10+ Top Slow Cooker Recipes for Delicious, Easy Meals
Slow cookers are a fantastic way to prepare meals with minimal effort. They allow you to set your ingredients, let them cook slowly, and enjoy delicious dishes without constant attention. If you’re looking for easy, flavorful meals that can fit into a busy schedule, exploring top slow cooker recipes is a great choice.
From hearty stews to sweet desserts, there is a wide variety of options to please everyone at your table. In this article, you will find some of the best slow cooker recipes that not only save you time but also provide comforting flavors that warm your home.
1) Mississippi Pot Roast
Mississippi Pot Roast is a tasty and easy dish made in a slow cooker. It uses just a few simple ingredients. You won’t believe how tender and flavorful it can be.
To make this roast, you’ll combine a chuck roast with ranch dressing mix, gravy mix, butter, and pepperoncini peppers. The slow cooking process makes it melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
It’s perfect for busy days since it cooks while you do other things. Just set your slow cooker and let it work its magic for 8 hours on low.
Ingredients
- 1 chuck roast (about 3-5 pounds)
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 5-6 pepperoncini peppers
Cooking Instructions
- Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix on top.
- Add the brown gravy mix.
- Place the butter on top.
- Add the pepperoncini peppers.
- Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C).
2) Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip is a favorite for parties and gatherings. It’s creamy, spicy, and packed with flavor. You can easily make it in your slow cooker.
To start, combine shredded chicken with cream cheese, ranch dressing, and buffalo sauce. Add lots of cheese for that delicious gooey texture.
Cook on low for about 1-2 hours until everything is warm and bubbly. Serve it with tortilla chips or veggies for dipping.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- ½ cup buffalo sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cooking Instructions
- In a slow cooker, add the shredded chicken and cream cheese.
- Pour in the ranch dressing and buffalo sauce.
- Mix well until combined.
- Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cook on low for 1-2 hours.
- Stir and serve warm with chips or veggies.
3) Chicken Enchilada Soup
Chicken enchilada soup is a warm and comforting meal perfect for any day. Made in a slow cooker, it’s easy to prepare and full of flavor. You’ll enjoy the taste of enchiladas in a cozy bowl of soup.
This recipe includes juicy chicken, beans, corn, and tomatoes. You can customize it with your favorite toppings, like cheese, avocado, or cilantro. It’s a crowd-pleaser for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken breast
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 4 cups (1 L) chicken broth
- 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 can (4 oz) green chiles
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- Add corn, tomatoes, broth, enchilada sauce, onion, green chiles, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stir to mix ingredients.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Shred the chicken before serving. Enjoy!
4) Beef Bourguignon
Beef Bourguignon is a classic French dish that is perfect for the slow cooker. This recipe brings you tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich sauce that fills your home with amazing aromas.
As the beef simmers in red wine, you get wonderful flavors from bacon, mushrooms, carrots, and onions. It’s an easy meal to prepare, and the slow cooker does all the work while you go about your day.
Enjoy this comforting dish with some crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into cubes
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 cup pearl onions
- 2 cups carrots, sliced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups red wine
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Brown the beef cubes in the same skillet.
- Add the browned beef to the slow cooker.
- Stir in bacon, onions, carrots, and mushrooms.
- Pour in red wine and beef broth.
- Add thyme, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 8 hours (about 95°C) or high for 4 hours (about 135°C). Enjoy!
5) Slow Cooker Bolognese
Making Slow Cooker Bolognese is an easy way to enjoy a classic Italian dish. You’ll love how the flavors blend together as it cooks slowly. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Start by browning your ground beef in a skillet. Once it’s cooked, add it to the slow cooker along with chopped vegetables, tomatoes, and seasonings. Let it simmer for several hours. The longer it cooks, the better it tastes!
Serve this rich sauce over your favorite pasta. You can also freeze any leftovers for a quick meal later.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup finely chopped baby carrots
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like oregano or basil)
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add carrots, onion, and garlic; sauté until softened.
- Brown the ground beef until cooked through.
- Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add crushed tomatoes, salt, pepper, and herbs.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours (about 140-175 degrees Fahrenheit or 60-80 degrees Celsius).
- Serve over pasta and enjoy!
6) Chicken Tinga Tacos
Chicken Tinga Tacos are a delicious and easy meal for any day. You will enjoy the flavors of tender chicken cooked in a tangy, spicy sauce. This dish uses a slow cooker, making it simple to prepare.
Start by adding chicken, onions, and spices to your slow cooker. Ingredients like chipotle peppers and enchilada sauce give it a great kick. Let it cook on low for about 4 to 5 hours.
Serve the chicken in corn tortillas with your favorite toppings. Try adding avocado, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime for extra flavor. This meal is perfect for gatherings or just a cozy night in.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs (900 g) chicken thighs
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Place chicken and onions in the slow cooker.
- Add enchilada sauce, chipotle peppers, oregano, cumin, and salt.
- Mix everything well.
- Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours.
- Shred the chicken and serve in tortillas.
7) Crock-Pot Macaroni and Cheese
Crock-Pot macaroni and cheese is a comforting dish that brings a creamy delight to your table. It’s simple to prepare and perfect for family meals.
To make this dish, you can use uncooked elbow macaroni. Combine it with your favorite cheeses, milk, and seasonings in your slow cooker. Let it cook and enjoy a rich and cheesy meal.
You can find recipes that guide you through creating a thick and creamy mac and cheese that everyone will love. This is a great side dish or a filling main course!
Ingredients
- 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded colby cheese
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 ¾ cups milk
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Spray the slow cooker with cooking spray.
- Add the uncooked macaroni to the slow cooker.
- Pour in milk and mix in the cheeses.
- Add butter and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook on low for about 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally.
8) Slow Cooker Burnt Honey Barbecue Chicken
Slow Cooker Burnt Honey Barbecue Chicken is a tasty and easy dish to make. The sweet and smoky flavors come together beautifully. The slow cooker does the hard work for you, making it a perfect choice for busy days.
To start, you’ll sear the chicken briefly. This step brings out the delicious flavors of the herbs and spices. After that, you place the chicken in the slow cooker with a flavorful barbecue sauce.
Cooking it on HIGH takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken is tender and full of flavor.
Ingredients
- 8 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Sear the chicken thighs in a cast-iron skillet for a few minutes.
- Mix onion, tomato paste, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, honey, and garlic powder in a bowl.
- Place the chicken in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over it.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 2 hours and 30 minutes.
9) Pork Carnitas
Pork carnitas are a delicious and easy meal you can make in your slow cooker. The tender pork is packed with flavor and can be used in tacos, burritos, or served on its own.
You’ll start by seasoning pork shoulder with spices, garlic, and citrus juices. Place it in the slow cooker and cook on low for about 8 hours (or on high for 4-5 hours).
Once the pork is done, shred it and broil it briefly for extra crispiness. Serve with your favorite toppings for a fantastic meal.
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 chopped onion
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 teaspoons cumin
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Season the pork shoulder with spices, salt, and pepper.
- Place the pork in the slow cooker with garlic, onion, orange juice, and lime juice.
- Cook it on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- Shred the pork and broil for 3-5 minutes for crispiness.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
10) Healthy Vegetable Soup
This Healthy Vegetable Soup is perfect for chilly days. It’s easy to make and packed with nutrients. You can use your favorite veggies and customize it to your taste.
Start by chopping up some carrots, celery, and potatoes. Add in fire-roasted tomatoes for extra flavor. You can also throw in frozen mixed vegetables to save time.
For a rich taste, pour in some vegetable broth. Then, season it with herbs like thyme and basil.
Next, set your slow cooker on low for about 6-8 hours. Let the soup cook until the veggies are tender. Serve it hot and enjoy a warm, hearty meal!
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped carrots
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1 can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
Cooking Instructions
- Chop the carrots, celery, and potatoes.
- Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
- Stir to combine.
- Set the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours.
- Serve hot.