20 Healthy Dump Dinners for Days You’re Too Tired to Cook

Dump dinners are among the easiest ways to keep up with a Paleo lifestyle – especially if you’re on the search for something quick, filling, and low-hassle.

You can count on these recipes for nights you’re too tired to cook or need a break from the stovetop. Each meal includes a bevy of frozen or fresh ingredients you can prep ahead of time, then pop into a slow cooker, Instant Pot, or baking dish when you’re ready to enjoy.

Choose from decadent, rich dinners like pulled pork chili or Mississippi roast for something hearty and warm. If you’re looking for something veggie-packed and light, try the harvest-spiced chicken stew or Paleo chicken soup.

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For best results, you’ll want to thaw your freezer-friendly dump dinners in the fridge the night before. This will allow them to thaw for even temperatures and quality texture, plus you’ll cut your cooking time by more than half the time it would if left frozen.

You can also consider prepping your meals when you’re not booked up (most people opt for the weekends), so that you can enjoy nutritious meals every night of the week.

Paleo Instant Pot Mexi-Meatloaf

This Mexican-inspired meatloaf is as easy as they come. Simply fold in the spices to the meat, wrap the whole loaf in foil, and dump it in the Instant Pot.

Recipe: Predominantly Paleo | Paleo Instant Pot Mexi-Meatloaf

Instant Pot Chicken Yum Yum

This kid-friendly shredded chicken tastes great served atop a bed of steamed cauliflower.

Recipe: Predominantly Paleo | Instant Pot Chicken Yum Yum

Harvest-Spiced Chicken Stew

This autumnal-inspired chicken stew is full of fall flavors like ginger, apple, butternut squash, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Your slow cooker makes chicken stews easy, since all you have to do is dump in your pre-prepped ingredients.

Recipe: Paleo in PDX | Harvest-Spiced Chicken Stew

Paleo Beef and Broccoli Freezer Meal

Whip up this easy meal packed with fiber-rich broccoli and hearty beef.

Recipe: Happy Money Saver | Paleo Beef and Broccoli Freezer Meal

Slow Cooker Beef Roast and Carrots

This simple, healthy meal of chuck roast and carrots couldn’t be easier to throw together.

Recipe: The Family Freezer | Slow Cooker Beef Roast and Carrots

Pineapple Salsa Verde Chicken

Who doesn’t love a slow cooker meal with five ingredients or less (not counting salt and pepper)? This five-ingredient meal is all the better because it’s dump-and-go. It’s perfect for cooking while you go about your day.

Recipe: Mangia Paleo | Pineapple Salsa Verde Chicken

90-Minute Kalua Pork

Moist, fork-tender Kalua pork usually takes all day – but this Instant Pot recipe cooks it up in 90 minutes flat, and you don’t have to do anything but dump the ingredients in the pot.

Recipe: Zenbelly | 90-Minute Kalua Pork

Paleo Mississippi Roast

This simple, spicy, and vinegary Mississippi roast comes together with a handful of ingredients. It only takes minutes to prep and can easily be cooked in your Crock-Pot when ready to enjoy.

Recipe: Plaid and Paleo | Paleo Mississippi Roast

Crockpot Pulled Pork Chili

Rich, hearty, and spicy, this pulled pork chili will warm you up on a cold night. Just prep all your ingredients ahead of time and cook it later in the slow cooker. Leave out garnishes like avocado and green onion till the very end.

Recipe: PaleOMG | Crockpot Pulled Pork Chili

Instant Pot Shredded Salsa Chicken

Hosting a taco night? This shredded salsa chicken is the recipe you need in your back pocket. Simply dump some fresh salsa and seasonings atop your chicken in an Instant Pot, and come back in about 20 minutes.

Recipe: Predominantly Paleo | Instant Pot Shredded Salsa Chicken

Lemon Thyme Chicken

This savory chicken is well-spiced, comforting, and easy-peasy. Just marinate ahead of time and pop in the oven when you’re ready to go!

Recipe: Real Simple Good | Lemon Thyme Chicken

Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-less Soup

This tortilla-free chicken soup has all the Southwestern fixins of traditional versions, without compromising the flavor. So go ahead, dig in, and enjoy.

Recipe: 40 Aprons | Whole30 Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla-less Soup

Paleo Buffalo Chicken Soup

Creamy and spicy, this dump dinner comes together in a cinch in the Instant Pot.

Recipe: Predominantly Paleo | Paleo Buffalo Chicken Soup

7 Freeze-Friendly Paleo Soups

This is not one, but seven different recipes for freezer-friendly soups that turn into great dump meals. You’ll find soups like creamy cauliflower and mushroom herb to keep you cozy. Follow the recipes’ easy instructions for preparing each soup.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | 7 Freeze-Friendly Paleo Soups

Slow Cooker Meatballs

These marinara-drenched turkey meatballs are so easy when made up in the slow cooker. Simply form the meatballs and prep the sauce ahead of time, then dunk everything in the slow cooker when ready to enjoy.

Recipe: A Clean Bake | Slow Cooker Meatballs

8 Freeze-Friendly Chicken Marinades

You don’t just get one chicken recipe here, but eight unique chicken marinades that freeze easily. Once thawed, you can dump these chicken breasts onto a baking sheet and cook for 20 minutes.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | 8 Freeze-Friendly Chicken Marinades

Slow Cooker Squash and Ground Beef Curry

Ground beef adds tons of texture and flavor in this curry recipe. All you’ll need to do to is add all the ingredients in a slow cooker and enjoy!

Recipe: Strictly Delicious | Slow Cooker Squash and Ground Beef Curry

Paleo Chicken Soup

This chicken soup is nourishing and healing, thanks to the garlic and ginger. Bonus: it includes steps for both a slow cooker and an Instant Pot.

Recipe: Civilized Caveman Cooking | Paleo Chicken Soup

One-Pan Harvest Chicken Dinner

Everything you need to keep your family satisfied is combined in one easy-to-bake sheet pan. Just dump your ingredients, season, and let it cook to crisp perfection.

Recipe: PaleoHacks | One-Pan Harvest Chicken Dinner

Lemon Garlic Dump Chicken

With only five ingredients, this lemon garlic dump chicken can be cooked in virtually any way you want: grilled, baked, pan-fried, slow cooked, or even thrown in a pressure cooker.

Recipe: One Good Thing | Lemon Garlic Dump Chicken

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