the Slow Cooker
Instead, let’s look at what tastes great before and after freezing, as well as after slow cooking.
There are several approaches to making slow cooker freezer meals. Today I want to unpack three different styles. Choose what fits best for your needs, knowing that the taste and texture will hold up under freezing as well as slow cooking.
Slow Cooker Freezer Meals that are Cooked and Ready to Eat
The easiest and most problem free are cooked and ready to eat freezer meals that were prepped in the slow cooker. These can include almost anything you can cook in the slow cooker.
Simply prepare the recipe, divide into labeled, meal-size containers, chill completely, and freeze.
The advantages are numerous for this type of freezer meal:
- The food is already prepped and ready to reheat and eat.
- The cooking process is simple since the dish cooks in the slow cooker.
I particularly like these style of freezer meals. I can start the slow cookers at the beginning of a freezer cooking session and do other things while my Crock-pots take care of the dishes without much extra work from me.
Prep and freeze any variety of the following in your slow cooker:
- sauces
- soups
- stews
- chilis
- cooked proteins
- cooked grains
- hot sandwiches
Slow Cooker Freezer Meals that will Cook Later
Freezer meals that are assembled and then cooked in the slow cooker are handy, but since freezing and slow cooking require certain preparation for ingredients, you need to be a little choosy as to what recipes you prepare this way.
Billed as “dump meals” or “dump dinners,” these type of meals often skip the caramelization step of onions and meats that can add flavor. Additionally, they often require uncooked meats and veggies to sit in frozen liquid/ice which isn’t always the best for its post-freezing taste and texture.
My recommendations for this type of meal are limited to those recipes that don’t require a sauté step, usually those that are more akin to marinades, like my Sweet and Sour Pulled Chicken Sandwiches Filling, pictured. That dish actually can be frozen before or after slow cooking, giving you lots of flexibility.
Also, something like a meatloaf that can be assembled and frozen uncooked. Then thaw, place on a foil sling to move in and out of the pot easily, and cook in the slow cooker for 2-3 hours on low.
You can do this for things such as chili in which you’re going to combine beans, spices, and cooked meats—but I find that if I’m going to use canned beans anyway, I’d rather not take up valuable freezer space for something that could be easily stored in the pantry. Simply add them at cooking time.
Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Kits that Can Be Assembled Later
There are some slow cooker meals that you can make in part, freeze as a kit, and then assemble later. They will still cook in the slow cooker, but their method of freezing is more as components than a complete meal.
Freezer meal slow cooker kits are ideal for recipes that call for sautéed onions or dishes like Crockpot Enchiladas that need assembly in the slow cooker.
Personally, I think that sautéed onions and other vegetables help the end product taste better and searing meat prior to slow cooking does make a difference, so I don’t mind this extra step. But, as I mentioned, do what fits your preferences.
21 Best Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
Below you’ll find some favorite Good Cheap Eats that can be made in the slow cooker, either before or after freezing. Please read the notes carefully as they provide helpful tips for the best results.
And please be sure to follow the USDA recommendations for Slow Cookers and Food Safety, which includes thawing food properly before adding it to the slow cooker.
Get your slow cooker to make dinner for you; this Cumin Pork Loin Roast Recipe is just the thing. With hints of lime and cumin, it’s delicious and easy to prep. To make this a freezer meal: You can cook and package the pork loin to enjoy later or prepare a kit. To prepare a kit: Combine the spices in a small bag, slice the lime and bag, chop the onion and bag. Collect all three bags with the pork loin and store in the freezer. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. This White Bean Chicken Chili, redolent with spices and bursting with chicken and white beans, comes together quickly in 30 minutes or less for an easy, delicious dinner. To make this a freezer meal: You can cook and package the chili to enjoy later or prepare a kit. To prepare a kit: Sauté the onion, chiles, and spices. Cool and package. Package the cooked chicken. Package the cheese. Store the three components in a larger bag and assemble with beans and broth when ready to cook. Skip the bottled pasta sauce. You can make your own marinara sauce, simple enough for everyday, yet tasty enough for all your favorite dishes. To freeze: Divide the sauce into meal-sized portions, chill completely, and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. To serve, thaw and reheat. A classic Irish Stew is simple and flavorful. It comes together easily with hearty chunks of meat, potatoes, and carrots. And it brings ultimate comfort. To freeze: Cool the stew completely. Wrap, label, and freeze in an airtight container. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving or prepare a kit. To prepare a kit: Cut the beef cubes and place in a bag. Chop the onion and bag. Place the flour in a bag. Store the bags together in the freezer. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. You can truly set it and forget it when you cook a pot roast in the slow cooker. A quick assembly in the morning allows you to enjoy a great dinner at night. To freeze: Slice or shred the roast and put in a freezer bag to reheat and use later. Perfect for sandwiches or with your favorite sides. Crockpot Enchiladas are packed with flavor and make for easy prep. Let the slow cooker do all the work so you can enjoy a fantastic dinner. To make this a freezer meal: Cook and divide into portions in meal prep continaers for you or your family to grab for a quick lunch or dinner or prepare a kit. To prepare a kit: Prepare the shredded chicken beforehand and store it in the freezer alongside a container of Homemade Enchilada Sauce, a package of corn tortillas, and a bag of shredded cheese. Then on the day before serving, yank those items from the freezer and thaw. Assemble when ready to cook. This easy Chihuahua Beer Chili comes together quickly on the stove or in a slow cooker. Flavorful from enchilada sauce, beer, and spices, it is the perfect bowl of red. To make this a freezer meal: Cook up big batches and freeze the chili in single- or family-size containers. It's great over hot dogs, wrapped in burritos, or spooned atop fries. To prepare a kit: Saute onion, cool, and place in a bag, brown ground beef and bag. Store the bags of components together in the freezer. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. This Bean and Rice Soup comes together in minutes. Packed with flavor it’s a great way to use up leftovers, eat well, and save money! To make this a freezer meal: Cook, cool, and divide into freezer-safe containers of either individual or family size portions. To prepare a kit: Package cooked chicken and rice in separate freezer bags and freeze. Remove from freezer the day before and assemble in slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. This Salsa Verde Beef recipe is one of the simplest, yet it packs a ton of flavor. It cooks up in the slow cooker or the instant pot, making for the easiest of meals. To freeze: Make a double batch, cool and freeze in freezer-safe contianers, and you'll be ready to enjoy two rocking taco nights someday in the future. Reminiscent of canned bean with bacon soup — without the bacon or the can! — this Smoky Bean Soup is an economical and filling, without much fuss. To make this a freezer meal: Divide the soup into meal-size containers. Chill and freeze for up to two months. To prepare a kit: Saute onion, carrots, and celery, cool, and put in a freezer bag. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. Taco Soup is an easy-to-prepare dish, so easy even a 5-year old can do it. And it tastes great, especially when you make it without the packets of junky mixes. To make this a freezer meal: Allow it to cool and then place in airtight containers. You can freeze this soup for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, just thaw overnight in your refrigerator. You can reheat on the stovetop or in your microwave. To prepare a kit: Brown ground beef, cool, and put in a freezer bag. Combine the spices in a small bag. Collect both bags and store in the freezer. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. Sloppy Joes from scratch are a quick and easy dinner that won’t break the budget. In fact, you can very easily — and economically — make this savory meat mixture to serve a crowd. No cans or mixes required. To make this a freezer meal: Place the meat mixture in an airtight container. Chill completely before storing in the freezer. Thaw and reheat to serve. To prepare a kit: Brown ground beef and onion and put in a freezer bag. Combine the spices in a small bag. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. Love the Pork Carnitas Tacos that you order at the local taco shop? Bring that delicious goodness to your home kitchen. Using the slow cooker makes the process super easy. You will wow your crowd with these delicious homemade pork carnitas tacos. To make this a freezer meal: Cool the meat completely and place in a freezer bag. Squeeze out excess air and freeze. Reheat to serve. Come home to an easy supper: hot Ham and Swiss Sliders! Not only do they taste fabulous, but they’re also freezer-friendly. To make this a freezer meal: Prep the sandwiches, wrap in foil, and freeze. To serve: place the wrapped sandwiches in a slow cooker on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, turning once. These Chicken Bacon Subs disappear lickety split at my house. They are so easy to assemble, and make a perfect freezer meal. To make this a freezer meal: Prep the sandwiches, wrap in foil, and freeze. To serve: place the wrapped sandwiches in a slow cooker on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, turning once. Everyone needs to know how to make meatloaf, right? Here’s the basic meatloaf recipe that you can fancy up however you like — or not. To make this a freezer meal: The meatloaf can be frozen prior to baking. Simply wrap the loaf in aluminum foil and place in a labeled ziptop freezer bag. Prior to serving, thaw the loaf completely in the refrigerator and proceed with baking in the slow cooker as directed. Enjoy quick and easy lunches and suppers with these delicious, cheesy Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches. To make this a freezer meal: Prep the sandwiches, wrap in foil, and freeze. To serve: place the wrapped sandwiches in a slow cooker on LOW for 2 to 3 hours, turning once. Looking for a simple yet flavorful way to cook pork? This crockpot pulled pork combines a homemade rub with a cheap cut of pork, a pork butt, and cook it slowly in the slow cooker for a fantastic slow cooker pulled pork recipe. To freeze: Cool the meat completely and place in ziptop freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and freeze. Reheat to serve. Let your slow cooker do the work this weekend with an easy sweet and sour chicken filling for sandwiches and wraps. To make this a freezer meal: Cool the chicken completely and place in ziptop freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and freeze. Reheat to serve. To prepare a kit: Place chicken and marinade in a freezer bag. Put hawaiian rolls in another freezer bag. Remove from freezer the day before and place chicken and marinade in slow cooker and proceed with recipe. Make takeout for cheap at home with these easy slow cooked, sweet and sour meatballs. To make this a freezer meal: Cool and place meatballs in freezer bags. Squeeze out excess air and freeze. Reheat to serve. To prepare a kit: Sauté onion and bell pepper, cool, and freeze. Whisk together the pineapple juice, chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, and crushed red pepper and freeze in another bag. Collect both bags and the pacakge of chicken and store in the freezer. Thaw and proceed with the recipe when ready. Poached chicken combines with a homemade seasoning blend to make for a luscious and easy dinner of Pulled Chicken Sliders. Enjoy a quick, easy supper with no hassle! To make this a freezer meal: The shredded meat can be frozen for a later date. Simply cool and wrap airtight. Chill completely before freezing. To prepare a kit: Place chicken, bay leaf, and peppercorns in a freezer bag. When ready to use, thaw overnight in the fridge and cook in slow cooker. 21 Best Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
Cumin Pork Loin Roast
White Bean Chicken Chili
Marinara Sauce
Irish Stew
Pot Roast
Crockpot Enchiladas
Chihuahua Beer Chili
Bean and Rice Soup
Salsa Verde Beef
Smoky Bean Soup
Taco Soup
Sloppy Joes
Pork Carnitas Tacos
Ham and Swiss Sliders
Chicken Bacon Subs
Basic Meatloaf
Cheesy Italian Sausage and Pepper Sandwiches
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Sweet and Sour Pulled Chicken
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
Pulled Chicken Sliders
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