35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (2024)

These Super Easy Slow Cooker Recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, quiet weekends, effortless parties and potlucks, and awesome Game Day snacking!

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (1)

I’m on a slow cooker recipe kick right now!

The season has just changed, the days are getting cooler, the leaves are starting to change color, and football season has started.

It just seems right to fire up the slow cooker to make something warm and comforting and most of all – easy!

Really, slow cookers are fantastic tools to create easy meals all year round.

In summer, you can cook tasty, fresh, and filling meals without heating up your house with the oven.

Then in the fall and winter months, you can make warm and hearty soups, roasts, and other comforting foods to help you stay warm when it’s cold outside.

These35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipesare perfect for busy nights, quiet, easy weekends, effortless parties and potlucks, and awesome Game Day snacking!

Plus, these easy and delicious slow cooker meals require little effort, so you can get outof the kitchen and enjoy time with family and friends.

Make the most of your slow cooker with these 30 Brilliant Slow Cooker Hacks You Probably Didn’t Know.

Prefer to use your Instant Pot? Theseeasy conversion tips will help you make your favorite slow cooker recipes in your Instant Pot.

Also, be sure to check out50 Easy Instant Pot Meals Perfect for Busy Weeknightsfor more amazing Instant Pot recipes.

For more easy and delicious recipes, check out the following:

16 Best Slow Cooker Sandwiches for Busy Nights and Easy Entertaining

20 Top-Rated Chicken Wings Your Friends and Family Will Love

25 Easy Slow Cooker Dips for Ultimate Snacking

50 Easy Instant Pot Meals Perfect for Busy Weeknights

Pin for Later!

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (2)

Contents

Crockpots vs. Slow Cookers

Just in case you don’t know (I know I didn’t realize until a few years ago), a slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing.

A Crockpot is a brand of slow cooker that is so popular, the term is often used for any brand of slow cooker.

When I was growing up, my mom didn’t often use her slow cooker, so I sort introduced myself to them a couple years ago.

I used her super old one (from the 60’s or 70’s!) for a while before I finally decided to treat myself and upgrade.

This is the slow cooker I use now, and I love it!

It looks like a normal slow cooker, but it has so many features! It’s programmable, or you can use the manual setting like an old fashioned slow cooker.

It also has a probe setting to check the temperature as you cook – it’ll even cook to a precise temperature!

When the cooking time or temperature is reached, it automatically switches to a warming feature, making it perfect for busy professionals and families.

Plus, it’s great for potlucks with large handles and a lid that clips on tight.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (3)

Easy Slow Cooker Recipes Your Family Will Love

white queso green chili dip

This Queso Blanco Dip is made with authentic Asadero Mexican cheese, a light, creamy white cheese that pairs wonderfully with the green chilies and jalapeño in this rich, comforting dip.

Plus, it’s super easy to make – once the cheese is finished cooking, you can set your slow cooker on warm and let guests help themselves!

GET THE RECIPE

For more tasty Crockpot dip recipes, check out 25 Slow Cooker Dips for Ultimate Snacking.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (4)

drunken bbq wings

Beer is the secret ingredient to make these wings super moist and tender.

Then, they’re covered in a sticky BBQ caramelized sauce with – you guessed it – more beer, making them the perfect Game Day chicken wing.

GET THE RECIPE

For more awesome chicken wing recipes, check out 20 Top-Rated Chicken Wings.

chili

This slightly spicy, smoky traditionalchili will definitely please a crowd with filling ground beef and beans and tasty Southwestern spices.

GET THE RECIPE

For more delicious soup and stew recipe ideas perfect for quick and easy weeknight meals, check out the following:

10 Yummy Soup Recipes That Will Keep You Warm

20 Cozy Stew Recipes That Will Fill You Up

25 Quick and Easy Soups Perfect for Busy Weeknights

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (6)

classic pot roast

I love a good slow roasted chuck roast.

You know it’s done when it falls apart and melts in your mouth – so good and so comforting!

This recipe is made even better with onion soup mix and cream of mushroom soup. Trust me, it’s delicious!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (7)

honey buffalo meatballs

The sweetness of honey and brown sugar cuts the pungent, acidicheat of Frank’s Original Hot Sauce,to make a wonderfully flavorful sauce perfect as a party appetizer or easy meal over rice.

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (8)

chipotle sweet pulled pork

This pork is marinated in Coca-Cola, soy sauce, and spices, then cooked slow and low withbrown sugar, more spices, salsa, and green chilies.

But don’t worry,despite loads of spices in this dish, this pork isn’tsuper hot, just exploding with flavor.

GET THE RECIPE

For more amazing slow cooker meat recipes, check out 16 Best Slow Cooker Sandwiches.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (9)

parmesan honey pork loin roast

With the sweet taste of honey contrasted with sharp Parmesan cheese, this moist, tender, and delicious Parmesan Honey Pork Roast will quickly become your family’s favorite home cooked meal!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (10)

sunday sauce

Short ribs are slow cooked in your new favorite homemadetomato sauce all day long to make this hearty, satisfying sauce perfect for a warming meal on Sundays or any night of the week!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (11)

beef bourguignon

This Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon features tender, melt in your mouth beef and hearty vegetables in a rich, meaty sauce.

It’s the perfect way to warm up when it’s cold outside!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (12)

sweet chili bbq kielbasa

Give “co*cktail weenies” an upgrade at your next party or Game Day with this super simple 3-ingredient, gluten-free appetizer generously flavored with BBQ and sweet chili sauces.

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (13)

bacon bourbon baked beans

Enjoy the warm, friendly taste of summer any time of year with these easy baked beans that will make you never want to eat canned beans again!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (14)

fall-off-the-bone ribs

Slow cookers are wonderful for roasting meats, and this recipe is no exception.

Since the slow cooker adds moisture, these ribs turn out super moist, juicy, and fall-off-the-bone tender!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (15)

crispy jerk chicken

This easy jerk chicken slow cooker recipe makes a super simple, seriously appetizing weeknight or Game Day meal with a spicy kick and loads of flavor!

Jerk chicken starts in the slow cooker and ends on the grill to give it a super crispy skin while still holding in tons of juicy deliciousness!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (16)

bbq beer pulled chicken with cheddar corn popovers

Corn filled, cheesy popovers taste AMAZING with BBQ beer pulled chicken made in the slow cooker – the ultimate comfort meal and packed with flavor!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (17)

creamy beef stroganoff

This recipe is a homemade version of beef stroganoff often made with salt and preservative filled canned cream soups.

Sour cream and cream cheese make this dish super rich and creamy, and beef broth with lots of tasty seasonings adds loads of flavor for the perfect comforting, warming fall and winter meal!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (18)

lemon garlic chicken and veggies

Lemon not only adds loads of bright, fresh flavor, it also helps tenderize the meat!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (19)

enchilada stack

This creamy and cheesy enchilada recipe is so easy, it’s almost foolproof!

Just set it and forget it, and before you know it, you’ll have the best enchiladas ever!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (20)

cajun boiled peanuts

These Cajun Boiled Peanuts are the perfect snack food on game day!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (21)

best ever beer brats

This recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep for the most flavorful and juicy beer brats you’ve ever had!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (22)

buffalo chicken meatball mini sandwiches

The classic buffalo chicken and blue cheese combination in these cute mini sandwiches is sure to please a crowd – at the dinner table or the big game!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (23)

cheesy tortellini

Even pasta can be “set it and forget it” easy with this Cheesy Tortellini recipe made right in the slow cooker!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (24)

jambalaya

If you love Cajun cuisine, you need to try this super simple jambalaya that couldn’t be easier!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (25)

country boneless bbq ribs

What’s better than meat so tender it falls apart?! Get your barbecue on with these super easy and delicious Country Boneless Ribs.

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (26)

stuffed peppers

These stuffed peppers are packed with filling protein and fiber and plenty of flavor!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (27)

bbq mac and cheese

This recipe makes a lot of food, making it the perfect dish for a football party or yummy leftovers all week!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (28)

rotisserie style beer can chicken

Make your own rotisserie chicken at home. With just a little prep in the morning, this chicken will be done and waiting for you when you get home.

GET THE RECIPE

For more delicious rotisserie chicken taste, check out 15 Easy and Affordable Rotisserie Chicken Shortcut Meals.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (29)

tater tot casserole

This casserole is so easy, filling, and perfect for a busy weeknight.

GET THE RECIPE

Eating low carb? Check out 10 Incredible Keto Casseroles you won’t believe are diet-friendly.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (30)

carne asada nachos

Slow cook flank steak in beer and traditional Mexican spices, then pile high on tortilla chips for a party snack food that’s out of this world!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (31)

hawaiian chicken

This dish takes just 3 ingredients to make – chicken breasts, barbecue sauce, and pineapple. It doesn’t get much easier than that!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (32)

pulled pork and beer cheese grilled cheese sandwiches

This isn’t your mother’s grilled cheese sandwich (sorry, Mom).

A pork roast slow cooks in beer, barbecue sauce, and loads of delicious spices to give this grilled cheese a serious upgrade!

GET THE RECIPE

For more cheesy goodness, check out 10 Must-Try Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwiches.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (33)

guinness corned beef

This recipe takes a traditional corned beef dinner up a notch with a bottle of Guinness stout for extra flavor and super tender meat!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (34)

mozzarella stuffed meatballs

No need to go out to a fancy Italian restaurant with this easy recipe!

Make authentic, moist, and flavorful cheesy meatballs in the comfort of your own home!

GET THE RECIPE

For more incredible slow cooker sandwich recipes, see 16 Best Slow Cooker Sandwiches.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (35)

garlic parmesan chicken and potatoes

This easy recipe is perfect for an impressive Sunday dinner, but so simple you can make it any night of the week!

Crispy, tender chicken thighs are slow cooked with baby red potatoes and seasoned generously with garlic, herbs, and zesty Parmesan to make a seriously flavorful, comforting meal.

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (36)

cream cheese chicken taquitos

This recipe features creamy, delicious chicken made in the slow cooker, then rolled up in soft tortillas and baked or a few minutes until crispy.

This meal is super simple, fresh, and tasty and perfect for an easy weeknight meal or party finger food!

GET THE RECIPE

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (37)

best ever beef stew

What could be more satisfying than a big, hearty bowl of homemade beef stew?! This recipe is full of flavor for the perfect comfort food meal.

GET THE RECIPE

Love a filling, satisfying stew? Check out 20 Cozy Stew Recipes That Will Warm You Up.

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (38)

Slow cookers are a great way to simplify your life by making meal times and party planning so much easier.

Get an amazing meal on the table without all the fuss with these 35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes your whole family will love!

What do you think of these Amazing Slow Cooker Recipes perfect for easy meals, parties, and Game Day?

Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and if you try any of these recipes, please come back to let me know how you liked them!

related posts:

16 Best Slow Cooker Sandwiches for Busy Nights and Easy Entertaining

20 Top-Rated Chicken Wings Your Friends and Family Will Love

25 Slow Cooker Dips for Ultimate Snacking

30 Brilliant Slow Cooker Hacks You Probably Didn’t Know

pin for later:

35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (39)
35 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Incredible, Effortless Meals (2024)

FAQs

What cooks faster than a slow cooker? ›

The difference between slow cookers and pressure cookers is the way that they cook the food.
  • Slow cookers use low heat to slowly cook food.
  • Pressure cookers use hot steam and pressure to quickly cook food.
Nov 11, 2022

What is an alternative to slow cooking? ›

While a slow cooker offers convenience, it's not the only route to slow cooking. With alternative methods like Dutch ovens, stovetop simmering, oven baking, pressure cooking, and utilising crockery, you can still savour the joys of slow-cooked meals. The results will be worth the wait.

Why are slow cooker meals watery? ›

For instance, slow cooker meals can turn out to be watery when there is too much liquid added at the beginning of the preparation or if during the cooking process, the water does not evaporate producing a runny consistency.

What is slow cook low and slow cook high? ›

The difference between the two settings isn't a higher temperature, it's the time it takes for the slow cooker to reach the simmer point. On high, that's around three to four hours, and on low, it's seven to eight, according to Crock-Pot. So imagine if your dinner is cooking away on high all day while you're at work.

What's the difference between a Crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

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.

How to replicate a slow cooker? ›

Opt for a heavy, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid, like a Staub or Le Creuset Dutch oven, to mimic the moisture retention of a slow cooker. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents excessive drying out. Slow cookers are designed to trap moisture, leading to a self-basting environment.

Can I use a Crockpot instead of a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

Is a Dutch oven better than a Crockpot? ›

Not only can you make stews like you could in a Slow Cooker, but you can also bake bread, build a pasta sauce, sear meat, sauté vegetables, and plenty more. A Dutch Oven also provides more heat settings and the option to go into the oven, while a Slow Cooker only has three settings (low, high, warm).

Can you leave the lid off a slow cooker to thicken? ›

Place the cooker on a high setting, and open the lid for 30-45 minutes to let excess moisture cook off. The liquid will reduce, leaving you with a thick and delicious gravy or sauce. (Tip: This trick can also be applied for thickening stews, or when you've accidentally added too much liquid.)

What thickens slow cooker? ›

A slurry is a mixture of flour and water, whisked together until smooth and added towards the end of cooking; it's a super-simple way to thicken any soup. For slow cooker soups, add your slurry with at least 30 minutes of cook time left so that the raw flour can cook and thicken the soup.

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 are the three settings on a slow cooker? ›

On all CrockPot units you have usually three temperature settings. I for Low, II for High and the last symbol (it may be in the form of "squiggly lines" that look like SS) is the Warm setting.

Can you overcook in a slow cooker? ›

If your family consistently gives your slow-cooked dishes low marks because of the mushy veggies, chalky meat and/or muddy, one-note flavors, you may be overcooking your recipes. Instead, take advantage of the slow cooker's “Keep Warm” setting if you need to leave something on longer than the recipe requires.

What cooking method is the fastest? ›

The 6 Quickest (and Healthiest) Cooking Methods
  1. Grilling. It's best to use this quick method of cooking only for tender cuts of meat and fish, and for shellfish. ...
  2. Griddling. ...
  3. Stir-frying. ...
  4. En papillote. ...
  5. Steaming. ...
  6. Microwaving.
Feb 28, 2011

What cooks food very quickly? ›

Toaster ovens are a great way to cook a meal quickly without firing up your oven and heating up the entire kitchen. They reach temperature faster and have more concentrated heat, so cooking times for a toaster oven are shorter.

Which cooker cooks faster? ›

Food is cooked more quickly in a pressure cooker because, at the higher pressure (1 bar/15 psi), the boiling point of water rises from 100 °C (212 °F) to 121 °C (250 °F).

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 6407

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.