So, you’re making dinner for your family and already have a juicy roast sitting in the freezer. But then, you forgot to bring it out to the fridge to thaw the day before, and now you’re stuck with a solid block of meat and less than 12 hours to cook. This would be a great time to put your crockpot to work, as you can prepare your roast dinner in a slow cooker with zero hassle. But to guarantee a perfect result every time, you need to get the timing just right.
Want to make roast beef dinner with a dutch oven?
We recently made this with our dutch oven and it turned out even better!
Secret Weapon #1: The No-Thaw Pot Roast
We all know slow cookers save a ton of hands-on time, but they often require a lot of planning: remembering to thaw meat + shopping for ingredients + getting up early enough to chop/dice/sear/etc.
High five if you are always that organized, but I’m not! That’s why this roast is different – it can be thrown together in a matter of minutes without planning ahead. If you’ve wondered how to cook a frozen roast without thawing, this recipe is for you.
(Pssst! I’m often asked if I know of any slow cookers that are guaranteed to be lead and cadmium-free. Answering that question is trickier than you might imagine because many companies simply say that their products meet the FDA’s guidelines, which does allow for some lead/cadmium. However, there is a way to dig deeper. California’s Prop 65 requires companies to disclose any lead or cadmium that is present, so you can contact companies and see if they have anything to disclose. The slow cooker I have – this Kitchen Aid 6 Quart – does have a Prop 65 label for the cord, but I have a documented chat in which they say that the ceramic vessel does not require a Prop 65 label because it has been tested and found to be free of lead and cadmium.)
Secret Weapon #2: Freezer Cooking
On days I get home late and slap my keys on the counter with no idea what’s for dinner, I opt for pre-prepared ingredients from my freezer. For example, I can quickly thaw some cooked, shredded chicken to burritos, a chicken salad, soup, paleo quesadillas, or stir fry.
Freezer cooking is one of my favorite ways to simplify weeknight meals, but it can feel intimidating when you’re first getting started. If you’ve ever wondered which foods can be frozen or needed tips for getting started, you may find my Freezer Cooking 101 Guide helpful.
FAQ
Can you put a frozen roast in a Crockpot?
How long does a frozen roast take to cook?
Can you cook meat from frozen in the Crockpot?
“You can cook frozen meat in a Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, but suggested cook time may need to be increased.” They recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure the meat is well above 165°F.
