10 Freezer Crock-Pot Meals
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.
Do you put these meals in the Crock Pot frozen or do you thaw them first?
Hi Vanessa- I put them in frozen.
Please keep these menu plans coming! This is so wonderful for you to share:)
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!
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.
These meals look awesome!!! My question is about the italian sausage. Is it links, ground?
Hey Jana- it is links.
Would you consider these to be meals for one or for a family?
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).
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!
Hi Kat- the beef soup recipe also needs potatoes. I’ve updated the file. Thanks!
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?
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.
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.
You’re so welcome Suzanne! I hope your family enjoys them!!
Only the first three recipes are underlined. I couldn’t get the others. Help!
Hi Patti- if you keep scrolling down there’s a link that says “Download the Recipes and Grocery list.” Hope that helps!
Hi Emily, I too, need help locating the last 5 recipes.
Thanks! A great way to help new cooks!
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?
Hi Amanda- the beef soup recipe also needs potatoes. I’ve updated the file. Thanks!
What size bags did you use for the freezer? Thanks….going to give this a try 🙂
Hi Cindy- I used the gallon size bags.
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! 🙂
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!! 🙂
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.
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 🙂
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?
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.
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.
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?
I was wondering the same thing…. Can I put the chicken in the bag raw and steak in the bag raw???
Hi Sarah- yes, brown the ground beef but everything else goes in raw.
What are the servings for these? How many will they serve?
They each serve about 4-6. It’s enough for my husband, daughter, and I to have and then eat leftovers the next day.
These are such great ideas! I might have totally missed this, but how many servings do the recipes cover? Thanks!! Candiss
About 4-6 servings. Enough for us to have leftovers almost every time.
These are great, Emily! Thank you so much for sharing, and thank you bunches for linking up and partying with us this week!
I am absolutely in love with crock pot freezer meals and always looking for recipes to add to my arsenal…pinning for later! 🙂
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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!
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. 😉