Making meals in the slow cooker is a key part of the Homemade on a Weeknight cooking style. I use my slow cooker usually once a week, at the least. Lots of people think it’s just good for soups (which it definitely is great for soups!) but it is also excellent for turning humble, budget-friendly cuts of meat into tender flavorful centerpieces for your dinner. For this latest recipe collection, I have pulled together several of my favorite Slow Cooker recipes.
When it comes to slow cookers – size does matter. If you try to cram a whole meal into a small crock is not going to work out. When you are making smaller things like a side dish (see the cranberry relish below), you can use a 2-3 qt unit. But for the rest of these recipe you are going to want to be in the 6-9qt range. Basically you don’t want a round one – you need an oval shaped one. My favorite one is a 7 qt slow cooker, with a latching lid. It works for just about everything.
I do want to point out that several of these recipes do require some additional work just before serving. Whether it be making a gravy from the liquid in the crock or making a salsa to put on top or baking some biscuits – only a few of them are going to be straight from the crock to service. This is something that I think gives slow cookers a bad name. You can make so many things that have texture and flavor and finese from the slow cooker, you just have to present it the right way.
And without further adieu – here are My Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes from the blog!
Slow Cooked Beef Ramen – Broth is such a big part of a good ramen soup. The more flavor you can develop, the heartier the ramen will be in the end. Using the slow cooker to make the broth and beef for this Slow Cooked Beef Ramen brings all the flavor to the bowl. Some ramens have 20 different components, above the broth, and it can be overwhelming. Don’t get me wrong I love that type of ramen too, but this particular recipe, is not that. Beef, mushroom, scallion and an egg come together for a delightful ramen creation.
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders – Sliders are such a fun way to serve up dinner. They are also great for get togethers and backyard BBQs! These BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders are so full of flavor and fun to eat. My kids and hubby can eat three or four of these delights. The pulled pork is also great for a make ahead meal or a way to use left over meat. There is something amazing about how much flavor and then tenderness you get from slow cooking a pork roast.
Chuck Roast Chili – This recipe is one of those classic dump and forget it slow cooker recipes. You literally just add all the ingredients to the slow cooker, stir it up and put on the lid. Then leave it for at least half a day, if not a whole 24 hours. The longer you let it go, the more flavorful and thicker the chili becomes. Chuck Roast Chili is a great winter meal, but also great for camping or backyard BBQs. It make a fantastic chili cheese fry, taco or hot dog!
Rosemary Chicken & Biscuits – Somethings just go together – like Rosemary & Chicken. The flavors meld together so seamlessly it is delicious every time. There is just something so comforting about the smell of rosemary and chicken cooking in the kitchen. And this Rosemary Chicken & Biscuits with chicken from the slow cooker, makes the whole house smell amazing by the time everyone comes home for the day.
Texas Slow Cooker Beans – Beans, Beans the magical fruit….the more you eat the more you… While this saying is pretty true – it doesn’t make beans any less yummy. And these Texas Slow Cooker Beans are just that – YUMMY! They have a great Tex-Mex sort of flavor with just a little kick from the jalapenos. And I really love being able to make the side dish in the slow cooker when I’m cooking.
Chipotle Beef Tacos with Peach Salsa – Shredded beef tacos are different from Carne asada, which are also different from ground beef tacos. The slow cooking of the chuck roast with the quintessential Mexican spices of cumin, coriander, and Chipotle peppers is what makes this recipe for Chipotle Beef Tacos with Peach Salsa for that pop of freshness.
Sausage & Veg Soup – If you are looking for a hearty bowl of soup chock full of veggies – you can to the right recipe. This creamy soup is bursting with flavor and packed with potatoes, mushrooms, celery, onion and spinach – oh and Italian Sausage! Sausage & Veg Soup is perfect for a blustery winter evening, when you need to warm up from the colder temperatures. And it’s a slow cooker recipes so it’s prefect for any night of the week!
Spicy Mango Wings – I have tried so many ways to make chicken wings in a large quantity (you do need a larger 6 qt slow cooker like this one by Pioneer Woman) without having to fry them. I think this method is the most effective, successful one yet. Using the slow cooker to make sure that the chicken is juicy and completely cooked with flavor-infused all the way through is definitely the way to go. And then finishing them off under the broiler to get a nice crispy skin – these Spicy Mango Wings are going to fly off the plate when you serve them up!
Ranch Chicken Tacos – Want to have a little extra fun on your next taco night? Check out these super tasty super fun Ranch Chicken Tacos that are totally loaded with ranch flavors – ranch flavor on the chicken, ranch dressing, AND ranch chips all loaded up on a soft flour tortilla. The slow cooked chicken has such a burst of flavor – you will want to use the recipe for sandwiches, nachos, burritos or even a tasty chicken salad.
Easy Cranberry Relish – One thing that I have to have with a whole cooked turkey is my super simple and Easy Cranberry Relish. I have been making it for years and will continue to make it as long as I am cooking the big holiday meals for my family. The amazing flavor you get from adding this tangy tart relish to roasted turkey is everything. It makes it feel like home to me. And it could not be easier to put together – with only five ingredients that you pop into a slow cooker and leave in the corner of the counter while you make all the rest of the meal.
Cheesy Shredded Beef Burritos – A nice big burrito makes for a great weeknight dinner – especially if you have the meat cooking in the slow cooker all day. This tender chipotle shredded beef is layered up with a bean mixture, rice and plenty of cheese. I also go a little extra on this one by toasting some cheese on the outside of the burrito to get some great texture. These Cheesy Shredded Beef Burritos are going to be a surefire win on your family dinner table!
Chile Relleno Soup – Creamy, cheesy soup always warms the heart and the belly. This slow cooker soup is a play on the classic Mexican dish – Chile Relleno, which is a roasted green pepper (usually a poblano) stuffed with chopped meat and lots of cheese, then battered and fried. Chile Relleno Soup is a perfect fall soup loaded down with cheese, chicken and peppers. The cream cheese gives you that extra creamy texture you crave.
Hope you enjoyed my selections of Slow Cooker Recipes – do you have a favorite? Which one will you be trying first?
Estelle Forrest self-published this cookbook after a lot of playing around in the kitchen. You can purchase your own copy here:
AVAILABLE IN PRINT OR KINDLE eBOOK VERSIONS
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Lots of yummy slow cooker recipes here!
The Crockpot is my favorite cooking product and I recently received one to review so may try a few of these recipes! #Alittlebitofeverything
I love my slow cooker, funny most people think it’s only for soup as I rarely make soup in it. Thanks for the great recipes. Visiting from Thursday Favorite Things.