Batch Cooking with Your Slow Cooker

Why Batch Cook?

Batch cooking is one of the best ways to save money and time during the week. The idea is simple: cook a large quantity on one day, then portion it up for meals throughout the week or freeze for later.

A slow cooker is the perfect tool for this because it naturally makes generous portions with minimal effort.

Getting Started

Invest in Good Containers

You’ll need a stack of freezer-safe containers or reusable bags. Glass containers are great for fridge storage; plastic tubs or bags work best for the freezer.

Label Everything

Always write the dish name and date on your containers. Trust us — frozen stew and frozen curry look identical after a week.

Cool Properly

Let food cool to room temperature before refrigerating or freezing. Spread it into shallow containers to cool faster.

Best Recipes for Batch Cooking

Not every slow cooker recipe freezes well. These types are brilliant:

• Stews and casseroles — freeze beautifully and often taste even better reheated
• Curries — most curries freeze well for up to 3 months
• Bolognese and pasta sauces — a freezer staple
• Chilli con carne — portion into tubs for easy midweek dinners
• Soups — freeze flat in bags to save space
• Pulled meat — shred, portion, and freeze for wraps, sandwiches, and tacos

What Doesn’t Freeze Well

• Potatoes — go grainy and unpleasant. Add fresh when reheating instead
• Cream-based sauces — can split when thawed. Add cream after reheating
• Pasta — goes mushy. Cook fresh pasta when serving
• Rice — freeze separately from the main dish and reheat thoroughly
• Salad garnishes — anything fresh and crunchy should be added when serving

Freezing Tips

• Most slow cooker dishes freeze well for up to 3 months
• Defrost thoroughly in the fridge overnight before reheating
• Reheat until piping hot all the way through — don’t just warm it
• Never refreeze food that has already been frozen and thawed
• Leave a little space at the top of containers as food expands when frozen

A Sample Batch Cook Sunday

Here’s an example of what you could prep in one afternoon:

1. Morning — Start a big batch of Beef Stew in the slow cooker (8 hours on Low)
2. Midday — While that’s going, make a large pot of Bolognese on the hob
3. Afternoon — Portion up the Bolognese into 4 containers, swap the stew for a big batch of Chicken Curry (4 hours on High)
4. Evening — Portion the stew and curry. You now have 12+ meals sorted for the week and freezer

That’s potentially two weeks of dinners from one afternoon’s work.

Browse Batch-Friendly Recipes

Use our ingredient search and filter by the “Batch Cook” tag to find recipes designed for large portions.