Hey there, fabulous foodies! If you’re anything like me, juggling work, family, and everything in between can be a bit of a busy scene. But fear not, because today, we’re diving headfirst into the world of Crockpot Freezer Meals – the ultimate lifesaver for busy folks like us!
It’s like having your very own kitchen fairy, or at least that’s how I think about it. And you’ll find out why by the time you are making your own wholesome, mouthwatering Crockpot meal!
The best part? It requires the smallest effort from you! No complicated techniques, no endless chopping and stirring – just pure magic unfolding in your crockpot!
Crockpot Freezer Meals: A Perfect Dinner
On most days when I have just wrapped up a long, super busy day of work and running errands, the stress starts creeping in, and the last thing I really want to do is spend hours in the kitchen, preparing a dinner that requires more than the last drop of energy I have left.
Moments like that are when I truly appreciate the perfection of a crockpot freezer meal and I want you to also experience the ease of versatile ready-to-go dinners!
The Versatile Slow Cooker
Just before we get into the spices and the recipes, can we take a quick moment to appreciate the slow cooker? To be honest, I am not sure what I would do on most of the nights that a slow cooker has saved my dinner plans.
These versatile kitchen gadgets can tackle a wide range of recipes, taking anywhere from 2 to 9 hours to whip up a meal. You can literally set it and forget it, which sounds like a perfect plan for when I have a million other things to do.
But there are even more perks to having a slow cooker but before we go into all that, let me list my 21 makeahead crockpot freezer meals that you must try.
21 Crockpot Freezer Meals to Simplify Your Life
From a stew to some chili, these are some of the most delicious Crockpot Freezer Meals you can try out for an easy make-ahead dinner.
Check out these 21 amazing Crockpot Freezer Recipes!
1. Chicken Fajitas
Enjoy this yummy combination of tender chicken, colorful peppers, onions, and flavorful spices. This recipe is tipped to leave a mark on everyone’s taste buds. Plus, it’s a Mexican-inspired dish, which is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s also low-carb and gluten-free, perfect for you if you’ve dietary restrictions.
2. Keto Bolognese
This is a classic Italian meat sauce served over pasta. However, keto bolognese replaces traditional pasta with low-carb options like cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles, making it a healthier option without sacrificing flavor.
3. Peach Chicken
Growing up, Peach Chicken was my go-to meal every Sunday. This recipe uses skinless chicken breasts and fresh, frozen peaches, making it nutritious and easy to prepare. It’s also gluten and dairy-free.
4. Carne Asada
This Mexican delight is the perfect freezer meal when you need to fix something up after a stressful day real quick. It consists of grilled or seared flank steak that has been marinated in a blend of spices, herbs, and citrus juices. “Carne Asada” translates to “grilled meat” in Spanish.
5. Keto Balsamic Chicken
As a working-class woman with a lot on her plate, I love make-ahead crockpot meals that I can quickly thaw and cook after a busy day. This meal is a great choice!
it’s prepared with boneless chicken breasts garnished with diced tomatoes and balsamic vinegar.
6. BBQ Chicken
Looking for a quick dinner fix? Here’s a recipe that’s saved me hours of cooking time. The BBQ chicken freezer meal is a mixture of boneless skinless chicken breasts, BBQ sauce, chicken broth, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper all tied in a gallon-sized plastic freezer bag.
7. Keto Dark Chocolate Cake
This yummy cake made from almond flour, coconut oil and sweetened with Swerve sweetener or monk fruit is the right blend for your taste buds and overall health.
8. Keto Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is slow-cooked meat made by placing the meat over an open flame until it is tender enough to be “pulled” apart with a fork. My slow cooker comes in handy when I need to make this low-carb delight.
9. Tomato Shrimp Tacos
The fire-roasted Tomato Shrimp Tacos is a freezer meal special that I highly recommend. It can be made ahead of time and warmed when you’re ready to cook.
10. Vegan Sausage And Kraut
An awesome blend of savory “sausage” and tangy kraut is a match made in heaven, and the addition of sweet onion and green apple adds a touch of sweetness that balances out the flavors perfectly. Try out this recipe, I highly recommend.
11. Baked Chicken Bruschetta
The traditional Italian dish, Bruschetta is a household delight made by grilling bread over an open flame, rubbing it with garlic, and drizzling it with olive oil. I enjoy this delicacy maybe a little too much, you should check it out!
12. Chicken Cacciator
My Crockpot is always on standby when I and my family are in the mood for this Italian classic dish. It is served over pasta, rice, or polenta, and pairs well with a variety of vegetables.
13. Southwest Corn Chowder Soup
This chowder is a creamy and flavorful soup packed with protein and veggies. The combination of red lentils, corn, and bell peppers gives it a satisfying texture and taste. And the spices, like smoked paprika and cumin, add a nice kick of flavor.
14. Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteak
This Philadephia special, the Philly cheesesteak is made up of thinly sliced steak, usually ribeye, and melted cheese, typically provolone or American, served on a long, crusty roll.
15. Sriracha Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps
Are you planning a family dinner? Then these Beef lettuce wraps are exactly what you need. You can serve these wraps in chilled romaine lettuce cups and garnish with sriracha, sesame seeds, green onions, and red chili flakes for a full-flavor taste treat!
16. Vegan Indian Dal
Dal also known as lentil is an Indian delicacy perfect for days when you need to whip up a meal pretty fast. I enjoyed my lentil soup when I made it and I’m sure you will too.
17. Chickpea Tagine
Here’s another family-dinner favorite of mine, the Chickpea Tagine. A Morrocan dish made by combining meat, vegetables, and spices, such as cumin, coriander, and turmeric. It is often served with couscous or bread and is a staple in the Moroccan diet and around the world.
18. Mushroom Risotto
The Mushroom Risotto is a combination of creamy arborio rice, savory mushrooms, and tangy rice vinegar that gives mouthwatering flavors.
19. Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken
This is a blend of boneless chicken breasts mixed with brown sugar and garlic. Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken is a delicious, healthy, and easy freezer meal you can make ahead of time and enjoy on those busy days when you don’t have time to cook from scratch.
20. Chicken Teriyaki
If you want to have a feel of Asian cuisine, then this Japan-inspired teriyaki is a perfect choice. It’s made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts. The sauce is also made with light brown sugar and soy sauce (or Tamari sauce for a gluten-free option), both have lower sodium and calorie content than traditional teriyaki sauce.
21. Low Carb Rice And Beans
My personal favorite is the low carb Rice and Beans. Instead of using traditional rice, we’re using cauliflower rice, which is a great substitute for those who are watching their carb intake. Black soybeans are also a great addition to this recipe because they are low in carbs and high in protein and fiber.
There you have it! 21 amazing crockpot freezer meals that’ll make your next dinner the best one yet.
I know you’re probably wondering, what’s so special about the crockpot? I asked a similar question before I had my first experience with one and so, I’ll list out some benefits of this amazing pot that gives it so much hype.
Benefits of a Slow Cooker
Here are some of the amazing benefits you enjoy when you get a slow cooker in your kitchen to help with dinner!
- Saves Time: Using a slow cooker is like having your own kitchen helper. You toss in your ingredients in the morning, set it, and forget it until dinner time. This means you can spend more time doing the things you love instead of being stuck in the kitchen. Imagine waking up, putting some ingredients in your slow cooker, going to school or work, and returning home to a delicious meal that’s been cooking itself all day.
- Tenderizes Tough Cuts: Even cheaper cuts of meat can turn into melt-in-your-mouth goodness when cooked in a slow cooker. It’s like a magician that turns the toughest meat into tender, flavorful bites. Tough beef becomes so tender that you can cut it with a fork, and it’s packed with delicious flavors.
- Locks in Nutrients: Slow cooking keeps the good stuff in your food. It means your veggies retain their vitamins, and your meats stay juicy and nutritious. When you slow-cook vegetables, they keep all their vitamins and minerals, so you get the most nutrition from your meal.
- Enhanced Flavors: Slow cooking allows flavors to blend and become even more delicious over time. It’s like a tasty symphony in your mouth. The longer your meal cooks, the more the flavors mix and intensify, making your dinner extra yummy.
- No-Fuss Cooking: Cooking with a slow cooker is super easy. You don’t need fancy cooking skills – just put your ingredients in, set the timer, and let it do its thing. You don’t have to be a chef to make amazing meals. Just toss everything into the slow cooker, and it will take care of the cooking for you.
- Perfect for Busy Lives: For busy families or people with lots of activities, a slow cooker can be a lifesaver. It means you can come home to a warm, home-cooked meal, even on your busiest days. After a long day at school or work, you can enjoy a tasty dinner without having to spend more time in the kitchen.
- Cost-Effective: Slow cookers are budget-friendly because they use less electricity than regular ovens. You save money on your energy bills and help the environment too. You can cook amazing meals without spending a lot on electricity, which means more money in your pocket.
- Versatile Cooking: Slow cookers can make all kinds of dishes – from soups and stews to chili, roasts, and even desserts. It’s like having a magical pot that can do it all. Your slow cooker can make not just dinner but also yummy desserts like chocolate lava cake.
- Easy Cleanup: Cleaning up after cooking is a breeze with most slow cooker pots. Since you’re using just one pot, you’ll have fewer dishes to wash. You won’t spend ages washing dishes after dinner because you only have one pot to clean.
- Meal Planning Made Simple: If you like planning your meals ahead of time, a slow cooker is a game-changer. You can prepare ingredients in the morning or even days before, so dinner is a breeze. You can get ready for the week by chopping up ingredients on Sunday and freezing them. Then, during the week, you can just dump them in the slow cooker for a stress-free meal.
And like it couldn’t get perfect enough, using a slow cooker also means that you can whip up a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, casseroles, and those beloved comforting dump-and-go one-pot recipes!
Okay, okay, I could go on and on but you get the gist don’t you?
So, whether you’re a crockpot newbie or a seasoned pro, rest assured that mastering your crockpot is within reach. Embrace the simplicity, savor the flavors, and let your crockpot become your trusty sidekick in the kitchen.
For some more tips on how to use a crockpot, check out some more details here!
There you have it, my fellow fabulous foodies – 21 mouthwatering Crockpot freezer meals that’ll make your life a whole lot easier! These make-ahead Crockpot recipes are the secret to stress-free weeknight dinners and more quality time with your loved ones.
When you’re ready to unleash the full potential of your slow cooker, you’ll find a wide array of recipes listed on FreezerFit. We’ve got a variety of easy freezer meal recipes for all kinds of diets and preferences.
Feel free to adjust these recipes to your preferences, and I hope you enjoy these delicious Crock-Pot freezer meals plus a lot more recipes here!
For those who are still new to the world of crockpot freezer meals and have some questions or concerns, don’t worry, it’s okay to take your time while learning something new.
I have included some commonly asked questions below.
FAQs
What’s so good about slow cooker recipes?
Slow cooker recipes are wonderful because they have an incredible range. You can make all sorts of tasty dishes, from comforting stews to mouthwatering casseroles. It’s like a blank canvas for your cooking ideas, and there’s something to please everyone’s taste buds.
Why are freezer-to-slow-cooker meals great?
Not to be convinced with just slow cooker recipes, freezer-to-slow-cooker meals are pre-prepped before the crockpot does its things. Freezer-to-slow-cooker meals are fantastic because they save you loads of time. You can prepare them in the morning, pop them in your slow cooker, and come home to a house filled with the delicious smell of a home-cooked dinner.
How can freezer meals make meal planning easier?
Freezer meals make meal planning a breeze. Say goodbye to the daily question, “What’s for dinner?” With freezer meals, you can do the prep work in advance, making meal planning organized and even fun. It’s almost like having your very own menu service right in your kitchen.
Why is batch cooking a smart idea?
Batch cooking is a smart move because it means you can prepare several servings of a meal all at once. This is perfect when you have a busy week ahead or just want to take it easy. Your slow cooker helps you get multiple homemade meals ready to enjoy later.
What’s the “Dump and Go” technique all about?
The “Dump and Go” technique is a simple way to make delicious meals with minimal effort. No need for tricky cooking methods – you just gather your ingredients and toss them together. When it’s time to cook, your slow cooker does all the work, turning those ingredients into a delightful and delicious meal.
How can freezer-to-slow-cooker meals save money?
Freezer-to-slow-cooker meals are a budget-friendly choice. When you cook at home, you can buy ingredients in larger quantities, take advantage of sales, and reduce the need for expensive takeout or dining out. Your slow cooker helps you enjoy tasty meals without breaking the bank.
How do freezer-to-slow-cooker meals promote healthier eating?
Freezer-to-slow-cooker meals give you control over the ingredients, allowing you to create dishes that fit your dietary needs and preferences. Your slow cooker can help you prepare delicious and nutritious food, which is great for your health.
Are there any safety tips for using a slow cooker?
Yes, safety is important! Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your slow cooker. Make sure to thaw frozen ingredients in the refrigerator before putting them in the slow cooker, and avoid overfilling the coker. It’s also a good idea to check the temperature of your food to ensure it’s cooked thoroughly.
What’s the best way to clean a slow cooker?
Cleaning a slow cooker is easy. After you’ve enjoyed your meal, unplug the slow cooker and let it cool down. Remove the inner pot and wash it with warm, soapy water. Wipe down the outer part of the slow cooker with a damp cloth. It’s that simple!
Can I adapt my favorite recipes to slow cooker meals?
Absolutely! Many recipes can be adapted for slow cooking. Just adjust the cooking times and liquids as needed. It’s a great way to enjoy your favorite dishes with the convenience of a slow cooker.
What’s the secret to getting the most flavor out of a slow cooker meal?
The key to flavorful slow cooker meals is using herbs, spices, and seasonings to enhance the taste. Don’t be shy about adding your favorite flavors to the mix. Additionally, letting the ingredients simmer slowly over time allows the flavors to meld and develop, creating a delicious result.
Can I freeze leftovers from slow cooker meals?
Yes, you can freeze leftovers from slow cooker meals. Allow them to cool, then store them in airtight containers or freezer bags. Label them with the date and contents. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, simply thaw and reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
Are there any kid-friendly slow cooker recipes?
Definitely! Slow cookers are perfect for kid-friendly dishes like mac and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, and chicken noodle soup. These meals are not only tasty but also easy for kids to enjoy.
What’s the best way to reheat slow cooker leftovers?
To reheat slow cooker leftovers, you can use the microwave, stovetop, or even the slow cooker itself. Just make sure to heat them thoroughly to a safe temperature before eating.
Can I use my slow cooker for desserts?
Yes, you can! Slow cookers are great for making delicious desserts like chocolate fondue, apple crisps, and bread pudding. It’s a wonderful way to satisfy your sweet tooth.
