Easy slow cooker recipes ready for dinner at a press of a button! A collection of comforting soups, stews, chili and hearty options that require minimal preparation.
Easy slow cooker recipes are essential when the time is limited, but you need a healthy and satisfying meal! The great thing about using a Crock-Pot is you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, set the timer and have your meal ready right when you need it. These ten savory recipes are a breeze, plus I added a bonus snack at the end!
#1) Cauliflower Corn Chowder
This hearty soup makes cauliflower the star of the dish! Each satisfying spoonful is loaded with potatoes, corn, cauliflower, and savory bacon. Swap the bacon with sautéed mushrooms and remove chicken for a vegetarian option.
#2) Chicken Noodle Soup
This classic and comforting chicken noodle soup is a life saver for those chilly nights or when cold and flu season hits. Just add everything to the slow cooker for an easy soup.
#3) Turkey Chili
Spice up dinnertime with this flavorful turkey chili! A healthy combination of lean meat, beans, corn and butternut squash in a tomato base. Add your favorite toppings to customize each bowl!
#4) Chicken Chili
This Mexican inspired chicken chili is packed with white beans and roasted green chilies for a spicy and earthy kick!
#5) New Mexican Red Pork Chili
Incredible earthy flavors from the roasted red chilis and generous spices make this tender pork chili a crowd pleaser!
#6) Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos
Make taco night a breeze with these slow cooker pulled pork tacos! Just add the meat and spices for a flavorful filling that will be ready for you to shred and top with your favorite taco ingredients.
#7) Ginger Beef Stew
This comforting beef stew is inspired by my Grandma, with savory and pungent ingredients with an Asian twist! In one pot you have protein, vegetables, and carbohydrates for a balanced meal.
#8) Corned Beef
Why wait for St. Patrick’s Day to enjoy a plate of corned beef? Slow cooking this cured meat yields more tender and moist slices. The vegetables are cooked with the beef to infuse additional flavor into each serving.
#9) Italian Meatballs
This Italian meatball recipe is a classic dish that is even more tender and flavorful when preparing in a slow cooker! Each ball of beef is simmered in a tomato sauce for maximum flavor transfer. Serve with pasta or sautéed vegetables for a low carb option.
#10) Italian Braised Beef Short Ribs
These short ribs are fork-tender after slowing cooking for hours. The perfect family meal or even on a romantic date night. Fresh Italian flavors make this a rustic and simple dinner.
Bonus) Fruit and Nut Granola
Make a large batch of granola right in your slow cooker! This recipe makes enough to store, freeze, or give away as gifts for the holiday season. The perfect crunchy and healthy topping for oatmeals, yogurts, smoothie bowls or as a quick snack.
Slow cooker recipes are one of the easiest ways to get meals ready when you’re short on time. If you’re interested to learn more about this time-saving tool, I created a slow cooker guide with more helpful info on the device.
Bill Geils says
Jessica PLEASE HELP!!
I’m new at slow cooking and twice I wanted roasted chicken and both times it came out hard and dry. Where did I go wrong?
I put the cookers on low for 10 hrs so it would cook all day the end result is I had to throw both times away. Expensive now. Now my cooker is a dust collector.
Where did I go wrong?
Bill
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Bill- For a 4-5 pound chicken, I would cook the chicken breast-side up for 4 to 5 hours on the high setting or 6 to 8 hours on low. I also cook the chicken on a bed of vegetables so it’s not sitting in its own juices. I use a mixture of onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes if you’d like.
Bill Dickinson says
Jessica, Made the Chicken Tortilla Soup and it was fabulous. Enjoy all your recipes. Can I do the soup in a slow cooker? By the way, love your book too!!!
Bill
Jessica Gavin says
Hi Bill- Thanks for your feedback! Yes, you can definitely cook it in the slow cooker. Cover and cook soup on “HIGH” setting for 3 hours, or “LOW” setting for 6 hours, or until chicken is fully cooked, then shred. I would add in the strips of tortillas in the last hour of cooking.
Debbie says
I made your grandmothers ginger beef stew in the slow cooker a few months ago my family loved it
it is so delicious We all loved the wonderful flavors
Greg says
Wow they all look so good can’t wait to try them
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks Greg! Let me know what you make first 🙂
Trang says
I absolutely love slow cooker recipes. You have a great collection of delicious meals that I will definitely save to try later!
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks Trang! They will definitely come in handy once fall weather hits us in California 🙂
Judy Cauwood says
When I looked st the photos some of these were so thick looking I thought they should be photographed with a fork in the dish. I want to try them all! Thank you Jessica.
Jessica Gavin says
Thanks for your feedback Judy! Let me know if you try any of the slow cooker recipes 🙂