Make Ahead Crockpot Freezer Meals in a Bag

10 Easy Slow Cooker Freezer Meals – Dump and Go Crockpot Meals!

Crockpot freezer meals are the perfect easy dinner option for busy weeknights! I’ve got 10 slow cooker freezer meals to share can all be prepped ahead of time, stored in the fridge or freezer, and then dumped into the crockpot whenever you’re ready to cook.

For me, crockpot freezer meals are a go-to easy meal prep dinner option because they let me prepare the food ahead of time, but I still get to enjoy a freshly cooked meal. No leftovers necessary! (Although, these slow cooker freezer meals are perfect for family dinners and feeding a crowd, so they can leave you with some tasty leftovers…)

Plus, make ahead crockpot meals and slow cooker recipes of all kinds are soversatile. You can easily adjust the ingredients and seasonings to make new meals, based on whatever YOU like to eat. So, in the recipes below, don’t be afraid to make substitutions! Swap out the protein, beans, or veggies to use your favorites instead, or whatever you have on hand.

Sheet Pan & Slow Cooker Recipes eBook

You can find all of these recipes PLUS 10 deliciously easy, make ahead sheet pan meals in my Meal Prep Slow Cooker & Sheet Pan Recipes eBook! A total of 20 nutritious, simple weeknight dinners that you can prep ahead of time and enjoy as freshly cooked meals.

Or, you can also find all of these crockpot recipes in this post—just scroll down below the meal prep instructions and tips! And, if you’d like to see how I prep and cook these slow cooker freezer meals, you can watch them all in this compilation video.

Watch on YouTube: Dump and Go CROCKPOT MEALS Compilation

How to Prep Make Ahead Crockpot Meals

For meal prep purposes, here’s how to prep these make ahead crockpot meals to store in the fridge or freezer:

Add all ingredients to a freezer-safe zip-top bag. (Except any leafy greens or instant-cooking grains—save those to add at the end of the cook time.) You may choose to keep the meat, liquids, or any veggies to add at the end of cooking out of the bag and add at the time of cooking.
Remove all air from the bag and seal completely. Label the bag with the prep date.
Transfer make ahead crockpot meals to the fridge if you plan on cooking in the next few days.
Or, store in the freezer if you plan to store longer, up to 3 months. Transfer slow cooker freezer meals to the fridge to thaw ~24 hours before you plan to cook.
When ready to cook, pour the contents of the bag into the slow cooker. (Be sure to add any additional ingredients that you didn’t include in the bag if needed.)
Cook as described in the recipe!
You can also freeze cooked slow cooker meals after cooking if you have more leftovers than you need.

Tips & Substitutions for Slow Cooker Freezer Meals

Here are a few tips to consider as you prep these make ahead crockpot meals so you can customize the recipes with your favorite ingredients. And, some cooking tips in case you decide to come up with your own slow cooker recipes (or if you don’t want to use a slow cooker). I hope you feel inspired to also get creative with your own ideas!

Substitution Guidelines

Swap out whatever protein you prefer. If you have a certain protein on hand, feel free to use it! I will often buy protein when it’s on sale and then freeze it. When I find a slow cooker recipe I want to try, I will use whatever protein I have available at the time.
Swap out any beans you prefer. When a recipe notes specific bean varieties, know that the recipe will work with any variety that you prefer or have on hand.
Make sure there’s enough liquid if you’re substituting ingredients. If you want a thicker, chunkier meal, add less liquid.
Get creative with spices and seasonings, and don’t feel you need to add everything a recipe calls for if you don’t have it accessible.
If you don’t feel comfortable adjusting the ingredient amounts but you need more or less servings, consider making the recipe (or doubling it) and then freeze any leftovers.

Cooking Guidelines

For meat proteins, cook items 6–8 hours over low heat, or 4–6 hours over high heat.
You don’t need to brown the meat before adding to the slow cooker. You can if you prefer, it may add flavor—but it isn’t necessary to safely consume the meat, and cooking low and slow will still provide tons of flavor.
For grains, vegetables, beans or soups, cook 4–8 hours over low heat, or 2–3 hours over high heat.
You can cook in a pot over the stove if you don’t have a slow cooker—just monitor it and don’t leave it unattended all day!
Consider an additional component for serving. Each of the following crockpot freezer meals contains a balance of healthy carbs, protein, and veggies, but you may want to serve the meal with rice, tortillas, pasta, lettuce wraps, etc.

10 Crockpot Freezer Meals – Recipes

Again, you can get all 10 of these recipes PLUS 10 make ahead sheet pan meals—all together in one convenient place—in my Sheet Pan & Slow Cooker Recipes eBook. Or, you can check out all of the crockpot freezer meals recipes below and bookmark this link to come back whenever you want to try a new one!

Slow Cooker Beef Chili

Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Holy COW—this beef slow cooker chili is so easy and SO flavorful! Use broccoli rice to pack loads of veggies into this meal (or any crockpot meal that you like) and you won’t even know it’s there. Serve on top of rice, as a sloppy Joe, or stuffed into a sweet potato!

Fajita Style Crockpot Beef

Paleo | Whole30 | Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Skip the skillet and toss your fajita goodies into the slow cooker! Cooked low and slow, you’ll have irresistibly tender crockpot beef and veggies that are LOADED with zesty flavor. Serve over rice, on a salad, or stick with classic tortillas!

Coconut Lamb Lentil Slow Cooker Curry

Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Get a tasty blend of flavors AND healthy nutrients in this slow cooker curry meal! The lamb offers loads of protein, the slow-digesting carbs in the lentils make this dish SO hearty, and it’s all simmered in rich, creamy coconut milk. Plus, it’s packed with wholesome veggies!

Crockpot Cilantro Lime Chicken

Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Using frozen corn and canned black beans makes this crockpot freezer meal amazingly budget-friendly, and fiber-filled! Plus, it’s deliciously fresh and light, thanks to the cilantro and lime juice. Serve with tortillas, on top of a salad, or with rice as a burrito bowl!

Slow Cooker Pineapple Asian Turkey

Paleo | Whole30 | Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Make your veggies FUN to eat with this sweet and salty slow cooker turkey! The combination of soy sauce, pineapple, ketchup, and sriracha is AMAZING, with a zesty flavor kick. And you get a yummy crunch from the water chestnuts! Serve on lettuce wraps, a salad, or over rice.

Vegan White Bean Crockpot Soup

Vegan | Vegetarian | Pescatarian | Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Switch up the slow cooker routine with this vegan crockpot soup recipe! Beans are a great plant-based protein substitute, and they soak up SO much flavor in this dish. If you’re not a fan of spicy food, seed your jalapeños to enjoy their flavor WITHOUT the heat!

Tuscan Chicken Slow Cooker Soup

Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Enjoy a classic Tuscan chicken soup—and let the slow cooker do the work! It’s got an extra dose of protein and TONS of fiber, thanks to the beans and artichokes. But, the roasted tomatoes, wine, and lemon keep this hearty dish light and refreshing.

Sweet Sesame Crockpot Chicken

Paleo | Whole30 | Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Get your fix of savory and sweet in this Asian-inspired slow cooker freezer meal! The honey glaze and savory sesame are an IRRESISTIBLE flavor combo. Add instant rice near the end of cooking for an easy, balanced meal, loaded with veggies and whole-grain goodness!

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Roast

Paleo | Whole30 | Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Try a new spin on a comforting slow cooker pot roast with chicken thighs! Their nutritious fats also make them more flavorful, so you’re not missing out by not using beef. And you still get to enjoy the hearty meat-and-potatoes combo, with plenty of veggies!

Crockpot Beef and Broccoli

Paleo | Whole30 | Nut Free | Gluten Free | Dairy Free

Health-ify this classic takeout meal and amp up the flavor with your slow cooker! Soy sauce and sesame oil bring the umami, and sriracha adds a kick of heat. You’ll have tender, juicy beef, and TWO servings of broccoli in EACH serving of this dinner!

Recipe