I try to make some freezer meals a couple times a year so that on days when I’m busy or just sick of answering the “what’s for dinner” question, I can pop them in the oven or crockpot. I wanted to share the recipes I picked this round. No rhyme or reason to them – just some of our favorites we have not made in awhile. I tried to add the categories they might fall under if that’s helpful (dairy free, low carb, etc).
Just a tip for general meal planning – you can buy a big pack of frozen chicken breasts or a large pack of fresh chicken and split it up for various meals. I like to trim them and freeze in individual portions too so that I can use up items in the pantry with it later on.
Chicken Taco Soup: gluten free, dairy free
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs diced chicken breasts
- 1 small diced onion
- 1 can (15 ounces) black beans (drain and rinse)
- 1 can kidney beans (15 ounces) (drain and rinse)
- 1 can of petite diced tomatoes, not drained (20 ounces)
- 1 can of tomato sauce (8 ounces)
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 2-4 cups of chicken broth (your preference on how you like your soup)
Directions to freeze: Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag. I like to leave out the can of tomatoes and broth to prevent any unnecessary leaking that can happen in the freezer or while thawing.
When it’s time to cook: Thaw and put in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Serve with rice, cilantro, sour cream, shredded cheese, or any favorite toppings.
Curry Chicken: dairy free
Recipe adapted from The Family Freezer. To make vegetarian you can swap chicken with chickpeas.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs diced chicken breasts
- 1 can of coconut milk (13.5 ounces)
- 1 can of tomato paste (6 ounces)
- 1 can of tomato sauce (14 ounces)
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bag of frozen peas (around 12 ounces)
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp crushed red pepper
Directions to freeze: Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag.
When it’s time to cook: Thaw and put in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high.
Lemon Pepper Chicken: dairy free, low carb
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup olive oil or oil of choice
- Juice of 2 lemons, or 6 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
Directions to freeze: Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag.
When it’s time to cook: Thaw and put in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. Our favorite way to serve this is over zucchini noodles.
Cilantro Lime Chicken: dairy free, low carb
Recipe adapted from The Family Freezer.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless chicken breasts
- 1 jar of your favorite salsa (24 ounces)
- Juice of 1 lime, around 3 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 c dried cilantro (or less – your preference)
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
Directions to freeze: Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag.
When it’s time to cook: Thaw and put in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. You can shred the chicken once it’s cooked and serve as tacos or with toppings of your choice.
Mongolian Beef: gluten free, dairy free
Ingredients:
- 1 lb flank steak, sliced
- 1/4 c cornstarch (to coat steak)
- 1/2 c shredded carrots
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- 1/2 c gluten free soy sauce
- 1/2 c brown sugar
- 2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/2 c water
Directions to freeze: Slice steak and coat in cornstarch. Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag.
When it’s time to cook: Thaw and put in the crockpot for 6-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high. We like to serve over rice.
Pizza Casserole: low carb
Can cook in crockpot or casserole dish. We freeze in a foil pan.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground sausage
- 1 lb ground beef
- 6 ounces of pepperoni
- 4 c shredded mozzarella cheese
- 8 slices provolone cheese
- 1 c each of your preferred vegetables – options we like: broccoli, green peppers, onions, banana peppers
- 1 jar (32 ounces) of Rao’s marinara sauce, or any you prefer. Rao’s is keto friendly
Directions to freeze: Brown both ground meats. Dice vegetables. Layer in pan in this order (we do 3 layers, so split ingredients in thirds or half, your preference): sauce, ground meats, pepperoni, vegetables, cheese.
When it’s time to cook: Thaw and cook in crockpot or oven. In crockpot on low 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. In oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until cheese is bubbly.
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