50 Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Want to Try Right Now
Updated: Sep. 28, 2021Need a hearty helping of comfort food? This collection of our best-ever slow cooker recipes has got you covered.
Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
When the weather gets chilly, there’s nothing better than whipping up our favourite slow cooker recipes for an easy breakfast, lunch or dinner! “A couple of nights a week our family ends up eating in shifts because everyone is going every which way, all at the same time. Having a hearty soup simmering in the slow cooker is an easy way to give them all a warm meal.” —Susan Stetzel, Gainesville, New York
Get the recipe for Spaghetti and Meatball Soup.
Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables
“Even a beginner cook could make this slow cooked chicken and have it turn out perfectly. This recipe could not be easier. A few minutes of prep and you’ll come home to a delicious dinner.” —Anita Bell, Hermitage, Tennessee
Get the recipe for Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables.
Roast Beef and Gravy
“This is by far the simplest way to make roast beef and gravy. On busy days, I can put this main dish in the slow cooker and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad.” —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa
Get the recipe for Roast Beef and Gravy.
Slow-Cooker Cheesy White Lasagna
“Here’s my best version of my favourite food—lasagna! The recipe is a winner, so it’s worth the extra prep. You’ll have plenty of time to plan side dishes while the main dish is cooking.” —Suzanne Smith, Bluffton, Indiana
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Cheesy White Lasagna.
Asian Shredded Pork Sandwiches
“On cool-weather weeknights, the slow cooker is our friend. The plums might surprise in these juicy pork sandwiches, but they add a little sweetness and make the meat extra tender.” —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
Get the recipe for Asian Shredded Pork Sandwiches.
All-Day Red Beans and Rice
“My family loves New Orleans-style cooking, so I make this authentic dish often. I appreciate how uncomplicated it is. And its smoky ham flavour is scrumptious.” —Celinda Dahlgren, Napa, California
Get the recipe for All-Day Red Beans and Rice.
Apple-Dijon Pork Roast
“This recipe takes less than five minutes to assemble and is delicious. I like to serve the roast with rice, then use the tangy sauce as a gravy for both.” —Cindy Steffen, Cedarburg, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Apple-Dijon Pork Roast.
Asian Slow-Cooked Short Ribs
“After a long day of sledding, the aroma of these beautiful short ribs says welcome home. Warm and comforting, they make a worthy low-maintenance dinner.” —Amy Chase, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
Get the recipe for Asian Slow-Cooked Short Ribs.
Beef Roast Dinner
“Because this healthy dish is slow-cooked, you can use less expensive roasts with results as mouthwatering as the more costly cuts. Change up the veggies for variety, nutrition or to suit your tastes!” —Sandra Dudley, Bemidji, Minnesota
Get the recipe for Beef Roast Dinner.
Brats with Sauerkraut
“I’ve made many variations of this excellent main dish. The bratwurst can be plain, smoked or cheese-flavoured, served whole or cut in slices, with a bun or without. It would be popular at a party or potluck.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Get the recipe for Brats with Sauerkraut.
Brisket ‘N’ Bean Burritos
“This easy recipe is stuffed with not one, but two kinds of meat: smoky bacon and tender beef brisket.” —Ruth Weatherford, Huntington Beach, California
Get the recipe for Brisket ‘N’ Bean Burritos.
Chicken Cassoulet Soup
“After my sister spent a year in France as an au pair, I created this lighter, easier version of traditional French cassoulet for her. It uses chicken instead of the usual duck.” —Bridget M. Klusman, Otsego, Michigan
Get the recipe for Chicken Cassoulet Soup.
Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms
“Slow cooked and savoury, this dish is perfect for any night of the week, and is sure to become a staple in your home.” –Shelli McWilliam of Salem, Oregon
Get the recipe for Chicken Merlot with Mushrooms.
Chicken Mole
“If you’re not familiar with chicken mole (pronounced mo-LAY), don’t be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this chicken mole recipe because it’s a great one to experiment with.” —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
Get the recipe for Chicken Mole.
Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce
“Save room in the oven by making this savoury side in your slow cooker. It is a standby in my house. My daughter likes to add leftover ham to create a hearty main course.” —Joyce Johnson, Uniontown, Ohio
Get the recipe for Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce.
Cowboy Calico Beans
“This is a tradition at the table when my girlfriends and I go up north for a girls’ weekend. The husbands and kids are left at home, but the slow cooker comes with us!” —Julie Butsch, Hartland, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Cowboy Calico Beans.
Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork
“Cranberry sauce adds a yummy twist to pulled pork, and my family can’t get enough of it! The pork cooks to tender perfection in the slow cooker, which also makes this dish conveniently portable.” —Carrie Wiegand, Mount Pleasant, Iowa
Get the recipe for Cranberry BBQ Pulled Pork.
French Onion Soup with Meatballs
I got the idea for how to make this soup after I went to a brewhouse restaurant that put ale in their gravy. I make this every time the weather starts to cool down in the fall—it’s comfort food for the soul. —Crystal Holsinger, Surprise, Arizona
Get the recipe for French Onion Soup with Meatballs.
Fruity Pork Roast
“I like using the slow cooker for our meals because it gives me time for other preparations, frees the oven, and it usually doesn’t matter if you serve it later than planned. The fruit in this recipe, which I adapted, gives the pork a special flavour.” —Mary Jeppesen-Davis, St. Cloud, Minnesota
Get the recipe for Fruity Pork Roast.
General Tso’s Stew
I love Asian food and wanted a chili-like soup with the distinctive flavours of General Tso’s chicken. The slow cooker makes this super easy, and you can use any meat you like. It’s a great with turkey, ground meats or leftover pork. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas
Get the recipe for General Tso’s Stew.
Ground Beef Spinach Alfredo Lasagna
“With two types of sauces, ground beef, spinach and three kinds of cheese, this dish is super hearty and goes beyond the expected. When serving, be sure to scoop all the way down to the bottom of the slow cooker so everyone gets a good taste of all the yummy layers.” —Deborah Bruno, Mira Loma, California
Get the recipe for Ground Beef Spinach Alfredo Lasagna.
Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken
“I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter, who has two young sons to keep up with, shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on cooking chicken in a slow cooker many days a week.” —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Get the recipe for Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken.
Honey Pulled Pork Subs
“Honey and ground ginger are the flavour boosters behind my no-stress sandwiches. A bottle of barbecue sauce ties it all together in a pinch.” —Denise Davis, Porter, Maine
Get the recipe for Honey Pulled Pork Subs.
Italian Chicken Chardonnay
“One day I needed to have dinner ready when we walked in the door after work and school. So I altered a skillet dish that my family likes into this delicious slow-cooker meal, and it was ready and waiting when we got home. It’s perfect for an everyday meal but nice enough for company, too.” —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Get the recipe for Italian Chicken Chardonnay.
Italian Shredded Pork Stew
“Need a warm, soothing meal for a blustery night? Throw together this slow-cooked stew loaded with sweet potatoes and kale. And the shredded pork is oh-so-tender!” —Robin Jungers, Campbellsport, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Italian Shredded Pork Stew.
Jazzed-Up Green Bean Casserole
“This is not your mama’s green bean casserole, but she’ll still be raving about it! After trying many variations, I decided to give this old standby extra kick. The crunchy texture, cheesy goodness and bacon make it a hit.” —Scott Rugh, Portland, Oregon
Get the recipe for Jazzed-Up Green Bean Casserole.
Lamb and White Bean Chili
“I created a fresh take on chili using lamb and Moroccan seasoning with a feta and almond garnish. It was so exciting and tasty to my husband and son, I made a second batch almost right away. If you like a spicier chili, add harissa paste or use medium salsa instead of mild.” —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Get the recipe for Lamb and White Bean Chili.
Lemon Red Potatoes
“Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I’m having company. Since they cook in the slow cooker, there’s plenty of room on the stove for other dishes.” —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas
Get the recipe for Lemon Red Potatoes.
Louisiana Red Beans and Rice
“Smoked turkey sausage and red pepper flakes add zip to this saucy, slow-cooked version of the New Orleans classic. For extra heat, add red pepper sauce at the table.” —Julia Bushree, Georgetown, Texas
Get the recipe for Louisiana Red Beans and Rice.
Machaca Beef Dip Sandwiches
“The winning combination of beef, cumin, chili powder and the spicy heat of chipotle peppers makes these sandwiches game-day food at its finest!” —Karol Chandler-Ezell, Nacogdoches, Texas
Get the recipe for Machaca Beef Dip Sandwiches.
Mango & Coconut Chicken Soup
“I love preparing dinner in a slow cooker because it’s ‘carefree cooking.’ This chicken dish uses ingredients that I love, such as coconut milk, edamame and fresh ginger. The Asian-style entree is perfect for a potluck party.” —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Get the recipe for Mango & Coconut Chicken Soup.
Meat Loaf Burgers
“These hearty meat loaf sandwiches are great for potluck dinners. Served on hamburger buns, the beefy patties get extra flavour when topped with the seasoned tomato sauce.” —Peggy Burdick, Burlington, Michigan
Get the recipe for Meat Loaf Burgers.
Satay-Style Pork Stew
“Thai cuisine features flavours that are hot and sour, salty and sweet. This one-dish pork satay balances all of them using ginger and red pepper flakes, rice vinegar, garlic, lime juice and creamy peanut butter.” —Nicole Werner, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Get the recipe for Satay-Style Pork Stew.
Shredded Green Chile Beef
“This Tex-Mex pulled beef roast is tender, slightly spicy, juicy, and so delicious served over mashed potatoes or rice. The beef also makes the best soft tacos you’ve ever had. Save any leftover pulled beef in the liquid to prevent it from drying out.” —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Get the recipe for Shredded Green Chile Beef.
Shredded Pork Burritos
“Pork roast is slow-cooked with savoury and sweet ingredients, including a can of cola, to create tender, shredded pork burritos. A tomatillo sauce, made easy with a dressing mix, tops the pork for an out-of-this-world entree.” —Katherine Nelson, Centerville, Utah
Get the recipe for Shredded Pork Burritos.
Shrimp Marinara
“Flavourful marinara sauce simmers for just a few hours. Right before mealtime, toss in the shrimp to cook quickly. Serve over hot spaghetti for a delicious weeknight dish that feels dressed up.” —Sue Mackey, Jackson, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Shrimp Marinara.
Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff
“No more standing and stirring at the stove. This creamy Stroganoff preps in a skillet, then cooks all day while you’re away.” —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Cranberry Gravy
“I created this dish when I was craving Thanksgiving dinner, and it was still over a month away. You get all the bells and whistles of Thanksgiving dinner in no time, Add a vegetable, some mashed potatoes and you’re ready to eat.” —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast with Cranberry Gravy.
Slow-Cooked Bean Medley
“I often change the variety of beans in this classic recipe, using whatever I have on hand to total the five cans called for. The sauce makes any combination delicious! It’s a gluten-free side dish that’s popular with just about everyone.” —Peggy Gwillim, Strasbourg, Saskatchewan
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Bean Medley.
Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket
“When my husband and I were both working full-time, we loved this recipe’s 10-hour cook time. The beef brisket tastes so good after simmering all day in the crockpot, and the chili sauce adds a unique touch to the gravy.” —Anna Stodolak Volant, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket.
Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup
“Convenient frozen veggies and hash browns make this meaty soup a snap to mix up. Simply brown the ground beef, then stir everything together to simmer all day. It’s wonderful served with bread and a salad.” —Carol Calhoun, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Beef Vegetable Soup.
Slow-Cooked Corned Beef
“It’s not luck; it’s just an amazing Irish recipe. With this in the slow cooker by sunrise, you can be sure to fill seats at the dinner table by sundown.” —Heather Parraz, Rochester, Washington
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Corned Beef.
Slow-Cooked French Onion Soup
“My husband and I love French onion soup, so I wondered if I could turn it into a less labour-intensive dish by altering my recipe to work in a slow cooker. The rich, cheesy result was an instant winner at home.” —Ronda Eagle, Goose Creek, South Carolina
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked French Onion Soup.
Slow-Cooked Pepper Steak
“After a long day working in our greenhouse raising bedding plants, I enjoy coming in to this hearty beef dish for supper. It’s one of my favourite meals.” —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Pepper Steak.
Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions
“I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as the ease of preparation with my slow cooker. And everyone always likes roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese.” —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions.
Slow-Cooker Chickpea Tagine
“While travelling through Morocco, my wife and I fell in love with the complex flavors of the many tagines we tried. Resist the urge to stir this dish too much, as it will break down the veggies. Add shredded cooked chicken in the last 10 minutes, or serve with grilled fish.” —Raymond Wyatt, West St. Paul, Minnesota
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Chickpea Tagine.
Slow-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower Soup
“I love indulgent cream soups but not the fat that goes along with them, so I came up with a healthier version. The velvety texture of this cauliflower soup makes it feel so rich, and the spicy kick warms you up in a flash.” —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Creamy Cauliflower Soup.
Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal
“This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings.” —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal.
Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli
“This chunky soup is good to the last spoonful. It’s my go-to recipe because it’s so hearty and we all always want more.” —Penny Novy, Buffalo Grove, Illinois
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Pasta e Fagioli.
Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten
“My family is of German Lutheran descent, and although we enjoy this traditional beef roast, I never liked the amount of time and fuss it takes to make it. This recipe is so good and oh-so-easy. It’s great served with dumplings, spaetzle, veggies or a salad.” —Norma English, Baden, Pennsylvania
Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Sauerbraten.
Next, check out our collection of 35 easy bread recipes anyone can bake.
