{Organized} Slow Cooker-Freezer Meals

Happy Friday! This week I'm doing things a little different. Don't worry, you read the post title correctly, this post is about food. However, I squeeze a little organizing in there as best I can. With that said, this week I have put together a post focusing on slow cooker-freezer meals, just in time for the cold weather {ok, not just in time, but we've already addressed my timeliness issues}. Not only are they easy, but they're cheap {$100* for 14+ meals} and can be done super quickly {90 minutes for the meals listed below}. All true statements, guys. 14+ meals for approximately $7 each {approx. $2.50/serving}, and accomplished within 90 minutes. Pick your jaw up off the floor and read on. 
*these are NYC prices, anywhere else I'm sure the bill is a bit cheaper!

Click here for part 2, part 3 {great recipes for nursing moms}, and part 4!

Some of my favorite things about the bitter cold of winter is a snugly blanket, a good movie, and a nice warm meal. However, something about the chilly, dark evenings inspire me to not cook; I'd rather have dinner waiting for me when I get home. Anyone else enjoy this feeling? This is why slow cookers are the greatest thing since sliced bread. 

You're probably wondering why an organizing blogger is babbling on about slow cookers. Well, one of my friends received a slow cooker for Christmas this year and asked me to share some of my favorite slow cooker-freezer recipes. So I figured, why stop there? I'll share them with all of you! Along with a few things I do to make the process a bit more simple for me.

Disclaimer: I am in no way domestically talented in the kitchen. I did not create these recipes. I have used these recipes in the past, I really like them and they're super easy. 

Ok, let's get started!

Step 1: List
Detailing the shopping list is my least favorite part. A few things make it a little less painful for me, though. One, sectioning the list. I break my list down into sections of what I need, and conveniently, it's how the grocery is laid out, making it easy for me to check things off as I go. Here is an example of my list, feel free to take it and edit it to match the layout of your grocery store {list here or create your our list to match the layout of your grocery store here}. 

Two, I detail my lists. I can't tell you how many times I've gone to the store and not known the amount needed in whatever recipe I'm attempting to tackle. Learning from my mistakes, now I make sure to include the required amount on my list as well. {Click here for complete list}

Also, before going to the store, take stock on what you already have. Usually I make our freezer meals just after a Costco run so we have tons of food in bulk. This time, no Costco, so our bill was a bit higher than usual {$100}, BUT that $100 went toward 14 meals which average about 3-4 servings. So I really can't complain. 

Step 2: Get ready!
I would love to pretend that when I do this, it's in a nice, neat, orderly fashion. You know, like all of those cooking shows where they just add the bowl of pre-chopped and pre-measured onions and toss in the spices that are so perfectly separated. It doesn't quite work like that in my kitchen. It actually comes nowhere close to that. But it's not pure chaos either. 

This task can appear a little overwhelming when you have loads of ingredients staring at you, and a long list of recipes to put together. In order to make this a little less daunting, I do a couple of things. I pre-label each freezer bag. On the bag, I include the meal name, any instructions for preparing it, and the date I made it. Before starting, you definitely want to make sure you have room in your freezer for all this deliciousness, as well. 

I also make sure the counter is completely cleared off, the dishwasher is empty, and the trash has been taken out. Starting with a clean slate is something I love doing when organizing, and the same goes for in the kitchen, especially when I'm preparing this much food. 

Step 3: Throw it in the Bag
This part gets kind of fun. The best part about freezer meals is that the presentation is not an issue. It's actually better if all of the food mixed together. Before tossing food in the bags, I place the bags into two bowls. This helps keep them in place and makes it easier to toss in ingredients without spilling food anywhere. Also, it helps to store the food as you go. That way you don't have chopped onion, pepper, and chicken just sitting on the cutting board waiting until you're ready to load everything in. 

After mixing the ingredients and sealing the bag, I tuck them nicely in the freezer. Something else I've learned about freezer meals, some recipes will tell you to lay the bag flat and freeze. I have one issue with that. When I take the frozen rock of food out of the bag, it doesn't fit in our slow cooker!! After stabbing our dinner a few times like an infuriated ice sculptor, I decided to fold the bags in half before freezing. Am I the only person who has had this issue? 

90 minutes later, our freezer is full of dinners! 

Here are the meals I made:

• Pineapple Glazed Ham
• Chicken Curry 
• Sweet Teriyaki Chicken
• Creamy Ranch Pork Chops & Potatoes 
• Black Bean & Corn Salsa Chicken
• Newlywed Beeftips 
• Slow Cooker Taco Soup
• Pepper Steak

**get all recipes here. 

I apologize I don't have any pictures of the food after it's been cooked or while preparing it. Taking pictures while prepping and cooking is not something I think I could master, or should even attempt. Kudos to those food bloggers out there. You guys are amazing. 

There you have it! Although I say there are 14 meals here, Brit and I typically have leftovers which I'll take for lunch or something. Nonetheless, 14ish meals for about $100 in 90 mins. Amazing. 

Do you have any delicious recipes that warm your chilly nights? Or tricks to make dinner quick and easy? 

Click here for part 2 and part 3 {great recipes for nursing moms}!

Thanks for visiting! 

**recipes were pulled from here, here, and here.