Is It Safe to Cook Frozen Meat in a Slow Cooker?
Updated: May 03, 2023
Using frozen meat in Crockpot recipes seems like a good shortcut—but is it safe?
What if you forgot to take the chicken out of the freezer to thaw? It happens to all of us, that’s for sure. But you need a way to get dinner on the table. The guide below explains if it’s safe to use frozen meat in Crockpot recipes.
Can I Put Frozen Meat in a Crockpot?
The USDA recommends thawing your meat in the refrigerator before starting a slow cooker recipe. Otherwise, the frozen meat might take too long to cook to a safe temperature (above 165°F), allowing bacteria to grow.
Poultry
Lean meats like chicken or pork will cook faster than meats with more connective tissue and fat. That means frozen chicken will technically get to a safe temperature faster than other meats.
However, if you place frozen chicken in a slow cooker it can spend too much time thawing, allowing bacteria like salmonella to multiply. If you choose to cook frozen chicken in a Crockpot, cut it into tiny pieces so the thawing time will decrease.
Roast
Frozen roast, especially when it’s up to four pounds, will take a long time to cook in the slow cooker, and may spend too long in the “danger zone” temperature where bacteria can grow.
Your best bet is to thaw that first. Tough meat in the slow cooker is a much easier issue to solve! After you do, make our top-rated Melt-in-Your-Mouth Pot Roast.
Ground Beef
We don’t recommend adding frozen or raw ground beef to a Crockpot. It’s important to be especially careful when it comes to ground beef, because eating it undercooked has been linked to illnesses caused by E. coli.
Can I Cook Frozen Meat in Any Other Cooking Appliance?
Yes, you can cook frozen meat in an Instant Pot, including frozen chicken. An Instant Pot has several functions to help frozen meat cook, like the natural release function to ease pressure. In order to help the meat reach its highest potential, make sure to use a liquid base, preferably broth, to cover the meat. And always be wary of the temperature after cooking. A meat thermometer comes in handy for this!
Frozen meat can be cooked in the Dutch oven too. Similar to an Instant Pot, it’s best to have a gravy, broth or liquid to help make the meat tender.
To stay safe in the kitchen, always exercise caution and use your best judgment. Brush up on these other slow cooker safety tips, too.
Try These Slow Cooker Freezer Meals
Garlic Chicken & BroccoliThis simple riff on Chinese chicken proves you can savor the takeout taste you crave while still eating right. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Beef Tips BurgundyHere's a heartwarming classic that's so simple in the slow cooker. Mushrooms, red wine and tender beef make for an easy, elegant supper. —Deanna Zewen, Union Grove, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker MinestroneThere's nothing quite like the comfort of warm homemade soup, and it's even better when your slow cooker does most of the work for you! This slow-cooker minestrone is easy to put together but has all the flavor of a high-effort dish. —Erin Raatjes, New Lenox, Illinois
Check out these Crockpot cooking tips.
Lamb Pitas with Yogurt SauceThe spiced lamb in these stuffed pita pockets goes perfectly with cool cucumber and yogurt. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Cabbage Barley SoupMy neighbor had an abundance of cabbage, so a group of us had a contest to see who could come up with the best cabbage dish. My vegetarian soup was the clear winner. —Lorraine Caland, Shuniah, Ontario
No-Guilt Beefy NachosNachos you can feel good about! This meaty topping has less fat and sodium than typical nacho beef because you use lean meat and make your own seasoning. The versatile dish is a tasty go-to for a party. —Carol Betz, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Squash and Lentil Lamb StewMy family lived in New Zealand many years ago. Every Sunday my mother made a lamb stew—it was Dad's favorite! I changed the recipe to suit my family's more modern palates, but it still seems just as exotic and delicious. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Warm up with more savory slow-cooker stew recipes.
Saucy Indian-Style Chicken & VegetablesThis Indian-style dish seems to develop a devoted following. Prepared sauce makes
it easy to bring the rich flavors of Indian cuisine to your family. Feel free to use more or less tikka masala sauce according to your personal taste. —Erica Polly, Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
Italian Turkey MeatballsWhat's not to love about moist and tender homemade Italian meatballs? Because they're made with lean turkey, they're lower in saturated fat, too! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota
Slow-Cooked Pepper SteakAfter a long day working in our greenhouse raising bedding plants, I enjoy coming in to this hearty slow-cooker pepper steak for supper. It's one of my favorite meals. — Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Simmered Turkey EnchiladasI discovered a different way to serve economical turkey thighs. I simmer them in tomato sauce, green chiles and seasonings until they're tender and flavorful, then serve them in tortillas with our favorite fresh toppings. —Stella Schams, Tempe, Arizona
Roast Beef and GravyThis slow-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably easy. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa
Forgotten JambalayaDuring chilly times of the year, I fix this jambalaya at least once a month. It’s so easy—just chop the vegetables, dump everything in the slow cooker and forget it! Even my sons, who are picky about spicy things, like this dish. —Cindi Coss, Coppell, Texas
Moroccan Braised BeefCurry powder is a blend of up to 20 spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of curry to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic flavor. In this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, then add more to your taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Best Italian Sausage SandwichesNeed a different type of Italian dinner? This rich tomato sauce simmers all afternoon in the slow cooker, ready to top freshly grilled Italian sausages. It's a fantastic combination with lots of crowd appeal! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Red Clam SauceThis recipe tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooked RatatouilleI get my son to eat eggplant by cooking this classic French veggie dish low and slow. A side of rice and some garlic cheese bread also help. —Diane Goedde, Red Lodge, Montana
Thai Coconut BeefMy husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Turkey Meat LoafI first made this recipe when my husband and I had to start watching our diet. Since then, I've been asked to make my turkey meat loaf many times. —Ruby Rath, New Haven, Indiana
Tomato Balsamic ChickenI came up with this saucy chicken during a particularly busy holiday season. As new parents, my husband and I both appreciate having a go-to dinner that's easy, homemade and delicious. —Anne Colvin, Chicago, Illinois
Easy Portuguese-Style Bean SoupOne day I was looking at Portuguese recipes and decided to put together a bean soup that embraced the bright and spicy flavors of Portugal. My family liked it so much, it became a classic in our household. To save time and work, the sausage, vegetables and herbs can all be prepped in minutes with a food processor. —Steven Vance, Woodland, Washington
Pork Tacos with Mango SalsaI've made quite a few tacos in my day, but you can't beat the tender filling made in a slow cooker. These are by far the best pork tacos we've had—and we've tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! Yum. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Slow-Cooker Stuffed Pepper SoupI tweaked a recipe I got from one of my best friends, and I couldn't believe how much this soup really does taste like stuffed green peppers! With beef and brown rice, slow-cooker stuffed pepper soup makes a hearty meal on a cold day. —Gina Baxter, Plainfield, IL
Chicken Fajita ChowderThis south-of-the-border chowder is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes, and it's a winner at family dinners and potlucks alike. We like ours topped with fresh avocado, shredded cheddar cheese and chili cheese corn chips. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Buffalo Chicken SlidersI got the idea for these Buffalo chicken sliders from my mom and dad, who'd made a similar version for a family get-together. It's a versatile recipe, and I sometimes use several different styles of Buffalo sauce and let guests mix and match their favorites. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Brisket TacosBirthday parties back home were big gatherings of cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents and anyone else we considered family. As soon as guests arrived, hot pans of shredded brisket, or carne deshebrada, appeared, along with huge bowls of salads, frijoles, tostadas and salsas. Brisket was the dish we always counted on because it could be made in the oven or a slow cooker. —Yvette Marquez, Littleton, Colorado
Slow-Cooker Chicken BogChicken bog is a South Carolina tradition with lots of variations (think herbs, spices and fresh veggies), but the standard ingredients remain: sausage, chicken and rice. This slow-cooked rendition is a simple take on the classic. — Anna Hanson, Spanish Fork, Utah
Cabbage Roll StewA head of cabbage seems like it never ends. Here's a delicious way to use it up. My husband is this stew's biggest fan. —Pamela Kennemer, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
Chicken Cordon Bleu SoupThis is a wonderful addition to potlucks, and it comes together so easily! Cauliflower makes a nice, extra creamy backdrop for the classic flavors of chicken cordon bleu you can eat with a spoon. —Heidi Der, Stow, Ohio
Slow-Cooker Chicken TingaI first fell in love with this traditional Mexican dish at a taco stand inside a gas station. This is how I now make it at home. My version has a nice zing without being overly spicy.—Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
Originally Published: February 28, 2020
