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Home Freezer Cooking

Can You Put Frozen Food in a Crock Pot?

Updated: 5/4/22

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

“Is it safe to put a freezer meal in a crock pot?”

“Can I put frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker?”

Image of slow cooker pot roast

When it comes to freezer meals, this is a very common question we get from readers and at speaking events. I think it’s a common question because there is a lot of mixed information out there.

Simply put, the answer is no. You should not put frozen food in a crock pot.

I know, we are sad too.

But, before you start giving us dirty looks, you should know we are coming out strong on this because the experts have made it very clear: cooking frozen food in a crock pot is not safe!

USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service says, “Always thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker.”

Here’s why: While frozen food can for sure reach its safe cooking temperature with extra time added, a problem arises if it spends too much time thawing out in what the USDA calls the “danger zone.”

The danger zone is defined as the temperature range between 40 degrees and 140 degrees where bacteria grow most rapidly — and can double in number in a matter of minutes. Salmonella and staphylococcus aureus as common culprits and can even contaminate other foods in the slow cooker. While the bacteria will most likely be killed when the chicken reaches 165 degrees (yeah!), the toxins they grow can be heat-resistant (boo!). According to the USDA, these toxins, not the bacteria that produce them, cause food-borne illnesses. (source)

Wondering how to safely thaw a freezer meal? Never fear. We break down the three easy, USDA-approved ways to thaw your food here.

If you forget to thaw your freezer meal recipe or your frozen meat in time to cook it, we have good news for you. You can still safely use an Instant Pot for freezer meals! Because the cooking time is much faster, the food won’t sit in that danger zone for too long. (Score!)

Lastly, if you’re drooling over that Pot Roast image above, you can find it in our cookbook, From Freezer to Table. Happy cooking!Learn to prepare delicious, healthy, stress-free meals for the family that go from freezer to table in no time!

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Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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  1. AvatarEmilee says

    Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:27 pm

    Can a thawed crockpot meal with chicken be cooked the next day and be okay? (I took it out yesterday afternoon but won’t cook it until tomorrow morning…)

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:44 pm

      It should be just fine. We always teach to think about how long your meal has been thawed in total–both before and after the freezer. Fresh food has about a 5 day life in the fridge. So if you used up your chicken in the freezer meal right away and froze it, then you should have several days left on the other end of the freezer. Does that make sense?

      Reply
  2. AvatarFrancesca Giusti says

    Posted on 1/18/19 at 4:19 pm

    Crock Pot has issued a statement saying it is safe to cook meat from frozen as long as you add at least 1 cup of liquid and cook an extra 2 hours on high and an extra 4 on low (I think).

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 4/6/20 at 12:44 pm

      Thank you for this update. I saw that. I’m just waiting for the USDA to confirm it before we change our recommendation.

      Reply

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