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 share thoughts of the day over a home-cooked dinner 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 together all the ingredients in a gallon-sized freezer bag, label the bag with the meal and cooking instructions, then freeze it. On the night before you plan to cook, take the bag out of the freezer to thaw, and in the morning, dump the ingredients into the slow cooker for an effortless dinner.

We’ve handpicked the following 10 recipes for their rich flavors. Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your own tastes.

1. Ginger-Peach Chicken

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts	2 lb
Frozen peach slices	12-ounce bag
Red onion, sliced	1
Brown sugar	2 tablespoons
Soy sauce	2 tablespoons
Freshly grated ginger	1 tablespoon
Ground coriander	2 teaspoons

Instructions:

• Cook on high for 4-5 hours.
• Serve with rice.

2. Beef Fajitas

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Boneless beef chuck shoulder roast	2 lb
Bell peppers, sliced	2
Small onion, sliced	1
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Honey	1 tablespoon
Lime juice	Juice from 1 lime
Chili powder	1 tablespoon
Cumin	2 teaspoons
Paprika	1 teaspoon
Crushed red pepper flakes	1/4 teaspoon

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:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Red potato, diced	24 ounces
Frozen corn	16-ounce package
All-purpose flour	3 tablespoons
Dried thyme	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Garlic powder	1/2 teaspoon
Onion powder	1/2 teaspoon
Salt and pepper	To taste
Chicken stock	6 cups
Unsalted butter	2 tablespoons
Heavy cream	1/4 cup

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:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Stew meat	1 lb
Sliced baby bella mushrooms	1 lb
Onion, diced	1
Apple juice	1/2 cup
Beef stock base	1 tablespoon
Salt	2 teaspoons
Black pepper	1 teaspoon
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Water	1 cup
Sour cream	1 cup

Instructions:

• Add 1 cup of water to ingredients and cook on low for 8 hours. Stir in 1 cup of sour cream.
• Serve with egg noodles or rice.

5. Chicken with Apple and Sweet Potato

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Boneless chicken, cubed	1 lb
Sweet potatoes, peeled and diced	2
Unsweetened apple sauce	1 cup
Onion, chopped	1/2 cup
Garlic, minced	2 cloves
Apple cider vinegar	2 teaspoons
Curry powder	1 tablespoon
Ground ginger	1/2 teaspoon
Salt and pepper	To taste

Instructions:

• Cook on low for 8 hours.
• Serve with rice.

6. Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Chicken Breasts	3 lb
Cream of Chicken Soup	2 cans
Italian Dressing Mix	1
Cream Cheese	8 oz
Water	2 cups
Fettuccine noodles	For serving

Instructions:

• Add 2 cups water to the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• Serve with fettuccine noodles.

7. Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Dry split peas	1 lb
Diced bacon	2 cups
Yellow onion, diced	1 large
Celery, chopped	1 cup
Carrots, chopped	2 cups
Garlic, minced	3 cloves
Thyme	1/2 teaspoon
Bay leaves	2
Chicken broth	32 oz
Water	2 cups

Instructions:

• Add 2 cups water and chicken broth to ingredients and cook on low for 7-8 hours.

8. Meatballs and Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Frozen or homemade meatballs	1 bag
Crushed tomatoes	28-ounce can
Dried Italian seasoning	2 teaspoons

Instructions:

• Cook on high 3-4 hours.
• Serve with spaghetti noodles.

9. Shredded Beef Tacos

Ingredients:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Chuck roast	2 1.5-lb
Chicken bouillon	2 teaspoons
Chili Powder	1.5 tablespoons
Cumin	1/2 tablespoon
Garlic Powder	1/2 teaspoon
Salt and pepper	To taste
Water	2 cups
Taco shells, sour cream, salsa, guacamole, shredded cheese	For serving

Instructions:

• Add 2 cups of water to ingredients and 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:

Freeze in a bag:

Ingredient	Quantity
Boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed	1 lb
Carrots, peeled and diced	1/2 lb
Celery, diced	1 cup
Yellow onion, diced	1 small
Garlic powder	1 teaspoon
Dried basil	1 teaspoon
Dried oregano	1 teaspoon
Bay leaf	1
Pepper	1/4 teaspoon
Wide egg noodles	8 oz
Chicken broth	8 cups

Instructions:

• Add 8 cups of chicken broth to ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Add 8 oz of wide egg noodles and cook for an additional 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Happy freezing!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I adjust the spices in these recipes to suit my taste?

Absolutely! The provided spice measurements are just a guideline. Feel free to customize the spices according to your preferences.

2. How long can I store these freezer dump meals?

These freezer dump meals can be stored for up to three months in the freezer. Make sure to label the bags with the date to keep track of freshness.

3. Can I use different types of meat for these recipes?

Yes, you can experiment with different types of meat. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly, especially for different cuts of meat.

4. Do I need to thaw the freezer bag before cooking?

Yes, it’s recommended to thaw the freezer bag in the refrigerator overnight before cooking. This ensures even cooking and helps maintain food safety.

5. Can I use fresh vegetables instead of frozen?

Certainly! While frozen vegetables are convenient, you can substitute them with fresh ones if you prefer. Keep in mind that cooking times may vary.

Preparing delicious and wholesome meals for your family has never been easier. With these 10 freezer dump meal recipes, you can enjoy the convenience of slow cooking without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re a busy parent or just looking for ways to simplify mealtime, these recipes offer a solution that is both practical and delicious. So, stock up on ingredients, fill those freezer bags, and get ready to enjoy effortless and satisfying dinners with your slow cooker. Happy cooking!