This post is from 2014 so costs has definitely changed!
A few years ago, I started seeing more and more posts about freezer-friendly crock pot meals. The idea of spending one day preparing meals and then having dinner practically ready on busy nights sounded amazing, so I decided it was time to give it a try.
My goal was simple: create a variety of meals so we wouldn’t feel like we were eating the same thing over and over. I wanted a mix of chicken, beef, pork, soups, stews, and family favorites that would keep dinner interesting while saving both time and money.
The results honestly surprised me.
After one shopping trip and a few hours of meal prep, I ended up with 24 freezer-friendly slow cooker meals plus enough extra ingredients for additional dinners. In 2014 for a family of five, the total cost came to about $280, which worked out to roughly $8.75 per meal or about $1.75 per person per meal.
If you’re looking for ways to save time, reduce stress, and keep your grocery budget under control, freezer cooking might become your new best friend.
Why Freezer-Friendly Crock Pot Meals Are Worth It
Freezer meal prep has become one of my favorite ways to simplify dinner time.
Benefits include:
✔️ Less weeknight cooking
✔️ Fewer trips to the grocery store
✔️ Lower grocery costs
✔️ Reduced food waste
✔️ Less takeout spending
✔️ Easy meal planning
✔️ Perfect for busy families
Instead of trying to figure out what’s for dinner every night, you’ll already have meals ready to go.
How I Planned My 24 Freezer Meals
The easiest way I found to organize my shopping list was by separating recipes by protein.
I started by calculating exactly how much chicken, beef, and pork I’d need for all of the recipes.
Once I knew the meat quantities, building the rest of the shopping list became much easier.
Helpful Meal Prep Supplies
Chicken:
Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup
A flavorful Southwestern-inspired soup loaded with chicken, vegetables, salsa verde, and spices.
Mexican Chicken Stuffed Shells
Not a crock pot recipe, but an excellent freezer-friendly dinner.
Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken
Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, salads, and rice bowls.
Crock Pot Rustic Chicken Stew
A hearty comfort food meal for chilly evenings
Crock Pot Balsamic Glazed Drumsticks
Sweet, tangy, and family-approved.
Crock Pot Orange Chicken
A takeout-inspired favorite made right at home.
Crock Pot Fajitas
Easy shredded chicken with peppers and onions.
Crock Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken
Fresh, simple, and packed with flavor.
Crock Pot General Tso’s Chicken
A slow cooker version of the popular takeout classic.
Crock pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Sweet and savory with minimal ingredients.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
One of the easiest freezer meals you’ll ever make.
Crock Pot Chicken and Gravy
Classic comfort food served over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Beef:
Beef freezer meals tend to be hearty, filling, and perfect for feeding a hungry family.
Crockpot Beef Tips & Gravy
Tender beef in rich gravy that’s perfect over rice or mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Loaded with peppers and savory flavor.
Slow cooker Mexican-Style Shredded Beef
Perfect for tacos, burritos, nachos, and rice bowls.
Marinated and Grilled Beef
Easy to prep ahead for summer grilling.
Crock Pot Chunky Beef Stew
A comforting cold-weather favorite.
Pork:
Pork is often one of the most budget-friendly meats and works beautifully in slow cooker recipes.
Crock Pot Honey Romano Pork Chops
Sweet and savory comfort food.
Crock Pot Easy Pulled Pork
Perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and meal prep.
Crock Pot Creamy Ranch Pork Chops and Potatoes
An all-in-one meal the whole family will love.
My Favorite Freezer Meal Tips
Label Everything
Always write:
- Recipe name
- Cooking instructions
- Date prepared
on every freezer bag.
Freeze Bags Flat
Flat freezer bags save space and thaw faster.
Prep Multiple Meals at Once
You’ll save a significant amount of time by assembling several meals in one session.
Use a Slow Cooker Liner
Cleanup is much easier after a busy day.
How Much Money Can Freezer Cooking Save?
One of the biggest benefits of freezer meal prep is the potential savings.
By purchasing ingredients in bulk and reducing takeout meals, many families can significantly lower their monthly food expenses.
For our family of five, these meals averaged approximately:
- $8.75 per family meal
- $1.75 per person
That’s hard to beat for homemade dinners.
Final Thoughts
These 24 freezer-friendly crock pot meals helped simplify dinner, save money, and reduce the daily stress of figuring out what to cook.
Whether you’re meal prepping for a busy season, trying to stick to a grocery budget, or simply looking for easier weeknight dinners, freezer cooking is a great place to start.
The best part? Future you will be incredibly thankful when dinner is already waiting in the freezer.
