About a month ago I decided to really start getting serious about what I was eating. I’ve been working twice a week with a trainer and running regularly, but we all know by now that you can’t out run a bad diet.
One of my girl friends and I had just started attending a workout boot camp together, and we were discussing our desires to change the way we eat. We both decided that a big problem we had was preparing ahead. It felt like every day dinner time would roll around and I would stare in to the pantry trying to decide what to make. Later that night she sent me a pin for some make ahead meal ideas, and we decided to come up with this list of 10 Freezer Crock-Pot Meals!
- Taco Chili
- Chicken Chili
- Cheeseburger Soup
- Sausage, Peppers, & Onions
- Southwest Chicken
- Beef Stew
- Honey Sesame Chicken
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Chicken Fajitas
- Southwest Flank Steak
I do all of my grocery shopping at Kroger and was able to get everything I needed for right at $100. She shops at Target and Sprouts, and spent a little more. Keep that in mind when you look at the grocery list and map out which items you want to get where. We purchased all organic produce, meats, and most canned goods. You can save even more by shopping sales and buying bulk. Also, read over the recipes and make sure you have the spices and pantry staples on hand before heading out to the store.
She and I spent one afternoon prepping all of the meals. We split it up to make it easier- she chopped veggies, while I trimmed the chicken breasts. She assembled the bags, while I browned the meat. In just a few hours we each had 10 meals ready to go. I definitely recommend doing this with a friend! (Remember to bring a large cooler to take all of your meals home!) Also: write on the bags with permanent maker before you get started and keep the trashcan nearby. It was a lot easier to clean as we went and reset between each bag.
We also found it a lot easier to do it in groups- raw chicken, raw beef, cooked beef. We used disposable gloves and got a new pair each time we switched between different meats.
Download the Recipes and Grocery List.
I’m super excited about the fact that I have TEN days worth of dinners sitting in my freezer RIGHT NOW.
Vickie @Vickie's Kitchen and Garden says
Taco Chili and Cheeseburger soup sound delicious. I’m always looking for new freezer meals. They really help!
william bronson says
I realize that the majority of the world loves onions and tomatoes but I am one who doesn’t. It would be great to see some recipes not using these two items.
Emily Grace says
I hear you! I’m not a huge fan of either, but my family likes them. The trick to the onions is to use half of what the recipe calls for. Sometimes I chop them really TINY so I won’t notice them, OR I leave them in really big chunks so that I still get the flavor, but can easily remove them after cooking.
Tiffany Brouillette says
How long can these meals be stored in the freezer before cooking them?
Alice Chase says
I LOVE crockpot cooking! It makes my life a million times easier. I was sick all this week and unable to get my crockpot meal prep done. we paid for it BIG time by having the hubs stop for meals on his way home from work. Hopefully this will get us back into routine!
Jessica says
I have to do this soon! Thanks for the recipes!
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
What a fabulous idea – I really need to get together with some friends and do this! There are many days I’m scrambling around trying to figure out what we should eat that day, and then I usually make a poor choice about it 🙂 This would alleviate that problem for sure!
Rebecca C says
Thanks for sharing these recipes! I make freezer meals once a month, but this last month has been crazy busy, so I am making your list on New Year’s Day. Big plans for organized 2015!
Rebecca C says
Just finished making these. It took 2.5 hours from start to finish, including all chopping and clean up. We did go ahead and used diced cubed hashbrowns for the potatoes so we could freeze them in the bags. We are excited to try some of these new recipes.
Cheri says
Do you have any other downloads like this available? We are learning how to eat healthier as well as how to cook on a budget. Thanks in advance.
RUTH ANN BEAGHAN says
why can i not open the last 4 recipes
Emily Bruno says
Hi Ruth Ann, I haven’t posted the last four recipes separately. They are included in the printable recipes and grocery list document though (located at the end of this post)
Nicole says
Hi! Can you freeze any already cook leftovers?
Melissa says
This is amazing! Thank you! The link at the bottom with the condensed shopping list is great! You’re my new, unofficial best friend!
I’m a working mom with a toddler (and plans to expand our family) and I’ve never used the crockpot, but have always wanted to. These meals seem so easy and a great place to start! Thanks again!!
Peggy Brewer says
Thank you! This is awesome! I am a single mom with two high school daughters. I work two jobs, and I use the crock pot often. These recipes and the shopping list helps me with my budget AND cooking! Thank you thank you thank you!
Peggy
susan says
hi i am trying make chicken fajits it says 3 bell peppers is tthat the green ones and it says shred juice what does that mean
Emily Bruno says
Hi Susan- you can use whatever variety of bell peppers you prefer (yellow, green, red). Shred in the juice just means don’t drain the juice before shredding the chicken, shred it all up together in the crockpot. Hope this helps!
susan says
thinks your advice does help and i will let you know how it comes out do you have any desserts you can cook in crock pot my oven is not working thank you for your help and recipes.
Casey Underdahl says
These meals all look great! I have a question about the fajitas, do I need to put any sort of liquid in the crock pot with all the stuff? Thanks!
Emily Bruno says
Hi Casey- no I don’t add any liquid. The chicken will create it’s own juices.
Holly says
Do you have more meals like this? It was so easy and my picky family ate them. If you have another group like this I would make them both for the whole month or to switch off.
Thank You
Susan says
Thanks, just found the link, it was an up scroll for me!
Candace-nelson@hotmail.com says
I am so excited to make these!! For the beef stew, are the garlic cloves left whole or minced? Also, I count 6 whole onions plus 1/2 cup, which makes close to 7 for the list. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Vanessa says
Do you put these meals in the Crock Pot frozen or do you thaw them first?
Emily Bruno says
Hi Vanessa- I put them in frozen.
Shyla says
Please keep these menu plans coming! This is so wonderful for you to share:)
Dianne Andrews says
This list looks awesome! It’s very rare that I see a list where I actually want to make more than half. Yay!
Question – on the beef stew, it says to NOT freeze the potatoes. On the cheeseburger soup, you DO freeze the potatoes. Is there a reason why? I’d prefer to add them before freezing, (since I will never remember to have them on hand) but won’t if it’s not a good idea.
Thanks!
Emily Bruno says
Hey Dianne! I don’t add the potatoes to the beef stew because there is A LOT of liquid. Honestly, I haven’t tried adding them to see how it turns out, but I feel like with all the liquid they wouldn’t come out the same. You’re correct though- they are added to the cheeseburger soup and it works out perfectly.
Jana says
These meals look awesome!!! My question is about the italian sausage. Is it links, ground?
Emily Bruno says
Hey Jana- it is links.
Sara says
Would you consider these to be meals for one or for a family?
Emily Bruno says
Hi Sara- definitely for a family. We are a family of four and we usually always have leftovers (though my toddler doesn’t eat much of it).
Kat says
Maybe I’m overlooking something, but the grocery list calls for 8 cups of diced potatoes, however I’m only seeing 4 cups required for the cheeseburger soup. What other recipe needs 4 cups of potatoes? Thanks!
Emily Bruno says
Hi Kat- the beef soup recipe also needs potatoes. I’ve updated the file. Thanks!
Heather says
This is a great way to plan ahead! Do you thaw the bags before you cook? I am out of the house for work and wouldn’t be able to start it 4-5 hours ahead for them. Do you think if I put it all in frozen on low it would cook in like 10-12 hours?
Emily Bruno says
Hi Heather- I’ve never tried that so I can’t say for certain. Usually on low it only takes 8 hours though. You might look into a programmable crock-pot.
Suzanne Feole says
I was able to buy all the ingredients for under $80 at Meijer. I did get lucky with a couple sales and coupons and my spice cabinet is well stocked. The sesame seeds and all the stocks were a chunk of that. I’m thinking of making my own stocks for the day before next time. This gives me a great idea for my garden next year. I’m saving my seeds from the peppers. Thank you so much for the easy shopping list. You couldn’t possibly make it easier without coming over and doing it yourself. I got my teenage boys to help. I figured if they’re going to eat me out of house and home they can work for it. Again, thank you.
Emily Bruno says
You’re so welcome Suzanne! I hope your family enjoys them!!
Patti says
Only the first three recipes are underlined. I couldn’t get the others. Help!
Emily Bruno says
Hi Patti- if you keep scrolling down there’s a link that says “Download the Recipes and Grocery list.” Hope that helps!
Susan says
Hi Emily, I too, need help locating the last 5 recipes.
Thanks! A great way to help new cooks!
Amanda says
The shopping list calls for potatoes – 8 cups I believe. But I only see 4 cups used. Are there supposed to be potatoes in the beef stew too?
Emily Bruno says
Hi Amanda- the beef soup recipe also needs potatoes. I’ve updated the file. Thanks!
Cindy says
What size bags did you use for the freezer? Thanks….going to give this a try 🙂
Emily Bruno says
Hi Cindy- I used the gallon size bags.
Samantha says
Hi, love your lists! And the ease of it all. 🙂 just a quick question. On the recipe for cheeseburger soup, you say add everything except cream cheese to freezer bag. Do you mean shredded cheese? I’m sure I shouldn’t read into as much as I am and just assume you mean the latter. Also, you have things such as rice and cream cheese on the shopping list, but you don’t add either of those to any recipe except after it’s all been cooked. Is that correct? Thanks for your help! I just know if I don’t ask these before I start making them, I’ll be stumped! 🙂
Emily Bruno says
Hi Samantha! Thanks for catching that, yes it should be shredded cheese. I removed the rice from the shopping list because it is optional, but the cream cheese is needed for the Southwest Chicken. I’ve updated the printable. Thanks!! 🙂
Samantha says
Just made all these today, so excited to try them! Noticed on your shopping list you have only one black bean, when you actually need two. 🙂 thanks for putting this together for all of us! It was really so helpful.
Emily Bruno says
So glad you made them! I actually decided to leave the black beans out of the Southwest Chicken, so I must have forgot it on the list. Thanks for catching that! Updated 🙂
Kim N says
Have you eaten each of these recipes yet? I’m curious which were you favorites? Were there any you or your family didn’t really care for?
Karina says
Thank you for the recipes. Question with the Cilantro Chicken, do you slice up the chicken or cut up in chunks? It just says 1.5 pound of chicken. Thanks.
Emily Bruno says
I just put the whole chicken breasts in there because we shred it afterwards. You could also cut it into strips if you prefer that for tacos or however you will be eating it.
Amy says
A friend and I are doing this today. I see where the recipes with hamburger call for browning the meat, but are the chicken, Italian sausage, and flank steak supposed to be frozen raw?
Sarah says
I was wondering the same thing…. Can I put the chicken in the bag raw and steak in the bag raw???
Emily Bruno says
Hi Sarah- yes, brown the ground beef but everything else goes in raw.
Phinecia says
What are the servings for these? How many will they serve?
Emily Bruno says
They each serve about 4-6. It’s enough for my husband, daughter, and I to have and then eat leftovers the next day.
Candiss says
These are such great ideas! I might have totally missed this, but how many servings do the recipes cover? Thanks!! Candiss
Emily Bruno says
About 4-6 servings. Enough for us to have leftovers almost every time.
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
These are great, Emily! Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us this week!
B says
I am absolutely in love with crock pot freezer meals and always looking for recipes to add to my arsenal…pinning for later! 🙂
Stopping by from SITS
B
http://www.naughteebits.com
Jenn L says
I love this idea! I have friends that live back in west TX that have done this several times and make such a fun girl’s night out of it. I have GOT to get some girlies to do this with! I also really need to get a second fridge or deep freeze so I have room for all the goodies… With a family of (soon to be) 7, it’s practically a need at this point.
Thanks for the great free printables, too!
Jamie Roubinek says
I NEED these ideas!! I don’t use my crock pot nearly enough and I’m so happy every time I do. It’s the planning ahead part that gets me. I’m terrible at that. 😉