Simplify Family Meal Planning with Freezer Dump Meals
Add to the long list of reasons to love slow cooking: easy family meal planning. Even as lives get busier and households have less time to prepare home-cooked meals, the desire to eat together at home is growing. What is a time-conscious family to do? Look no further than a freezer bag and your slow cooker for the answer.
Known as “freezer dump meals,” these recipes require minimal prep and can be prepared up to three months in advance. Simply pull all the ingredients together in a gallon-sized freezer bag, label the bag with the meal and cooking instructions, then freeze it. When ready to cook, thaw the bag overnight in the refrigerator and dump the ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning for an effortless dinner.
We’ve selected the following 10 recipes for their rich flavors, though feel free to adjust the spices to suit your tastes.
1. Ginger-Peach Chicken
- Ingredients:
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 12-ounce bag of frozen peach slices
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- Cooking Instructions:
- Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
- Serve with rice.
2. Beef Fajitas
- Ingredients:
- 2 lb boneless beef chuck shoulder roast
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Juice from 1 lime
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Cooking Instructions:
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Shred beef with two forks.
- Serve with warm tortillas, fresh sour cream, and guacamole.
3. Potato and Corn Chowder
- Ingredients:
- 24-ounces red potato, diced
- 16-ounce package frozen corn
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 cups chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Cooking Instructions:
- Pour in chicken stock and mix.
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Stir in butter and heavy cream.
- Serve with warm bread.
4. Beef Stroganoff
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb stew meat
- 1 lb sliced baby bella mushrooms
- 1 onion, diced
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon beef stock base
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sour cream
- Cooking Instructions:
- Add water to ingredients and cook on low for 8 hours.
- Stir in sour cream.
- Serve with egg noodles or rice.
5. Chicken with Apple and Sweet Potato
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless chicken, cubed
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp curry powder
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking Instructions:
- Cook on low for 8 hours.
- Serve with rice.
6. Chicken Alfredo
- Ingredients:
- 3 lb Chicken Breasts
- 2 cans Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 Italian Dressing Mix
- 2 cups water
- Cooking Instructions:
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve with fettuccine noodles.
7. Split Pea Soup
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb dry split peas
- 2 cups diced bacon
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 2 cups carrots, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 32 oz chicken broth
- Cooking Instructions:
- Add water and chicken broth to ingredients and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
8. Meatballs and Tomato Sauce
- Ingredients:
- One bag frozen or homemade meatballs
- 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
- Cooking Instructions:
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve with spaghetti noodles.
9. Shredded Beef Tacos
- Ingredients:
- 2 1.5-lb chuck roast
- 2 tsp chicken bullion
- 1.5 tbsp Chili Powder
- 1/2 tbsp Cumin
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups water
- Cooking Instructions:
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Shred beef with two forks.
- Serve with taco shells, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, and shredded cheese.
10. Chicken Noodle Soup
- Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed
- 1/2 lb carrots, peeled and diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 oz wide egg noodles
- 8 cups chicken broth
- Cooking Instructions:
- Add chicken broth to ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Add egg noodles and cook for additional 30 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf before serving.
Enjoy the convenience and deliciousness of these freezer dump meals, perfect for busy families looking for a hassle-free way to enjoy homemade dinners together!