There's nothing like coming home on a cold, icky day and walking into a house filled with yummy dinner smells! Here are 31 easy slow cooker recipes that (mostly) have less than 15 minutes of prep time AND will make coming home the best part of the day.
![A collage of slow cooker recipe images.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/slow-cooker-recipes-700x700.jpg)
Tips
- If you use your Crockpot or slow cooker a lot buy a second one. This way you're not frantically scrubbing the crockery insert out fifteen minutes before you need to leave for work.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs just before serving to brighten the flavors and add some visual appeal.
- Add a squeeze of lemon or lime just before serving - same reason.
- Prep as much as possible at the beginning of the week. Chop all the onions, celery, and carrots. Rub the seasoning on the meat... whatever you can do to save time when you're ready to cook.
- You can make your own ready- to- cook slow cooker meals by adding everything except the liquid to a bag and vacuum sealing it. No need to freeze - it will be good for at least the week.
- Always spray the inside of the crock with nonstick spray before using - it makes cleanup so much easier.
Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Chicken comes out tender and juicy in a slow cooker. I prefer using boneless, skinless chicken breast but thighs, or chicken pieces, or even a whole chicken all work well.
I've included a recipe for cornbread dressing in the slow cooker because I like to bring home a rotisserie chicken and have chicken and dressing - or lay cooked chicken over the top and add gravy.
![Overhead view of pozole in a white bowl.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/green-chicken-pozole-feat-150x150.jpg)
![Close up of tequila chicken tacos on a plate.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tequila-lime-chicken-recipe-copy-150x150.jpg)
![Bowl of chicken chili on a white plate.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/white-chicken-chili1-150x150.jpg)
![chicken fajita soup](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/chicken-fajita-soup-4-1-150x150.jpg)
![Closeup of a serving of cornbread dressing.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/stuffing-crockpot-overhead-spoon-150x150.jpg)
![Closeup of enchilada soup in a white bowl.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/enchilada-soup-feat-150x150.jpg)
Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
One of the best things about making beef in a crockpot is that you can use inexpensive cuts and they'll come out tender and delicious. Be sure to trim any excess fat or your dish may be too greasy.
![Closeup of a steak sandwich showing the layers of ingredients.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/slow-cooker-steak-sandwich-2-600-compressor-150x150.jpg)
![Closeup of an Italian beef sandwich with peppers.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/italian-beef-1200-150x150.jpg)
![Tender slow cooker pot roast on a bed or jalapeno cheese grits in a white bowl.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/slow-cooker-pot-roast-jalapeno-cheese-grits-square-compressor-150x150.jpg)
![Closeup of a cabbage roll on a serving spoon.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/EasyCabbageRolls-feat-25-150x150.jpg)
![Overhead view of a serving of soup being removed from the pot.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Stuffed-Bell-Pepper-Soup-feat-150x150.jpg)
![slow cooker beef ragu feat](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/slow-cooker-beef-ragu-feat-1-150x150.jpg)
![Closeup of meatballs on top of a pile of spaghetti.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/homemade-italian-meatballs-feat-150x150.jpg)
![closeup of a bowl of chili with macaroni](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/cowboy-soup-2-150x150.jpg)
![Beef and noodles on a vintage plate.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/beef-and-noodles-closeup-compressor-1-1-150x150.jpg)
![A closeup of pot roast on a plate.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/pot-roast-feature-image-150x150.jpg)
![A ladle filled with a serving of swiss steak.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/crockpot-swiss-steak-feat-150x150.jpg)
![This slow cooked shredded beef is simmered in an updated red eye gravy. Delicious! From RestlessChipotle.com](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/IMG_6237-e1471560038494-150x150.jpg)
![Easy slow cooker beef barbacoa can be used for tacos, enchiladas, tortas, and many other dishes. from RestlessChipotle.com](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/slow-cooker-beef-barbacoa-feat-compressor-150x150.jpg)
![](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Beef-Stew-with-Dumplings-150x150.jpg)
![](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Easy-Crock-Pot-Beef-Stroganoff-150x150.jpg)
![](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Cranberry-Sweet-Sour-Meatballs-150x150.jpg)
![beef and beer stew from a communal table](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/beef-carbonnade-2nd-hero-150x150.jpg)
Pork Recipes
We don't eat a lot of pork around here but when we do it's usually an easy slow cooker recipe!
![Closeup of taco filling and salsa for feature image.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Shredded-Pork-Tacos-with-Mango-Salsa-feat-150x150.jpg)
![Bite of braised pork and red cabbage on a fork.](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Braised-Pork-and-Red-Cabbage-square-150x150.jpg)
![](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Italian-Pork-Roast-Braised-with-Milk-and-Fresh-Herbs-5-150x150.jpg)
More Recipes for the Crockpot
Slow cooker recipes that didn't fit anywhere else.
![](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/slow-cooker-polenta-cake-4_600x900-150x150.jpg)
![cranberry punch from Everyday Eileen](https://www.restlesschipotle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/warm-spiced-cranberry-punch-4-150x150.jpg)
vivian blevins
nice have something cooked while a away.
Deb
Love my slow cooker and an extra one would make it so much easier! What a great tip!!
Lois
My daughter just got me a slow cooker. I'm learning how things cook with it so that's my challenge!
Minta Boggs
A slow cooker would make meal planning much more managable.
Janalyn Ballard
Meal planning and time consumption
Stephanie Liske
My worst frustration is that I am not good with coming up with new ideas.
Tracy Davis
My biggest challenge is coming up with new meals for my family.
Saundra Bowers
My worst frustration at meal time is trying to figure out a change of pace from the same stuff that is being made over and over.
Lauren Bakka
My worst frustration with supper time now is finding healthy keto food that also tastes delicious and doesn't cost alot to make.
kelly nicholson
Comment below and tell me what your worst frustration with meal time is.
its finding time to coll,and staying away from fast food