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.
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.
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.
Pork Recipes
We don't eat a lot of pork around here but when we do it's usually an easy slow cooker recipe!
More Recipes for the Crockpot
Slow cooker recipes that didn't fit anywhere else.
beth shepherd
My biggest is coming up with new meals for the family. Thank you!
heather s
Making sure things aren't bland. It is like they are either bland or over-seasoned.
Emma R Galindo
Saves time an the food comes out delicious!
Mary Beth Elderton
Right now, my biggest frustration is making something flavorful but also healthy...and easy.
Jammie
My worst frustration is finding something everyone can eat.
Scott D
My frustration is somethings trying to get a recipe to cook for one only or two.
William Krawic
how much seasoning I need
Christine Yvonne Groce
My husband is vegetarian and I am not. So planning a meal that will please both of us is quite a challenge.
Diane Allstadt
Coming up with new meal ideas with ingredients I already have on hand
Kari B
The hardest part about meal time is planning what to eat and getting everything from the grocery store.
kathy Persons
deciding what to have and pre planning
christopher h
my biggest frustration is coming up with interesting dishes that can be prepared quickly
Rosalie Lavertue
My granddaughter said grandma can't cook Hopefully winning a crock pot will help me be a better cook
Lauren Peterson
I hate trying to make everything finish cooking at the same time.
Rose
My biggest mealtime frustration is having the time and energy to get it all done after a long day! By the time I get all the ingredients prepped and ready, I'm exhausted and tempted to order a pizza.
Anne Higgins
My biggest frustration has been coming home from work, tired and having to prepare a meal (trying to rush and sometimes drying out my meat too much) rather than owning a great slow cooker (this will be my first) that will have dinner ready when I arrive home! So excited at the chance to own my own slow cooker - I will get years of great use from it.
Jacquelyn Cannon
Making sure that my ingredients are flavorful in the dish
Linda G
My biggest thing is cooking a variety, tired of the same thing.
Ellie Wright
My biggest frustration is cooking something that everyone likes.
augrim
I don't like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. The easy-slow-cooker could be cooking while I can be relaxing.