Beef Stew Freezer Meal

Name: Beef Stew Freezer Meal (Slow Cooker)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 6 h
Total time: 6 h 10 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks; 1 cup baby carrots; 2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced; 1 (1 oz) packet onion soup mix; 1 (1 oz) packet au jus gravy mix

This beef stew freezer meal is a dump-and-go slow cooker recipe designed for easy prep and storage, requiring only chunks of beef, vegetables, and two seasoning packets to create a complete dinner.

⚡Slow Cooker

🌍American 🏷️Beef stew 🏷️Freezer meal 🏷️Meal prep 🏷️Slow cooker Crockpot

🏷️

🏷️Dump meal

-0:00

jessicamomlifeeonTikTok

Total

6h 10m

Servings

4

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$13–$21

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by jessicamomlifee

-0:00

jessicamomlifeeonTikTok

Ingredients

1.5 lbs beef stew meat, cut into chunks
1 cup baby carrots
2 cups potatoes, peeled and diced
1 (1 oz) packet onion soup mix
1 (1 oz) packet au jus gravy mix

5 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Place a large freezer-safe bag in a baggy holder or a large bowl to keep it upright.
2
Add the beef stew meat, baby carrots, and diced potatoes to the bag.
3
Sprinkle the onion soup mix and au jus gravy mix over the ingredients in the bag.
4
Remove the bag from the holder, press out as much air as possible, and seal tightly.
5
Label the bag with the recipe name and cooking instructions. Freeze flat for up to 3 months.
6
To cook: Thaw the meal in the refrigerator overnight. Pour the contents into a slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Cut beef chunks to uniform ½–¾ inch size for even cooking and tenderness.
Add vegetables directly to the freezer bag with seasoning packets to minimize prep on cook day.
Beef releases liquid as it cooks; do not add extra water unless your slow cooker runs very hot.
Check beef tenderness at the 6-hour mark on low; tough meat indicates more time is needed.

Substitutions

Baby carrots → fresh carrot chunks (note: cut to similar size for even cooking)
Onion soup mix + au jus gravy mix → 1 cup beef broth + 2 tablespoons tomato paste + 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (note: adds acidity and depth)
Potatoes → parsnips or celery root (note: similar texture when slow-cooked)

Storage & make-ahead

Freeze in a labeled bag or container for up to 3 months before cooking; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding to slow cooker. Refrigerate cooked stew for up to 4 days or freeze leftovers for 3 months.

Equipment

slow cooker · freezer bags or freezer-safe containers

Common Questions

Can I freeze this beef stew before cooking?

Yes. Combine all ingredients in a freezer bag or container, seal, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then transfer to your slow cooker.

How long does this take in the slow cooker?

Typically 6–8 hours on low or 3–4 hours on high, depending on your slow cooker and beef chunk size.

Can I substitute the soup mix and gravy mix?

Yes. Use 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water for similar depth.