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Honey Garlic Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

If you're looking for a tender, juicy AND flavorful crockpot chicken and potatoes recipe...you'll LOVE this honey garlic version. It only takes 6 ingredients and all of 10 minutes to prep!

honey garlic crockpot chicken and potatoes

How do I know this is a yummy recipe? Well, I have a semi-confession to make. My husband isn't really picky BUT he doesn't care for a lot of crockpot chicken recipes. Sure he likes crockpot chicken and noodles, slow cooker chicken pot pie and things like that...

But the super easy, let-me-toss-this-in-the-pot type stuff...not so much. Again, he isn't picky. He just prefers beef. Pork is okay too. But when we're talking slow cooker recipes, sausage and beef are his favs.

If you're like him or have someone that is into mostly beef or sausage recipes...here are two previous SlowCookerKitchen posts you might want to check out...

Crock Pot Beef RecipesCrock Pot Sausage RecipesHe's very tolerant of eating whatever I fix really. But there are times he's sorta silent instead of giving me a vote on if it's website worthy or not. NOT with this recipe though. He loved it!

So for this fella, that's been eating my cooking for 26+ years to say "This is really good!". And it to be crockpot chicken. We have a winner!

Plus...he wasn't the only one I fed that evening. We had a couple guests and they enjoyed it too. So here we go...

Ingredients for Crockpot Honey Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

honey garlic crockpot chicken and potatoes

The ingredients are super easy. You'll need:

  • Chicken
  • Potatoes
  • Chicken broth or stock
  • Soy Sauce
  • Honey
  • Garlic

As with most of the recipes on this website, there are no hard and fast rules. Some of the recipes are tested and reconstructed 3 and 4 times before they are posted. Some aren't. Others are made strictly by a recipe I've written or been given...most aren't. This is one of the aren't's in the batch.

What do I mean by that? Don't be afraid to substitute some on this recipe. Here are a few examples of what I'm talking about.

Potatoes

I used baby Yukon and baby Red potatoes for this recipe. Was there any particular reason for that? Yes, there were two.

  • We prefer Yukon potatoes in general
  • I had these in the pantry

Any other reasons? Nope. Use what you have, find on sale or what the folks you are feeding will eat.

honey garlic chicken and potatoes prep

Wash and slice and toss in the buttered crockpot insert...

Chicken

I used between 2 or 2 1/2 pounds of chicken thighs and legs. If I remember correct, the exact amount was like 2.32 pounds. I forgot to write it down honestly.

And the version I bought was "bone-in". If you don't want to eat dark meat OR you find an epic chicken sale...go with that. Fit your household likes and your budget at the same time.

IF you decide to go with white meat OR boneless you might need to decrease the cook time a bit. Chicken in the crockpot is awesomely easy but boneless, skinless tends to dry out much faster than bone-in and "skin on".crock pot chicken potatoes prep

Lay the chicken in a single layer over the potato slices...

Any larger sized slow cooker will work for this recipe. BUT if you're a fan of either cooking on high for faster crockpot results OR you like crockpot casseroles then this Crock-Pot Casserole is something you might want!

There is more surface area in these, as they are shorter and wider. That seems to make casseroles cook more evenly and high cook faster.

I bought one last year and started experimenting with it. I didn't feel comfortable promoting it or telling you guys about it until I had honestly. But it works well. I've found I'm happy with it. So I thought I'd share.

FYI...This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you click on one of the links and make a purchase then I'll earn a small percentage. That does NOT mean you get charged more. Only that you support SlowCookerKitchen. Don't worry either...I'll only post products I either believe in, have tested or desperately want to try! And thanks for supporting the site too.

Garlic

I used cloves. I try my best not to purchase the already processed stuff. Mostly because we prefer the flavor of the whole cloves. But I HATE peeling it. So I generally don't. I try to find it pre-peeled in bags. Some foodies find that sacrilege and think I'm terrible. I don't care. If I can't grow it myself, it's decently healthy and doesn't cost a fortune...I'm probably there. The pre-peeled garlic is a great time-saver.slow cooker chicken and potatoes prep

Peel, score and toss in the garlic cloves around the chicken...

Sauce for Honey Garlic Chicken & Potatoes

slow cooker chicken potatoes recipe prep

Pour the chicken broth over the top, then drizzle the soy sauce and honey...

Broth or Stock

Since this is a chicken dish, I'd say you should probably use chicken something. Chicken broth or stock either one will work. You can also make your own bone broth. This recipe is for beef bone broth but chicken works the same exact way...

Soy Sauce

I used the low sodium version. Do I always? Nope. Do I prefer it? Yes. Am I going to tell you to use only low-sodium? Nope. Both versions work.

A decent way to think about it is if use regular soy sauce, you might want to use low-sodium broth. If you've got health reasons for low-sodium then you should probably go with both being the lower versions...

There are other add-ins that work here too. All of them will yield a different taste. If I've tested them, that's noted. If I haven't, it's been suggested by a reader, family member or someone I feed regularly:

  • Lousiana Hot Sauce. Believe it or not, it works. It's good. I didn't make it. I just tasted it. And it IS on the list of stuff to make when I get to it.
  • Worcestershire Sauce. This one works great. Lea & Perrins is our fav so far of those I've cooked with.
  • Teriyaki Sauce. This one was suggested. I haven't tried or tasted it yet...I am guessing it will work great combined with honey and garlic.
  • Crushed Pineapple. Not tested, suggested by a reader. She says it works great. I'm guessing pineapple juice would work too. It does on our crockpot spiral ham recipe.

Honey

The honey pictured is raw and unfiltered. There are a lot of known benefits to eating local, raw honey. A big one is it helps with allergies. Which I have in abundance. Any help I can get without meds, I'm there.

This is the type of honey I have on hand in our house. And we also prefer the taste. FYI...raw honey tends to have a stronger flavor so if you use it, you might not need as much.

Printable Recipe for Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

Recipe

honey garlic crockpot chicken and potatoes

Honey Garlic Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

Gwen
If you're looking for a quick and easy crockpot chicken and potatoes recipe...this 6 ingredient, 10-minute prep honey garlic version might be exactly what you're looking for.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 to 2 1/2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs and legs or whichever you want, dark meat seems to work better for this recipe
  • 2 ish pounds potatoes, washed and sliced thin (I used Yukon and red potatoes, you can use whatever kind you like best...including sweet potatoes. All of them work well for this recipe)
  • 20 to 25 garlic cloves peeled and scored (if you aren't an epic garlic fan, use fewer cloves)
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce I used low sodium
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup honey I used raw and it's sweeter than a lot of them I've used, so I used 1/4 cup

Instructions
 

  • Butter, oil or spray the crockpot insert.
  • Wash and slice the potatoes and toss in the slow cooker insert.
  • Lay the chicken on top in a single layer.
  • Peel and score the garlic cloves or slice or dice them if you prefer, toss in around the chicken.
  • Pour the chicken broth over the top then drizzle with the soy sauce and honey.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pinerest Friendly Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken & Potatoes

Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Potatoes Honey Garlic Crock Pot Chicken Potatoes Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken and Potatoes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Quick & Easy Crock Pot Recipes:

If you liked the simplicity and deliciousness of this recipe, you might also want to check these out too!

 

 

Honey Garlic Chicken and Potatoes

5-Ingredient Crockpot Cheeseburgers

These crockpot cheeseburgers are delicious! And they are over the top versatile. You can cook them in the crockpot or on the stovetop. As a freezer meal, you can freeze them before or after cooking. Or change up the flavors just by tossing in a bit of spice or changing your flavor of the cheese. Heck, you can swap the meat as well. 'Cause ground sausage and leftover chicken work too!

Super easy crockpot cheeseburgers

These and a few other sandwich meals like it have become our go to recipes around here. Not because I don't use my slow cooker(s), I do...there are in an insane amount of recipes coming out in the next couple months... I mean cause of the HEAT.

There are times even grilling is just too much to deal with. So I started experimenting with all sorts of different crock pot sandwiches. This one is one of those.

Legal Stuff: Hey! Thanks for supporting SlowCookerKitchen.com. This post might contain affiliate links. That means, if I recommend something and you purchase through one of the links, then we'll make a small commission. It in NO way makes it more expensive for you. And I'll only recommend stuff that I either own, have used or have researched almost to the point of oddity. Thanks for supporting us!

Crockpot Cheeseburger Versatility

Here are the details on how to make and change and use this meat filling. If you come up with any other ideas...let me know! I'd love to include it :)

Hybrid Crockpot Meals

Cooking Crockpot Cheeseburgers in the Crockpot

crockpot cheeseburgers

The easiest way to make these crockpot cheeseburgers is with a bit of planning ahead. If the meat is pre-made, then you can toss this yumminess either in the skillet or in the slow cooker. The crockpot comes in handy for multiple reasons...the stove top is quicker but the filling doesn't have as much time to cook together.

It's also super handy if you're feeding a crowd. You can make an insane amount of this filling in one crockpot...like enough for 16 to 20 sandwiches. It can cook while you are doing other stuff then you just freeze it. So next time you're having a party, watching the game or doing a pot luck...here you go.

  1. Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Ground Beef is your first ingredient. If you don't want to go that route, then brown the mixture in the skillet. You need 2 servings of the make-ahead meat. From scratch that is 2 pounds of ground beef, 1 minced onion and 2 to 3 garlic cloves. You do NOT have to add the onion and garlic, that's a personal choice of mine. We eat it in everything...
  2. You'll need cheese. You can use just about any kind you want. I used the original Velveeta. You can use any sort though. regular cheeses will take a bit more stirring...and a bit more evaporated milk.
    • So cheese variation wise you can choose all sorts of flavors here. If you stick with Velveeta...you've got original, Mex and queso and jalapeno. those are off the top of my head, there are probably more by now.
    • You can also use any sort of shredded cheese. And here, your variations for these crockpot cheeseburgers have just sky-rocketed. We're moving into the realm of never being bored with that plain old sandwich again!Crockpot Cheeseburgers
  3. The second cheese is the cream cheese flavor. You'll need a canister of cream cheese. The flavored cream cheeses by Philadelphia add a bit more zip. If you can find it, just use a block of cream cheese that's been softened. Dicing it up works a bit better than what I did in the pictures. Just FYI.
    • Cream cheese variations include Onion and Chive, Jalapeno, Garden Vegetable, and Olive.
  4. Evaporated Milk is the last main ingredient. How much you'll need will vary depending on what sort of cheese from #2 you use. AND if you intend to freeze it. Freezing it, seems you need a bit more milk if you are freezing it after cooking. It tends to thicken up a lot.

Stovetop Method for Busy Day Meals

Of course, this recipe can be made on the stovetop. It's very easy and not much different than making sloppy joes.

  • Upside to the stovetop version, super quick. Busy, busy days call for this at times :)
  • A downside, it's just not as tasty. Something about the slow cooker allows almost any recipe you make and toss in to meld the flavors so much more.
  • The stove top version is very easy and as follows...toss in and fry the meat (with or without onion and garlic, your choice). Turn the burner to low and add your choice of cheeses. Cover and cook until the cheeses melt.

Pinnable & Printable for Crockpot Cheeseburgers

Freezer Directions Printable Recipe

For this recipe, you'll need to start with precooked hamburger. A long time ago I actually tried crockin' raw hamburger meat with other foods. It was one of the grossest things I've ever seen. The dogs literally wouldn't eat it. It was horrid. So, that's just FYI and please learn from my mistake there. But since then, I've learned from that mistake and I'm going to plug the make-ahead ground beef mix recipe.Crockpot Cheeseburgers

 

It really can be an awesome CYA sort of thing. It will cook itself overnight too. So consider looking into it. You can always pre-cook a bunch in the skillet too, that's just going to require a bit of babysitting. So whichever you decide to do a bunch of precooked ground beef bagged up and waiting in the freezer...that's just a good thing to have around.

 

Recipe

Crockpot Cheeseburgers

5-Ingredient Crockpot Cheeseburgers

Gwen
You'll generally get 4 servings per 1 pound of meat you use for these crockpot cheeseburgers. Changing your cheeses makes this a recipe that'll never get boring. Using it as a freezer meal makes your life easier. Win-Win!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 serving of pre-cooked ground beef + 1 med diced onion ~or~ 1 serving make-ahead crockpot ground beef
  • 8 ounces Velveeta or any shredded cheeses flavors you want
  • 1 canister Onion & Chive cream cheese
  • 1/4 to 1/2 cup evaporated milk

Instructions
 

  • Toss everything in the bag.
  • Partially zip the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible and seal.
  • Label with contents and date cooked or "use by" date, your choice (good up to 3 months)

To Cook in the Slow Cooker:

  • Defrost at least 30 minutes on the counter or overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Dump the contents in your crock pot.
  • Cover and cook on low for 2 to 4 hours until the cheeses are melted.
  • Serve on buns

To Cook in the Skillet:

  • Two options here in the beginning...
  • You can start with make-ahead ground beef via the crock pot ground beef recipe or the make-ahead freezer ground beef skillet method (either will need defrosted in the refrigerator for a few hours)
  • OR
  • Cook the ground beef and minced onion in a skillet over medium heat until cooked and no longer pink. Stir and chop frequently.
  • Add the minced garlic and cooked another 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Drain the grease off the meat and turn the heat to low.
  • Add the cheeses and milk the skillet, cover and allow the cheeses to melt (2 to 5 minutes, depending on the type of skillet and the heat it inducts).
  • Stir to combine and serve on buns or in wraps.

Want to Save Even More Time?

  • Pre-cook everything. These crockpot cheeseburgers freeze GREAT! Just pre-cook according to the recipe directions above, cool and freeze. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator. You can warm it up in a skillet or in the crockpot. Or even the microwave. How's that one for a 5-minute meal!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Crockpot Cheeseburgers

 

 

Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Ground Beef

Have you ever been ready to make supper and then realized you forgot to set the ground beef out? Or is your life busy and you want to get ahead? Want to do freezer meals? Then check out this make-ahead slow cooker ground beef recipe. We think you'll love it!

slow cooker ground beef after cooking

Why in the world would I even care? Why would you? Cause time matters. There are times just having 20 or 30 extra minutes will make your life so much easier. Less rushing, more mental health. Or heck even the time to sit and veg and do nothing. Those times seem to get more and rarer. Unless you force them to happen.

So cooking ground beef in the crockpot isn't huge or phenomenal. But it's super handy. Here are a couple reasons why:

  • You can buy in bulk
  • Meal prep partially preps itself
  • It can be cooked overnight
  • You can freeze it ahead for "emergency meals"
  • It works for portion control
  • You're a step ahead for freezer meals
  • It's very versatile

Those are all the reasons I can think of at the moment. There might be more.

And btw...the legal stuff. Let's get this out of the way before I forget... This post may contain affiliate links. That means, if you decide to purchase an item by clicking on one of the recommendations I write about, SlowCookerKitchen will make a small commission. That does NOT mean you will pay a higher price. We try to look for the cheapest deals out there without lying about quality. We'll only recommend products we've tried, have reviewed in depth or are on our wish/lust list. Because we want you to be happy with it too.

There done, legal stuff complete. And now on to talking about food again...

Save Some Money

I purchase most of my meat through a great local meat processing/butcher. And I try to purchase either a 1/4 or 1/2 a beef when it's possible. You can save tons of money and get a better quality of meat by purchasing this way. So I try.

Even though I generally purchase all beef (including ground beef) this way, there are sales. There are also times I'm off to see my kiddos and grandbabies. And I don't generally take a cooler of meat with me. There are also times I'm traveling, and though I love it, space is limited. I still love a good sale though.

So this recipe was created while I was traveling. I did take a cooler with me this round, but only packed 3 pounds of ground beef. And we'd already eaten 1. And I promised a couple of ladies I'd make crock pot hamburger soup and slow cooker cheeseburgers. Plus hubs still had a request or two. So it was off to the local Kroger I went...

AND it was on sale. But only for bulk quantities. So...I figured "let's do a ground beef theme for a bit". And here we go...

Slow Cooker Ground Beef Recipe Creation

I've read other folks that have made slow cooker ground beef in the past. And I've tried it. Many, many moons ago. Like when my kids weren't much older than my grandbabies.

Unfortunately, it was nasty. Like super nasty and not really salvageable. I was bummed. I mean I'm still frugal with money and we've got a little more now but back then, that was a blow. To toss out 5 pounds of meat... I swore never to try it again. Alas, "never say never" eh?

Crockpot ground beef prep

So I started thinking about it. Trying to figure out what I'd done differently years back. I came up with two things. And after testing the recipe a couple times, I figured out I was right.

  1. Quality of ingredients matters and it will completely change the taste, texture and cooking times of almost every meal.
  2. Cooking the slow cooker ground beef in a bit of broth and spices helps a LOT.

Here's where I hope you learn from my mistakes...

  • Purchase the best quality meat you can. The less fat, the less shrinkage. And the less waste. I bought 90/10 ground chuck and it still cooked out a LOT of fat.
  • Adding some beef broth and lots of garlic and onions improve the taste a bunch. So it's not really much different than making up your own hamburgers. If you don't add any spices, it's usually pretty bland.

Testing the Recipe

I tested this recipe with ground beef from two locations and in two different slow cookers. The results were almost the same in both tests. The taste was close on both and so was the amount of grease-broth to dispose of.

Crockpot Ground beef prep

 

The only major difference was cook time. The crockpot with the ceramic insert took longer to cook than the slow cooker with the metal insert. You're going to get a variable cook time with any slow cooker. It's just the way it is. I don't know why.

Several years ago I was cooking soup for a wedding. Lots of soup. At the time this website didn't exist and I only owned one slow cooker. So I borrowed. Several. Well, we must have all shopped at the same store that last year or everyone got a crockpot for Christmas. I dunno. I had three identical slow cookers on my countertop.

Guess what? All three cooked the same soup different. Same ingredients. Same "goes in the pot time". Different cook times. If I remember correctly (and it's been about 15 years) there was a variance of about 20 minutes between the first two and the third came in about an hour later.

So for the folks that wonder about cook times of "low for 6 to 8 hours"...that's part of the reason. That and crockpots cook slow enough they are one of the most forgiving appliances you'll ever use.

Which Slow Cookers Where Used:

So again, for comparison sake, I used two different slow cookers. Both times the meat was cooked for 6 hours, both times on low and with 4 pounds of meat.

The only difference was the type of onions used. I don't think there is any chemical reason an onion would change the cook time for the meats. So I am fairly confident in the results and the why's I am telling you guys about...

Crock Pot 7-Quart Manual Slow Cooker

The one used in the picture immediately above was 7-quart Crock Pot brand. Just the standard kind you see on sale at all the big box stores several times per year. This one has no extra bells and whistles, no timer, nothing. And it cooked the meat just fine, but I it took longer. About 3 hours longer and the meat had to be stirred about half way through as the meat in the middle was still pink.crockpot ground beef cooking

And although the manual crock pot took longer and needed a bit of babysitting, it is more economical.

Depending on the size you need, as they are available in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colors...you can get one of these for $23 to $40 bucks. Not a bad deal. I've had one of these guys last me for 6 years in the past. And that's with the amount of slow cooker cooking I do. So the last! The only downside, you might have to do a little more babysitting with some dishes.

Cuisinart 3-in-1 Multi-Cooker

The second slow cooker that was used was the Cuisinart Multi-Cooker. This one has a lot more bells and whistles. It offers much more functionality and can steam and brown/saute as well. I did NOT use the brown/saute setting for this experiment. That wouldn't have been fair. I've had this slow cooker for a bit over a year. So far, it's held up very well and still looks and works like its brand new.


The only real downside you've got on this one is the price. It's more of an investment. It ranges from $98 to $187. Is it worth it? That depends on your situation. If you need the convenience of a steamer, browner/saute (aka: you have a small kitchen) then heck yeah. If you don't want to babysit part of the time, yes again. And if you want an automatic timer, again yes.

This one has a lot more features. And I didn't want to clutter up too much more of this post in the babbles about it. So if you'd like to read up on all the details...the review for the Cuisinart 3-in-1 Multi-Cooker is right here.

Freezer Prep

Once you've cooked your make-ahead ground beef, you have to do something with it. You can, of course, go ahead and cook whatever meal you want with it. I generally toss a couple serving sizes aside for immediate meal prep. But the rest needs frozen most likely.

But you can't measure by poundage anymore. The meat has cooked down and you've added onions and such. So when a recipe calls for "1 pound of ground beef" you no longer need exactly one pound. So what do you do?

You've got options. You can weight it or you can measure it out. If you cooked 4 pounds of ground beef and intend to freeze it by the pound, you'll just need to separate it into 4 equal parts. I opted to weigh it.

portioning out slow cooker ground beef for freezing

4 pounds of ground beef, 4 medium sized onions, and the garlic...Once drained now weighs just a bit over 2 pounds. That's going to vary almost every time. It's going to depend on your meats fat content, the amount of broth you drained out, and even the size of the onions used.

But the basics are very easy. If you cooked 4 pounds of meat, it gets separated into 4 1-pound cooking portions. Then you'll just need to label and freeze it.

Squeezing out as much air as possible will keep the meat fresher longer. And you'll be able to stack it in the freezer very easily as well. It only takes about 20 minutes to defrost too! Or if you're in a super big hurry and going to make a crock pot or skillet meal, you can toss it in frozen.

Slow Cooker Recipes with Ground Beef

So now you've got it, what do you DO with it? Here's a list of yummy options...

Individual Recipes:

Crockpot Freezer Meal Prep Sessions:

Other Crockpot Recipes with Ground Beef:

Printable & Pinnables for Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Ground Beef

 

Recipe

slow cooker ground beef after cooking

Make-Ahead Slow Cooker Ground Beef

Gwen
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 16 to 20 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 to 5 pounds ground beef the leaner the better
  • 2 to 4 onions minced (whatever type you prefer)
  • 4 to 20 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup beef broth

Instructions
 

  • Lightly butter or oil the crock pot insert
  • Sprinkle in the minced onions and garlic
  • Separate or "crumble" the raw meat as you put it in the crockpot (if you don't separate it, it will cook in a huge block and be a pain to deal with)
  • Pour the beef broth over the top
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours (or overnight if you'd like to save some time and/or are prepping for freezer meals and meal planning)
  • When done cooking allow the meat to cool and pour off the grease/broth mixture.
  • Transfer 4 or 5 equal portions (you'll use the same number of freezer bags as you cooked of pounds of meat) to freezer safe canisters or bags, label, and freeze. Date with date cooked and/or a "use by" date. This make-ahead ground beef is freezer safe for 6 to 8 weeks.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Make-Ahead Crockpot Ground Beef Make-Ahead Crockpot Ground Beef

 

3-Ingredient Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

If you're looking for a quick and easy chicken recipe you'll LOVE this crockpot buffalo chicken. It's SO versatile. And super easy too!

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you purchase something through a link, SlowCookerKitchen makes a commission. It is NO way increases your price. We only recommend products we believe will help YOU. If you'd like to read our full FTC disclosure policy, it's here. Thanks for supporting us!

There's nothing worse (or at least to ME) to come home and have nothing cooked. AND there are days (and sometimes weeks) that no matter how much you plan, freezer meals run out. It's not life altering or anything, but it's annoying. And expensive. It's not very healthy either.

I'm not a food snob. Not at all. And not everything I make is from scratch either. And, for me, that's okay. I still think it's healthier than getting take out too often. Both for the gut and the wallet!

So a quick and easy sandwich meat was something I wanted in the freezer. And we love pulled pork, but it gets old. Most stuff does if you eat it over and over again. Thus, crockpot buffalo chicken was born! It is NOT from scratch. It's made with 3 ingredients. So there's that "quick and easy" part.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

Variations for Making Crock Pot Buffalo Chicken

Remember I talked about versatile up above? Well, hows this for versatility...

  • You can make this in the crockpot with raw or cooked chicken.
  • It can be frozen it before or after cooking.
  • You can multiply the recipe so it feeds anywhere from 4 to 20 people without affecting the recipe.

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Ingredients

crockpot buffalo chicken

Your ingredients are pretty dang easy. You need:

  • 14 to 20-ounces Buffalo sauce
    • The brand is up to you. I've tried two so far, including the one in the picture. Both were good but your ingredients will affect the taste of your recipe outcome. So be warned there. On a lot of stuff, you get what you pay for. Food's included in that statement in my mind.
  • Dry Ranch Seasoning
    • You can get the individual packets.
    • If you're a ranch lover, you might want the larger canister.
    • You can also make your own.

Your choice. Generally, the more from scratch you cook, the healthier the food. But the more from scratch, the more time consuming as well. So (to me) there has to be a balance there.

Pst...I can't always find the big canister around here. It's a lot cheaper. I also don't always have time to make my own, thus the big canister. Here's how I buy mine. As with most stuff, the more you buy the cheaper it gets. AND the organic version is really good too!


  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
    • You can also use chicken thighs, I had breasts on-hand so that's what went in the recipe.
    • If you're going to use pre-cooked chicken, like either deli rotisserie or make-ahead crockpot chicken (which is chicken thighs but can also be made into pre cooked chicken breasts using the same cooking method)
  • Additional ingredients for chicken sandwiches in pictures
    • Buns, your choice of type. I thought sourdough was the best. My husband preferred onion. But he always prefers onion. It's his thing.
    • A couple tablespoons of butter to spread on buns before toasting
    • Sliced mozzarella cheese
    • Mayonnaise or Greek Yogurt Sauce (depending on your preference)

Printables & Pinnables for Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Meat & Sandwiches

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Recipe

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

3-Ingredient Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

Gwen
If you're looking for a quick and easy chicken recipe, you'll LOVE this crockpot buffalo chicken. Not only it is awesome as a sandwich, it works for wraps and to stuff squash and peppers too! Make it now, freeze it raw for later, make it and freeze it for quick "emergency meals" too.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 to 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 bottle buffalo wing sauce about 16 to 18 ounces
  • 1 package or 2 tablespoons dry ranch salad dressing mix
  • 2 tablespoons of butter optional and not used in this recipe

To Make the Sandwiches:

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 6 rolls or buns
  • Sliced mozzarella cheese
  • Mayonaise or Greek yogurt spread

Instructions
 

  • Place the chicken breasts into a slow cooker. Dot with butter pats if you are using butter.
  • Add 1/4 cup of water.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5 to 7 hours. Time will vary depending on how fast your slow cooker cooks and the thickness of the chicken breasts.
  • Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the crock and allow to cool a few minutes. Pour off any liquid in the crockpot.
  • Return meat to crockpot and use two forks to shred the meat.
  • Pour the sauce and seasoning mix over the chicken. Mix well.

To Make Sandwiches:

  • Spread butter on each bun and toast for 2 to 5 minutes butter side up.
  • Spread mayo or yogurt spread on each bun.
  • Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup (depending on how big you want your sandwich) on the bottom bun.
  • Top with mozzarella cheese slice and return to oven to melt cheese. Alternately you can microwave it just long enough to melt the cheese.

To Freeze Crockpot Buffalo Chicken with Raw Meat:

  • Lay the chicken out and sprinkle with ranch seasoning mix on both sides.
  • Toss them in a gallon sized freezer bag one at a time and pour the buffalo sauce between each breast.
  • Allow to defrost overnight in the refrigerator before cooking ~OR~ add about 2 hours more cook time if cooking it frozen. Total cook time would vary from 7 to 9 hours depending on how hot your crockpot cooks and the thickness of the chicken breasts used.
  • Label, date, and freeze. Cook within 3 months.

To Freeze Buffalo Chicken with Pre-Cooked Meats ~OR~ After Making Crockpot Buffalo Chicken as shown above:

  • Measure out 1/4 to 1/2 cup of shredded chicken mixture for each person you'll be feeding. Example: I measure out about 1/2 cup <g class="gr_ gr_158 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="158" data-gr-id="158">for</g> each adult sized sandwich and 1/4 for littles. You'll know better than I how much each person eats at your table.
  • Toss into a freezer bag (I used quart sized) and flatten to stack well. Remove as much air as possible.
  • Label, date, and freeze. Use within 8 weeks.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

 

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken

How to Make Bone Broth

how to make bone brothHow to Make Bone Broth

I bet you’ve heard of bone broth BUT do you know how to make bone broth? How about how to make bone broth in the crock pot? It is NOT difficult. Not at all. And if you decide to use your slow cooker, it does most of the work for you.

Using the slow cooker isn’t the only way to make bone broth though. You can make it several ways. So we’ll talk about several different methods. Just so you can decide what works best for you.

But why WOULD you make bone broth? What’s the big deal there? We’ll talk about that part too! That way, you can decide if it’s something you want to try your hand at.

What is Bone Broth?

So, before you can decide if you want to learn how to make bone broth I bet a lot of folks would like to know what it is. AND what’s the difference between broth and stock too! Well, here we go…

crockpot bone broth

Bone broth is a savory (meaning not sweet) liquid that's made by simmering water, bones, meats, fish, vegetables and herbs. And the main difference between stock and broth is the stock cooked a lot longer and all the little bits of meat and vegetables aren't always strained out. That's it in a nut shell. If you want to read a really long definition about it, check out its bio here.

Both broth and stock can be used to make any number of dishes. If seasoned properly it tastes awesome. AND it's very, very good for you.

Why is Bone Broth Good for You?

I sure wondered that when bone broth became a craze of sorts. I thought "Why the heck would I drink that? What makes it any different than the bouillon cubes in water I remember as a kid?".

Don't get me wrong. I use bouillon. Not the cubes so much but the better stuff. Not always. Just sometimes when I'm cooking and forget I'm out of bone broth (or bone stock).

You can check out the list of recipes that SlowCookerKitchen.com uses both broth and stock to make in the listing at the bottom of this article.

But again, why drink it? What makes bone broth better for you than bouillon? It's the "cook down" process. The long, slow simmering. And though you can make your bone broth in all sorts of ways (discussed later, read on) the crockpot is awesome for this! Cause it's made to cook low and slow...perfection!

When those bones simmer for a long period of time lots of nutrients leach out into the water. We're talking vitamins, minerals, and lots of other stuff that's really good for you.

Two of the biggies are glucosamine and collagen. If you want to read up on why both of those are good for you. Here are a couple of really good articles.

Benefits of Bone Broth

benefits of bone broth

So we talked about HOW the process works and what it gives you. But whats all that do? LOTS of stuff! Here are just a few examples.

You Can Absorb More Nutrients

Bone broth has its own nutrients that can provide a lot of different health benefits. But that's not all. It also helps you to absorb more nutrients from other foods you are eating.

There are some great nutrients in bone broth that are bio available. That means it makes it much easier to digest.

So if you're looking for a way to add to your general health and increase how many nutrients you get into your body (without taking supplements) bone broth is a great way to start!

Your Skin Will be Glowing

One thing you might not know about bone broth is that it can do wonders for your skin. The collagen in bone broth makes your skin more elastic, more like a child's.

This is going to help minimize lines and wrinkles. You'll be able to hold onto more of your skin’s youthful appearance.

Some people notice their skin has a natural glow to it, while others notice it has begun smoothing out and looks more youthful. Either way, you really can’t go wrong.

It is Amazing for Your Gut Health

Gut health is not the easiest condition to get help with. But one thing that does help dramatically is bone broth.

It's the gelatin you get in bone broth, that comes from the bones you use when making this broth. That gelatin can help with your gut health.

Not just your standard digestive issues, but gut issues like leaky gut syndrome. This is going to help with problems like holes in your intestine, which can then help rectify diarrhea and constipation issues.

3 Different Ways to Make Bone Broth

The longer you cook bone broth, the better is it. By that I mean, the better it tastes and the better it is for you too.

Really good bone broth needs to cook at least 12 hours. Great bone broth can cook up to 72 hours. Insane right? But alas, true as well.

There are a few different ways you can make bone broth.

The method you use will be your own, personal preference. I will explain how to do each one and why I prefer to use the slow cooker method. And no, it isn't just 'cause this is a crockpot website either.

Optional Prep Work for All Types of Bone Broth

There are a few additional steps you can do when making bone broth. You don't have to. You CAN.

Blanching the Bones: I've read a lot about this. Some swear you should blanch the bones, others never mention it. The true answer is I don't know! I've not done it personally. Here's how in case you decide you want to do it.

Blanching the bones is said, by some, to remove all the impurities from the bones. It won't remove the marrow or the gelatin. You want both those.  without losing all the marrow and gelatin that you want to get from them.

You should try to blanch all bones before you roast them. To do this, simply add the bones to a pot, cover with cold water, and boil them for about 20 minutes. You then want to drain the bones and prepare for roasting.

Roasting the Bones: Roasting the bones gives the bone broth more flavor. It's the same idea as searing the meat before you toss it in the crockpot. It also allows you to get more from the bones during the slow cooking process. Turn on your oven to 425-450 degrees Fahrenheit, then roast your bones for about 15 minutes.

Slow Cooker Bone Broth

When it comes to making bone broth, you can definitely use a stock pot on your stove, I'll walk you thru that in a bit. BUT that does tend to take more effort. AND this is a slow cooker site too. So we're gonna talk about making it in the crock pot first :)

Using your slow cooker is also easier. You set it and forget it. No worries.

You'll want to use a standard-size slow cooker. Nothing smaller than 4-quarts and not as big as the crockpot roaster. Unless you intend to make a huge batch and freeze it. Then I'd use the biggest crock pot you can find. If you want to start small until you're comfortable with cooking the bone stock, smaller would be better.

what is bone broth

 

Blanch and roast your bones if you're doing this step. Then choose your veggies and seasonings. What seasonings and veggies you use will depend on what you're going to do with the broth. Also, on This will depend on what you want to use the broth for and what type of animal bones you are using. You can make a typical broth with onion, carrots, and celery, or just add some of your favorite seasonings and veggies.

Add your bones with the veggies and seasonings to a slow cooker. Then add your apple cider vinegar. Then cover the bones completely with filtered water.

You might want to cover the vegetables in cheesecloth and tie it up.  That way you don't have to strain it later. It really depends on how small you chopped the veggies and if you're going to use them in a soup or something.

Then cover and cook. And cook. And cook some more. At least 24 hours and up to 72 is recommended. SEE why I prefer the slow cooker?

The only babysitting involved here is waiting for the crockpot to begin boiling. Crockpots vary a LOT on heating temps. That's why all the recipes say something like "Cook 5 to 7 hours", 'cause the times vary.

You may have to turn your slow cooker to high for the first 12 hours or so. Boiling helps get the process moving really well.

Stock Pot Bone Broth

Using the stock pot on the stove is the traditional way to make bone broth. You can use as large or small a pot as you like, just so the bones get submerged completely under the water.

Use the same principle here as with the crockpot. Bones, meats, vegetables, and seasonings. A splash of apple cider vinegar and then cover with water. Cover the pot and bring it to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 12 to 72 hours. That doesn't mean you need to leave the stove on for 72 hours. You'll just have to be around some. So cooking bone broth is best for a couple of consecutive days around the house...

  • Start the broth a morning you know you'll be home all day, let it simmer until bedtime
  • Start over the next morning all over again. Bring it back to a boil, turn to simmer, cook it all day.

Simmering and then allowing the broth to sit (x 2) will allow most of the nutrients to have leached from the bones. Again, the longer you boil it, the better it'll be!

Perpetual Bone Broth

The first time I heard of this method I sorta got grossed out. All I could think about what the Mother Goose rhyme about "peas porridge hot, peas porridge cold, peas porridge in the pot 9 days old".

I just thought absolutely nasty and ick. But not really. Not if it's done right.

And this isn't quite a method. It's more a "sub-method". You'll still cook you stock in the slow cooker or in the stock pot. But you really never stop cooking it. At least for about a week.

This method would be really good for someone that's sick or is trying to heal a leaky gut.  It would supply them with an ongoing source of deliciousness without all the stop-start work.

If you decide to use this method just replenish the water as it gets a bit low. There isn't an exact science here. Just make sure the bones stay submerged.

I'd personally use this with only the slow cooker method. I don't think I'd want to leave a 6 day something on the stove and not cook it overnight 5 times. I also don't think I'd want to leave my stove on overnight.

But the basic principle is sound. You cook it constantly and replenish the water to keep the bones submerged.

You'll then have a constant supply of bone broth as you need it. Again, perfect for folks that are ill or that need to heal a leaky gut.

How to Store Bone Broth

So, after you learn the basics of why bone broth is awesome, what its good for and how the heck to make it...how do you store it? Do you have to make it every single time you need it? Nope, nope and nope again!

It's important to store your bone broth properly. You're most likely made more than you'll be able to use in a day or so. Because of that, freezing is a great option. Take a look at how you can store your bone broth.

Why the Storing Method is Important

You should first understand why you need to plan ahead for how you will store your bone broth. Bone broth is often made in larger quantities since it is a slow simmering process.

You are simmering your bones for 24 hours or longer, so you are naturally going to make a big batch and have quite a bit leftover. While it is okay to
store some of it in the refrigerator for soup or stew you intend to make within a couple days, the rest might spoil if you not used quickly.

A better option is to store the rest in the freezer until it is ready to be used. However, you can’t just store an entire container, as all of it would have to be defrosted at the same time. Instead, you want to use smaller containers for each portion you want to use at one time.

Options for How to Store Bone Broth

Smaller containers that are freezer-safe, and relatively easy to use. You can store the broth in freezer bags, but since it’s liquid, this might get a little messy when you first pour the liquid inside.

So if you choose to do the freezer bags, you'll need to plan just a little more. But not lots, don't worry. You only need two things, and one we already mentioned.

    1. Freezer Bags: Really good quality freezer bags. There are some genetic brands that tend to leak. I can't name names here but if you know which ones those are I would NOT use those.
    2. Baggie Holders: Oh, the baggie holder. These things are a life saver. Both for freezing bone broth and for crockpot freezer cooking. Heck, they are awesome anytime you need an extra hand to hold bags!


 

Some other options include using muffin tins, either standard or mini muffin tins, ice cube trays, or using small snack-size plastic storage containers. However, one of the most popular methods is to use silicone molds. These are great because even after being in the freezer, the silicone remains flexible.

You can easily bend it to remove small portions of the broth quickly and easily. You just need to wait for your broth to cool, strain it, then add to the silicone molds. Freeze it and
use as much as you want, when you need it.

You can get different types and sizes of molds. This allows for smaller portions when you just want to heat up a cup of broth, or larger portions for cooking soup with. They
give you a lot of options, are easy to use, and will last a long time. Just remember to label your molds when you are storing them so that you know how long you have to use
them.

Don't laugh too hard at the ones I'm showing below. They all work! I already had a bunch like these to make candies for Christmas. So they do double-duty. My broth is in funky shapes :)

How to Use Bone Brothhow to use bone broth

As you probably already know or have learned from reading up above, bone broth has loads of health benefits. It can definitely be warmed up and drank just like a cup of regular broth. However, there are also some other ways to cook with it, using it on more of a regular basis.

Soup with Bone Broth

One of the most common ways to use your bone broth in cooking is by making soup or stew. There are so many different ways to do this. Everything from using lots of superfoods (like turmeric
and nutrient-rich veggies) to making a thicker stew with large chunks of carrots and celery like our Classic Crockpot Beef Stew.

You can use bone broth you made with just one type of bones. Like chicken bones. Then use it to make chicken noodle soup with chunks of chicken and your chicken bone broth.

You can also use a mixed bone broth made from a mix of bones. Like if you added chicken, beef, and duck bones all together in one pot. You can really get creative here when making soup with your bone broth.

Cook Veggies

Bone broth is actually a great way to cook your veggies and add tons of flavor to them. Many people use regular beef or chicken broth for this, but bone broth has better flavor. It also adds more nutrients, so you really get some amazing vegetable to use as side dishes.

For example, you can use this method for green beans or asparagus by cooking them in a pan with butter and seasonings, then add a cup or so of your bone broth. Then you just let the green beans simmer in the broth. The broth cooks down, leaving behind some of the most flavorful veggies you have ever had. You can check out our Slow Cooker Green Bean recipe here.

Bone Broth Gravy

Another option is a much more simple one. You can use your bone broth as a gravy. This can be gravy you make to put over meat and potatoes, veggies, or just about any side dish when meat gravy is involved.

It's a good start to your gravy, but you can add other ingredients as well, like veggies and seasonings. This will, of course, depend on what you want to use the gravy for and the type of bone broth you are working with.

Drink It

Also, don’t forget about the simple method of heating up a cup of bone broth and drinking it as-is. It is probably seasoned, so it should taste warm and delicious, heating up
your belly, filling you up between meals, and getting all those extra nutrients from the broth too!

How to Make Bone Broth Printable & Pinnable

Recipe

Crockpot Bone Broth

How to Make Bone Broth

Gwen
Making homemade slow cooker bone broth is a great way to add nutrients to your diet! It's also a no-waste situation too as you can use nothing more than scraps. If you don't have enough scraps at any one time just toss your leftovers in a freezer bag. When it's full, toss it in the crockpot and proceed per the recipe!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 2 days 12 hours
Total Time 2 days 12 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 to 8 cups of bones cartridge and leftover meats
  • 2-4 cups vegetables of your choice optional but tasty
  • 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per cup of water
  • Enough water to cover everything

Instructions
 

  • Toss the ingredients in the crockpot and cover with water.
  • Bring the crockpot to a boil (this might take using the high setting on some crock pots), then turn to low.
  • Simmer for 12 to 72 hours. The longer you cook it, the more nutrients and flavor it will have.
  • Store in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days or freeze in small canisters, freezer bags or silicone molds.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

How to Make Bone Broth

Even More Uses for Bone Broth

ANY recipe that calls for bouillon, stock or broth can use bone broth instead. Not only will it add a LOT more flavor, it'll provide a serious amount of health benefits too. Here are just a few:

I hope you enjoyed this article. There was a lot of research that went into it and I honestly hope I got it all right. If you have any questions, concerns or requests, please contact me here.

Thanks,

~Gwen

5-Ingredient Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

Here's a deliciously easy twist on crock pot chicken alfredo...this one uses tortellini! It's quick and easy AND it's absolutely delicious!

5 ingredient crock pot chicken alfredo tortellini

Amazingly Easy Chicken Shortcut

(FYI. Some of the links provided in this article are completely for informational and educational purposes. Others are affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through one of the affiliate links, I make a small commission. It does NOT mean your price increases. It just helps me maintain the cost of the website, keep my electricity on and things like that. You can read our full disclosure policy here.)

Most of us are busy. Not just busy, REALLY busy. And if we want any sort of balance in our lives, we need all the shortcuts we can find.

I'm not talking about sacrificing your lifestyle or diet choices. I'm just talking about taking the shortcuts you're personally comfortable with.

Either purchasing pre-cooked deli chicken OR making my own make ahead crock pot chicken...well, I'm good with both those. For this recipe, I used a roasted chicken from Kroger.

It doesn't have to come from Kroger nor does it have to be roasted. It just needs to be pre-cooked.

Any sort of canned chicken would work as well. You'd need to drain the juices first of course, but in a pinch, you could use that instead of the broth that the recipe calls for (that isn't a recommendation, that's an "in a pinch" situation". As in "that's what I have in the house and I am NOT going to the grocery for any ingredients"...which is exactly why my crockpot honey-garlic chicken thighs sauce is in the process of reducing instead of me adding cornstarch.

Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

These steps are super easy! But first, you need the ingredients. And there are only 5. So here we go...

  • You'll need an 18 to 20-ounce package of package of refrigerated tortellini. I used Rana 5 Cheese Tortellini. If you use a different brand, I'd personally recommend one of the refrigerated versions.

I like the refrigerated versions better for several reasons:

  1. To me, they taste fresher
  2. They cook better in the slow cooker from my experience
  3. They freeze better if you decide to use them in a freezer meal session
  • Now for the chicken, I talked about earlier. The roasted, baked or rotisserie chicken you can purchase at most big box/grocery stores with a deli works great!

You can also use our make-ahead chicken thighs recipe (or make the same recipe with chicken breasts) OR canned chicken will also work. You just need 4 to 5 cups of precooked chicken. Whatever kind you use is up to you. I used a deli roasted

  • Then there's the cheese. Parmesan to be exact. You can shred or peel your own or you can purchase the pre-shredded sort. That's what I did. I used one 6-ounce package of pre-shredded parmesan cheese. I don't have a particular brand I'm partial to. I am usually just happy when I can find it.
  • Now for the chicken broth. OR you can use chicken stock. The main difference between the two is chicken broth is strained and doesn't have any "solids".

The solids are nothing gross, they are actually good for you and have lots of healthy stuff in them. As I write this, I'm actually cooking down the chicken carcass from that deli-roasted chicken

I talked about earlier. I'm making crockpot chicken stock. It's my first attempt, I'll let you know how that turns out soon :)

  • Our last ingredient is 2 jars of alfredo sauce. The ones I used were (get this) 16.9 ounces each. Snort. So I'm NOT going to say you have to go find 16.9-ounce jars of alfredo. Just something about that size.Basil Pesto Alfredo

I AM gonna say though OMG if you have an access to the Private Selection brand (and no, they aren't paying me to tell you that they are good) and you like basil at all...you REALLY want to try the Basil Pesto Alfredo Sauce I used. It is absolutely amazing.

Kroger and their affiliate stores carry them. I don't know what other locations do so. I DO know there are a few available through Amazon (this IS an affiliate link).


Also, if you can't find the Private Selection version and don't want to/can't make your own...the  Bertolli Alfredo Sauces are yummy too. These two are always my personal top options when I can't (or don't wanna) make my own.

Alrighty, enough about the ingredients...on to the directions :)

Step-by-Step Assembly

Super easy here too! And the step-by-step image below tells the story pretty clearly. You basically assemble it in layers.

If your chicken is pre-cooked and/or pre-shredded, then you're golden. It should take you all of 5 minutes to toss together.

Then you just cover that baby up and cook it on low for 6 to 7 hours (or high for about 4).

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo Tortelini Collage

Layers for Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini:

  1. First butter, spray or grease the slow cooker insert. Use whatever you are comfortable using and/or works for your dietary/life choices. I used about 2 teaspoons of coconut oil.
  2. Next, pour/spread 1 jar of your alfredo sauce over the bottom of the oiled slow cooker.
  3. Dump in the tortellini in a single layer.
  4. Toss in the precooked chicken in a decently even layer.
  5. Next, use a separate bowl or bowl, measuring cup or whatever you have. Mix the second jar of alfredo sauce with the chicken stock (or broth). Pour the sauce mixture over the chicken. ***
  6. Lastly, sprinkle with the shredded parmesan cheese.

***Cooking Tip: So you don't loose any of that Alfredo yumminess. Dump the second jar of alfredo sauce into your mixing bowl. Pour half the broth into each alfredo sauce jar. Cap them both and shake well. Now pour the broth from the jars into the alfredo sauce and mix. This way you'll use every last tablespoon of that deliciousness in your recipe, you'll not waste any money AND you can re-use the jars for something rather cool :)

Printable for Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

Recipe

5 ingredient crock pot chicken alfredo tortellini

5-Ingredient Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

Gwen
This easy, 5-ingredient crock pot chicken alfredo tortellini completely...and totally ROCKS! Give it a shot, let us know if you like it! Pst! You can easily half this recipe and only have 3 to 4 servings (for those folks that don't do leftovers) PST! You can also use this as a FREEZER meal! Score! It's deliciously easy to do that too! Those directions are down below...
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 20 ounces refrigerated cheese tortellini
  • 4 to 5 cups precooked chicken breasts
  • 6- ounce package shredded parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 16- ounce jars alfredo sauce

Instructions
 

  • Mix the chicken broth and 1 jar of alfredo sauce and set aside
  • Grease, butter or spray the crockpot insert
  • Pour the second jar of alfredo sauce over the bottom of the crockpot insert
  • Layer in the tortellini
  • Thirdly, layer in the cooked chicken
  • Pour the broth/sauce mixture over the top of the chicken layer
  • Sprinkle with the shredded parmesan
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours. Or cook on high about 4 hours.

Freezer Meal Directions:

  • Leave the tortellini in its original package and place it in its own closable freezer bag.
  • Also, leave the cheese in its own bag.
  • Pour the chicken, alfredo sauce, and broth into another freezer bag.
  • Use the "tape together" method shown in our Crock Pot Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
  • Tape all three bags together, label and freeze for up to three months.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pinnables for Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini

More Delicious Chicken Recipes:

If you like this super easy crock pot chicken idea, you might want to check these out too!


Psst...One more thing. I've got a crock pot chicken alfredo recipe on the calendar to make in a few weeks. I'm not sure if it'll be a quick and easy version or a homemade alfredo. I shall keep you posted on that one.

In the mean time, that angel pasta listed above...that's another super easy twist on crock pot chicken alfredo. It only has a few ingredients too :)

Rock that Crock!

 

Big List of 40+ Crock Pot Sausage & Kielbasa Recipes

40+ Crock Pot Sausage RecipesOh, the crockpot. You either love it or hate it usually. For me (and a lot of other folks) the ability to toss in a few ingredients and walk away…well, that’s just plain awesome. So if you’re a slow cookin’ fan, you might want to check out this big list of crock pot sausage ~or~ kielbasa recipes…

And I say OR because some people just LOVE kielbasa and others prefer smoked sausage. Some prefer homemade sausage or sausages you can get from the butcher…other’s prefer the store-bought link sausage to use in their slow cooker recipes.

Whatever you choose, it will work in these recipes! So check out our BIG List of crock pot sausage and kielbasa recipes. AND let us know if you have any more to add to the recipe listing. OR if there’s anything missing you’d love to see. We’ll see if we can get it added.

Enjoy, holler if you have any questions and remember to Rock That Crock! 😊

PS: This post contains some affiliate links.

Big List of 40+ Crock Pot Sausage & Kielbasa Recipes

#1 Crockpot Shrimp & Sausage Dinner by Slow Cooker Kitchen

6 ingredients & 5 minutes for a one-pot crockpot meal!Slow Cooker Shrimp and Sausage

If you like shrimp you’ll love this recipe. Adding the sausage stretches the budget and it’s delicious too. It’s seasoned with lemon and cooks in chicken stock for even more flavor.

It’s got potatoes and corn on the cob as well, so you’ve got a one-pot meal ready in about 4 hours…just be sure to “stick a fork” in a potato to double check and you’ll be all set!

#2 Crockpot Italian Sausage & Peppers by Spicy Southern Kitchen. Ohhhhh this recipe sounds amazing!

Italian sausage, green peppers and lots of yummy Italian seasonings. Serve it on hoagie buns and talk about a crowd pleaser!

Psst…this would be a great freezer meal too! Just sayin’.

#3 3-Ingredient Bourbon Glazed Kielbasa Bites by Tammilee Tips. This recipe only takes a few ingredients and makes up really quick.

It’s supposed to be an appetizer according to the recipe BUT I betcha it would make an awesome main dish too! You could even toss in some frozen (or fresh) broccoli forward the end and serve that deliciousness up over rice. OHHHH and if you did that, well it could be frozen as well 😊

#4 Here’s another 3-ingredient kielbasa bite recipe. And it’s Barbecue Ranch Kielbasa! It comes from The Frugal Girls and would be an awesome addition to any party, game day, barbecue…well you get me.

Heck, these little beauties would be awesome movie night snack stuff. Maybe a little messy but so yummy so it’d be totally worth it!

#5 Crockpot Sausage & Potatoes by Slow Cooker Kitchen

 

slow cooker sausage and potatoes imageThis is one of our favorites. It takes between 5 & 10 minutes to toss in the crock and cooks in about 7 hours.

If you’ve got to be away longer than that, no worries! This recipe can take it. Just make sure you’ve got the slow cooker turned to low and put the onions on the bottom (then the potatoes, then the sausages).

Follow that layering pattern and this recipe can cook without issue for up to 10 hours. Your potatoes will be falling apart but honestly…who cares. That’s just more creamy deliciousness!

OR and I just thought of this (gotta love those light bulb moments) if you don’t want your potatoes to be falling apart after a 10-hour day use whole baby or whole medium potatoes! Onions or potatoes either one would work on the bottom of the crock if you go that route 😊

#6 Crockpot Tortellini Sausage & Kale Soup by Chef Savvy. Oh my! How about a delicious crockpot soup recipe that uses sausage? I bet this would be just awesome for ANY time of year…

Cheesy tortellini, fire roasted garlic and lots of delicious seasonings too. If you’re not a kale fan, I know for a fact you can substitute fresh baby spinach (I’ve had it, not made it).  It’s an amazingly simple slow cooker soup that works great for even a Summer time menu.

#7 And speaking of that spinach here’s Damn Delicious’ Crockpot Sausage, Spinach & White Bean Soup. Yep, it’s worth making. Yep, it’s good.

#8 Crockpot Green Beans with Sausage and Potatoes by Teaspoon of Goodness. This is a very simple 5-ingredient dish that is just plain comfort food!

It’d be perfect as a one-pot meal or as a deliciously easy side dish for a barbecue or holiday meal!

#9 Slow Cooker Sausage & Veggies by Slow Cooker Kitchen

6 ingredients and about 10 minutes to toss together!Crock Pot Sausage Dinner

This recipe is absolutely perfect for the heat of summer. AND for those folks that grow gardens too! It calls for a rainbow of bell peppers and summer squash or zucchini (or heck use BOTH).

This recipe cooks in chicken broth too, and adds whole garlic cloves that turn just a little sweet after cooking. It’s great alone, or over rice and hits the spot on a hot day when you want something light AND you don’t want to heat up the house…

#10 Barbecue Coca-Cola Kielbasa by The Frugal Girls. Here’s a 3-ingredient crock pot sausage appetizer. It would take like 3 minutes to toss in the crock too.

So if you were in a hurry to clean before a party or barbecue or whatever you have going on…this would be a great recipe to toss in the crockpot! I’ve had this same recipe made with other meats. It’s YUMMY!

#11 Crockpot Low Country Boil by Spicy Southern Kitchen. Here’s another recipe that’d work great for a summer time meal. OR for a Spring, Fall or Winter meal when you’re looking for the flavors of summer 😊

This recipe is GREAT made in the slow cooker. You toss in the ingredients, set the timer, and walk off and do other stuff (‘cause we all have a ton of other stuff). BUT if you’re in a pinch do get it done quicker. Here are two alternate ways to make just about the same recipe.

Being raised in Louisiana…well I can tell you it is soooo worth it! When you get time, give it a shot. You’ll love it!

Again, being from down south, I can tell you…it’s good stuff. A little spicy but excellent when you want a bit of heat and a lot of flavor. They also offer a “light” and salt-free version. Both are excellent options if you’re wanting to cut back on your salt intake.

#12 Slow Cooker Kielbasa & ‘Kraut from Slow Cooker Kitchen

This deliciousness requires 5 ingredients and 5 minutes!crock pot kielbasa and sauerkraut

If you’re a sauerkraut fan, you will LOVE this recipe! It is sooooo easy (and so yummy).

I usually make enough for 2 or 3 nights…but then again, we don’t mind leftovers. We usually eat it on night one straight out of the slow cooker in bowls.  On night two, we have what I call “fake out” Reuben.

AND…if you’re a super, duper sauerkraut fan and just can’t get enough, we’ve supplied three other slight variations of the kielbasa and ‘kraut recipe I blabbered about above.

This recipe adds potatoes to the yumminess of the first kielbasa and sauerkraut recipe. AND that turns it all in to a one-pot meal! Yippee for simple. Double yippee for yummy!

  • Pork Roast with ‘Kraut & Kielbasa. Here’s another dish of yumminess. Pssst…this is NOT my recipe. It’s from my aunt. Well, an aunt of sorts. She’s an honorary one. She’s a very nice person and an awesome cook.

Her recipe takes 3 main ingredients. Pork loin, kielbasa and ‘kraut and adds a few spices. I’ve eaten it and can attest, it’s very good!

#13 Crock Pot Kielbasa & Barbecue Beans by Mom on Timeout. Talk about another awesomely hearty side dish! Lots of beans, bacon, and sausage. Plus your barbecue and other spices. Yummo!

Heck, this wouldn’t really have to be a side, it’s got enough heartiness it could be a one-pot meal all by itself!

#14 Kielbasa Kapusta by Food Folks and Fun. This is Jillian’s website and since I am not Polish, I am going to take her word for her knowledge of this recipe and the authenticity.

From what I’m reading about it, it sounds like the traditional version of my Kielbasa & Kraut recipe shown above. I’d never thought of the addition of bacon drippings but I can sure see how that additional flavor would toss this recipe right over the top!

#15 Real Housemom’s Sweet & Spicy Kielbasa Bites look delicious too! They have the addition of both honey and brown sugar YUM.

Their recipe calls it an appetizer and yeah, that’d be awesomely delish BUT how about adding some sweet peppers and pineapple bites too? Serve that deliciousness over rice and OMG deliciousness!

#16 How about another traditional dish? This one’s a traditional Brazilian Black Bean Stew called Feijoada. No, I can’t pronounce it. Yes, I’ve eaten it. It’s another super yummy recipe!

Honestly, this recipe isn’t quite authentic. The authentic one (I was TOLD) is made with beef tongue. Which I don’t eat on principle. Not saying I wouldn’t if I needed to, not at all. I just haven’t been there yet.

You can also make it with a couple cups of ham chunks or a ham hock like our Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup.

But anyways, this recipe is made with sausage. Because we’re talking about crock pot sausage and kielbasa!crock pot sausage stew with black beans

 

Ingredients for Brazilian Black Bean Stew (Feijoada):

  • 1 package (12 to 16 ounces) dry black beans, rinsed and soaked overnight
  • 2 cups sweet onions, diced
  • 2 packages smoked sausage, diced into 1 inch pieces
  • ½ pound thick sliced bacon, cooked and sliced (Psst…if its too hot to fry your bacon OR if you just want an easy way to make it…check out our section inside the Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole called “How to Bake Bacon”. It’s a GREAT timesaver. Why? Cause you can freeze it for later.)
  • 4 to 6 cups beef stock or broth
  • 2 bay leaves (Remove these before eating! These add a lot of flavor but they can’t be chewed and are dangerous if swallowed.)
  • ¾ to 1 cup fresh cilantro (completely optional but adds a great flavor)
  • Sour cream for garnish and/or when serving

Directions for Feijoada:

  • Toss all the ingredients in the crockpot.
  • Add more broth, stock or water (if necessary) to make sure all the beans and vegetables are submerged by about 2 inches.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.
  • Remove the bay leaves. Add salt and pepper if desired.
  • Stir well until beans begin to fall apart and all ingredients are well combined.
  • Garnish with additional cilantro and/or sour cream if desired.

#17 Here’s another by Real Housemoms. It’s Honey Mustard Kielbasa Bites.

I’ve had this one. Or one close enough I thought it was this recipe.

The only difference was that recipe had baby potatoes and squash cubes added. It was Fall. So it was a kind of “fall theme” It was at an office type party. And it was pure yumminess!

This one is sooooo worth making for an appetizer, movie night or potluck.

#18 One-Pot Smoked Sausage Dinner from Slow Cooker Kitchen

6 ingredients and 5 minutes on this baby too 😊One-Pot Smoked Sausage Dinner! Find this & more yummy recipes @ https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com

If you’ve ever had Joe’s Crab Shack OR what folks in the south call a “low country boil” you might want to check this recipe out.

As the title implies, it’s a one-pot meal and it takes all of 5 minutes to prep. If you aren’t a bouillon fan, well skip the water and bouillon and use beef stock.

On this recipe, I’d personally use stock instead of broth for the additional robustness of the flavor. But that’s just me, do as you wish…I’ve made it with bouillon and stock both, but not broth. So, if you decide to go that route…well, let me know how it turns out.

#19 Sweet Chili Barbecue Kielbasa by Iowa Girl Eats. This is another 3-ingredient crock pot appetizer. It’d be delicious just as it is as an appetizer OR as a outdoor party side dish, potluck offering or whatever.

Serve it with crockpot baked beans as another side dish…then maybe a couple side salads and your main grilling intent. Heck, you’d be all set!

#20 And speaking of beans, how about Crockpot Pinto Beans with Smoked Sausage? Woohoo! This one’s from The Texas Peach.

Pinto beans, smoked sausage, onions and peppers. Sounds awesome! I’m guessing the poblano peppers might make it a bit spicy but you can always leave that out if you aren’t into spicy stuff.

#21 Another delicious crock pot sausage recipe that calls for beans is Crockpot Tuscan Bean Soup. It’s also traditionally known as “Goppel”. I do not know why but it’s a cool name 😉

 

tuscan bean soup with crock pot sausage

Goppel Ingredients:

  • 2 cans white beans, drained
  • 1 cup each of diced carrots, celery and zucchini
  • 1 14-ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 1 to 2 cups vegetable stock (depending on how “soupy” you want the recipe)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
  • 1 package smoked sausage, diced into ½ to ¾ inch pieces
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup feta cheese (optional, but traditional)

Goppel Directions:

  • Combine the beans, vegetables, stock, garlic and sausage in the crock pot.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
  • Turn to high, add the cilantro, stir and cook an additional 20 minutes.
  • Add salt and pepper to taste, garnish with feta cheese.

#22 Crock Pot Sausage & Pierogies! Crock Pot Pierogies & Sausage

Have you ever had pierogies? I hadn’t. I am not sure why because one of my Grand-mamas was pretty much full blooded German. And this is a German dish. Well, pierogies are not this dish.

Pierogies are pretty much a stuffed dumpling. They are stuffed with mashed potatoes and/or more stuff. Most of the pre-made ones you can purchase are in the freezer section and are potatoes and cheese.

There are LOTS of traditional cooks that make these with all sorts or fillings and sauces. Me, not so much. AND this recipe was a request from a reader. He wanted an easy crock pot sausage and pierogi dish. This was it.

It only takes 5 minutes and 5 ingredients. It can’t get much more simple than that AND it makes an awesome freezer meal too!

Slow Cooker Pierogies Casserole Dish

 

It was part of a big crockpot freezer meal cooking day. There was a huge batch of the sausage and pierogies that went off for other folks to eat. There was a small bag or two left for the freezer, and enough for the two of us for supper also.

This is a great dish whether you’re just looking for something to toss together or you want to do the freezer meal thing.

#23 Crockpot Cabbage, Pierogies & Kielbasa by Seduction in the Kitchen. This one, this one sounds super rich and very yummy.

Butter, lemon and celery seed are your seasonings. That and five more ingredients and you’re all set.

#24 I never thought about trying to make Crockpot Curried Sausage. How interesting! This one’s from Flying Drunken Money. Ha! Love it 😊

#25 Slow Cooker Sweet & Sour Sausage by UnaFamiliaAlaskena. This yummy sounding crock pot sausage recipe would be excellent served over rice.

It has sweet peppers, onions and pineapple. She also offers a homemade sweet and sour sauce that would be great if you’d prefer that to store-bought.

#26 Oktoberfest Crockpot Kielbasa by Life a Little Brighter. Here’s another one that sounds delicious! Hash browns, peppers, polska kielbasa and sour cream too.

Lots of yumminess and only 10 minutes to prep it all. Heck, most of that prep time is just chopping the veggies.

So, here’s a tip. If you knew you were going to be in a pinch for time you could buy the frozen pepper-onion mixture. Then you would only need to chop up the kielbasa. That’d probably cut your time down to 5 minutes and it'd work for a freezer meal as well.

#27 3-Ingredient Crockpot Cranberry Barbecue Kielbasa by Penny Pincher Jenny. This one would be awesome to make during the holiday season. Or if you’re an epic cranberry fan, then you might like it anytime.

#28 Slow Cooker Gumbo by Slow Cooker Kitchen

Slow Cooker Gumbo

Okay, so this one isn’t quick and easy. Not really. And it’s also not quite an authentic Cajun gumbo either. It’s sorta a compromise.

It’s a compromise between time and authenticity. Real gumbo, real honest-to-goodness gumbo takes hours to make. And unless you have a pot that stirs itself you have to stand over the stove for about 45 to 60 minutes just prepping the roux.

I LOVE authentic gumbo. It’s amazing. I do not like to stand in one spot or over the stove for an hour though. And most folks that read this website aren’t looking for it either. So this is the compromise.

This recipe takes about 30 minutes of prep time and makes a pretty damn delish crockpot gumbo 😊

#29 If you like traditional southern recipes, here’s another one. Crockpot Red Beans and Rice by A Pinch of Healthy.

Red beans and rice is a sample in the deep south. It’s also one delicious meal!

This recipe calls for chicken andouille sausage. But I know from years of experience any sort of link sausage will work. So if andouille isn’t your thing, substitute whatever kind you prefer.

#30 Crockpot Jambalaya by Budget Bytes. Here’s another delicious south-in-your-mouth crock pot sausage recipe. Smoked sausage, chicken and rice with lots of yummy spices.

And its from Budet Bytes, so they do a price breakdown as well. At the time this recipe was written it cost her about $10.50 to make the whole crock pot full. It makes 8 servings. I’d say $1.32 per serving is pretty darn economical 😊 Go Beth!

#31 And still on that traditional deep south movement. Here’s Aunt Bee’s Black Eyed Peas & Smoked Sausage recipe.

Black-eyed peas are another southern thing. Or at least I was always told growing up they were. If anybody from “up north” says not-so, sorry about that.

I’m sorta from the north now. Is Southern Indiana “north”. I’m just not sure.

#32 So what about breakfast? How about Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage and Hash Brown Casserole? It’s from Lauren’s Latest and she even offers a homemade cream soup option if you don’t like using the canned stuff.

It looks absolutely creamy and delish. It’d work great for breakfast or a breakfast-for-supper option too.

Btw, if you're looking for crockpot breakfast ideas...here are a couple more. They are both egg casseroles, both are creamy and easy to make. One uses ham and the other uses Lil' Smokies:

#33 Here’s another soup and this one’s from Kalyn’s Kitchen. It’s Crockpot Kielbasa & White Bean Stew. Her site is traditionally low-carb BUT that doesn’t mean the recipes are short on flavor!

I’ve tried several of her recipes, the ones I’ve tried were awesome. This one uses white beans, spinach, kielbasa sausage and a few yummy spices. I’m guessing you could toss this together in under 10 minutes.

Also, I’ve not tried to do it but there isn’t anything I see in the ingredient list that wouldn’t be able to be frozen. Score! Another Freezer Meal!

Kalyn says she used a 3 ½ quart crockpot to make this recipe. So if you have a large crockpot (like 6 to 8 quarts) you could double the recipe and freeze some for what I call “emergency meals”. Then just heat it up as you need it.

#34 And here’s one more soup. Well, it’s a stew but you get me, so was Kalyn’s. This one is from Delishable and is titled Crock Pot Kielbasa Stew.

Frankly, it looks almost like my own one-pot sausage dinner I already blabbered about earlier…just diced up and with more broth. So, I already KNOW this one’s good and worth trying 😊

#35 Cheesy Crockpot Potatoes with Smoked Sausage by Recipes That Crock. This one takes just 6 ingredients and just a bit longer to prep…just ‘cause you need to peel the potatoes.

It does look worth the little extra effort though. It’d be serious comfort food I bet.

#36 Brown Sugar Kielbasa by Organic Glory sounds interesting. I’ve never tried anything like this but Amanda (the recipe creator) swears by it.

The beauty of this particular recipe…well, there are a couple.

  • It cooks overnight or all day
  • It’s her most used potluck dish
  • People absolutely LOVE it.

So I am guessing it’s worth making 😊

#37 Yumo! Gotta add another soup here! This one’s from Healthy Seasonal Recipes and it’s called Crockpot Kielbasa, Cabbage & Potato Soup.

Why’d I HAVE to share another soup recipe? Because Katie’s recipe is just enough different that is sounds brilliant!

It’s got white beans, potatoes and (oh course) crock pot sausage BUT she also adds a couple of really good cheese options AND croutons. Cheese’s and croutons change the whole taste and consistency. So that makes it worth checking out too!

#38 Sweet Heat Kielbasa Dip by Host the Toast. Boy, oh boy! This one sounds absolutely delicious! Diced kielbasa sausage, cream cheese and apricot preserves just to name a few. Oh, and jalapenos!

There are a couple more ingredients but not many AND it only takes 10 minutes to prep. I can see this one being something close to a “please let me lick the pot” situation. Yeah, I’ve seen that a few times. It sounds mildly gross, but it’s really a compliment 😊

#39 Crockpot Hoppin’ John by Plain Chicken is a Deep South New Year’s tradition.

Each New Year's you are supposed to eat some sort of black-eyed peas for luck. Also some sort of cabbage for money. Or at least that’s the way I was told it worked 😊

That means there are multiple options in the recipe listing alone that'll cover New Year's!

#40 Crockpot Lentil & Sausage Soup by Growing Up Gabel. So here’s another soup with crock pot sausage. But it’s got lentils instead of beans.

Lentils seem to be something people love or hate and not much in between. If you haven’t tried them, you should. There enough different than beans to make a recipe, well…just different. AND they are high in protein. Which is good for you in most universes.

That’s all we have for now. I know…it’s a BIG LIST. But it’s all about crock pot sausage and/or kielbasa. I’ve not eaten each and every recipe but the ones I haven’t, I’d sure try!

Got anymore? Did I miss something? You can contact me here or check out the Facebook Group if you think of anything else or have an additional request or whatever.

Enjoy and let us know how you’re rockin’ your crock!

More Crockpot "Big Lists"

Did you enjoy this BIG list of crock pot sausage recipes? We hope so! If you're looking for more "big lists" you might want to check out these too!

40+ Crock Pot Beef Recipes

Big List of 50+ Crockpot Appetizers

"Pin It for Later" Crock Pot Sausage & Kielbasa Options:

crock pot sausage and kielbasa recipes

Big List of 40+ Crock Pot Sausage

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4-Ingredient French Onion Crock Pot Pot Roast

If you're looking for a quick & easy but YUMMY crock pot pot roast recipe...here you go! Just 4 ingredients and about 5 minutes get this deliciousness cooking.

crock pot pot roast step by stepOR you can add an additional 3 ingredients...so 7 in total and not only have a crock pot pot roast that's fork tender...you also have a one-pot meal.  This one will probably take you 10 minutes IF you decide to peel the carrots and potatoes.

Step-by-Step Crock Pot Pot Roast

You can see in the image above that I sliced the meats.  There's a reason...not just so it looks cool.  When you score the meat about 2/3's the way through AND then sprinkle the seasonings between the slices...you get an awesome flavour enhancement.  It does NOT take long.  The only thing you need to pull that off is a sharp knife (and keep your fingers out of the way while you score it).

crock pot pot roast scoring the meat

    • To score it you slice every 1/2 to 3/4 inches about 2/3's to 3/4's of the way through the roast. IF you'd like to make your life a little easier than I did (because I didn't think about it) then do the scoring while it's still just a little bit frozen.

Not completely frozen or you'll wear yourself out.  Just a little still frozen. Like leave the roast in the refrigerator overnight before you process it and score it the next morning. When the meat is just a little bit still frozen it is much easier to slice.

french onion crock pot pot roast step by step

    • If you opted to make the one-pot meal you'll obviously need to prep your veggies. I used potatoes, carrots and onions. All of them got washed and chunked into large pieces.  Quick, easy and it took less than 5 minutes.
    • Toss in a layer of potatoes on the bottom, then the roast and add the remaining veggies around the edges. Sprinkle on the onion soup mix and pour on the french onion soup.
    • Cover and cook it for 7 to 8 hours OR a little longer if you used a partially frozen pot roast.  If you want to cook it on high, I'd go at least 5 hours...but no less than 4 1/2.  It won't be as tender but it will be cooked.

crock pot pot roast

Just remember to check your carrots for tenderness before serving. Carrots take the longest to cook and can sometimes still be tough even after your potatoes are tender.

Crock Pot Beef Pot Roast Serving Suggestions

If you opted for adding the optional veggies to the roast...you're golden.  Serve the roast and the veggies with a little of the french onion gravy it made drizzled over the top.

If you opted to NOT add the veggies, making these crock pot mashed potatoes to go with would be AWESOME...

crock pot mashed potatoes image

OR if you don't have that sort of time...though they go pretty dang fast for mashed potatoes...you might be more interested in these 5-Ingredient Crock Pot Bacon Ranch Potatoes

Find these easy crock pot ranch potatoes and a lot more like it @ https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com

You can see from the pic above that these were made with a roast too. But that's a pork loin roast. I usually purchase meat in large quantities and this pork roast was no exception.  I bought one of those huge roasts that was about 20 inches long.  It made two delicious pork loin recipes!

Both of them are scored like the beef crock pot pot roast you're currently reading about BOTH take about the same amount of time to make AND all three of these roasts' leftovers make awesome pulled meat sandwiches.

Printable Beef 4-Ingredient Crock Pot Pot Roast

Recipe

crock pot pot roast step by step

4-Ingredient French Onion Crock Pot Pot Roast

Gwen
If you're looking for an easy crock pot pot roast then this delicious 4-ingredient french onion beef pot roast is just what you might need! You can opt for 3 more ingredients for a one-pot meal OR try out these crockpot mashed potatoes! Both match up for awesome Rockin' Your Crock deliciousness!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 to 1 1/2 pound pot roast sliced part way thru
  • 1 packet dry onion soup mix
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or stock
  • 1 can French Onion soup
  • 6 medium potatoes optional: makes one-pot meal
  • 3 large carrots optional: makes one-pot meal
  • 1 medium onion optional: makes one-pot meal

Instructions
 

  • Cut about 2/3's the way through the pot roast about every 3/4 inches
  • Wash all the veggies and dice into chunks, peel if desired
  • Layer the bottom of an oiled crockpot with a layer of potato wedges
  • Place the pot roast in the center and surround with the remaining vegetables
  • Pour the beef broth over the top, sprinkle with the dry soup mix and pour the french onion soup over everything
  • Cover and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Pin It for Later Options

If you do Pinterest and want to save this yumminess for later...here're are a few options. Pick one you like or pin them all! You'll be Rockin' Your Crock in no time :)

french onion crock pot pot roast 4-ingredient crock pot pot roast crock pot pot roast 4-ingredient french onion crock pot pot roast

Slow Cooker Sausage & Potatoes

If you're looking for a deliciously EASY crockpot recipe...this slow cooker sausage and potatoes dish only takes 5 to 10 minutes prep work AND 5 to 7 ingredients too!

slow cooker sausage and potatoes image

You can use any sort of smoked sausage as well.  Turkey sausage, kielbasa or anything of the sort.  We prefer the uncured pork sausage, but that's our personal preference.  It's partially for health reasons and partially because we prefer the taste.

Again, any sort works.  You choose what's best for YOU and your personal needs.  Some of them will "puff" up more than others, all taste really delicious.  And taste...well, that's more important than pretty in my book.

Step by Step Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes

Ohhhh this is complicated...well, sorta.  No, no it isn't.  It's super easy!  The most time-consuming thing about this dish is washing and dicing the potatoes.

You can peel them, or you don't have to.  You can see from the picture above I didn't.  That's a personal preference too.  I don't peel potatoes on a regular basis.  If you want to know that story, check out Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes.  It's short a sweet, but there's no need to repeat it twice.

Anyways, step by step...here goes.slow cooker sausage and potatoes collage

  1. Wash and dice the potatoes, toss them in the buttered crock pot
  2. Peel and slice the onions, they are layer #2
  3. Dice up the sausage (or kielbasa, or whatever) and do the same (#3)
  4. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour them over the top.
  5. Then cover and cook.

crock pot sausage and potatoes prep

If you want, you can add garlic cloves...either whole or minced.  I did.  The whole garlic cloves are a little strong but they get a bit of a sweet bite when cooked like this.  The onions are optional if you're not a fan...or if your stomach is too sensitive.  Just leave them out.  It's a great dish no matter :)

Printable Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes Recipe

Recipe

Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes

Gwen
Deliciously easy slow cooker sausage and potatoes. It takes just 5 to 7 ingredients and about the same time to toss this yumminess together too.
4.50 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds sausage links diced into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 pounds potatoes washed and diced into chunks
  • 1 large onion sliced (optional)
  • 6 to 12 garlic cloves optional
  • 1 can cream of chicken soup
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Instructions
 

  • Lightly oil or butter your crock pot insert
  • Layer the potatoes, onions, then the sausage
  • Mix the soup, broth and Worcestershire sauce in a separate bowl and pour over the top
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours

Freezer Meal Directions:

  • Toss the sausage, onions and garlic into a zippable freezer bag.
  • Mix the broth, Worcestershire sauce and soup. Pour over sausage mixture.
  • Lay flat, squeeze out air and label.
  • Place a note on your label (and your calendar) that you'll need potatoes for this recipe.

To Cook Freezer Meal:

  • Defrost overnight in the refrigerator.
  • Butter crock pot insert.
  • Pour washed, diced potatoes in bottom.
  • Pour freezer bag contents over the top.
  • Cook until potatoes are tender. About 7 hours.

Notes

This recipe is very tasty as is. But if you prefer a creamier, thicker sauce do this...
  1. 30 minutes before serving, turn the slow cooker to high (and leave the lid on for now).
  2. Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup water. Stir until very well combined.
  3. Pour the cornstarch slurry into the liquid and stir well.
  4. Cover the crockpot again and give the sauce time to thicken.
Note: You might want add a bit of garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Other Deliciously Easy One-Pot Crockpot Meals!

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Pin it for Later Sausage & Potato Options

  • Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes
  • Sausage and Potatoes slow cooker
  • crock pot sausage and potatoes
  • crock pot sausage and potatoes

Country-Style Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

If you're looking for a deliciously simple way to make creamy, delicious mashed potatoes...you'll LOVE this recipe for crock pot mashed potatoes!  It's super simple and absolutely yummy!

crock pot mashed potatoes image

We've always LOVED mashed potatoes around here BUT two things happen(ed).  But before the story here's the table of contents...

 

 

 

 

Why I Make Crockpot Mashed Potatoes

First, somehow I got nominated annually (and I mean EVERY year) to peel 50+ pounds of spuds at an annual Thanksgiving family gig.  I was young and it wasn't my house so I didn't argue.  But it wasn't my potato peeler either.  And I got epic amounts of blisters from the dang thing (every year).

I probably should have just taken my own, but I didn't.  I didn't even think about it.  But it put a sour taste in my mouth about peeling them.  I sorta developed a sincerely dislike for mashed potatoes in general for a while.

Then that family gig thing got changed (not because of the potatoes or anything) and I didn't have to peel them anymore.  I still hated doing it though.  For years.

Then second, I read a recipe called "country-style mashed potatoes" with the peels ON. Duh, once I'd read that I guess my eyes opened.  I saw recipes for unpeeled mashed potato recipes all over the place.

So it isn't a new thing, but at the time it was new to me.  And I was tickled.  I loved the idea and proceeded to teach myself how to make crock pot mashed potatoes.

prep work for crock pot mashed potatoes

That was several years ago.  This is the recipe I've been making ever since.  Yes, they DO get peeled on occasion now.  Sometimes when the recipe calls for it, sometimes as a request.

Other times, they don't get peeled (because it matches the recipe better).  They also don't get peeled if I'm running short on time OR I just plain don't want to do it.

This recipe is VERY good with or without peeling the potatoes.  The cream cheese adds a wonderfully creamy texture that's absolutely delicious too.

 

 

Step-by-Step Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

This part couldn't be easier.  You gather your ingredients and wash and dice the potatoes. Toss the ingredients in the slow cooker and cover and cook for about 6 hours on low.crock pot mashed potatoes collage

Some folks swear I goof up because I toss the cream cheese in before the recipe is cooked. I personally think this is a matter of personal preference.

I have only had the cream cheese separate (curdle) whatever...once or twice in a decade of making this recipe.  If it worries you just wait and toss the cream cheese in AFTER the potatoes are cooked and BEFORE you mash the potatoes.

 

 

Printable Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Recipe

crock pot mashed potatoes image

Country-Style Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes

Gwen
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 to 10 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Yukon or red potatoes peeled (or not peeled, either way) and diced
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 block cream cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup milk or as much as needed

Instructions
 

  • Use the butter to grease the crockpot
  • Place the potatoes and water in the slow cooker
  • Season with salt, garlic powder, and pepper
  • Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours; High for 3 1/2 to 4 hours
  • Add the cream cheese and mash potatoes with a masher or electric beater, add the milk a little at a time until you get the desired consistency
  • Turn to warm setting until ready to serve
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Stuff That'll Go Great with These Potatoes!

So this recipe sounds awesome and you want to make it?  But what the heck to serve with??? Gotcha covered...check out any of these ideas :)

 

 


Pin It for Later Country-Style Mashed Potatoes

  • slow cooker mashed potatoes
  • country style crockpot mashed potatoes
  • crockpot mashed potatoes
  • crock pot mashed potatoes

122 Freezer Crockpot Meals in One Afternoon!

Here’s another epic cooking session!  It's for those folks that appreciate freezer crockpot meals!  For this one, we used 11 recipes and came up with 122 freezer servings/meals in a little over 4 hours.

freezer crockpot meals

In our first one, we used 8 recipes and made up 110 freezer meals.  The steps are a lot alike, but the menu is completely different for each.

For both these cooking sessions (and anymore I do in the future hopefully) you can print:

With the detailed list, if there’s a recipe you don’t care for, print out the detailed list and mark off the ingredients associated with that color.  Add a different recipe, double something else, or toss one less bag in the freezer.

You’ll still have the benefit of a large stack of stress-less meals ready to pop in the slow cooker anytime you need one!

So, if you’re looking to save yourself some time, minimize your stress level, or want to toss a dozen bags together over a couple hours for “just in case” ...read on!

Crockpot Freezer Meals Topics

Crockpot Freezer Meal Menu

Here’s the link for the printable version of these freezer crockpot meals.  This is the color-coded menu and sort of a “key”.  It also has direct links to each recipe and makes for super easy access!

Why the Menu Looks Like it Does

This menu is a motley mix.  And all I mean by that is it isn't "just chicken" or "ground beef".  It's a lot of different meals.  Variety is good.  Or at least I've learned that over the years.Crockpot Freezer Meals

And you can see that a few quantities are greater than others.  That is because that’s what I’ll be needing (I think) as these different things get cooked.

Example, the crock pot spaghetti & meatballs…18 servings.  There’s that much for 3 reasons.

  1. We like it
  2. I’m feeding it to guests one night
  3. When I went shopping I was in the mood for Italian

For no other reason than that, there are 18 servings of crockpot spaghetti.  In hindsight, I should have purchased a second package of pork chops and doubled the 3-Ingredient Ranch Pork Chops.  But, I didn’t…you CAN.

That’s all I meant earlier and adjusting.  Cook what your crew will eat.  Add in the healthy stuff.  Feed everyone a salad, substitute healthier and homemade items when you’ve time.  Add in the comfort foods and yummy stuff that you enjoy as well.

Semi-Homemade is still better than most things you’ll pick up in a drive-thru.  And it’s a heck of a lot easier on your wallet too :)

122 Freezer Crockpot Meals Step-by-Step

Okie Dokie, honest time here.  I didn’t take notes as I went on this.  I didn’t because on this cooking session it was just me for this round.

My buddy, Dora…she and I did the first one of this epic cooking session while I was visiting in Texas.  I’m back home, she lives there.  And my other cooking buddy is still visiting her kiddos in another town in the same state…Crockpot Freezer Meals

So it’s just me and that means aside from setting a timer, I am writing out the steps by memory.  I did NOT take notes as I went.  So here is the order of cooking to the best of my recollection.

Dicing & Chopping

This step takes the longest by far.  If you are going for economy, then purchasing boneless, skinless chicken breasts and a full roast is a great way to go.  If you’re cooking organic or more on the whole-foods wagon, fresh and/or organic takes longer to process.  I went for about half and half here.

I bought bags of fresh onions via the produce section.  You can purchase frozen, diced to save time.  I bought fresh carrots and celery.  Same thing there.

Meat-wise, I purchased chicken tenderloins and beef stew meat.  The stew meat was a little more expensive than a roast but worth it to me.  You can go either route, of course.  The tenderloins were the same price per pound as the boneless, skinless chicken breasts.  That (for me) was a no-brainer.

The Breakdown

Gather Your Supplies

Get out all the supplies, label all the freezer bags, and preheat the oven for baking the bacon.

For me, this was 18 baggies.  Our meals are usually made up for 4 to 8 servings at a time.  We eat a lot of leftovers for lunches.

Whether you decide to make up 18 bags (like I did) or twice that will depend on a number of factors.

  • How many people are you feeding?
  • How much does each person eat at a meal?
  • Do you like leftovers?
  • Would you be better served to bag things up for 2 to 3 servings?

These are all questions to ask yourself.  But don't make it too difficult!  It really isn't.  Once you do the steps once or twice, it's not only easy, it's a life-saver you'll not mind every now and then :)

One last note on this "gathering the supplies" section…it probably took me longer than it should have.  My kitchen, pantry, and supply area are a disgrace right now.  Nothing much is organized and it drives me a bit batty.

It’s on my list to correct, but it’s one of those lack of time things and one reason I need to do freezer crockpot meals! (Me = 36 minutes)

Bake the BaconBake Ahead Bacon for Crock Pot Cooking

Place bacon on baking sheets and put in the oven (Me = 3 minutes).

Dice Up Onions for Ground Beef

Dice up 4 onions, allow eyeballs 2 minutes to stop watering (Me = 5 minutes).

A really sharp knife is your BFF when processing any sort of meal prep, this is NO exception.  If you have the opportunity to splurge on yourself or someone wants to give you a gift, these are a few excellent choices.


I can personally vouch for Victorinox knives.  I've slowly been collecting a full set for about 8 years now.  They are by FAR my favorite.  And they make getting kitchen utensils for a gift completely worth it!

Fry Ground Meats

Toss the diced onions, ground beef and minced garlic in the skillet. Cover and brown over medium-low heat while you proceed to the next step. (Me = 3 minutes)

This step might take you a little longer than me.  Here, at home (on the farm), I have a rather large collection of cast iron.  One of my babies is a really big cast iron skillet.  I can brown up to 8 pounds of ground meats in at once…so it all goes in at once for me.

Wash the Veggies

Toss all the veggies in a sink of cold water/vinegar to soak. I do this to remove pesticides.  Here’s an article about that if you’d like to learn.  These will soak for about 20 minutes while I’m doing other stuff…

Also, on the same note about pesticides.  I try to buy my celery organic.  It’s a personal choice because it’s considered one of the “dirty dozen”.  If you want to read about why check out this article. (Me = 5 minutes)

Stir & Flip the Beef

Stir, chop and flip ground beef (Me = 3 minutes)

Drain the Bacon

Remove the bacon from the oven and place on toweling to drain. Drain bacon grease and wash pan (Me = 6 minutes).  Pst...Turn OFF the oven.  I forgot for almost an hour.  Pfft.

Drain the Beef

Ladle out the ground beef and set aside to drain. (Me = 4 minutes)

Dice up the Chicken

Dice up almost 10 pounds of chicken tenderloins into bite sized pieces. Toss into a large bowl as it's being cut up.  When done, it will go into the refrigerator so it doesn't get warm (Me = 22 minutes).

Sanitize

Place diced chicken in the refrigerator.  Sanitize cutting board and wipe down all surfaces the chicken might have touched (Me = 4 minutes).

Process the Veggies

Drain, rinse and process the veggies.   The longest processing time is here…but it’s my lunch too.  I’ll snack as I go.

It really wasn’t that bad.  Not at all.  The corn I bought frozen.  It’s out of season as I write this.  Fresh is difficult to find and rather gross this time of year anyway.

The green beans, I lucked into those.  They weren’t local or organic, but they were still fresh and looked good so I purchased them.

So, all-in-all I needed: 6 diced onions, 20 peeled and diced carrots, 2 bunches of celery and a bunch of baby potatoes.

The potatoes just need to be checked for spots and set aside.  I’m not peg baby potatoes.  If I was using regular sized potatoes I would peel them before freezing.  Potatoes are rather difficult to deal with in the freezer any time.  Leaving the skins on...that's asking for epic failure.

  • Peel and dice carrots = 20 minutes
  • Snap ends off the green beans = 10 minutes
  • Dice up the celery = 7 minutes
  • Dice up onions (again) = 10 minutes

Processing time for all vegetables was 47 minutes…and I’m rounding it up to 50 even to toss everything in bowls and clean the island (Me = 50 minutes)

Prep the Tenderloin

Process pork tenderloin. I purchased one large 6-pound pork loin.  I’m making one recipe each of the Pineapple Glazed and Bacon-Maple recipes.  Both pork loin recipes call for the pork loin to be scored partially through for cooking.

Processing just involves cutting the tenderloin in half and scoring ¾’s thru every 1 inch or so. (Me = 5 minutes).

Assemble the Freezer Crockpot Meals

Get out the baggie holders and set up. Okay, not ALL of the baggies get set up at once.  I don’t have enough holders for that.  I have 6.  It’s a great number for me and how many freezer crockpot meals I tend to assemble at once.


There are times I could use more, but not often.  They help a LOT when you need an extra hand and help you not spill sauces all over the counters and floors while you’re working. (Me = 3 minutes).

  1. Batch #1: Crockpot Cheeseburger Soup (x 2) and Bacon Ranch Cheeseburger Tater Tot Casserole x 2.

Spoon a quarter of the hamburger meat into each of the four baggies and add the vegetables as per each recipe.  Dump in the canned goods if desired.

Make a note on the outside of each bag to add the dairy (milk and sour cream) at the end of each cook time.  If you prefer or you’re lacking on freezer space, you can also make a note to add the canned goods when cooking. (Me = 10 minutes)

  1. Batch #2: Only one baggie here, I only remembered to purchase one package of chops. Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops: Sprinkle the pork chops with ranch seasoning on each side and place in freezer bag.  Spoon a little gravy between each chop as you go.

Psst…If you prefer, you can make your own homemade gravy too!  It freezes well and doesn’t take long either.  Here’s that recipe.  AND if you want to save even more money, here’s our homemade ranch dressing recipe too! (Me = 4 minutes)

  1. Batch #3: Bacon Maple Garlic & Pineapple Glazed Pork Loins. Sit out both loins and assemble per the directions on each recipe.  Gently slide each into a baggie. (Me = 6  minutes)
  2. Crock Pot Barbecue Chicken: My chicken was already in a package and pre-seasoned with barbecue spices. I didn’t take it out of the package.  I added the veggies to a baggie, poured the barbecue sauce over the top and shook the bag to coat the vegetables.  Then I used freezer tape like in this Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie picture to attach everything. (Me = 5 minutes)Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Freezer Meal
  3. Beef and Barley Soup: Nothing special needs to be done with this recipe…unless you’d like to brown the meat before freezing. I don’t do this when making up meals for the freezer, some folks do. It adds a bit more flavor. Sort of a caramelization thing. You'll have to decide been the balance of saving time and your flavor preferences.

Dump the meat, then veggies in the freezer bag.  Either pour the vegetable juice and the beef broth over the top or just the broth.  But if you don’t opt to add the vegetable juice, add a note to the baggie to add it before cooking. (Me = 8 minutes)

  1. Chicken & Dumplings, Chicken Noodle Soup and Ranch Chicken and Mushroom assembly.
    1. For the Chicken Noodle Soup, you’ll also need a small separate baggie for the noodles and herbs. No biggie, it’s just to keep them from getting gross.  Assemble the baggies as per the directions on the recipe, label, and freeze. (Me = 6 minutes)
    2. For the chicken and mushrooms, I would personally use canned mushrooms. I don’t like the texture of frozen, fresh mushrooms.  It changes the look of the dish, but not the taste over much…so it works.  Sprinkle the diced chicken with the ranch seasoning and dump everything in the freezer bags except the corn starch and water.  Either freeze the corn starch in its own baggie like the egg noodles I talk about above or add a note to the freezer bag. (Me = 5 minutes)
    3. With the chicken and dumplings recipe, I don’t freeze the biscuits. I bet you CAN, but I’ve never tried.  Everything else goes in the baggie and a note goes on it that I need a package of biscuits when I make it. (Me = 8 minutes)
  2. Crock Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs. Boy, I made 3 of these.  BUT I don’t toss everything in one bag for this.  I used/usually use frozen meatballs.

Some prefer to make their own sure, but around here, it has to be a compromise between saving time and not.  So, I don’t make meatballs very often.

Anyways, assembly…the meatballs come in their own bag.  So does the mozzarella cheese.  I tape them together and write on the freezer tape “Plus 3 Spag Sauce, 1 pound noodles, 1 can beef stock & 1 tub C & O Cream Cheese”.

My handwriting is horrible, but if I write small the note fits.  You can also attach a freezer label if you prefer…I just haven’t gotten around to that yet. (Me = 18 minutes)

And Last But Not Least…

Here, as much as I wanted to take a break, I didn’t.  I put everything as neatly as possible in the freezer, cleaned the kitchen and took out the trash.

Since I’d already sanitized as I went, there wasn’t a lot to do except take out a rather large canister of scraps to the chickens and wash a couple things.  Well…and a trip to the dumpster.

Yes, we have a dumpster…we live on a farm.  This place is almost 150 years old and we’re far from having all the remodeling done.  Plus, that’s the only way we have trash service this far out.

Anyways, between washing the dishes, wiping everything down and the trip to the chickens and dumpster…36 more minutes.

It might have gone faster if I’d have taken that break in the middle…but I didn’t.  We have new puppies.  Well, they aren’t NEW, they were new at Christmas.  But they are just big enough now to stand and put paws on the island, counters, and table.

And mentally, they are still babies…so they DO put their paws anywhere they can reach.  So, clean up happens first…even when I'm tired.

Psst!  I was going to add pics of the new additions here BUT my phone is acting wonky about my pics...AND I sorta figured getting this out to you was more important than pics of my fur babies.  So more on the new additions soon!

Freezer Crockpot Meals At a Glance

So what’s all that babbling mean to you?  Can it save you time?  YOU BET IT CAN!  This whole cooking session took 4 ¼ hours!  That’s not even a whole afternoon!

Crockpot Freezer Meals

Now, add in printing off the recipes and cooking, sure it’s a full afternoon…but it’s so worth it for just the peace of mind.

For us, this will be at least 122 freezer crockpot meals.  That’ll be (at least) 17 dinners (some with guests) and 14 lunches.  Two whole weeks of food for a bit over 4 hours of my time?  You bet I’ll be doing it all again…probably in about 2 weeks!

Got any questions?  Want to see another meal or recipe in the next EPIC cook session?  Cool!  Contact Gwen with your suggestions.  I’ll do my best to accommodate.

Later folks…and Rock That Crock!

Printable & Pin It for Later Options!

Recipe

freezer crockpot meals

122 Freezer Crockpot Meals in One Afternoon!

Gwen
This epic 122 freezer crockpot meals session can (and was) made in 4 hours and 15 minutes. Follow along and see how ~or~ see our 110 crockpot freezer meal session. Both are lifesavers!
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 122 freezer meals

Ingredients
  

  • 122 Freezer Crockpot Meals for detailed step-by-step directions
  • Printable Menu
  • Full grocery list: If you intend to make everything you see here all 122 meals
  • Color Coded detailed grocery list: So you can change quantities easily
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

freezer crockpot meals

freezer crockpot meals

Crockpot Freezer Meals Crockpot Freezer MealsMORE Epic Crock Pot Freezer Meal Sessions

More Freezer Crockpot Meals!

If you like this epic freezer cooking session…here are a few more you might want to check out!

Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

If you're looking for classic deliciousness, look no further!  This crock pot beef stew recipe is a well-loved dish that pleases everyone!

Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

One of my favorite sayings is "classics are classic for a reason".  And this beef stew recipe is a perfect example.  It's rich, filling, TASTY and not too difficult either.

It's perfect for anytime the weather's on the cool side AND we've listed a few shortcuts down below if you need a quicker, easier version of the classic...DON'T worry.  The quick and easy version is really good too!

So if you've time to do the classic, it will take you about 15 minutes to prep for the slow cooker.  That time includes making a REALLY full 6 or 7-quart crock pot full...that's quite a few potatoes and carrots to peel and slice/cube.

Who knows, you might be quicker with a knife than me, it might take you 5 or 10 minutes.  It took ME 15.

Crock Pot Beef Stew Topics

Time Savers for Quick and Easy Crockpot Beef Stew

There are several ways you can save time when making beef stew.  I'm listing just a few that I've used in the past that can shave off 5 minutes when you just do NOT have 5 minutes to spare.

    1. Purchase beef tips instead of a beef roast
    2. Skip the browning step for the beef tips (see printable recipe)
    3. Buy baby potatoes and don't cut them up
    4. Buy regular potatoes and dice them, but don't peel
    5. Use canned or frozen carrots ~or~ baby carrots if you eat them
    6. Buy frozen, pre-diced onions

None of these time savers is going to save loads of time...but any one can save you a couple minutes here and there.  And there are days (and weeks, it seems) that very minute counts.

Prep Work for Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

I just got done talking about saving time...and for this recipe, I didn't.  I didn't take any of the shortcuts.  But again, I have taken them all in the past and the stew recipe still turned out good each time (or I wouldn't recommend the shortcut).

For here's the classic and all the steps for it too.  Holler if you've any questions, additional input or suggestions.  Comment below or contact us.  Either one works...and ROCK THAT CROCK too :)

Season & Brown the Beef Tips

There are all sorts of seasonings you can use when you make crock pot beef stew.  Some folks just salt and pepper the beef, then dip it in flour.  Some add garlic and onion powder as well.  We (personally) like a bit more flavor on the meat.

For us, stew in the cooler months is no different than a steak on the grill in high summer...we like seasonings.  So for this recipe, I used garlic powder and Montreal Steak Seasoning.

Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

You can toss the ingredients for coating in a large baggie, then add the meat and shake ~or~ you can do it like I did and just sprinkle it over the meat in the skillet.

Adding everything to the baggie and shaking it up...well, that uses more flour.  And if you want a really thick stew, that's the route to go.  This crock pot beef stew recipe isn't super thick.  It's really good, but it has something between a thin stock/soup base and a super thick gravy.

Either way, if you're browning the meat you'll need to do so over medium heat in butter or oil, for 3 to 5 minutes.  Then flip it and do it again...so 6 to 10 minutes total.

Mine was on the high side of that...'cause I made two batches of the printable recipe.  3 full pounds of beef tips needs a bit of time to brown properly :)Crock Pot Beef Stew

While the meat was browning I peeled and diced up my potatoes and carrots.  I did NOT add peas.  I didn't add them because I was feeding two people that prefer they never taste them...and it wasn't worth it to me to argue.  If it was just ME eating it...there'd be peas :)

Getting a Deep, Rich Flavor

That's really the only thing to do when making crock pot beef stew...just seasoning and browning the meat...BUT just a couple more details/tips/tricks you might want to know.

    • Butter.  Real butter.  Not margarine and not soy.  If you fry your beef tips in real butter instead of oil or anything else...you'll add a ton of flavor to your stew.  Nope, this isn't a calorie saver, but it's real.  And there's no way to match the flavor it gives your stew either.
    • Scrape the pan.  Glance back up at that last picture please.  See around the edge of the pan?  That dark, crusty stuff?  Do yourself an epic favor and scrape that stuff off the pan and add it to the crock pot.  Yep...flavor again.
    • And here's another one.  Kitchen Bouquet.  It's the same flavoring I used in the crock pot beef and noodles recipe we love so much.  Just a little of this stuff goes a long way too...it's perfect to enhance the flavors of all sorts of meat dishes.


Toss in the Crock!

And last but not least...toss everything in the crockpot.  With crock pot beef stew, all the prep work is in prepping the meat and veggies.  Some slow cooker recipes do much better (or don't work any other way) than to do layers.  This isn't one of them.

Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

Toss all the ingredients in the slow cooker.  No particular order is needed.  Stir well and cover and cook for at least 6 hours.  When I say 6 hours, that's on low.  And 6 hours is the minimum on low...you can cook it up to 10 hours for 1 1/2 pounds of meat as stated in the printable recipe.  For the picture you see up above, that's that 3 pounds I browned and I cooked it for almost 14 hours.  It.  Was.  AWESOME!

Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe

Also, you CAN do the high setting.  It won't be as good.  The meat won't be nearly as tender and your flavors won't have a chance to meld together.  The tougher meats the big thing I think.  'Cause tough meat out of the crock pot just isn's something you expect to get...Just Fyi, if you decide to go that route.

Printable & Pin It for Later Options

Recipe

Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

Classic Crock Pot Beef Stew

Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com
This crock pot beef stew is classic deliciousness!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/2 pounds beef roasts cut into 1” pieces OR beef stew meat
  • 3 tablespoons Montreal Steak Seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 5 medium potatoes washed and diced into chunks peeled if desired
  • 1 medium onion diced or sliced
  • 3 medium carrots peeled and chunked
  • 3 cups beef broth
  • 3 cloves of garlic minced
  • 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/4 cup cold water + 3 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions
 

Slow Cooker

  • Season the ground beef with the garlic powder and steak seasoning, coat with flour
  • Optional Step: Brown in the butter, over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes per side
  • Toss the meat and scrapings from the skillet into the crockpot insert and add the remaining ingredients
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 10 hours, high at least 4.

30 to 45 minutes before serving:

  • Turn the slow cooker to high
  • Mix the cornstarch with the 1/4 cup of cold water. Stir well until no lumps remain.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry slowly while stirring.
  • Cover and cook an additional 30 to 45 minutes until the sauce thickens to your desired consistency.

Instant Pot

  • Season and brown the beef as per slow cooker directions steps #1 and #2. Use your saute function.
  • Remove meat from pot and add a bit of the broth to help deglaze the pan.
  • Add beef back and add remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch and water.
  • Set to manual high for 35 minutes. Allow to natural release for 15 more minutes, then quick release.
  • Turn pot to saute and stir.
  • In a small bowl mix the cold water and cornstarch very well. Slowly pour into the stew while stirring.
  • Cook and stir until stew thickens.

Stove Top

  • Use a large, deep skillet or a dutch oven and melt the butter or medium-high heat.
  • Follow the Instant Pot directions for steps 1 thru 3. But turn the burner to low (instead of sauteing).
  • Cover and cook over low heat for 60 to 90 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Follow the last 4 steps in the slow cooker instructions to thick your beef stew.

Freezer Meal Prep

  • Follow the slow cooker method for steps 1 and 2. Allow beef to cool slightly if browning.
  • Label a bag with your recipe name and a “best by” date. And that you will need cornstarch (and maybe potatoes once you read the notes).
  • Add ingredients except for cornstarch. Potatoes are optional at this point (see notes).
  • Lay flat, squeeze out as much air as possible and freeze for up to 3 months.

Notes

Potatoes are a weird thing for freezer meals. And I’m not a chemist or a professional cook, I can only tell you what I know from pushing 3 decades of cooking. Did I REALLY just say that? Dang…Anyway, potatoes. They aren’t really freezer-friendly before cooking. After cooking, you can freeze them in all sorts of ways. But freezing them before cooking doesn’t always turn out well. It changes the texture quite a lot. NOW that that’s said, for THIS recipe. And for most soup and stew recipes, that isn’t always the case. If your potatoes are covered in some sort of liquid besides water, you can freeze them with very decent results. The choice is yours and I hope these notes help you make an informed decision. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Other Crock Pot Yumminess!

If you like this recipe...you might also want to check out some of these too!

Crock Pot Beef Stew

Crock Pot Beef Stew