Slow Cooker Dump Bags {Freeze and Go Meals}

What is a ‘Dump Bag’?

A ‘dump bag’ is a freezer bag filled with all the ingredients needed for a slow cooker meal. The ingredients are prepared in advance, placed in the bag, and then frozen until ready to use. On the day of cooking, the frozen bag is simply “dumped” into the slow cooker, making meal preparation quick and easy.

What’s the Benefit of Meal Prepping Like This?

Preparing slow cooker meals in advance using dump bags offers several benefits:

1. Time-saving: By doing the prep work ahead of time, you can simply dump the contents of the bag into the slow cooker on the day you want to cook, saving valuable time during the busy weeknight rush.
2. Convenience: Freeze multiple dump bags at once and you’ll have a selection of meals ready to go, making it easy to plan and prepare dinner.
3. Cost-effective: Buying ingredients in bulk when prepping the dump bags can be more cost-effective than purchasing individual ingredients each time you want to cook.
4. Reduced waste: With all the ingredients pre-portioned in the bag, there’s less chance of food waste.

Do You Have to Defrost the Food Before Cooking it in the Slow Cooker?

Yes, it is recommended to fully defrost the contents of the dump bag before adding it to the slow cooker. Cooking from frozen can lead to uneven heating and food safety concerns. The best approach is to transfer the frozen bag to the refrigerator the night before and allow it to thaw completely before dumping it into the slow cooker.

Which Bags or Containers are the Best to Use?

When it comes to selecting the right bags or containers for your dump bags, there are a few key considerations:

1. Plastic Bags: Single-use plastic bags are the most convenient option as they can be easily sealed and laid flat in the freezer. Look for high-quality, freezer-safe bags.
2. Reusable Bags: Reusable plastic or silicone bags are also a good choice, as they can be used multiple times. Again, ensure they are freezer-safe.
3. Airtight Containers: Sturdy, airtight containers like glass or plastic meal-prep containers can work well too, but they may take up more space in the freezer.

Regardless of the container, the key is to remove as much air as possible before freezing to prevent freezer burn.

Some Final Tips

• Labeling: Be sure to label each dump bag with the recipe name, contents, cooking instructions, and the date it was prepared.
• Freezer Space: Ensure you have enough freezer space to accommodate all the dump bags you plan to prepare.
• Customization: Adjust the recipe and portion sizes to suit your family’s needs and the capacity of your slow cooker.
• Prepping Veggies: Blanch or partially cook high-moisture vegetables like potatoes, zucchini, and peppers before freezing to prevent them from becoming mushy.
• Avoid Dairy: Dairy products like milk, cream, and cheese are best added at the end of the cooking process, not frozen in the dump bag.

The Dump Bag Recipes

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This classic Indian-inspired dish is perfect for a dump bag. Prepare the sauce ingredients in advance, then add the chicken on the day of cooking.

Beef Goulash

A hearty, comforting beef stew that can be easily prepped and frozen. Just add the peppers when it’s time to cook.

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter Stew

This vegan stew is full of flavor and can be prepped entirely in the dump bag.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Recreate a takeout favorite at home with this easy slow cooker recipe.

Slow Cooker Beef Curry

A flavorful curry that can be made even simpler by prepping the ingredients in advance.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

The sticky, sweet sauce in this recipe is perfect for a dump bag meal.

Slow Cooker Chicken & Chorizo Stew

Hearty and delicious, this stew is ready to go with the dump bag method.

Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne

Spice up your dinners with this classic chili, made even easier with a dump bag.

Slow Cooker Cream of Vegetable Soup

This comforting soup can be prepped entirely in the dump bag, no defrosting required.

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

An Indian-inspired curry that’s perfect for busy weeknights when made using a dump bag.

Slow Cooker Bolognese

Transform a classic Italian dish into a convenient dump bag meal.

Slow Cooker Easy Vegetable Curry

A flavorful vegetarian curry that’s a great option for a dump bag.

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Slow-Cooker Fajitas

Tender steak and peppers in a spicy fajita seasoning.

Turkey Leg Pot Roast

Cooked low and slow, this turkey leg dish is comfort food at its finest.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

A classic Italian dish made easy in the slow cooker.

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Tender, shredded pork in a sweet and tangy barbecue sauce.

Slow-Cooker Asian Short Ribs

Falling-off-the-bone short ribs in a rich, Asian-inspired sauce.

Creamy Ham & Potatoes

A hearty, creamy dish that’s perfect for a cozy winter meal.

Slow-Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

An easy, cheesy casserole that the whole family will love.

Italian Shredded Pork Stew

Tender pork in a tomato-based stew with Italian seasonings.

Slow-Cooker Mongolian Beef

Thinly sliced beef in a sweet and savory sauce.

Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken Sandwiches

Juicy shredded chicken with a pineapple kick.

Slow-Cooker Jambalaya Risotto

A Cajun-inspired dish with rice, sausage, and shrimp.

Slow-Cooker Flank Steak Fajitas

Tender, flavorful fajita meat made easy in the slow cooker.

Za’atar Chicken

Chicken seasoned with the bold Middle Eastern spice blend, za’atar.

Slow-Cooker Cubano Sandwiches

The classic Cuban sandwich, made simple in the slow cooker.

Slow-Cooker Pork Medallions

Tender pork medallions in a flavorful sauce.

Slow Cooker Jerked Short Ribs

Short ribs with a Caribbean-inspired jerk seasoning.

Green Chili Chops with Sweet Potatoes

Pork chops and sweet potatoes in a tangy green chili sauce.

Sweet and Spicy Peanut Chicken

Chicken in a sweet and spicy peanut sauce.

Slow-Cooker Beef with Red Sauce

Tender beef in a rich, tomato-based sauce.

Sweet Orange Chicken

Chicken in a sweet, citrusy sauce.

Mushroom Pork Ragout

A hearty, slow-cooked pork and mushroom dish.

Chicken Chop Suey

A Chinese-American classic, made in the slow cooker.

Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops

Pork chops with a sweet and tangy tropical twist.

Chile Verde Pork

Tender pork in a flavorful green chili sauce.

Crockpot Beef Stroganoff

A classic comfort food dish, made easy in the slow cooker.

Slow-Cooked Mesquite Ribs

Fall-off-the-bone ribs with a smoky mesquite flavor.

Creamy Bratwurst Stew

A creamy, comforting stew with bratwurst sausage.

Slow-Cooker Caribbean Moo Shu Chicken

Chicken in a Caribbean-inspired moo shu sauce.

Sweet and Tangy Chicken

Chicken in a sweet and tangy sauce, perfect for busy nights.

Shrimp Marinara

Tender shrimp in a flavorful marinara sauce.

Steak Burrito

Slow-cooked steak in a burrito with all the fixings.

Squash & Chicken Stew

A hearty stew with chicken and seasonal squash.

Pineapple-Glazed Pork Tenderloin

Pork tenderloin with a sweet and tangy pineapple glaze.

Green Chicken Chili

A flavorful green chili made with shredded chicken.

Shredded French Dip

Tender shredded beef for classic French dip sandwiches.

Shredded Chicken Gyros

Slow-cooked chicken in a Greek-inspired gyro wrap.

Red Bean Vegetable Soup

A comforting vegetable soup with red beans.

Potato Chowder

A creamy, hearty potato soup.

Sweet & Sour Pork Wraps

Shredded pork in a sweet and sour sauce, wrapped up.

Pork Chops & Acorn Squash

Pork chops and acorn squash cooked together in the slow cooker.

Lentil & Chicken Sausage Stew

A nourishing stew with lentils and chicken sausage.

Green Chile Shredded Pork

Tender pork in a green chile sauce.

Stephanie’s Slow-Cooker Stew

A classic, comforting beef stew.

Cioppino

A seafood-based stew with a tomato-based broth.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos

Shredded chicken for easy, customizable tacos.

Gulf Coast Jambalaya Rice

A Cajun-inspired rice dish with sausage, chicken, and shrimp.

Slow-Cooker Meatball Sandwiches

Tender meatballs in a slow-cooked sandwich.

Carne Guisada

A Tex-Mex beef stew with potatoes and peppers.

Mexican Shredded Beef Wraps

Slow-cooked shredded beef in a Mexican-inspired wrap.

FAQs : Slow Cooker Dump Bags {Freeze and Go Meals}

Why do we love the crockpot?

Slow cookers, or crockpots, are beloved for their ability to produce flavorful, hands-off meals with minimal effort. They allow you to throw ingredients into the pot and let them cook for hours, resulting in tender, delicious dishes.

What are the best things to cook in a slow cooker?

Some of the best foods to cook in a slow cooker include soups, stews, braises, pulled meats, and even desserts. The moist, low-and-slow cooking method is perfect for tenderizing tougher cuts of meat and blending flavors.

Can you put raw meat in the slow cooker?

Yes, you can absolutely put raw meat directly into the slow cooker. In fact, this is a common practice, as the long cooking time ensures the meat is cooked through and tender. Just be sure to follow food safety guidelines, such as ensuring the meat is fully defrosted before cooking.

My favorite crockpots and slow cookers!

When it comes to slow cookers, there are many great options on the market. Some of the top-rated and most popular models include the Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Slow Cooker, the Instant Pot Duo Crisp + Air Fryer, and the Hamilton Beach Programmable Slow Cooker.

Conclusion

Slow cooker dump bags are a game-changer for busy home cooks. By preparing all the ingredients in advance and freezing them in bags, you can enjoy the convenience of a hot, homemade meal with minimal effort on busy weeknights. The recipes provided offer a variety of delicious options, from hearty stews to flavorful curries and more. With a little upfront prep work, you can stock your freezer with a selection of dump bag meals that will save you time and stress when it’s time to cook. Give this meal prepping technique a try and enjoy the benefits of hassle-free, slow-cooked goodness.