When you have tired, grumpy kids and are exhausted from a hard day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend time cooking over a stove. That’s why I love, love, love prepping crockpot freezer meals ahead of time so they’re ready to be pulled out and dumped into a slow cooker.
Below are my favorite crockpot freezer meal recipes and some tips to help you prep these premade dinners.
Note: Access all of these recipes in one free print-friendly sheet here or print your individual favorites below!
Crockpot Freezer Meals 101
Prepping Make-Ahead Meals
Preparing freezer meals is easier than you think and involves just a little more up-front costs for groceries than a regular recipe — and a new slow cooker if you don’t already have one. The easiest way to get started is to simply double the ingredients needed to make your family’s favorite dinners: one for now, and one for a crockpot freezer meal to use later.
If you want to prepare more than one freezer meal at time, plan to dedicate an hour or two to prepping (chopping veggies will take the most time). Make it fun by splitting the costs with a friend and create them together.
Deals to help you get started:
- Storage deals for zip-top bags and freezer-friendly containers
- Food coupons for all the ingredients needed
- Slow cooker deals in case you need an upgrade or your first model
Thawing Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
Most freezer meals will require thawing in the fridge overnight or for 24 hours. But sometimes you just can’t (I totally get it). In cases where you don’t have time to thaw frozen crockpot meals, adding an extra hour to cook time should do the trick.
Use this handy chart to convert regular recipes into crockpot recipes:
1. Crockpot Salsa Chicken Tacos Freezer Meal
When everything is done, just shred the cooked chicken and add it to nachos, a taco salad, burritos, rice…pretty much anything that needs a little southwestern kick! Get the recipe at More Like Home.
Get the free printable recipe card here.
2. Slow Cooker Mushroom Barley Stew
Just add vegetable stock to Hello Natural‘s recipe and savor the heartiness of this stew — no meat needed!
Get the free printable recipe card here.
3. Western Beef Casserole Crockpot Freezer Meal
If you like chili, you’re going to love this recipe from Crock-Pot Ladies! It’s just like it, but with a much milder tomato base.
Get the free printable recipe card here.
4. Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Broccoli
There was a time when I made this recipe twice a week, I love it so much! Serve Six Sisters’ Stuff‘s recipe over pasta and feel confident knowing even your pickiest kid will eat everything on their plate.
Get the free printable recipe card here.
5. Crockpot Sausage Spinach Tomato Soup
Prepping the vegetables is the most difficult part about this recipe, and even that is simple when you get into a rhythm. Get this recipe and five more soup-making instructions at New Leaf Wellness.
Get the free printable recipe card here.
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6. Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
Living Well Spending Less‘s recipe is extra tasty thanks to the onion mix and garlicky juices the pork marinates (and freezes) in!
Get the free printable recipe card here.
7. Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Freezer Meal
My kids love this sweet recipe from Making Our Marx. It’s just as tasty as sweet and sour chicken, but without the breading and grease!
Get the free printable recipe card here.
8. Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
These chicken fajitas from The Humbled Homemaker are delicious — but healthy — and so easy to make. If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to cook this in a slow cooker, it cooks really easily on the stove as well!
Get the free printable recipe card here.
9. Slow Cooker Honey Teriyaki Chicken
Skip the takeout and indulge in Twin Dragonfly Designs’ delicious Asian dish instead! This stuff is so flavorful, you won’t believe it was once frozen.
Get the free printable recipe card here.
10. Easy Crockpot Meatloaf Freezer Meal
This Stockpiling Moms‘ recipe is so easy, you don’t even have to defrost the frozen loaf!
Get the free printable recipe card here.
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