Freezer Crockpot Meals for $230
Total Cost: $230
Meals Prepared: 24 freezer meals plus dinner tonight
Cost per Meal: Approximately $9
Benefits: Stress-free dinners for many nights
Overview
Preparing these freezer crockpot meals will save you time and reduce stress during busy weeknights. Most recipes are designed for 4-6 servings, and you can easily add rice, noodles, a quick vegetable, or a salad to complete the meal. Follow the detailed steps below for an organized and efficient meal prep session.
Ingredients List (for all meals)
- Proteins:
- Chicken breasts (6 lbs)
- Ground beef (5 lbs)
- Pork shoulder (4 lbs)
- Beef stew meat (3 lbs)
- Boneless pork chops (3 lbs)
- Italian sausage (2 lbs)
- Chicken thighs (2 lbs)
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts (additional 2 lbs)
- Vegetables:
- Carrots (5 lbs)
- Potatoes (5 lbs)
- Onions (3 lbs)
- Bell peppers (5 assorted)
- Celery (2 stalks)
- Garlic (2 heads)
- Canned diced tomatoes (8 cans)
- Canned corn (6 cans)
- Frozen peas (2 lbs)
- Green beans (2 lbs)
- Canned black beans (4 cans)
- Spinach (2 lbs)
- Other Staples:
- Chicken broth (8 cups)
- Beef broth (8 cups)
- Tomato paste (4 cans)
- Crushed tomatoes (4 cans)
- BBQ sauce (1 bottle)
- Soy sauce (1 bottle)
- Worcestershire sauce (1 bottle)
- Olive oil (1 bottle)
- Honey (1 jar)
- Brown sugar (1 lb)
- Pasta (for serving)
- Rice (for serving)
- Spices and Seasonings:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Cumin
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Bay leaves
Meal Preparation Steps
- Organize and Label Bags:
- Write the name of each meal on a large freezer bag.
- Note any additional ingredients needed when cooking (e.g., « Add 2 cups of water »).
- Prepare Vegetables:
- Wash, peel, and chop all vegetables.
- Divide them into portions as specified in the recipes.
- Prepare Proteins:
- Cut meats into required sizes.
- Brown ground beef and sausage in a skillet.
- Assemble Meals:
- Follow the specific instructions for each recipe.
- Combine all ingredients in labeled freezer bags.
- Seal bags, removing as much air as possible.
- Flatten bags for easy stacking in the freezer.
Sample Recipes
1. Chicken and Vegetable Soup
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breasts, cubed
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 2 cups potatoes, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in the labeled bag.
- Freeze flat.
- To cook: Thaw overnight. Cook in the crockpot on low for 6-8 hours.
2. Beef Stew
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb beef stew meat
- 3 cups potatoes, diced
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in the labeled bag.
- Freeze flat.
- To cook: Thaw overnight. Cook in the crockpot on low for 8-10 hours.
3. BBQ Pulled Pork
- Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 bottle BBQ sauce
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in the labeled bag.
- Freeze flat.
- To cook: Thaw overnight. Cook in the crockpot on low for 8-10 hours. Shred pork with two forks before serving.
4. Italian Sausage and Peppers
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb Italian sausage, browned
- 3 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cans diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in the labeled bag.
- Freeze flat.
- To cook: Thaw overnight. Cook in the crockpot on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with pasta.
5. Chicken Teriyaki
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken thighs, cubed
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp ginger, minced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
- Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in the labeled bag.
- Freeze flat.
- To cook: Thaw overnight. Cook in the crockpot on low for 4-6 hours. Serve with rice.
Tips for Success
- Thawing: Thaw meals overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Cooking Times: Adjust cooking times based on your crockpot and meal size.
- Adding Sides: Prepare rice, pasta, vegetables, or salads while the meal is cooking.
- Customization: Feel free to adjust seasonings and ingredients to your taste.
Enjoy your stress-free dinners and the convenience of having ready-to-cook meals on hand!