35 Amazing Crockpot/Slow Cooker Recipes To Try Out 

Slow cookers are handy gadgets that allow us to make incredibly delicious meals with no fuss, minimal prep, and no need to stand over the stove for hours.

Whether you’re looking for a hearty soup, a pulled pork dish for the whole family, or a slow cooker casserole, you’re sure to discover it here.

Slow cookers allow us to make incredibly delicious meals with no fuss, minimal prep, and no need to stand over the stove for hours.

And there appears to be a common misperception that your slow cooker (see also ’23 Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes You’ll Love‘) can only be used to make casseroles and soups, when in fact it is a much more useful piece of kitchenware.

Midweek dinners could also be a breeze with a slow cooker. Everything from spaghetti Bolognese to macaroni cheese or even a slow cooker chicken curry dish can be made in your crock pot (see also ‘The Best 25 Beef Crock Pot Recipe Out There‘).

This also simplifies batch cooking, as you’ll get a piping hot pot of food primed when you finish work.

Slow cookers make quick work of dinner preparation and cleanup, and they are also energy efficient (great for the wallet!).

Try tasty beef stews and spaghetti bolognese, as well as flaming black bean and chipotle chillies and fragrant chickpeas with dates, cinnamon, and almonds.

We like the whole bung-it-in attitude because it allows you to get on with other things while those ingredients cook into a delicious dinner.

All of the slow-cooker recipes below should work in a Crock-Pot or other brand of slow cooker.

Slow-cooked chicken recipes, wholesomely healthy coconut dahl, and more extravagant choices, perfect for a dinner party, are all available.

What about a fragrant lamb curry all in one? Bolognese sauce baked in the oven? Or how about a swanky ossobuco with gremolata?

This article will provide you with a list of over 30 of the most delicious slow cooker recipes available for you to try out at home.

So, if you don’t already have one – pick yourself up a crockpot (see also ‘33 Of The Best Dump Dinners For The Crockpot‘) and enjoy creating these fabulous and easy-to-make dishes!

How Do Slow Cookers Work?

Slow cookers are considered a must-have kitchen appliance by many amateur and professional chefs. They provide an excellent way to prepare a variety of delectable meals and are simple to operate.

But how exactly do these devices work?

Slow cookers generate heat at their base, which is then moved up the sides. As a result, the food inside is heated and slowly cooked.

You can set the temperature and leave your food to cook for hours until it’s soft and well-prepared.

The basic design of all slow cookers is the same. They are made up of three major components: the bottom, vessel, and top cover.

The heater is located in the base, which is connected to a liner and includes a temperature monitoring panel or button, feet, and handles.

The lining is a metal element which was fused inside your slow cooker bottom, making it impossible to access the electrical components in between the base and liner.

The bands transfer heat around the bottom of your slow cooker, which then transfers to the vessel and goes up against the sides.

A narrow gap in between the base and liner allows for enough airflow to keep the unit from overheating.

The vessel is where you put food you would like to cook. It is typically made from heavy stone that can trap heat. For safety, your slow cooker may or may not have clips that keep the lid securely in position.

The cover is necessary even if it is not fastened in place. Without this, your slow cooker will be unable to reach the required temperatures. Some lids have probe openings to let steam escape.

By adjusting the temperature, you can control how quickly or slowly the food cooks. When you set your slow cooker to a low temperature, it only produces that much heat. 

Food is subjected to less heat and cooks more slowly. Higher temperatures cause your slow cooker to heat up faster and the food to cook faster.

It’s as simple as that: low heat slows down the cooking process. This method allows the food to simmer for a longer period of time, allowing it to absorb more flavour.

Cooking meat products in this device also makes it much more soft and smooth and less chewy.

30+ Best Slow Cooker Recipes 

1. Paella With Prawns And Chorizo

Sardinia was inhabited by the Spanish for centuries. As a consequence, the island is well-known for its paella, though with an Italian spin. 

With tasty chorizo, sweet tomatoes, and juicy prawns, this version is a great reason to break out your slow cooker.

2. Tagine With Pepper, Date, And harissa

This simple but flavorful veggie tagine highlights mouthwateringly smooth peppers, and you could use any summery veg in the base sauce, such as pieces of squash or courgette.

3. Braised Ox Cheeks 

This simple, slow-cooked beef dish boasts vibrant soy and mirin flavourings, making it ideal for a weekend change-up.

4. Slow-Cooked Gammon In Cider Sauce

Try this simple centrepiece for a memorable weekend lunch. Place all of the ingredients in a slow cooker for 4 hours and then glaze for the sticky-sweet finish.

5. Slow-Cooked Pork Shoulder

This simple recipe yields brilliant pulled pork every time. Place the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours to allow the spices to infuse.

6. Crockpot Chicken Curry

This creamy, fragrant curry is simple to prepare and is sure to please the entire family.

Place all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and set aside for 4 hours to allow the spices to infuse.

7. Simmering Sausage Casserole

Offer your slow cooker a little love with this hearty winter warmer, which includes sausages, bacon, and borlotti beans.

8. Hearty Beef Stew 

This wholesome stew is high in iron, protein, and antioxidants. Place the beef shin, red wine, and vegetables in a slow cooker and cook on low for four hours.

9. Chili With Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread

This chili combines dark chocolate, lager, and Worcestershire sauce, as well as herbs and spices, to make the ideal winter warmer.

Place all of the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook for four hours, allowing the mince to absorb the flavors.

10. Irish Stew

This flavorful, traditional stew is ideal for dinner during the colder months. Place the lamb and vegetables in your slow cooker and cook on low for four hours.

11. Orange, Szechuan Peppercorns, And Star Anise Flavor Oxtail

Check out this weekend warming recipe for mouthwateringly soft oxtail and Szechuan peppercorns, fragrant orange, and star anise.

12. Slow-Cooker Lamb Kleftiko

Try these slow-cooked lamb shanks and waxy potatoes. Kleftiko is a Greek meal (see also ’30 Best Greek Recipes’) of slow-cooked lamb and potatoes with white wine, lemon, and oregano.

Serve with bread to mop up the juices and a fresh salad tossed in red wine vinegar as well as olive oil.

13. Chicken Stew With Groundnuts

Test out this silky chicken peanut butter stew. A typical West African dish (see also ‘23 Fantastic Ethiopian Dishes That You Have To Try‘) is groundnut stew.

Serve this soft chicken with mild peanut butter and a fiery combination of spices with additional chopped red chili for more zing.

14. Dates, Turmeric, Cinnamon, And Almonds With Chickpeas

Check out this simple chickpea stew with dates, crunchy almonds, and vibrant turmeric. Combining  chickpeas with a flavorful blend of spices enhances the flavor of this frugal dish.

For the best texture, look for oversized, chubby chickpeas in jars.

15. Chipotle Black Bean Chili

Check out our black bean and chipotle paste chili. This veggie one-pot recipe is a quick and low-calorie meal that the whole family can enjoy.

16. Slow-Cooker Dahl

Check out our nutritious slow cooker recipe with split peas and lentils. This tasty slow cooker recipe will create a flavorful meal – it’s a fantastic weekend veggie warmer for the colder months!

17. Braised Korean Short Ribs 

This simple slow cooker dish is well worth the hours of preparation time. In a slow cooker, succulent beef ribs are prepared with gochujang paste to create a savory, spicy, umami-rich dish.

18. Best Slow-Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese 

Do you need a fast and easy slow cooker meal? We’ve refined the favourite spag bol formula to produce consistently delicious results.

This simple recipe is ideal for preparing the evening beforehand, a healthy, low-fat cooking method that doesn’t take much time and energy.

19. Brisket Braised In Red Wine, Thyme, And Onions

Look at this easy beef brisket dish. This tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef is ideal for a Sunday roast when you have visitors over.

20. Pulled Pork With BBQ Sauce

Pulled pork is really a fantastic way to feed a group, and it’s also very simple to make in your slow cooker.

Make delicious pork in your slow cooker for 3 hours, then start preparing the BBQ sauce and slaw for a delectable slow-cooked dinner for eight.

21. Blackberry Sausages With Bay Leaves And Juniper Berries

Look no further than these slow-cooked sausages with luscious blackberries, bay leaves, and zesty juniper berries.

Serve with creamy mashed potatoes and mustard for a quick weeknight dinner (see also ‘28 Of The Best Easy Friday Night Dinner Recipes‘).

22. All-In-One Aromatic Lamb Curry

This wholesome slow-cooked recipe requires no preparation. Simply combine all of the flavorings in your slow cooker and it will be ready to be served in two hours – the ideal meal for a family night. 

23. Gremolata Over Ossobuco

Hardly anything outclasses an iconic ossobuco with gremolata for a weeknight meal! If you’re pressed for time in the morning, prepare everything for this delicious beef dish the night before.

You can easily freeze portions and serve with risotto, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

24. Beef & Guinness Stew

This tasty beef stew goes well with creamy mashed potatoes on Sundays. Follow our easy recipe before putting the meat in the crockpot for 6 hours to tenderize it.

This is the ideal weekend meal because you can go about your business knowing that a scrumptious slow-cooked stew is waiting for you.

25. Slow Cooked Sweet And Sour Chicken 

Create this popular dish for your next Friday evening fakeaway, complete with slow cooker instructions. This recipe helps you to manage the sugar and fat content, and it tastes better than any takeout version.

26. Stuffed Peppers (Moroccan Style)

This vegetarian dinner can be roasted in the oven or in your slow cooker. Red peppers’ (see also our favorite Anaheim pepper recipes) pleasant flavour and smooth texture pair well with chickpeas as well as rose harissa.

27. Shepherd’s Pie In The Crockpot

In this healthier take on a supper staple, this recipe bulks up the ground beef with lentils to decrease the amount of fat and tops it with sweet potatoes for a reduced GI.

28. Pumpkin Stew 

This is an excellent way to utilize the remaining flesh from the Halloween pumpkin (see also our favorite Halloween appetizers). If you can’t find pumpkin, substitute butternut squash.

29. Crockpot Ramen Noodles 

This ramen is incredibly simple to create and packed with flavour. The ramen (see also ‘6 Best Ramen Subscription Boxes‘) may appear split because of the miso, but it will all blend together nicely once combined.

30. Honey Garlic Chicken 

The above Asian-inspired dish is nicer than any takeout you’ve ever had. If you like things spicier, add a little more Sriracha to the mix.

31. Aubergine Parmigiana 

There is some prep work involved in getting this dish into the crockpot, but once it’s in, everything tends to come together in tasty melting cheesiness.

Serve with a portion of chicken or grilled firm tofu for added protein.

32. Slow Cooker Beef & Mustard Stroganoff

This flavorful and rich stroganoff may be started at the start of the day and left alone for the rest of the day.

The meat is gradually stewed with mushrooms, mustard, brandy, and crème fraîche – it also goes well with pasta or mashed potatoes.

33. Vegetarian Spanish Rice 

This week, try this flavourful Spanish rice. Paella is cooked with chickpeas, olives, peas, and peppers in chopped tomatoes, stock, and wine.

If you favor loose rice, add more stock towards the finishing of the cooking time.

34. Thai Red Curry

This tasty curry couldn’t be easier! Simply combine everything in your crockpot, cook on a high temperature for 4-5 hours, and after cooking, add in the tasty herbs.

This is a quick and easy midweek meal.

35. Slow-Cooked Butter Chicken

Chicken thigh meat is prepared in a flavorful tomato base that is heavily spiced, ensuring that you are greeted with a flavorful curry that melts in your mouth!

When you fry your spice mixture before putting it in the crockpot, you get more flavor from the dish.

Benefits Of Slow Cooking Meals

Slow cookers provide numerous advantages, including lower electricity consumption than conventional ovens, the simplicity of not needing to check the food’s progress on a regular basis, and a cost-effective substitute to planning food in bulk. 

Slow cookers facilitate the preparation of delicious meals. Read on for some of the benefits of swapping to your slow cooker for making wholesome and delicious meals for the whole family.

1. Flavors Are Enhanced By Gradual Cooking

Slow cooker food spends a long time simmering and absorbing the flavors of the different spices added to the recipe. As a result, the food tastes more flavorful and packs a stronger punch.

That’s why slow-cooked stews and soups are so delicious.

2. Meat Tenderizes

Some lower priced meat cuts do not cook well if they are not cooked slowly and thoroughly. Tough cuts of meat, like chuck steaks, braising beef, and brisket (see also ‘16 Delicious Ways To Use Up Leftover Brisket‘), will become more soft and delicious after a few hours in a slow cooker.

Many venison meals (see also ‘28 Venison Recipes You Need To Try‘) will also taste better if they are adapted for and cooked in a crockpot.

3. Slow Cookers Need Less Energy

Most contemporary slow cookers utilize as few as 150 Watts per hour when set to ‘Low.’

A six-hour food preparation session will consume 900 Watts, which really is significantly less than the power required by an electric stove or oven for the same period of time.

If you look at the size of your slow cooker, the temperatures, the quantity of food you cook, and the amount of time you cook, you could cut your cooking electricity costs in half.

4. Your Food Will Not Be Burned

When using a slow cooker, you rarely use hot temperatures because the goal is to prepare food slowly and gently.

As an outcome, there will be less chance of scorching or burning food that keeps sticking to the pan.

5. Convenience Of Slow Cookers

The simplicity with using a crockpot is one of the reasons why they are so popular. Put the food inside your slow cooker, set it to the lowest heat, and leave it alone for a few hours.

Slow cookers will keep doing their work even if you leave the house or are otherwise engaged in other activities. The meal will be tasty, soft, but not overcooked when you return.

This also gives your stove more cooking space if you ever need to start preparing a large amount of food at the same time.

6. Slow Cookers Save Food Preparation Time

You don’t need to check on your slow cooker very often once you’ve put all of the ingredients in it and turned it on. In fact, many meals specify that the lid not be removed at all during cooking.

In fact, many meals specify that the lid not be removed at all during cooking.

Due to this, you can spend your time doing other tasks and accomplishing more while having a tasty dinner ready for later.

7. Your Food Will Be More Nutritious

Food cooked at hot temperatures is less nutritious than it ought to be since the heat degrades the nutrients.

Food is nutritious (and tastier) when prepared at lower temperatures, such as with a slow cooker.

Furthermore, no hazardous chemicals are released, as is sometimes the case when cooking at extremely high temperatures.

There are also numerous tasty and healthy meals to choose from. Slow cookers can help us keep our meals delicious even if you’re on a restricted diet or want to live a healthier lifestyle for improved health.

Another benefit of slow cookers for those who want to eat healthy is that they preserve nutrients.

Food preparation at high temperatures loses nutrients and reduces the health benefits of your meal.

Slow cooking your meat and vegetables, on the other hand, retains more nutrients, allowing you to consume more of them.

If you would like to eat better but don’t have a huge amount of time to devote to meal planning and preparation, a slow cooker could be a perfect remedy for you.

8. Slow Cookers Are Inexpensive

Slow cookers not only save you money on electricity, but they also end up saving you cash in another way.

Slow cooker meals’ ingredients, such as soups and stews, are usually much less costly, so you save cash and time as well.

Furthermore, you can prepare large amounts of food at once while spreading them out over several days, saving you much more money and effort.

9. Slow Cookers Mean That Preparing Food Is More Affordable

A slow cooker can save you money in addition to saving you time when cooking meals.

Many of your slow cooker recipes use inexpensive ingredients such as canned beans, raw vegetables, and inexpensive cuts of meat.

10. Less AGE Exposure 

Toxins known as AGEs are absorbed into the body when we consume fried, or grilled meats, cheeses, and other animal-derived foods.

High-temperature cooking may be delicious because of AGEs, but it has been associated with diabetes, kidney disease, inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and insulin sensitivity.

When you cook using a slow cooker, these high temperatures are avoided, and you are exposed to fewer AGEs.

That’s why slow cookers may be a better option for people who want to eat healthy foods without hating their meals.

Slow cookers are useful for anyone who doesn’t have much time to cook but still wants tasty, hearty meals.

Slow cookers are excellent choices for any kitchen since they enable you to multitask safely while cooking the food equally and thoroughly. 

Slow cookers could also save you cash because they are more cost-effective, and they are adaptable to any eating plan and household size.

Final Thoughts

Slow cookers are useful for a variety of cooking activities and can assist cooks of all skill levels in preparing delicious meals.

They include a simple style of cooking that progressively heats food at lower temperatures, resulting in more sturdy and intense flavors in the final product.

Slow cookers are a welcome addition to any household that values delicious, hearty, and healthy meals.

Hopefully, this article has provided you with some great inspiration so you can get started with your slow cooker and enjoy better health and tastier meals.