Slow Cooker Freezer Meals (Free Printable List + Recipes)

These ten crock pot freezer meal recipes are my family’s favorite make ahead meals. We eat them at home and while we’re camping which results in an easy, stress-free dinner.

Slow cooker freezer meals are perfect for anyone who wants to prepare a meal (or multiple meals!) ahead of time and quickly throw them in the crock pot at home or during a camping trip. They’re a great idea to make for expecting parents or to help give your family a home cooked meal even on busy weeknights.

Of course, Refresh Camping is all about how to bring the comforts of home with you while camping, but these freezer slow cooker meals are perfect to make anywhere, at any time (as long as you have a slow cooker or cast iron dutch oven with you when it’s time to cook)!

I’ve included the printable shopping list and recipes for all ten meals at the end of this post if you’d like to make them all at once and freeze for later use. This would also be great to print for new parents so they have the directions for making the meal and have some recipes for the future as well.

5 make ahead recipes with shopping list for freezer slow cooker meals

Tips for Preparing Slow Cooker Freezer Meals

The recipes and shopping list include the ingredients you’ll need on the day of prep versus the day of cooking. Most ingredients will be added to the ziplock bag and frozen, but a few ingredients may need to be added on the day of cooking.

I love making all of these recipes at once using the shopping list at the end of this post. Prep takes less than one hour and you’ll have five delicious meals for five different nights.

For each meal, I advise writing the name of the meal in permanent marker, the date it was made, and the cooking notes on the outside of the bag. This way, you won’t need to look the recipe up again on the day of cooking. This also works great if you are giving these as a gift to a new mom! Tip: Write these notes before adding the food to the bag. The condensation that occurs once food is added to the bag makes it hard to write on!

Defrosting Tips

It is recommended to defrost your freezer meals before placing them in the crock pot simply because the frozen gallon-sized ziplock bag ice block won’t fit in most slow cookers.

To defrost these meals, I find it best to let them defrost in the refrigerator for 12-18 hours before placing them in the slow cooker. This is enough time for the contents to defrost enough to break apart, but some larger chunks may still be frozen (this is okay, as long as they fit in the crockpot). The cook times listed in the recipe are based on a 12-18 hour defrost time in the fridge or camping cooler.

Cook Time Tips

Slow cookers can differ on their temperature settings. The times listed in the recipes are approximate times and based on a 12-18 hour defrost time in the refrigerator prior to cooking. You may need to lower or raise the time depending on your slow cooker and how frozen your food is when putting it in the crockpot.

Crock Pot Cooking While Camping

Bringing your slow cooker on a camping trip is a great way to easily make your family home cooked meals without the time or hassle of cooking over the fire or grill! Right, it’s not quite roughing it, but if you have a site with electric hookup, consider bringing these delicious meals with you on your next trip.

The best perk of these camping meals is that they are freezer friendly and can be pre-made before your camping trip. Simply freeze them in ziplock bags, throw them in your cooler or RV fridge and they will defrost enough to add to your crockpot when it’s time to start cooking.

If you don’t have electric hookup or are looking to cook over an open fire, these crockpot meals can also be made in a dutch oven! Jump ahead to see how to cook a crock pot recipe in a dutch oven.

Make Ahead Slow Cooker Recipes

3 Bean & Beef Chili

slow cooker freezer meal bean and beef chili crock pot recipe

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1 pound ground beef (or turkey or chicken)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green pepper, diced
  • 1 can (6 oz.) tomato paste
  • 1 can (15 oz.) chili beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz.) kidney beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 envelope chili seasoning

Day of Cooking

  • garnishes: sour cream, cheese, diced onions, etc.

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Saute ground beef, onion, and green pepper until beef is cooked through.
  2. Add tomato paste to beef mixture and stir.
  3. Add beef mixture and all remaining ingredients to a ziplock bag.
  4. Write on bag: Add to slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Chicken Tortilla Stew

chicken tortilla soup crock pot recipe great for make ahead slow cooker freezer meal ideas

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (16 oz.) of refried beans
  • 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 can (15 oz.) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 1 cup salsa

Day of Cooking

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • Garnishes: sour cream, crushed tortilla chips

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and cumin.
  2. Add all ingredients to a ziplock bag and freeze.
  3. Write on bag: Add two cups chicken broth and contents of bag to slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove chicken breasts and shred. Then add back to slow cooker and stir.

Sweet & Sour Chicken

sweet and sour chicken crock pot freezer meal

Note: Baby carrots can take on an odd texture when they are frozen and then defrosted in the freezer bag due to high moisture content in the bag. To eliminate this, just skip adding them to the freezer bag and instead add fresh carrots on the day of cooking.

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz. baby carrots, sliced in half (or add on day of cooking)
  • 1 onion, cut into wedges
  • 1 can (20 oz.) unsweetened pineapple chunks
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp. honey
  • 3 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp. thyme
  • 1/2 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. basil

Day of Cooking

  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp. cornstarch
  • rice for serving

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Cut onions into wedges.
  2. Slice baby carrots in half, lengthwise.
  3. Drain pineapple chunks and reserve juice.
  4. Mix pineapple juice with remaining ingredients.
  5. Place all ingredients into a gallon ziplock bag and freeze.
  6. Write on bag: Add one cup chicken broth. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Remove chicken breasts and shred. Mix 3 tbsp. cornstarch with 3 tbsp. water. Add slurry and shredded chicken to crock pot and stir. Cook for 30 minutes on high.

Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo

chicken broccoli alfredo slow cooker recipe great crock pot freezer meal recipe

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 16 ounces frozen broccoli
  • 2 cans (10.75 oz.) cream of chicken soup
  • 1 package Italian dressing mix

Day of Cooking

  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • Serve over rice, pasta, quinoa, or veggie noodles

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into a gallon ziplock bag and freeze.
  2. Write on bag: Add 1/2 cup chicken broth. Cook on low for 3-4 hours. Stir in 4 oz. cream cheese and cook for 30 minutes.

Beef Stroganoff

beef stroganoff slow cooker freezer meal for make ahead meals

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cubed
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, halved
  • 2 cans (10.75 oz.) of cream of mushroom soup

Day of Cooking

  • 1/2 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
  • serve over egg noodles

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into a gallon ziplock bag and freeze.
  2. Write on bag: Add 1/2 cup beef broth. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Add 1 cup sour cream and cook on high for 10 minutes. Serve on top of egg noodles.

Chicken & Mushroom Stew

crockpot freezer meal chicken and mushroom stew

Note: Carrots can take on an odd texture when they are frozen and then defrosted in the freezer bag due to high moisture content in the bag. To eliminate this, just skip adding them to the freezer bag and instead add fresh baby carrots on the day of cooking.

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1 10.75 ounce can of cream of mushroom soup
  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 2 inch chunks
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
  • 8 oz. baby carrots, cut in half (or add on day of cooking)
  • 4 ribs celery, diced

Day of Cooking

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • rice, pasta, quinoa, or veggies

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.
  2. Stir together soup and water.
  3. Add all ingredients to a ziplock bag and freeze.
  4. Write on bag: Add 2 cups chicken broth. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Serve on top of rice, pasta, quinoa, or veggies.

Beef Pot Roast Stew

beef pot roast crockpot recipe freezer meal perfect for batch cooking or new parents

Note: Carrots can take on an odd texture when they are frozen and then defrosted in the freezer bag due to high moisture content in the bag. To eliminate this, just skip adding them to the freezer bag and instead add fresh baby carrots on the day of cooking.

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into large cubes (2 inches)
  • 1 envelope dry onion mix
  • 2 large baking potatoes, peeled and diced in large chunks (Boil for 4 minutes and let cool)
  • 16 oz. baby carrots, cut in half (or add on day of cooking)
  • 1 onion, chopped

Day of Cooking

  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 4 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup frozen corn

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Boil diced potatoes for 4 minutes, submerge in ice water to cool.
  2. Season beef with salt and pepper.
  3. Add all ingredients to a ziplock bag and freeze.
  4. Write on bag: Add 3 cups beef broth. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Combine 4 Tbsp. cornstarch with 4 Tbsp. water. Add slurry to crock pot and stir. Add 1 cup corn and 1 cup peas. Cook for 1-2 hours more on high.

Chicken Fajitas

chicken fajita crockpot freezer meal perfect for busy weeknights or crockpot camping meal

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 bell peppers
  • 1 red onion
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 lime, juiced

Day of Cooking

  • 1 cup chicken broth

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Slice peppers and onions into large strips.
  2. Place all ingredients into a gallon ziplock bag and freeze.
  3. Write on bag: Add one cup chicken broth. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove chicken breasts and shred. Then add back to crockpot and stir.

White Chicken Chili

crockpot camping recipe white chicken chili crockpot freezer meal

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can great northern white beans
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 ounces canned green chilies
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Day of Cooking

  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • Garnish: cilantro, sour cream, salsa, cheese

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into a gallon ziplock bag and freeze.
  2. Write on bag: Add 2 cups chicken broth. Cook on low for 4-6 hours. Remove chicken breasts, shred, and return to crock pot. Stir in cream cheese and cook for 30 minutes.

Cauliflower Pizza Casserole

cauliflower pizza crockpot recipe for slow cooker freezer meal

Ingredients

Freezer Bag

  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 16 oz. frozen riced cauliflower
  • 1 cup (8 oz.) marinara sauce
  • 14 oz. pizza sauce
  • 2 tsp. oregano
  • 1 tsp. basil
  • 1/2 tsp. thyme

Day of Cooking

  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese
  • pepperoni

Directions

Freezer Bag Directions

  1. Place all ingredients into a gallon ziplock bag and freeze.
  2. Write on bag: Add 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Cook on low 3 hours. Add mozzarella cheese and pepperoni on top and cook for 30 minutes until melted.

Can you make these camping crockpot meals in a dutch oven?

All of these crockpot recipes can easily be made in a cast iron dutch oven. I would recommend defrosting the meal for 12-18 hours before cooking. When it’s time to cook, liberally oil the inside of your cast iron dutch oven. Place the dutch oven on a bed of 7 coals and then place 14 coals on top of the dutch oven. Allow to cook for approximately 45-60 minutes (depending on the recipe – see cook time conversion information below).

This cook times recommended above are based on the slow cooker to dutch oven conversion rule of thumb: A dutch oven at 325F will cook four times faster than a slow cooker on low. To create an internal temperature of 325F in your dutch oven, place 14 hot charcoals on top of the dutch oven and 7 hot charcoals underneath it. This means that a crock pot recipe that calls for a four hour cook time on low would take 1 hour in a dutch oven that is 325F.

If you want the meals to cook faster, you can add more coals underneath and on top, keeping the same ratio of double the number of coals on top than underneath.

Are these meals kid-approved?

Yes, kids love these slow cooker meals! I have 4 young (10 and under) kids, and these are their favorite freezer meals. I’ve tested out many others that just didn’t make the cut for this post. These 10 recipes are my family’s favorites!

Printable Make Ahead Slow Cooker Recipes and Shopping List

To make the preparation and cooking of these meals even easier, I’ve made a two free printable shopping lists to share. The lists includes all the ingredients you’ll need to make all ten meals, but you can also use it to make one or a couple of the meals. Feel free to download the freezer meal printable shopping list below.

printable shopping list for five freezer slow cooker recipes

If you’d also like to print all the recipes with the shopping lists, you can sign up to my email list to receive two different sets of freezer crock pot meals – 10 total meals, each with its own printable recipe pages and shopping lists. Mix and match your favorite recipes to create a custom set of make ahead, freezer friendly, slow cooker meals.

Take the stress out of meal planning

I’ll send you two sets of crock pot freezer meal resources including printable recipes and shopping lists.

Mix and match to create a menu perfect for busy nights at home or your upcoming camping trip!

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    10 make ahead crock pot recipes that are freezer friendly with printable shopping list and recipe cards

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