12 Easy Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2024)

Temps are dropping, days are shortening, and we’re getting hungry for all things cozy and warm – let’s bust out those slow cookers!

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Temps are dropping, days are shortening, and we’re getting hungry for all things cozy and warm – pretty sure it’s alljust a scheme of the universe to get us to bust outour slow cookers.

So today let’sdust off thecrockpots slash slow cookers slash whatever you want to call them and getthem to magically make us something delicious (and easy – always, always easy) for dinner. Magic + delicious + easy: this is how we roll around here.

Let’s just address this right off the bat – there is absolutely a certain amount of food-fancy-ism in the cooking worldrelated to use of the slow cooker. Like, there are people in the world who areabove it. 😭 I know, right? Does the slow cooker have a certain dowdyMidwestern vibe to it? Maybe a little bit. Maybe a lot. But does it make incredible meals that basically cook themselves? I repeat: INCREDIBLE MEALS THAT COOK THEMSELVES?This islife-changing, time-saving magic we’re talking about.

If you’re looking for a really good slow cooker, check out this one. It’s our tried-and-true favorite around here. Really any brand will do though. Just get to making these fall-apart, swoonworthy, cooked-for-you meals.

Tis the season for slow cooking, friends!

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1:Creole Chicken and Sausage

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:The chicken shreds so easily right in the crockpot, and the long cooking time allows all the flavors to blend together into a really delicious flavor combo.The sausage gives it a hearty boost, too. YUM. It’s a good one!

2:Braised Beef Ragu

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:At the risk of sounding Midwestern-slow-cooker-dowdy, this is a classic “dump it in and forget it” recipe. Slow cooker beef always turns out incredibly moist and tender, and this did not disappoint. You should searthe exterior of the meat first for best results, but if it’s Monday morning and you’re on the way out the door – no. Not happening. This is a forgiving recipe that can work either way. It’s really convenient and yummy with polenta or mashed potatoes or pasta.

3:Skinny Veggie Lasagna

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:That’s right. Pasta. In the crockpot. It’s happening. So quick to layer all the ingredients together, and then you can leave it all day until dinner. Easiest recipe on the list, for sure! (and a personal favorite of mine thanks to all those veggies and cheese!)

4:Carnitas

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This is a go-to for me when we are entertaining because I can leave it cooking all day and then just pop it in the oven at the end for browning, right when our friends walk in the door. Also: because of the slow, long cooking time, themeat gets really tender and flavorful, and it’s really easy to shred right in the crockpot once it’s cooked.

5:Whole Roasted Chicken

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:Maybe I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, butit’s easy! Also,the chicken becomes really moist and tender from all the liquids staying in the crockpot. It’ll create a bit of a broth right in the crockpot. Keep the veggies, broth, and some of the meat right in the crockpot and you’ll have your base for chicken noodle soup – just add the noodles! If you prefer to get a crispy skin at the end, you just need to put the chicken under the broiler for a little bit.

6:Granola

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:It’s a good alternative option to making granola in the oven, especially if you don’t have access to an oven or you simply don’t want to use the oven and heat up the kitchen (I’m looking at you, California).It will yield a different (but still delicious) type of granola – one with fewer clusters and a softer texture.

7:Texas Chili Con Carne

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This chili recipe is perfect for the crockpot because the meat gets so tender and flavorful over the long cooking time.My friend Ang introduced us to this recipe and it’s been a favorite in our little friend circle ever since– it’s a great have-people-over-and-put-chili-on-anything kind of meal.

8:Easiest Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This recipe = less hands-on time, and using the hand mixer saves lots of time and energy in the mashing process. It’s not the same perfect fluffiness as ricing the potatoes one at a time and mashing them by hand, but this is how we have it every year at Thanksgiving with Bjork’s family and it’s really darn good.

9:Peach Cobbler

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This is a really easy recipe that yields delicious results! The peaches get a little caramelization from the crockpot (!!), and the topping is perfect. Talk about great for when you have guests for dinner–you can do it all ahead of time, but then still serve a nice warm cobbler when dinnertime rolls around.

10:Red Lentil Curry

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:First of all, because red lentil curry is meatless and AMAZING. Secondly, lentils are so perfect for the crockpot because they get a great texture and they soak up all the flavors of the other ingredients during the long cooking time. Plus – easy!

11:Chicken Wild Rice Soup

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:Let me start by saying this one doesn’t look like much, but it is EVERYTHING. The non-slow-cooker version of this soup is what we make at Christmastime, and the slow cooker version is for busy weeknightsall throughout the winter.The chicken gets really tender and is super easy to shred (saves time from boiling chicken and then chopping it), the wild rice can cook at its own super slow pace, and you add in the creamy roux to make it all luscious and velvety at the end.

12:Pot Roast

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:The meat stays tender and flavorful, and the broth created in the crockpot can be used to make a delicious homemade gravy. GRAVY!!!

And that’s a wrap!

If you have other favorite slow cooker recipe ideas, please leave them in the comments because we’re a champion slow cooking team together and every recipe counts!

12 Easy Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2024)

FAQs

Is 12 hours too long in slow cooker? ›

Stick to the cook time indicated on your recipe

Most slow cooker meals take 8-12 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high, but there are also recipes for slow-cooked meat that take up to 24 hours. If you want to avoid overcooking your dish, follow the given guidelines as closely as possible.

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

✔️ Instant Pots are multi-functional.

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference is the time it takes to reach that temperature. Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

What meat cooks best in crockpot? ›

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

What's the difference between slow cooker and crockpot? ›

When we look at the material, it's evident that slow cookers and Crockpots consist of the same three components: Glass lid, pot, and heating element. However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot.

Can I put frozen meat in a slow cooker? ›

Information. 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.

Can I put raw beef straight into a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you most certainly can cook raw meat in the slow cooker! You put it in “cold”, with whatever liquid your recipe calls for, turn it on either “low” or “high” depending on your recipe (I usually start it on “high” for a couple hours, then turn it to “low”), and in 6–7–8 hours, it's now COOKED meat!

Is it OK to leave a slow cooker on overnight? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

Do chefs use slow cookers? ›

Things that cook for a long time in a restaurant are probably going to be done on the stove or in the oven, since you have more control and can make a bigger container. However, you might find a chef who works in a test kitchen who develops crock pot recipes for people at home.

Is Instapot a slow cooker? ›

An Instant Pot is a popular brand of electric pressure cooker that is designed to make cooking easier, faster, and more convenient. It is a tabletop kitchen appliance that can be used as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, yogurt maker and more.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

When cutting up ingredients for your meal, keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from any food you plan to eat raw (for example, garnish or toppings like cheese, cilantro, or lemon zest). Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils. Large cuts of meat and poultry may be cooked safely in a slow cooker.

Can you just throw everything into a slow cooker? ›

One of the main attractions for many people is the ease of a slow cooker, so when you're looking for recipes, avoid those that suggest a lot of pre-preparation. For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in.

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