Freezer Meals 101

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3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs

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These tender ribs can go from the freezer to the crockpot to create a delicious meal.

Dr. Pepper is a carbonated soft drink, sometimes called “soda” or even “Coke”. Here in my region in Canada, we call it “pop”. The pop helps tenderize the meat, making it melt in your mouth tender. In fact, I use it more for cooking than as a beverage like our Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork and Dr. Pepper Baked Beans.

 

close up of a black slow cooker filled with ribs and red sauce with text that reads "3 ingredients Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs" #freeermeals101 #makeahead #slowcooker #drpepperribs

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 rack of ribs
  • 1/4 cup Dr.Pepper
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • salt
  • pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. Cut the rack of ribs in thirds so that the ribs can lay flat in the crockpot later! Place the three pieces in a large resealable freezer bag.
  2. Sprinkle with salt & pepper.
  3. Dump in 2 cups of BBQ sauce. Pour in Dr. Pepper and squish to combine.
  4. Remove excess air from the bag, seal, and freeze. collage of ribs, ingredients and crockpot for Dr Pepper ribs

Cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place the ribs in the crockpot.
  3. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.
  4. Remove from the slow cooker once the ribs are fully cooked.
  5. If desired, top with some additional BBQ sauce before serving.

Helpful hint: If you want, you can whip up a small batch of the extra sauce by mixing an additional 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce with 1 additional Tbsp. of Dr. Pepper. Freeze the extra sauce in a medium freezer bag. Staple that bag to the other bag above the seal. You can use this sauce when serving. close up of Slow cooker with Dr Pepper and ribs

Can you cook frozen ribs in the Crock-Pot?

It’s not recommended to cook frozen meat in a slow cooker as there is the risk of harmful bacteria contaminating the meat before it has the chance to reach a safe temperature. It is best to thaw the ribs in the refrigerator before adding them to a slow cooker.

Print
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Dr Pepper, ribs
Servings: 4
Calories: 329 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1 rack of ribs
  • 1/4 cup Dr.Pepper
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • salt
  • pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:

  1. Cut the rack of ribs in thirds so that the ribs can lay flat in the crockpot later! Place the three pieces in a large resealable freezer bag.

  2. Sprinkle with salt & pepper.

  3. Dump in 2 cups of BBQ sauce. Pour in the Dr. Pepper and squish to combine.

  4. Remove excess air from the bag, seal, and freeze.

Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.
  2. Place the ribs in the crockpot.
  3. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 8 hours.

  4. Remove from the slow cooker once the ribs are fully cooked.

Check out our other Dr. Pepper Freezer Meals:

Dr. Pepper Baked Beans

Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork in the Crock Potclose up of slow cooker Dr Pepper pulled pork with salad on the side

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork

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Oh, man! You’re going to love this Dr. Pepper pulled pork recipe! It has just a bit of kick from the peppers that plays so nicely with the sweetness in the soda.a bun sits on a white plate with shredded meat on top of it and a green salad beside it with a few tomato pieces. The text reads "Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork - freezer meal - crock pot" #freezermeals101 #pulledpork #crockpotfreezermeal This freezer to Crock-Pot®  recipe is all kinds of tasty. I like to serve it on buns with a bit of garlic mayo, but just plain old buns are fine too.

I take this with us when we go camping if there is a plugin for my crockpot. Just pop the freezer meal in the cooler for the drive there and then on the day you want to serve it, throw it in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe:

  • 5-7 lb. pork shoulder or butt
  • 1 large onion, coarsely chopped
  • 1 can (11 oz.) chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
  • 2 cans Dr. Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper

Assembly instructions:

  1. Place the pork in a large resealable bag.
  2. Toss in the chopped onion, can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.
  3. Pour in 2 cans of Dr. Pepper soda pop, holding the bag up to prevent spills.
  4. Remove the excess air, seal the bag, and freeze. collage of Dr Pepper pulled pork in the crockpot and on a plate with salad

Cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Place in the crockpot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.
  3. Shred and serve on buns.

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

Cilantro Lime Chicken with Black Beans and Cornclose up of cilantro lime chicken with corn, black beans, salsa, sour cream and guacamole

Freezer to Slow Cooker Beef  Stewclose up of beef stew made in a crockpot, served in a bowl

Easy Beef Dipclose up of beef on a bun with a side bowl of dip

Print
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork Recipe
Prep Time
5 mins
 
Course: Main Course
Keyword: pork
Servings: 12
Calories: 510 kcal
Ingredients
  • 5-7 lb. pork shoulder or butt
  • 1 large onion coarsely chopped
  • 1 can 11 oz. chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
  • 2 cans Dr. Pepper
  • 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. pepper
Instructions
Assembly instructions:
  1. Place the pork in a large resealable bag.

  2. Toss in the chopped onion, can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, brown sugar, salt, and pepper.

  3. Pour in 2 cans of Dr. Pepper soda pop, holding the bag up to prevent spills.

  4. Remove the excess air, seal the bag, and freeze.
Cooking instructions:
  1. Thaw.

  2. Place in the crockpot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8 hours.

  3. Shred and serve on buns.

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 flavors 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 the cooking day:

  • 1/3 cup water

Assembly instructions:

  1. Slice the poblano peppers into 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 crockpot.
  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 the 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 of the Scoville scale that measures the spiciness of peppers. They range from 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 more freezer to crockpot 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
Keyword: spicy chicken
Servings: 6
Calories: 379 kcal
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 crockpot meals:

Pesto Chicken and Vegetables

close up of chicken pesto with vegetables on a baking sheet

Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole Slow Cooker Beef Curry close up of beef curry Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos close up of 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 crockpot 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 crockpot 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 flavors as the dip does.

Possible Toppings for Buffalo Chicken Buns or Sliders:

  • blue cheese (slice or crumbles)
  • Mozza or cheddar cheese (sliced 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, a 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 crockpot® recipes that can be served on buns:

BBQ Pulled Pork close up of pulled pork on a bun with sauceSlow Cooker Beef Dip close up of beef on a bun with dipBBQ Shredded Chicken with Garlic Mayo on Buns collage of BBQ shredded chicken on a bun plated and in the slow cooker

Print
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken on Buns
Course: Main Course
Keyword: buffalo, chicken
Servings: 6
Calories: 300 kcal
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 crockpot on high for 3-4 hours. Shred the chicken.

  4. Spoon the chicken mixture onto buns to serve.

Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole

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This beefy rice casserole is an easy family friendly freezer meal. It’s great for taking out and cooking in the slow cooker on busy weekdays.white bowl filled with a beef and rice mixture with fork next to it

Beefy Rice Crock Pot Recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef, browned
  • 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup green pepper, chopped
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain converted rice

Assembly instructions:

  1. Place the uncooked rice in a medium sized resealable freezer bag. Seal.
  2. Brown the beef.
  3. Chop the onion and green pepper.
  4. Add the cooled ground beef, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and seasonings to a large resealable freezer bag. 
  5. Squish to combine.
  6. Remove the excess air and seal.
  7. Staple the bag containing the rice to the larger bag above the seal.
  8. Freeze.

Cooking instructions:

  1. Thaw.
  2. Remove the staples (carefully). 
  3. Dump the contents of both bags to the slow cooker. 
  4. Add one cup of water and stir. 
  5. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

Print
Beefy Rice Slow Cooker Casserole
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: beef, rice, slow cooker
Servings: 6
Calories: 367 kcal
Ingredients
  • 1.5 lbs cooked ground beef
  • 28 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped green pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain converted rice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp chili powder
Instructions

  1. Place the uncooked rice in a medium-sized resealable bag and seal.

  2. Chop the onion and green pepper.

  3. Add the browned ground beef that you cooked the night before, tomatoes, onion, green pepper, and seasonings to a large resealable bag. Squish everything in that bag together.

  4. Remove the excess air from the bag and seal.

  5. Staple the medium bag of uncooked rice to the large bag above the seal.

Cooking Instrucitons:

  1. On the day of cooking, take the meal out of the freezer and thaw it.

  2. Carefully take out the staples and add the contents of both bags to the slow cooker. Add 1 cup of water and stir.

  3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

This family-friendly freezer meal is included in our Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Plan which has recipes, shopping lists, and printable labels. 

Check out these other family-friendly crockpot freezer meals:

Beef Stroganoff Freezer Meal 

Freezer to Crock Pot Beef Stew