5 of the Best Freezer Meals (no pre cooking required, just prep and freeze!)

I’m so excited to share 5 of the best freezer meals with no pre cooking required, just prep and freeze! These freezer meals are super easy to prepare and so tasty!

When I thought of freezer meals or freezer cooking in the past, I’m not going to lie, I would get super overwhelmed. It seemed people were doing things like ‘prep 500 meals in an hour and gooooo’ (<-I’m exaggerating, I think, maybe someone has done this? lol) and I’d get super discouraged. I’d end up not liking a few of the recipes and would give up before I even started. Then I made one or two meals ahead (like my freezer meal chicken enchilada casserole or make ahead quiche) and LOVED the convenience.

There are many different types of freezer meals: the freezer meals where you cook all the components, make a meal, and then freeze it and then reheat it (like this chicken broccoli alfredo freezer meal). Or the type where you prep partially freeze and then cook later (like these freezer chocolate chip cookies), OR, like I’m sharing in this post, the best freezer meals where no pre cooking is required!

These 5 freezer meals I’m sharing are all prep and put in gallon freezer bag, freeze, then cook later! They’re all super tasty.

Tips

• Label bag before adding ingredients.
• When making a freezer meal, combine all ingredients in a gallon size freezer bag (these double zip ones are my fave)
• Massage ingredients around so they’re all combined.
• Remove as much air as possible (helps avoid freezer burn)
• Lay flat when freezing (I like to put the bags in an aluminum pan)
• Use pre-chopped veggies to save time

General guidelines

• Every slow cooker/crock pot is a little different. Generally, it’s 3-5 hrs on HIGH or 6-8 hrs on LOW. I prefer low and slow so I tend to prefer cooking on LOW.
• THIS is my favorite crockpot (I own 4 crock pots, this 6 qt one is my favorite and works the most consistently.)
• Cooking times also vary based on your thawing times/etc. Check on the low end of the range and go from there.
• Freezer meals tend to keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. HERE is the FDA chart for safe food storage (it’s super neat and worth checking out.) In my personal experience (I’ve forgotten things for months and months and it’s been fine, but safety first!)
• If you have an Instant Pot, you can cook meals directly from frozen (vs. thawing overnight, as is recommended with slow cooker meals). I recommend trying to freeze your meals in a circular shape if you’re planning to cook them in an Instant Pot. Generally from frozen to Instant Pot my meals take 20-40 minutes at HIGH pressure. Check at 20 minutes, you may need to break up and cook a little longer. (Easy chili con carne is a great freezer to Instant Pot recipe).
• I’ve included instructions for cooking now, freezing instructions, and cooking from frozen as well as some serving suggestions.
• I like to add a fresh garnish (like cilantro or parley) as a topping.
• When freezing, don’t be shy with seasonings, they are a little milder in a freezer meal vs. cooking right away.

Smoked sausage bean and vegetable soup

• This smoked sausage bean and vegetable soup is hearty and delicious and perfect for those days you’re craving a soup, it is filling and makes nice big batch.
• Serve with a nice crusty slice of bread

Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli

• This freezer meal is one that gets cooked in a frying pan. S
• Sesame chicken stir fry with broccoli goes perfectly over rice (or cauliflower rice) for a delicious dinner.

Spicy Chickpea Sweet Potato and Rice Curry 

• Spicy chickpea, sweet potato and rice curry is a vegetarian freezer meal that is a stew-like dish with bold flavors.
• Serve with some pita bread and fresh cilantro

Shortcut white chicken chili

• This shortcut white chicken chili uses a jar of salsa verde to really amp up the flavor, without having to make a salsa tomatillo salsa from scratch.
• Serve this white chili with sour cream on top and with some tortilla chips and/or fresh avocado and cilantro on top

Lemon garlic Mediterranean pork

• I love the bold lemon garlic Mediterranean flavors in this freezer to slow cooker pork recipe. It’s like a version of pork souvlaki and is a great weeknight meal.
• This pork is great on pitas. Serve with pita, lettuce, tzatziki, tomatoes and olives.

5 Freezer Meals - no pre-cooking required, just prep and freeze!

These are 5 of the best freezer meals with no pre cooking required, just prep and freeze! These freezer meals are super easy to prepare and so tasty!

5 from 1 vote

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Equipment

• Gallon freezer bags
• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

Smoked Sausage and Vegetable Soup

• 1 pound smoked sausage cut into small pieces (I like chicken andouille sausage)
• 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans/chickpeas rinsed and drained
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes undrained
• 2 medium zucchini cut into chunks
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 3 cups beef broth for cooking

Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into pieces-about 3 small chicken breasts
• 1 bag (12 oz) frozen stir fry vegetables or fresh mix (broccoli, sugar snap peas, peppers, onions, carrots)
• 1 cup frozen broccoli or fresh
• 1/4 cup sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp sesame oil
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 4 cloves garlic pressed
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tbs vegetable oil for cooking

Spicy Chickpea Sweet Potato and Rice Curry

• 1 can (13.6 oz) coconut milk
• 2 tbs red curry paste
• 1 tbs turmeric
• 2 cloves garlic pressed
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper more if you like it really spicy
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 1 large sweet potato about 2 cups, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup long grain brown rice dry and uncooked
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups vegetable broth for day of cooking

Shortcut White Chicken Chili

• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into large chunks (about 3 chicken breasts)
• 1 small yellow onion diced (about 1 cup)
• 2 cans (15oz each) cannellini beans rinsed and drained
• 1 16 oz jar salsa verde
• 1 1/2 tbs cumin
• 1 bunch cilantro chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups chicken broth for cooking

Lemon Garlic Mediterranean Pork

• 2 pounds pork tenderloin trimmed and cut into large chunks
• 2 lemons 1 juiced, 1 zested and juiced
• 1 medium yellow onion chopped
• 4 cloves garlic pressed
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons oregano
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

Smoked sausage and vegetable soup

• Make Now: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-5 hours.
• Freezing Instructions: Label gallon size freezer bag with title and include “for cooking add 3 cups beef broth or water”. Combine all ingredients except beef broth into a gallon size freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air.
• Cooking From Frozen Instructions: Remove gallon bag from freezer. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator on a plate or in an empty baking dish. Put contents of the bag in a slow cooker along with 3 cups of beef broth and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-5 hours.

  This soup can also be stovetop by cooking contents of the bag and 3 cups liquid for 45 minutes on medium-high, simmering and stirring occasionally.
• Serve With Suggestion: crusty bread or crackers

Sesame Chicken Stir Fry with Broccoli

• Make Now: Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Cook chicken until slightly golden brown (5 minutes), then add veggies and other ingredients. Cook, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked through and veggies are hot and cooked through (10-15 minutes).
• Freezing Instructions: Label gallon size freezer bag with title and include “cook in 2 tbs vegetable oil”. Combine all ingredients except 2 tbs vegetable oil in gallon size freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air.
• Cooking From Frozen Instructions: Remove gallon bag from freezer. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator on a plate or in an empty baking dish. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Pour contents of bag into frying pan and cook, stirring occasionally until chicken is cooked through and veggies are hot (15-25 minutes).
• Serve With Suggestion: serve over rice or cauliflower rice

Spicy Chickpea Sweet Potato and Rice Curry

• Make Now: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-5 hours.
• Freezing Instructions: Label gallon size freezer bag with title and include “for cooking add 2 cups vegetable broth or water.” Combine all ingredients except vegetable broth into a gallon size freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air. Massage ingredient around so they're all combined. Lay flat and put in the freezer.
• Cooking From Frozen Instructions: Remove gallon bag from freezer. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator on a plate or in an empty baking dish. Put contents of the bag in a slow cooker along with 2 cups of vegetable broth and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-5 hours.

  This soup can also be stovetop by cooking contents of the bag and 2 cups liquid for 45 minutes on medium-high, simmering and stirring occasionally.
• Serve With Suggestion: serve with fresh cilantro on top and with some pita bread or naan on the side.

Shortcut White Chicken Chili

• Make Now: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-5 hours.
• Freezing Instructions: Label gallon freezer bag with title and include “for cooking add 2 cups chicken broth or water”. Combine all ingredients except chicken broth into a gallon size freezer bag. Squeeze out any excess air.
• Cooking From Frozen Instructions: Remove gallon bag from freezer. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator on a plate or in an empty baking dish. Put contents of the bag in a slow cooker along with 2 cups of chicken broth and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-5 hours.

  This soup can also be stovetop by cooking contents of the bag and 2 cups liquid for 45 minutes on medium-high, simmering and stirring occasionally.
• Serve With Suggestion: serve with sour cream, crushed tortilla chips and avocado and cilantro

Lemon Garlic Mediterranean Pork

• Make Now: Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until pork is tender and can be shredded with a fork
• Freezing Instructions: Label gallon freezer bag. Combine all ingredients into freezer bag and squeeze out any excess air. Massage ingredients around so they're all combined. Lay flat and put in the freezer.
• Cooking From Frozen Instructions: Remove gallon bag from freezer. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator on a plate or in an empty baking dish. Put contents of the bag in a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until pork is easily shredded.

  OR this pork could be baked at 350 for 45 minutes or until pork is cooked through for a non-shredded option.
• Serve With Suggestion: serve on pita with lettuce, tzatziki, tomato and olives