Freezer to Crock Pot Jambalaya Recipe - Sweetphi (2024)

FAQs

Can you cook in a freezer bag in a crock pot? ›

A dump bag is where you prepare all (or most) of the ingredients for a slow cooker meal, then: Put it into a freezer container. Label and freeze until you want to cook it. Defrost thoroughly, dump in the slow cooker (get it?) and cook according to the usual instructions.

Always thaw the freezer meal first before adding it to the slow cooker… this is important for food safety.

To save time, using pre-cut fresh vegetables or frozen vegetables is a great option. A vegetable chopper is also handy. Q11: How long can slow cooker meals be stored in the freezer? They can be stored in a standard fridge/freezer combo for at least three months.

One of the biggest complaints when making jambalaya is that the rice ends up mushy. And there's two main culprits of this – choosing the wrong type of rice and over-stirring. For this recipe, you want long-grain white rice, like basmati or jasmine. Don't use short-grain rice.

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

The opposite is also true: You can use regular zip-top storage bags in the freezer — I'll admit that I have from time to time. But foods stored in these bags in the freezer might not hold up as well over long periods of time, and can be more prone to punctures and rips.

The bags are also BPA-free. So, yes, you can boil Ziploc bags, but there are a few things to keep in mind. First, you should only use Ziploc bags designed for freezer storage or vacuum sealable bags. These are the sturdiest and less likely to leak or tear when exposed to boiling water.

If food is still frozen or partially frozen, it will take longer to cook. The outside of the food could be cooked, but the centre might not be, which means it could contain harmful bacteria.

The bottom line is this: bacteria do not grow on frozen food, BUT as soon as the temperature reaches 40 degrees, it comes out of hibernation and can start multiplying again. Gross right? This is why we do not usually recommend thawing your freezer meals on the counter or running them under hot water.

What meat dishes freeze well? ›

Soups, stews, lasagna, empanadas, and pie dough are some of our favorites to freeze—check out more ideas below.

Whatever the reason, I'm perfectly comfortable recommending that you freeze jambalaya, although I do advise you to definitely freeze it in a double-bagged freezer with as much air as possible removed, and try to reheat it within several weeks to avoid freezer burn.

Storing and Freezing Gumbo

Leftovers will keep for about three days in the fridge. Gumbo doesn't freeze well once you've added the shrimp. If you'd like to freeze, prepare the gumbo up to the point of adding the shrimp, freeze, then add the shrimp when you're ready to serve.

It can be assembled and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. The gumbo can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and frozen for up to 6 months. It's best to freeze in individual portions, preferably with 1/2 cup or so of cooked rice placed in the container.

How To Store Jambalaya. A big batch of jambalaya makes for delicious leftovers. To store it, transfer it to an airtight container and cool it completely. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days, or in the freezer for up to six months.