Freezer Meals 101

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Freezer to Crock Pot

Reggae Gumbo Freezer Meal

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Reggae Gumbo is a hearty meal that makes an easy weeknight dinner. It can be made ahead and frozen and then cooked in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. It’s a versatile recipe with nice flavours.

Reggae Gumbo Freezer Meal #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #makeaheadmeals #gumboThis recipe is so hearty that it doesn’t need to be served with any side dishes. It’s a great all in one meal. The Caribbean flavours are a nice change without being too strong.

Reggae Gumbo Recipe:

  • 1 lb. pork tenderloin, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 2 cups sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup zucchini, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup onions, chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped
  • 2 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 5 1/2 oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. ginger, minced or grated
  • 3/4 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube the tenderloin.
  2. Cut up the vegetables.
  3. Place the meat, vegetables, and all other ingredients and seasonings in a large resealable freezer bag.
  4. Take out the excess air and seal. Freeze.

Cooking instructions (crock pot):

  1. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump bag contents into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

Cooking instructions (stovetop):

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place bag contents into a large pot. Bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to mow and simmer for one to one and a half hours, stirring occasionally.

This is a gluten free recipe.

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Reggae Gumbo Recipe
Ingredients
  • 1 lb. pork tenderloin cut in 1 inch cubes
  • 2 cups mushrooms sliced
  • 2 cups sweet potatoes peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup zucchini coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup onions chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery chopped
  • 2 tsp. garlic minced
  • 28 oz. can diced tomatoes
  • 5 1/2 oz. can tomato paste
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 1 tsp. ginger minced or grated
  • 3/4 tsp. oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Cube the tenderloin.
  2. Cut up the vegetables.
  3. Place the meat, vegetables, and all other ingredients and seasonings in a large resealable freezer bag.
  4. Take out the excess air and seal. Freeze.
Cooking instructions (crock pot):
  1. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump bag contents into a slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
Cooking instructions (stovetop):
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place bag contents into a large pot. Bring to a slow boil. Reduce heat to mow and simmer for one to one and a half hours, stirring occasionally.

You may also like these freezer cooking recipes:

Instant Pot Chicken Paprikash Stew 

Rustic Beef Stew BBQ Baked Beans 

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Corn and Black Beans

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We’ve been making this cilantro lime chicken for quite a few years now. It’s such a pretty freezer meal in the bag. This makes it pretty satisfying once you’ve assembled it and can stand back and admire your work! That may sound silly, but every time, I always comment on how pretty it is.Cilantro Lime Chicken #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #chickenrecipes #whatsfordinnerThis is a freezer to crock pot meal. It’s easy and delicious.With so many colourful ingredients, it’s healthy too!

Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe:

  • 3 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 19 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 12 oz. can kernel corn, drained
  • 1 purple onion, minced
  • 1 tsp. chipotle spice
  • dash salt and pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. Cube the chicken and add to a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Add the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic cloves, drained black beans and corn, minced purple onions, and seasonings.
  3. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal. Freeze. 

Cooking instructions (Crock Pot):

  1. On the day of cooking, take out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
  3. Serve on flour tortillas with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Cooking instructions (Oven):

  1. Thaw.
  2. Bake in 350° oven for one hour.

Isn’t that freezer bag pretty?!

Your family will really enjoy this fresh tasting cilantro lime chicken freezer meal. And you’ll love how easy it is to get supper on the table.

Print
Cilantro Lime Chicken Recipe
Keyword: chicken, crock pot
Ingredients
  • 3 large chicken breasts boneless and skinless, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 lime juiced
  • 1 cup cilantro chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 19 oz. can black beans rinsed and drained
  • 12 oz. can kernel corn drained
  • 1 purple onion minced
  • 1 tsp. chipotle spice
  • dash salt and pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Cube the chicken and add to a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Add the olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic cloves, drained black beans and corn, minced purple onions, and seasonings.
  3. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal. Freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. On the day of cooking, take out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a slow cooker. Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
  3. Serve on flour tortillas with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole.

Check out some of our other freezer to slow cooker meals:

Beef Curry Freezer Meal 

Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos

Freezer to Crock Pot Beef Stew 

Mahjong Chicken Dump Recipe

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This easy to make recipe has a unique flavour. We call it Mahjong Chicken and it’s a must-try.

Using the dump recipe method, this meal can be assembled in minutes and then frozen. It can be cooked in the crock pot or in the oven.

Mahjong Chicken with rice and broccoli saladMy neighbour and I loved the taste of this recipe, but we weren’t sure what to call it. Given some of the Asian flavours like the fish sauce, Chinese 5 spice, and thai sweet chili sauce, we decided to name it Mahjong after the game that originated in China.

Mahjong Chicken Dump Recipe:

  • 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (alternately, you can use 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs)
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp. garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. Chinese 5 spice
  • 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. In a large resealable freezer bag, place the chicken breasts and then dump all the other ingredients on top.
  2. Squish to combine.
  3. Remove the excess air before sealing the bag. Freeze.

Oven cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a casserole dish and bake covered at 350° for 55 minutes.

Crock pot cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place chicken and sauce into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.

Suggested side dishes for Mahjong Chicken:

You can find other simple to make chicken recipes in our Chicken Dump Recipes cookbook. It includes printable labels and grocery lists, making it easier than ever to get dinner on the table. 

Print
Mahjong Chicken
Course: Main Course
Keyword: chicken, chicken dump
Ingredients
  • 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 cup thai sweet chili sauce
  • 2 Tbsp. fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 tsp. garlic minced
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. Chinese 5 spice
  • 1/4 tsp. lemon pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. In a large resealable freezer bag, place the chicken breasts and then dump all the other ingredients on top.
  2. Squish to combine.
  3. Remove the excess air before sealing the bag. Freeze.
Oven cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Dump the bag contents into a casserole dish and bake covered at 350° for 55 minutes.
Crock pot cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place chicken and sauce into the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Recipe Notes

Instead of chicken breasts, you can use 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you prefer.

Some of our other easy chicken freezer meals for you:

Lemon Garlic Chicken Dump Recipe Honey Sesame Chicken Dump Recipe 

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Poblano

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No one will ever guess that this slow cooker spicy chicken poblano is actually a freezer meal! The flavours are fresh. There is a nice kick to it and the spiciness can be adjusted to your tastes.

Spicy Poblano Chicken in the Slow Cooker (no one will ever guess that it's a freezer meal!) #freezermeals101 #freezercooking #crockpotrecipes #makeaheadmeals #slowcookerrecipesThis recipe is keto friendly (low carb, no sugar) and gluten free if served on cauliflower rice. You can adjust the spiciness of this dish by the heat of the salsa you use and the cheese you choose to top it with.

Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Poblano:

  • 3 lbs. chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
  • 2 poblano peppers, sliced lengthwise
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 14 oz. jar medium or spicy salsa
  • 1 lime
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded taco or tex mex cheese blend
  • dash of salt and pepper

For cooking day:

  • 1/3 cup water

Assembly instructions:

  1. Slice the poblano peppers in long slices.
  2. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable freezer bag or a reusable silicone freezer bag. Take out any excess air and seal the bag.
  3. Add the pepper slices, juice of the lime, the minced garlic, the jar of salsa, and salt and pepper.
  4. Place the shredded cheese in a medium sized freezer bag, seal and staple it (above the seal) to the other bag. Freeze.

Slow Cooker cooking instructions:

  1. Take the poblano chicken meal out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the contents of the large bag (chicken and pepper mixture) into the crock pot.
  3. Add 1/3 cup water.
  4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours.
  5. Top with the shredded cheese and replace the lid for 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt.
  6. Serve over rice.

What is a poblano pepper?

When it’s dried, the poblano pepper is called an ancho chile. For this recipe, you’ll be using the fresh version of poblano peppers.

Poblano peppers are on the milder side on the Scoville scale that measures the spiciness of peppers. They range between a 1,000 Scoville heat units to 1,500. For contrast sake, jalapeño peppers rate between 2,500 to 10,000 Scoville heat units.

While the poblano pepper is considered quite mild, you can occasionally get one that’s quite hot. Like most peppers, there can be quite a range.

You can find other freezer to crock pot recipes in our Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plans. You’ll not only get the recipes, but also shopping lists, prep lists, and printable labels to take the guesswork out of weeknight meals. 

Print
Spicy Slow Cooker Chicken Poblano
Course: Main Course
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • 2 poblano peppers sliced lengthwise
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 14 oz. jar medium or spicy salsa
  • 1 lime
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded taco or tex mex cheese blend
  • dash of salt and pepper
For cooking day:
  • 1/3 cup water
  • fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Slice the poblano peppers in long slices.
  2. Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable freezer bag or a reusable silicone freezer bag. Take out any excess air and seal the bag.
  3. Add the pepper slices, juice of the lime, the minced garlic, the jar of salsa, and salt and pepper.
  4. Place the shredded cheese in a medium sized freezer bag, seal and staple it (above the seal) to the other bag. Freeze.
Slow Cooker cooking instructions:
  1. Take the poblano chicken meal out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Dump the contents of the large bag (chicken and pepper mixture) into the crock pot.
  3. Add 1/3 cup water.
  4. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 4-6 hours.
  5. Top with the shredded cheese and replace the lid for 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt.

  6. If desired, top with chopped fresh cilantro. Serve over rice.

Find other tasty make ahead crock pot meals:

Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole Slow Cooker Beef Curry Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos 

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns

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The first time I made this shredded buffalo chicken on buns for dinner, I didn’t get to taste it. My kids were so in love with it, that some of them went in for seconds and thirds before I realized what was happening. When I went to scoop up myself, there was nothing left!

Gotta love an awesome tasting meal that goes from the freezer to the crock pot! Buffalo Chicken on Buns #freezermeals101 #crockpotrecipes #buffalochicken #makeaheadmeals #freezertocrockpotLooking at the inside of that empty crock pot could have made me angry, but instead, I was thrilled! I love when I find a meal that every single one of my kids will eat with no complaints. We had a winner on our hands!

I was slightly less thrilled with the notion of warming up leftovers for myself for supper, but I knew I would get to try it the next time. I also knew how easy it had been to put together. It was an easy decision to put it into the regular freezer meal rotation.

This recipe takes minutes to throw together, so it’s easy to make several at a time so that you always have one on hand to pull out of the freezer.

I love freezer to slow cooker recipes because they combine two things that make getting supper on the table easier and faster.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns:

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz. package of cream cheese
  • 1 bottle of Frank’s Red Hot sauce
  • 1 envelope of dry Ranch seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

Directions for assembly:

  1. Put the chicken breasts into a large resealable freezer bag or silicone reusable freezer bag.
  2. Dump the other ingredients into the bag.
  3. Take out any extra air. Seal and freeze.

Cooking instructions:

If you are using a slow cooker liner, add it to the slow cooker. They are not necessary, but make clean up so simple.

  1. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  2. Cook in the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken.
  3. Spoon the chicken mixture onto buns to serve.

This mixture would also be great for making cute little buffalo chicken sliders to serve at a potluck or Super Bowl gathering or birthday party.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise to me how much my kids loved this recipe. They devour my buffalo chicken dip and request that I make it often. This shredded buffalo chicken has many of the same flavours as the dip does.

Possible Toppings for Buffalo Chicken Buns or Sliders:

  • blue cheese (slice or crumbles)
  • mozza or cheddar cheese (slices or shredded)
  • pickles
  • Ranch dressing
  • lettuce
  • tomatoes
  • coleslaw

Find more freezer to slow cooker recipes in our Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plans. It includes recipes, shopping list, and printable labels, making it so easy to get dinner on the table for your family. 

Check out some of our other make ahead crock pot recipes that can be served on buns:

BBQ Pulled Pork Slow Cooker Beef Dip BBQ Shredded Chicken with Garlic Mayo on Buns 

Print
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns
Ingredients
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 8 oz. package of cream cheese
  • 1 bottle of Frank's Red Hot sauce
  • 1 envelope of dry Ranch seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
For cooking day:
  • buns
Instructions
Directions for assembly:
  1. Put the chicken breasts into a large resealable freezer bag or silicone reusable freezer bag.
  2. Dump the other ingredients into the bag.
  3. Take out any extra air. Seal and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. If you are using a slow cooker liner, add it to the slow cooker. They are not necessary, but make clean up so simple.
  2. Take the bag out of the freezer to thaw.
  3. Cook in the crock pot on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken.
  4. Spoon the chicken mixture onto buns to serve.