• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
    • Disclosure/PR
  • Freezer Meal Recipes
  • Freezer Meal Plans
  • Dump Recipes
  • Club Login

Freezer Meals 101

Less time cooking, more time living

Freezer to Crock Pot

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Legs Freezer Meal

By Sharla

BBQ chicken doesn’t have to be reserved for the summer if you have a slow cooker at home. With the help of this freezer-friendly crock pot BBQ chicken legs recipe, you can enjoy the delicious flavours of grilled chicken without the need for a grill at all. And since this simple recipe can be prepared in a matter of minutes, it’s a great option for a busy weeknight dinner at home.chicken marinating in BBQ sauce in a clear bag and then cooked on a plateOne of our sons is a huge fan of drumsticks, so I was thrilled to figure out a way to cook them at home that allowed them to be that perfect blend of tender and crispy. 

Crock Pot BBQ Chicken Legs Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds chicken drumsticks
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 ¾ cups BBQ sauce, divided

Freezing instructions:

  1. Stir together the paprika, cumin, and salt in a small bowl.
  2. Place the chicken legs in a large freezer bag and add the spice mixture. Shake the bag to coat the chicken legs in the seasoning.
  3. Add the minced garlic and one cup of the BBQ sauce to the bag. Squeeze the bag to combine the ingredients and coat the drumsticks in sauce.
  4. Seal the bag leaving a small opening at the end. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal it completely.
  5. Pour the remaining BBQ sauce into a medium freezer bag. Staple the bag to the bag with the chicken legs in it above the seal. Place both bags in the freezer.

collage of pictures showing marinating and cooking chicken drumsticks

Serving instructions:

  1. Allow the chicken to thaw completely in the refrigerator.
  2. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for four to six hours.
  3. When the chicken is cooked through, transfer the chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush the chicken with half the reserved BBQ sauce.
  4. Place the chicken under the broiler for one to five minutes, until the sauce starts to brown.
  5. Remove the pan from the oven and flip the drumsticks over. Brush with remaining sauce and return the pan to the oven to broil an additional one to five minutes.

photos of cooked chicken drumsticks on aluminum foil

How Long Do I Cook BBQ Chicken Legs in the Crock Pot?

Cooking chicken in your slow cooker is a great way to help speed up the prep time. But since the chicken cooks slowly, you’ll need reserve several hours for cooking your drumsticks. Depending on how large your chicken legs are, they will be done cooking between four and six hours when cooked on low.

Can You Freeze Chicken with BBQ sauce on it?

Adding sauce and spices to your chicken before freezing is a great way to add some flavour to your drumsticks. That’s because marinade allows the flavours of your sauce to soak into the chicken. To prevent the acid in your sauce from breaking down the meat too much, it’s usually not recommended to marinate chicken for more than 12 hours.

But since the marinating process stops when the sauce is frozen, there’s no reason to worry about the breakdown process occurring in the freezer. That means it’s completely safe to freeze your chicken legs in BBQ sauce.

When you’re ready to cook your BBQ chicken drumsticks, simply transfer the freezer bag to the refrigerator to thaw. After that, you can prepare them on the grill, in the slow cooker, or in the oven.

Can You Cook Frozen Drumsticks in the Crock Pot?

Frozen drumsticks can be prepared in the slow cooker, but the cook time will need to be increased to ensure your chicken is cooked through. If cooking the chicken legs from frozen, allow for 8 to 10 hours of cooking when using your crock pot.

But while it’s possible to cook chicken from frozen in your crock pot, for best results I recommend thawing the drumsticks before cooking them. On top of being a safer method of cooking, giving your drumsticks time to thaw is the best way to ensure that they’re not stringy or rubbery when you’re ready to eat them.

cooked chicken drumsticks on a plate

BBQ Chicken Legs Tips & Tricks

This freezer-friendly chicken recipe couldn’t be easier to prepare! And with these baking tips and tricks, you’ll be on your way to prepping a delicious dinner for your family to enjoy in the future.

  • Always label your freezer bag. These frozen chicken legs will stay good for up to 9 months. Before you add the ingredients to your freezer bag, make sure to label the bag with the name of the recipe, the date it was frozen, and the estimated expiration date.
  • Try different cuts of chicken. These BBQ drumsticks are delicious in the slow cooker, but you can easily adjust this recipe for other chicken cuts. Chicken thighs or boneless breasts are also great options for freezing and cooking in the crock pot.
  • Keep an eye on the broiler. As you’re browning the chicken legs in the oven, it’s important that you watch the drumsticks closely as they cook under the broiler. The heat from the broiler can quickly burn your chicken and sauce, so make sure to stay close to the oven during this step of the cooking process.

Drumstick side dish suggestions:

  • coleslaw
  • garlic mashed potatoes
  • dill pickle pasta salad
  • jalapeño corn casserole
  • baby red potato salad
cooked chicken drumsticks on a plate
Print
BBQ Chicken Drumsticks
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
Broiling
10 mins
Total Time
4 hrs 10 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Keyword: chicken
Servings: 6
Ingredients
  • 3 lbs. chicken drumsticks
  • 1 Tbsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 ¾ cups BBQ sauce divided
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Stir together the paprika, cumin, and salt in a small bowl.
  2. Place the chicken legs in a large freezer bag and add the spice mixture. Shake the bag to coat the chicken legs in the seasoning.
  3. Add the minced garlic and one cup of the BBQ sauce to the bag. Squeeze the bag to combine the ingredients and coat the drumsticks in sauce.
  4. Remove excess air and seal.

  5. Pour the remaining BBQ sauce into a medium freezer bag. Staple the bag to the large bag above the seal. Freeze.

Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

  3. When the chicken is cooked through, transfer the chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet. Brush the chicken with half the reserved BBQ sauce.
  4. Place the chicken under the broiler for one to five minutes, until the sauce starts to brown.
  5. Remove the pan from the oven and flip the drumsticks over. Brush with remaining sauce and return the pan to the oven to broil an additional one to five minutes.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer to Crock Pot

Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe (Freezer Friendly)

By Sharla

Finding simple ways to spice up plain chicken isn’t always easy – especially when you’re meal prepping. But with this simple lemon pepper chicken recipe, you can put together a quick and easy main course with just a few minutes of prep work. After seasoning your chicken, store it in the freezer until you’re ready to enjoy it. Then, prepare it one of three ways – in the oven, on the stovetop, or on the grill.bag with raw chicken and cooked chicken and potatoes on a plate

This simple recipe came about because our oldest daughter is picky, picky, picky, but loves lemon pepper. If we put lemon pepper on something, there’s a good chance she will eat it. 

Chicken dump recipes are so fast to put together. Some of our favourites include:

  • Chili Glazed Chicken Dump Recipe
  • Citrus Chicken
  • Gingery Salsa Chicken
  • Honey Sesame Chicken
  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken

Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 3-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Freezing instructions:

  1. Add the chicken to a large freezer bag and top with the lemon juice, garlic, lemon pepper seasoning, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Squeeze the bag together to mix the sauce into the chicken, remove the excess air from the bag and seal. Place it in the freezer until you’re ready to prepare it.

clear plastic bag with chicken marinating in it

Serving instructions:

  1. Thaw the chicken in the refrigerator.
  2. When ready to cook in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Transfer the chicken and sauce to the baking dish and cover the pan. Cook for one hour, removing the cover for the last 10 minutes of baking.
  4. To cook the chicken on the stovetop, pour the chicken and sauce into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through.
  5. To grill the chicken, remove the meat from the bag and cook over medium high heat on the BBQ. Continue cooking until the center of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.

collage of photos of chicken going from freezer bag to oven dish to plate

What is Lemon Pepper Seasoning Made of?

The delicious combination of lemon and pepper in this classic chicken seasoning is the perfect way to top your poultry. But if you’re wondering what lemon pepper seasoning is made of, you’ll be happy to know that the recipe is pretty simple. This delicious seasoning blend is made by combining dried lemon zest, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.

This simple recipe uses premade lemon pepper seasoning for faster prep work. But if you don’t have any on hand or prefer to make your own seasoning blends, whipping up this classic combination of seasonings is pretty simple.

To make your own lemon pepper seasoning at home, combine:

  • ¼ cup dried lemon peel
  • 1 Tbsp. coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. onion powder
  • 1 tsp. garlic powder

Stir the ingredients together and use what you need for your recipe. Then, store the rest of the seasoning in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it again.

Does Lemon Pepper Chicken Freeze Well?

Most chicken recipes are perfect for freezer cooking, which means this lemon pepper chicken is a great option for meal prepping. That’s because it’s so simple to prepare! Just combine all the ingredients in the freezer bag, then store them flat in the freezer until you’re ready to cook them.

To ensure you prepare you chicken before it goes bad, make sure to write the name of the recipe, the date it was frozen, and the expected expiration date on the outside of the bag before you place it in the freezer. When stored properly, this lemon pepper chicken will stay good in the freezer for up to three months.

When you’re ready to cook your chicken, make sure to transfer it to the refrigerator to thaw the night before you plan to cook it. That will give the meat plenty of time to unfreeze safely.

cooked chicken breast and potato salad on a plate

Is it Better to Freeze Raw or Frozen Chicken?

Figuring out the best way to make use of your freezer is one of the biggest problems many cooks face while meal prepping. So, if you’re wondering whether it’s better to freeze raw chicken or frozen chicken, you’ll be happy to know that you’ll have best results when freezing your chicken raw. That’s because moisture is lost when cooking your chicken, which means it may become dry after it’s stored in the freezer for an extended period of time.

When using chicken for freezer cooking, it’s also important to remember that frozen chicken should not be refrozen after it’s been thawed. That means you’ll need to make sure to cook the chicken after removing it from the freezer to avoid wasting your poultry.

How Do You Properly Freeze Chicken?

The key to making your frozen chicken last as long as possible is to properly store it in the freezer. With these freezing tips, you can ensure your chicken tastes amazing no matter how long it’s been stored.

  • Choose the proper container. Airtight containers and freezer bags are the best option when storing chicken in the freezer.
  • Remove all the air. To keep the chicken from getting freezer burn, removing excess air from the container is essential. Make sure to squeeze out as much air as possible before storing for the best results.
  • Label the container. To keep track of the recipes inside your freezer, it’s always a good idea to label your containers. Write the name of the recipe, date of freezing, and expected expiration date clearly on each container. I also like to include the cooking instructions.
cooked chicken breast and potato salad on a plate
Print
Lemon Pepper Chicken
Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Keyword: chicken, chicken dump
Servings: 6
Ingredients
  • 3-5 chicken breasts boneless, skinless chicken breasts or 8-10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Add the chicken to a large resealable freezer bag and top with the lemon juice, garlic, lemon pepper seasoning, and cayenne pepper.

  2. Squish to combine, remove excess air, and seal. Freeze.

Oven cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Preheat the oven to 350° and grease a large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.

  3. Transfer the chicken and sauce to the baking dish and cover the pan. Cook for one hour, removing the cover for the last 10 minutes of baking.
Stovetop cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. To cook the chicken on the stovetop, pour the chicken and sauce into a large skillet. Cook over medium heat until the chicken is cooked through.
BBQ cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. To grill the chicken, remove the meat from the bag and cook over medium high heat on the BBQ. Continue cooking until the center of the chicken reaches 165 degrees.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Dump Recipes, Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer to Crock Pot

Freezer Friendly Marinated Pork Tenderloin Recipe

By Sharla

Finding versatile recipes for your meal prep is a great way to extend your freezer meals for months. That’s why this marinated pork tenderloin recipe is a family favourite. On top of being simple to prepare for freezing, this easy recipe can be cooked four different ways. Whether you’re looking for an oven-baked, slow cooker, stovetop, or BBQ recipe, you’ll love this simple freezer friendly main course.pork in a bag with parsley and sauce and then on a blue plate

Pork is a great freezer meal option. Some of our other popular pork recipes include our Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork and our Apple Pork Chops. 

Marinated Pork Tenderloin Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds pork tenderloin
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley

Freezing instructions:

  1. Place the pork tenderloin in a large freezer bag. Add the lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, pepper, and dried parsley to the bag. Squish the ingredients together to mix the sauce into the meat.
  2. Remove excess air from the bag and seal to close it. Store the pork tenderloin in the freezer until you’re ready to cook it.

pork on a plate next to rounds of sweet potato

Serving instructions:

  1. Thaw the pork tenderloin in the refrigerator.
  2. To bake the tenderloin in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Add the tenderloin to the dish and cover the pan. Cook for 50 to 60 minutes until the internal temperature of the roast reaches 155 degrees. Allow the tenderloin to rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  3. To make the pork in the crockpot, place the tenderloin in the pot and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 5 to 7 hours.
  4. To make the pork tenderloin on the grill, cook the pork over indirect heat until the center of the meat is white and the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.
  5. To prepare the pork on the stovetop, place the pork tenderloin in a large skillet with one tablespoon butter. Brown each side of the tenderloin for 5 to 8 minutes, until the meat is white throughout. Add the remaining sauce to the skillet and bring to a boil. Simmer for three minutes, then pour the sauce over the tenderloin to serve.

Can You Freeze a Marinated Pork Tenderloin?

Freezing your marinated pork tenderloin is a simple way to meal prep. That’s because it’s so easy to prep your pork for cooking later! Just add the tenderloin to a freezer-friendly container and add the marinade. As the pork is stored in the freezer, then sauce will soak into the meat adding flavour while it freezes.

How Long Can You Freeze Raw Pork Tenderloin?

Pork tenderloin is a great option for freezer cooking because it its long freezer life. Although pork is at its best when eaten within three months of being frozen, when stored properly, pork will stay good for up to 12 months in the freezer. To ensure your pork tenderloin stays fresh while it’s being stored, use these simple freezing tips:

  • Store it in the right container. Freezer safe containers or zip-top freezer bags are both great options for storing your pork tenderloin.
  • Remove excess air from the container. No matter what type of container you use to store your marinated tenderloin, it’s important that all the extra air is removed before you place it in the freezer. This will help the meat stay fresh and prevent freezer burn from damaging your pork while it’s in the freezer.
  • Label the container. Before placing your marinated pork in the freezer, make sure to label your container to help you keep track of what you have stored in the freezer. Write the name of the recipe, the date it was frozen, and the expected expiration date on the front of the bag so it’s easy to see.

How Do You Know When Pork Goes Bad in the Freezer?

In spite of its long freezer life, your pork will eventually go bad if you keep it in the freezer too long. There are a few tell-tell signs that your pork tenderloin has gone bad:

  • Ice crystals forming around the meat
  • The meat’s texture looks different
  • It has a strange smell
  • The colouring has changed to a shade of brown

What’s the Best Way to Cook a Marinated Pork Tenderloin?

Using a marinade on your tenderloin is a great way to help keep the meat moist and juicy while it cooks. But the cooking method is also important to preparing a delicious tenderloin.

Cooking the tenderloin low and slow is the best way to add flavour to your pork while also keeping its natural juices intact. That means cooking your tenderloin in the oven or slow cooker are both great preparation options.chunk of pork with spices on it sits on a square blue plate

How Do You Cook a Pork Tenderloin Without Drying It Out?

There is one simple trick you can use to ensure your pork tenderloin stays juicy no matter what method you use to cook it. As you’re cooking your pork, make sure to place it in the pan with the fat side up. As your tenderloin cooks, the fat will drip from the top of the loin onto the meat on the bottom, adding flavour and moisture as it cooks.

chunk of pork with spices on it sits on a square blue plate
Print
Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Keyword: pork
Servings: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 lbs pork tenderloin
  • 3 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Place the pork tenderloin in a large resealable freezer bag. Add the other ingredients. Squish to combine.

  2. Remove excess air from the bag and seal. Freeze.

Oven cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. To bake the tenderloin in the oven, preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a casserole dish with cooking spray. Add the tenderloin to the dish and cover the pan. Cook for 50 to 60 minutes until the internal temperature of the roast reaches 155 degrees. Allow the meat to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Slow Cooker Instructions
  1. Thaw. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 5 to 7 hours.

Grilling instructions
  1. Thaw. Cook the pork over indirect heat until the center of the meat is white and the internal temperature reaches 155 degrees.

Stovetop cooking instructions
  1. Place the pork tenderloin in a large skillet with one tablespoon butter. Brown each side of the tenderloin for 5 to 8 minutes, until the meat is white throughout. Add the remaining sauce to the skillet and bring to a boil. Simmer for three minutes, then pour the sauce over the tenderloin to serve.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer to Crock Pot

Crock Pot Chana Masala

By Sharla

Enjoying a meatless meal every once in a while is a great way to save money and eat healthier. But just because your dinner isn’t made with meat doesn’t mean it has to lack flavour. This simple slow cooker chana masala recipe features a spicy tomato sauce over protein packed chickpeas, making it a delicious vegetarian dish everyone in the family will love.freezer bag on top, chickpeas on rice in a bowl on the bottomI was vegetarian for many years so I amassed a good variety of tasty meatless recipes. Some of my other freezer friendly meatless meals include Black Bean and Corn Enchiladas, African Thai Stew, and the Asian Rice Bowl.

Slow Cooker Chana Masala Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans (19 oz. each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tablespoon ginger
  • 3 Thai chilies
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 2 teaspoons turmeric
  • 2 teaspoons garam masala
  • 5 oz. can tomato paste
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 cups vegetable broth

Freezing instructions:

  1. Combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, ginger, Chilies, cumin, turmeric, garam masala, tomato paste, lemon juice, and vegetable broth in a large freezer bag.
  2. Seal the bag and squish to mix all the ingredients together.
  3. Open the corner of the bag and squeeze to remove excess air, then reseal. Store the bag flat in the freezer until ready to serve.

plastic bag with chickpea stew inside

Serving instructions:

  1. Thaw the chana masala ingredients in the refrigerator.
  2. Pour the contents of the bag into the slow cooker and cook on low for four to six hours.
  3. Serve with basmati rice or naan.

collage of photos of chickpea stew going from freezer bag to slow cooker to bowl

Can I Freeze Homemade Chana Masala?

Preparing the ingredients for your chana masala (sometimes called chole masala or channay) ahead of time is a great way to speed up the prep work on your day of cooking.

So, if you’re wondering whether you can freeze this dish, the answer is yes!

You have two options when it comes to making your slow cooker chana masala ahead of time:

  • Freezing the ingredients, then cooking the chana masala. This is a good option if you’re hoping to speed up the preparation process on your meal planning day. Simply combine all the ingredients in a freezer bag and store in the freezer until you’re ready to cook your meal.
  • Cooking the chana masala, then freezing it. If you want to speed up the preparation time on your cooking day, precooking the chana masala is a great choice. Prepare the recipe in the slow cooker, then allow the ingredients to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container. Keep in mind that you should not refreeze the chana masala after thawing it because the chickpeas and sauce will quickly become mushy.

grey bowl with chickpea stew on top of rice

Can You Reheat Chana Masala?

Reheating your chana masala is simple. The process depends on how you prepared your ingredients for freezing. If you opted to freeze the ingredients, just pour the contents of your freezer bag into a slow cooker and cook until the chickpeas have softened.

But if you precooked your meal and then stored it in the freezer, the chana masala can be reheated in a skillet over medium heat.

Either way, make sure to thaw the ingredients completely before cooking them. The safest way to thaw your frozen ingredients is to transfer the bag to the refrigerator the night before you plan on cooking the meal. This will give your chana masala plenty of time to thaw before you’re ready to cook it.close up of bowl with chickpea stew on rice

How Long Does Chana Masala Last in the Freezer?

When it’s stored properly, this chickpea stew will stay good for up to three months in the freezer. To keep the meal fresh for as long as possible, make sure to remove as much excess air from your container as you can.

After transferring the ingredients into the freezer bag and removing the air from the bag, lay it flat to optimize space in your freezer. And don’t forget to label the bag with the name of the recipe, date of freezing, and expected expiration date so you’ll know exactly when you need to reheat your meal before the ingredients go bad.

Chana Masala Recipe Tips & Tricks

My favourite thing about this slow cooker recipe is how easy it is to customize. On top of easily adjusting the heat of the sauce, you can also add ingredients to create a unique dish for your family. Try these recipe adjustments and additions to create a whole new dinner every time you make this crock pot meal.

  • Mix in some veggies. One of the simplest ways to customize this dish is with the addition of some vegetables. Simple greens, like kale or spinach, are a great way to mix some more vitamins into your dinner. Or add some frozen peas, corn, or carrots to the bag before freezing to make the dinner even more filling.
  • Add some jalapeños. The Thai chilies in this recipe give this Indian dish a little bit of heat. But if you want to take the spice level up a notch, you can also mix in some finely chopped jalapeños. For a milder flavour, remove the seeds before chopping. Otherwise, keep the seeds attached to create a spicy dish.
  • Stir in sour cream when serving. To give your chana masala a creamier texture, try mixing sour cream into the dish when you serve it. The cream will help thicken the sauce and balance out the heat of the peppers.
grey bowl with chickpea stew on top of rice
Print
Slow Cooker Chana Masala
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
4 hrs
 
Course: Main Course
Keyword: vegetarian
Servings: 6
Ingredients
  • 38 oz. chickpeas drained and rinsed
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp. ginger
  • 3 Thai chilies
  • 1 tsp. cumin
  • 2 tsp. turmeric
  • 2 tsp. garam masala
  • 5 oz. tomato paste
  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Combine the chickpeas, onion, garlic, ginger, chilies, seasonings, tomato paste, lemon juice, and vegetable broth in a large freezer bag.

  2. Squish to combine.

  3. Remove excess air, seal, and freeze.

Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Pour the contents of the bag into the slow cooker and cook on low for four to six hours.
  3. Serve with basmati rice or naan.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer to Crock Pot Tagged With: vegetarian

Hamburger Goulash (Freezer Friendly)

By Sharla

Finding hearty meals to fill up your family is a must – even on a busy weeknight. That’s why I love incorporating some easy pasta dinners into my weekly meal plan. With this simple make ahead hamburger goulash recipe, you can prepare a delicious one-pot meal for your family to enjoy, no matter how hectic your schedule is.

When you’re planning your dinner recipes, know that comfort food always hits the spot. Some of our other comfort food recipes include Chicken Noodle Soup Casserole, One Pot Taco Spaghetti, and good ole Macaroni and Cheese.meal in clear freezer bag, then in pot, then in a bowl

Hamburger Goulash Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces macaroni pasta
  • 1 ½ pounds ground beef, browned
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 green pepper, cubed
  • 14 ounces diced tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 16 ounces tomato sauce
  • 3 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

Freezing instructions:

  1. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook the macaroni one to two minutes less than the package directions. Drain the water from the pasta and rinse it under cold water. Set the bowl aside.
  2. Place the shredded cheese in a medium sized freezer bag and seal.
  3. Add the browned beef and cooked macaroni to a large resealable freezer bag, along with the onion, green pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. 
  4. Seal the bag, leaving a small opening at the end. Remove excess air from the bag and seal completely. Staple the medium size bag of cheese to the large bag above the seal.
  5. Place both bags flat in the freezer until you’re ready to cook the goulash.

hamburger goulash in freezer bag

Serving instructions:

  1. Transfer the goulash ingredients to the refrigerator to thaw.
  2. Place the contents of the freezer bag in a large skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the ingredients are heated through, top with the shredded cheese and serve.

collage of photos of goulash going from freezer bag to stovetop to bowl and then topped with cheese

Note that you’re slightly undercooking the pasta so that it doesn’t get mushy when it’s reheated. If you’re not planning to make this as a freezer meal and are serving it right away, then cook the macaroni according to the package directions.

Can You Freeze Hamburger Goulash?

Since all the ingredients in this hamburger goulash recipe are freezer friendly, it’s perfect for meal planning. And preparing all the ingredients for your dinner ahead of time makes cooking dinner so easy.

To freeze your hamburger goulash, start by cooking the pasta and ground beef. After that, all that’s left to do is combine all the ingredients together in a freezer-safe container. Goulash can be frozen in a larger freezer bag or in an airtight container until you’re ready to cook it.

When you’re ready to enjoy your goulash, start by thawing the ingredients in the refrigerator. Then, the recipe can be reheated on the stovetop.

What is the Difference Between Hungarian Goulash and American Goulash?

While both recipes feature the name “goulash,” the Hungarian and American versions of goulash are actually very different. Hungarian goulash is a thick stew made of a combination of meat and vegetables seasoned with spices. American goulash is typically made by combining ground beef and pasta with a tomato-based sauce.

How Long is American Goulash Good for in the Freezer?

Once you combine the ingredients for your goulash, it’s best to reheat your dinner within three months after freezing it. To ensure your recipe stays fresh in the freezer, make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container and remove as much excess air from the container to avoid freezer burn.

Before placing the goulash in the freezer, take the time to write the name of the recipe on the container, along with the date of freezing and the expected expiration date.

skillet with a ladle in it stirring hamburger goulash stew

Can I Make Hamburger Goulash in the Crock Pot?

In addition to reheating your goulash on the stovetop, you can also reheat the frozen meal in the slow cooker. Just pour the contents of the freezer bag into the pot of your slow cooker and set the crockpot to cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.

Before serving, add the cheese to the slow cooker and stir to mix it in. Replace the lid on the top of the crockpot and continue cooking for five to 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

How Do You Store Leftover Goulash?

After enjoying your dinner, you may have a few leftovers. To store leftover goulash, transfer the pasta to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator. The pasta will stay good for up to three days. The goulash can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Hamburger Goulash Recipe Variations

Since this one pot recipe is quick and easy to prepare, it’s also easy to adjust. With the help of these recipe variations, you can change up the ingredients to suit your family’s preferences.

  • Use ground turkey. Try replacing the ground beef with ground turkey to reduce the fat content in your goulash. The same amount of ground turkey can be used in place of ground beef.
  • Try different types of pasta. Macaroni noodles are the classic option when making goulash, but you can use any type of pasta you have on hand. Penne, rigatoni, and small shells are all great options for this simple recipe.
  • Add some vegetables. Make your American goulash more like Hungarian goulash with the addition of some veggies. You can add diced carrots, peas, green beans, corn, or spinach to the pot with the hamburger and pasta to give your goulash a more authentic flavour.
skillet with a ladle in it stirring hamburger goulash stew
Print
Hamburger Goulash
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: pasta, stew
Servings: 6
Ingredients
  • 8 oz. macaroni pasta
  • 1 ½ lbs. ground beef browned
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 green pepper cubed
  • 14 oz. diced tomatoes
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 Tbsp. ketchup
  • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 16 oz. tomato sauce
  • 3 tsp. Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • ½ tsp. pepper
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Bring water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook the macaroni one to two minutes less than the package directions. Drain the water from the pasta and rinse it under cold water. Set the bowl aside.

  2. Place the shredded cheese in a medium sized freezer bag and seal.
  3. Add the browned beef and cooked macaroni to a large resealable freezer bag, along with the onion, green pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, bay leaves, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  4. Seal, remove excess air, and seal. Staple the medium size bag of cheese to the large bag above the seal.

  5. Freeze.

Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Place the contents of the freezer bag in a large skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally. When the ingredients are heated through, top with the shredded cheese and serve.

Filed Under: Freezer Meal Recipes, Freezer Skillet Meals, Freezer to Crock Pot

  • « Go to Previous Page
  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to page 3
  • Go to page 4
  • Go to page 5
  • Interim pages omitted …
  • Go to page 14
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

  • Freezer Meals for One
  • Easy Tuna Casserole Freezer Meal
  • Ham and Cheese Sliders Make Ahead Sandwiches
  • Ground Beef Stroganoff Freezer Meal
  • Scrambled Egg Bites (freezer breakfast idea)
  • Easy Cheesy Tater Tot Chicken Casserole

Categories

Copyright © 2023 · Lifestyle Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in · Privacy Policy