Don’t Waste Your Day Cooking When These 40 Slow Cooker Recipes Exist

Slow cooker recipes make it easy to get a great meal on the table without spending hours in the kitchen. They cook while you do other things, and the results are full of flavor with minimal effort. You don’t have to be a chef to make food that tastes like you spent all day on it. These recipes are perfect for busy weekdays or any time you want a hearty, hands-off meal.

A white bowl with slow cooker Italian pork roast, potatoes and carrots. — Italian Pork Roast. Photo Credit: Two Cloves Kitchen

Potato Soup

This potato soup is hearty and filling, perfect for a weeknight dinner. A slow cooker recipe allows it to cook gently while you focus on other tasks.
Get the Recipe: Potato Soup

Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is creamy and requires minimal effort to prepare. A slow cooker recipe keeps it consistent and makes it easy to serve to a group.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese

Green Bean Casserole

Green bean casserole requires very little preparation and pairs well with holiday dishes. It works as a slow cooker recipe because it cooks evenly while you manage other parts of the meal.
Get the Recipe: Green Bean Casserole

Spaghetti Squash

Spaghetti squash cooks in the slow cooker with minimal hands-on work. This method makes it a simple set-it-and-forget-it side dish.
Get the Recipe: Spaghetti Squash

Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is creamy and packed with vegetables, making it a complete meal alongside bread. Using a slow cooker recipe ensures it cooks thoroughly with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Split Pea Soup

Brisket

Brisket cooks slowly until tender and full of flavor. Using a slow cooker recipe transforms tougher cuts into soft, easy-to-serve meat.
Get the Recipe: Brisket

Cheesy Ranch Chicken

A close-up of slow-cooker-crack-chicken being stirred with a wooden spoon. — Cheesy Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Cheesy ranch chicken cooks in a creamy sauce with melted cheese on top. A slow cooker recipe allows the chicken to become tender while flavors combine fully.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Ranch Chicken

Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken cooks with pineapple in a sweet sauce over several hours. A slow cooker recipe lets you prep in the morning and serve dinner later with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken

Beef Stroganoff

Beef stroganoff cooks slowly with tender beef and a rich sauce. Using a slow cooker recipe allows the meat to soften and the flavors to deepen fully.
Get the Recipe: Beef Stroganoff

Italian Pork Roast

Italian pork roast cooks with potatoes and carrots until everything is tender. Using a slow cooker recipe makes it a one-pot meal with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Italian Pork Roast

Smothered Pork Chops

Pork chop topped with onion gravy on a white plate. — Smothered Pork Chops. Photo credit: One Hot Oven.

Pork chops cook in gravy with onions and mushrooms until tender. A slow cooker recipe simplifies preparation while creating a complete meal.
Get the Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops

Grandma's Hearty Offal Stew

Organ Meat Stew with parsley garnish. — Grandma's Hearty Offal Stew. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Grandma's offal stew uses heart, kidney, and other flavorful cuts of meat. A slow cooker recipe allows these tougher cuts to cook gently and develop rich taste.
Get the Recipe: Grandma's Hearty Offal Stew

Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken thighs in tomato sauce on a large white plate. — Chicken Cacciatore. Photo credit: fANNEtastic food.

Chicken thighs cook with tomatoes and vegetables until tender. A slow cooker recipe ensures the meat is juicy and ready while keeping preparation simple.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Cacciatore

Dairy Free Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

Butter chicken simmers with spices into a creamy dish. A slow cooker recipe develops the flavors fully while you focus on other tasks.
Get the Recipe: Dairy Free Butter Chicken with Cauliflower Rice

Vegetable Stew

Vegetable stew becomes rich and hearty as it cooks in the slow cooker. It is a practical slow cooker recipe for preparing a meatless dinner with minimal attention.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Stew

Jalapeño Popper Creamed Corn

Jalapeño popper creamed corn develops gentle heat while cooking slowly. This slow cooker recipe keeps it evenly cooked without the need for constant checking.
Get the Recipe: Jalapeño Popper Creamed Corn

Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana combines sausage, potatoes, and kale in a creamy broth. A slow cooker recipe keeps the soup consistent and hearty during cooking.
Get the Recipe: Zuppa Toscana

Marry Me Chicken

Marry Me Chicken cooks with garlic, Parmesan, and tomatoes in a creamy sauce. Using a slow cooker recipe allows the chicken to soak in flavors while cooking tender.
Get the Recipe: Marry Me Chicken

Mexican Shredded Beef

Mexican shredded beef becomes tender and flavorful for tacos or bowls. A slow cooker recipe makes it easy to shred the beef after slow cooking.
Get the Recipe: Mexican Shredded Beef

Beef Shank

Beef shank cooks fall-off-the-bone tender with aromatic herbs. A slow cooker recipe helps the meat soften completely for a hearty meal.
Get the Recipe: Beef Shank

Corned Beef Hash Au Gratin

Corned beef hash au gratin layers potatoes, beef, and cheese together. A slow cooker recipe ensures the flavors come together smoothly with little prep work.
Get the Recipe: Corned Beef Hash Au Gratin

Beef and Broccoli

Beef and broccoli cooks in a garlic-ginger sauce that thickens over time. Using a slow cooker recipe keeps the beef tender while allowing the sauce to develop fully.
Get the Recipe: Beef and Broccoli

Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup is filling and requires minimal hands-on time. It functions well as a slow cooker recipe because it creates a reliable, easy meal during busy weeks.
Get the Recipe: Black Bean Soup

Spiral Ham

Spiral ham cooks with peach preserves, honey, and red pepper flakes for balanced flavor. Using a slow cooker recipe makes holiday or weeknight dinners easier.
Get the Recipe: Spiral Ham

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Chicken enchilada casserole layers ingredients in the slow cooker for rich flavor. It functions well as a slow cooker recipe because it requires very little active time.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Enchilada Casserole

French Onion Soup

French onion soup develops deep flavor as the onions cook slowly and evenly. A slow cooker recipe is effective because the onions caramelize without constant stirring.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Soup

Pepper Steak

Pepper steak combines beef and bell peppers in a savory sauce. A slow cooker recipe allows the meat and vegetables to cook together at the same pace.
Get the Recipe: Pepper Steak

Lentil Soup

Lentil soup is hearty and brightened with lemon, perfect for weeknight dinners or packed lunches. A slow cooker recipe allows it to cook hands-off while flavors develop fully.
Get the Recipe: Lentil Soup

Pork Chops

Pork chops cook with mushroom soup for a creamy sauce. A slow cooker recipe keeps the meat tender while reducing hands-on time.
Get the Recipe: Pork Chops

Cabbage

Cabbage becomes tender and flavorful with garlic as it cooks. A slow cooker recipe simplifies preparation while maintaining consistent texture.
Get the Recipe: Cabbage

Key West Crab and Lobster Bisque

Crab and lobster bisque simmers for hours, developing full flavor. A slow cooker recipe is convenient because the machine handles the cooking with little supervision.
Get the Recipe: Key West Crab and Lobster Bisque

Tofu Tikka Masala

An overhead image of slow cooker tikka masala in a bowl with rice, with a slow cooker on the background. — Tofu Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Tikka masala is spiced and creamy, offering a strong plant-based dinner option. A slow cooker recipe allows the flavors to deepen over time while you do other things.
Get the Recipe: Tofu Tikka Masala

Pot Roast

Pot roast becomes fork-tender with soft meat and vegetables. Using a slow cooker recipe requires minimal oversight and keeps the meal easy to manage.
Get the Recipe: Pot Roast

Collard Greens

Collard greens turn tender with the flavors of maple syrup and paprika. A slow cooker recipe ensures the greens soften fully under steady heat.
Get the Recipe: Collard Greens

Vegetarian Chili

This vegetarian chili has a rich flavor with a touch of heat, making it a good choice for lunch or dinner. It works well as a slow cooker recipe because the ingredients meld together over time without requiring much attention.
Get the Recipe: Vegetarian Chili

German Pork Loin

Slow-cooked beef becomes tender with minimal supervision. Using a slow cooker recipe provides a set-it-and-forget-it method for a reliable dinner.
Get the Recipe: German Pork Loin

Ratatouille

Ratatouille combines fresh vegetables and herbs into a simple vegetable stew. Using a slow cooker recipe allows it to cook evenly without needing constant attention.
Get the Recipe: Ratatouille

Tortilla Soup

This tortilla soup is flavorful and easy to top with your favorite ingredients. It is a slow cooker recipe that comes together quickly and fits well into busy days.
Get the Recipe: Tortilla Soup

Barbacoa

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa cooks slowly until tender and full of flavor. A slow cooker recipe helps the beef break down properly, creating a perfect filling for tacos or bowls.
Get the Recipe: Barbacoa

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable soup is packed with vegetables and brightened with lemon. Using a slow cooker recipe creates a hands-off, comforting dinner.
Get the Recipe: Vegetable Soup