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Cheerios4606


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Anyone here do crock pot dinners on a regular basis?
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http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2016/06/20-slow-cooker-freezer-meals-in-4-hours/

 

This site even has the shopping list created for you!  I am wondering tho... how many of you do crock pot meals on a regular basis? Most recipies call for cooking 6 or 8 hours, but by the time I get home it has been 9 hours and everything is dried out or over cooked. How do you overcome this? In this post she suggested a crock pot that I now think I will need to get to address this. It is a programmable crock pot!

https://www.amazon.com/Crock-Pot-SCCPVL610-S-Programmable-Carry-Cooker/dp/B004P2NG0K/?tag=stockmoms-20

 

20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours

June 15, 2016 by Stephanie@StockpilingMoms 78 Comments

20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours to give your family a new and exciting dinner for 20 days! No recipe is duplicated so there is truly twenty meals.

We are excited to share with you our 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours meal plan.  This plan will allow you to have dinner planned for almost three weeks or more depending on your family size and if they like to eat leftovers! I love to save time in the kitchen so I can enjoy more moments with my boys. I also like to be prepared and know what I am serving for dinner so I am not spending time looking around for what I am going to make. When I freezer cook I save both time and money.

This was my fifth time prepping freezer meals for my family. I will say that the first time took a long time but I am now getting a rhythm down and get through it in no time. If you think 4 hours is a lot of time you have to consider that you are going to have 20 meals ready at the end of the 4 hour time!  If you are new to preparing freezer meals or don’t have the 4 hours to invest you may want to start with this plan —>How to make 8 Freezer Meals in 2 Hours.  We love it too!

20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours to give your family a new and exciting dinner for 20 days! No recipe is duplicated so there is truly twenty meals.

First of all invest in a good quality slow cooker.  Our favorite is this programmable cook and carry 6qt oval slow cooker. To start you will want to go through your kitchen and pantry and make a list of what ingredients you will need to get at the store and what you already have on hand. I had all of the spices in my stockpile. I spent the majority of money on buying freezer bags, fresh produce and fresh meat/poultry, which I only spent $157.00 at my local Kroger store. A great way to save money is to purchase your meat in bulk from ZayconFresh.  I LOVE their chicken! When you are ready to prepare the meals you will want to set everything out on the counter that you will need.

20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours to give your family a new and exciting dinner for 20 days! No recipe is duplicated so there is truly twenty meals.

Next, you will want to label all your ziploc bags with cooking times and if you need to add anything to the recipe when you place it in or out of the slow cooker. The next step was to cook any meat that needed to be cooked for a recipe (ground beef for several meals) or you can do like I did and I cooked the beef the night before and covered and placed in the fridge over night. I did this first so that the meat could cool before putting in the bag. Next I got to chopping, slicing  and dicing the veggies and fruit. I put them in bowls to keep together to make it easier when I needed to measure them out into bags.

20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours to give your family a new and exciting dinner for 20 days! No recipe is duplicated so there is truly twenty meals.

 

 

At this point I started with my meals that contained whole chicken breasts that did not need to be cubed. I filled the bags with the chicken and added ingredients. Placed the bags in the freezer.

Now I started on my meals that needed cubed chicken. After they were filled they went in the freezer. Next I worked on my beef meals.  After completing these I finished with my veggie freezer meals. Once all the meals were in the freezer I put dishes in the dishwasher and hand washed the rest. I put all the spices away and took a big deep breath, I was super excited to know that my family had meals for the next three weeks and I would not have to stress about it. One of the best parts is when I went to the store I spent less than $50 dollars on what I needed, however I did not buy most spices, broths or canned vegetables and fruits because it was in my stockpile. You may also want to consider investing in a food saver if you decide to freezer cook on a long term basis.  It extends the life of your frozen food by up to two years according to the manufacturer. 

20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours to give your family a new and exciting dinner for 20 days! No recipe is duplicated so there is truly twenty meals.

 

20 Freezer Meals in 4 Hours

Slow Cooker Maple Bacon Pork Loin Recipe

Crockpot Honey Mustard Pork Chops and Potatoes

Crockpot Chinese Beef and Broccoli

Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Lasagna

Crockpot Ginger Peach Chicken Recipe

Crockpot Beef Hash Freezer Meal Recipe

Slow Cooker Garlic Lemon Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Mexican Chili with Cornbread Topping

Pot Roast Freezer Meal Recipe

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

Slow Cooker Pork Chops with Apples and Sweet Potatoes

Crockpot Chicken Paprika Recipe

Crockpot Cheesy Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Pepper Steak

Crockpot Meatballs and Tomato Sauce Recipe

Slow Cooker Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops Recipe

Slow Cooker Mushroom Barley Stew – Vegetarian

Crockpot Black Bean Fajitas Recipe – Vegetarian

 

Click here for the —>20 Freezer Meal Shopping List

 

8 Crockpot Freezer Meals CollageWe also have 8 Crockpot Freezer Meals in 2 hours plan too!

20 Healthy Freezer Meals For Your Slow Cooker in 3 Hours

We have a 20 Healthy Freezer Meals For Your Slow Cooker in 3 Hours Plan too!

10 Crockpot Freezer Meals in 2 Hours

 We have a 10 Crockpot Freezer Meals in 2 Hours Plan too!

20 Freezer Meals in 4 Hours

 We have our original 20 Freezer Meals in 4 Hours Plan (not all slow cooker meals). 

Freezer Cooking 101 resized 2

New to Freezer Cooking? We have a Freezer Cooking 101 Series that you may enjoy!

 

Related Posts

Filed Under: Crockpot, Easy Freeze Slow Cooker Suppers, Featured, Freezer Cooking Series, Freezer Meal Plans, RecipesTagged With: 20 Slow Cooker Freezer Meals in 4 Hours, Crockpot, Freezer Meal, Slow Cooker



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Lawyerlady


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I would think if everything was frozen, it would be okay to leave in the crockpot for a couple of hours to thaw before the program turns the crockpot on.

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Lawyerlady


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Oooh, you set it to turn to warm once the cycle is done. NICE.

I need a programmable crockpot!

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Lawyerlady


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Bump for Cheerios.

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TrudyML


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No Crock Pot.

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msrock


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Lawyerlady wrote:

Oooh, you set it to turn to warm once the cycle is done. NICE.

I need a programmable crockpot!

 The Instant Pot has this setting. It is also a programmable slow cooker.



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lilyofcourse


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I haven't really used mine in a while.

I do use them more in the winter though.

I don't have enough freezer space for this much stuff.

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Lawyerlady


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msrock wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:

Oooh, you set it to turn to warm once the cycle is done. NICE.

I need a programmable crockpot!

 The Instant Pot has this setting. It is also a programmable slow cooker.

 I may look into that. 



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NAOW


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I use mine more in the winter. I notice that stuff is always done way sooner than the recipe says. Like it says high 4-6 hours or low 8-9 hours. Mine is done at 5 hours on low. I did get a programmable crock pot, but haven't played with it much yet.

I think I want an Insta Pot too now.

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I just want a professional cook to come in once a day and prepare my meals.

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Lawyerlady


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I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

I just want a professional cook to come in once a day and prepare my meals.

 This would be nice.  Along with a maid and a masseuse.

 

Now, where do we get the money?



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LawyerLady

 

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Lawyerlady wrote:
I know what to do_sometimes wrote:

I just want a professional cook to come in once a day and prepare my meals.

 This would be nice.  Along with a maid and a masseuse.

 

Now, where do we get the money?

 We need sugar daddies!



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FNW


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I don't use mine very often. The flavors tend to become bland. I do like chili made in it though.

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lilyofcourse


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I like it for keeping things warm.



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I would do this if I had the freezer space. Love my crockpot.

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Cheerios4606


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We have a big freezer in our garage so we could do it. But I have always had that one concern about the food overcooking. But the programmable crock pot is definitely something to think seriously about!

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I use mine a couple times a month
Easy to toss in some meat such as pot roast or chicken. I even did baked ziti last week with mixed results.

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Cheerios4606


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baked ziti??? ohhh that sounds yummy. Do you have a recipe?

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just Czech


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Wow! I come here and the first thing I see is crockpot meals. That's funny since I just finished making a crockpot meal!
Now I need to put a programable one on my family Christmas list. I would love one of these.

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I think pot roast and whole chickens do great in a crock pot. I have to say, I dislike all those crockpot recipes that are cheesy or gravy is a main ingredient. DD and her sitter did lasagna in the crockpot one day and it was awesome.

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just Czech


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DH loves steak strips with potatoes, covered with stewed tomatoes. I spice it up a bit. Perfect for a slow cooked meal when I'm to busy to cook.

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I used to use my crock pots more often (Yes, multiple, I had 8 of them at one point, even a programmable one). I am down to 4. But I almost exclusively use the Instant Pot nowadays. Things that take hours in the slow cooker like beef stew take 45 minutes, chili in 30 minutes, chicken pot pie mix in 25, shredded salsa chicken in 20 minutes. Even for the party I did, I cooked in the IP and transferred to slow cookers to keep warm.

And my freezer space is for stuff that is already cooked or don't know what to do with yet. I used to do the OAMC (Once a Month Cooking) but found it did not work as well for us. I may try again with meals for the IP.

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FNW


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One thing I do like to make is those country style pork ribs with a jar of TJ's peach salsa. Maintains a nice flavor.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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What's an instapot?

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I dont love crockpot food. Its mushy and not as flavorful. But its a good meal and beats getting pizza. How about soups or chili?

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TrudyML


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Nothing funnier than my neighbor in a Crock Pot cook off. He had never used one. I cried laughing for days. He made a lovely Mexican type soup and a dessert. Of course, he won. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard.

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lilyofcourse


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I think the big mistake people make with crock pots, is they dilute flavor instead of concentrate it.

I never use water.

Always use broth of some kind.

And I over season the stuff.



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jlbear71


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

What's an instapot?

 It is a 7 in 1 magic cooker.  Pressure cooker, rice maker, steamer, yogurt maker, slow cooker.  And it is instant pot, not instapot.  

https://www.amazon.com/Instant-Pot-IP-DUO60-Multi-Functional-Pressure/dp/B00FLYWNYQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1476837438&sr=1-1&refinements=p_4%3AInstant+Pot

 



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I love my instapot!

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It makes risotto in 7 minutes. Add a few more minutes for it to get to pressure. Unbelievable.

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I used my crockpot to cook freezer meals quite a bit when I was working. It was really nice to come home to dinner already cooked.
I have more time and more dietary restrictions now, so I find it easier to cook dinner from scratch right now.
I do still use the crockpot for soups and chili.

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My Instant Pot, Xena, was probably the best thing I ever bought for my kitchen! I love to saute a roast in it then cook it and it turns out delicious, you can slice it unlike most roasts I cooked in a crock pot that fall apart. They both have their uses, but my Instant Pot wins hands down!!! I have cooked so many things I never thought I would in it. I was always afraid of pressure cookers, but Xena is fabulous!

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Lawyerlady


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I like that you named your Insta Pot. Xena is a good choice. If I get one, I may have to name it Buffy.

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jlbear71


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My IP is called Precious. My time is precious and the IP saves me time. Plus DH likes LOTR.

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Lawyerlady


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Now, how to get one? Neither my mother nor my DH will buy me appliances for Christmas on principle.

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Lawyerlady wrote:

Now, how to get one? Neither my mother nor my DH will buy me appliances for Christmas on principle.

 Wait until Black Friday on Amazon when the price is just too good to pass up. THen you wont feel bad for getting it for yourself.



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jlbear71


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It is a little pricey but well worth the investment. Both in time saving and in the quality of food that comes out.

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Lady Gaga Snerd


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I have a pressure cooker and a crockpot
And a rice cooker. Why would i need an i stapot too,

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lilyofcourse


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Because it's supposed to do all of those things in half the time.

1 machine does the work of 4.

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Lawyerlady wrote:

Now, how to get one? Neither my mother nor my DH will buy me appliances for Christmas on principle.

 Just buy it!



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jlbear71


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Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:

I have a pressure cooker and a crockpot
And a rice cooker. Why would i need an i stapot too,

Only you can decide what you need in your kitchen.  

I never used a pressure cooker before the IP.  I never had a rice cooker either but minute rice in the microwave was the only way I could cook rice.  It had taken the place of my slow cooker in the kitchen.  By having one machine that does the work of several, I have storage space. I got rid of some of the slow cookers I had.  I have had my IP for almost 2 years now, before they became really popular.  I use it on average 1-2 times a week, more in the winter than the summer.  

There are some things that take as long to cook in the IP as it does on the stove.  But I am not standing over it, stirring  like risotto and polenta, so that frees my time.  Slow cooking, I can saute right in the IP and change the setting to slow cook instead of using a separate pan to sear or brown the meat.

Do I really like my IP?  Yes, absolutely.  Does it save me time and money?  Yes, we order out less since I can cook from frozen if we forget to thaw something for dinner.  Is it for everyone?  No.



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I love my instapot! I use it all the time. It cooks quinoa in 1 or 2 minutes. Amazing.

For the crockpot, a programmable one is a necessity if you ask me. It cooks the item to the temp desired and then puts it on warm until you get home. It's the only way to use it IMHO. Also, I put a dish towel on too before I put the lid on - not touching the food obviously. The towel absorbs the condensation and prevents it from watering down whatever you are making. I typically make a roast, a whole chicken, or a turkey breast in my slow cooker. Not much else.

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Riding


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yes the Instant Pot is divine, but as JL said not for everyone. But I know I use it much more than I thought I would and it is nice having one appliance do what several others did. I got my Instant Pot on Amazon and there is a FB group about it and I can always tell when there is a good sale on the Instant Pot on amazon, the FB page goes crazy!

just as info it is Instant Pot not Instapot, sorry not a huge deal, but ...well just a thing for me....but I know my Xena is my warrior Pot!!!!

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FNW


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Oh, Riding, can you invite me to that group on FB?

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TrudyML


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Riding! Add my girl!

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Riding


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FNW wrote:

Oh, Riding, can you invite me to that group on FB?

 You are added!

enjoy!

 



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lilyofcourse


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Think I'm gonna drag my crock pot out in the morning.



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Charley Harper
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Thanks, riding!

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