Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

Looking to amp up your beef stew but unsure where to start? A slow cooker can help create layers of flavor in any weeknight dinner, from hearty stews to satisfying chicken dishes. It can take your comfort food to the next level, like a fall-off-the-bone pulled pork sandwich, cozy chicken noodle soup, or sweet and sour brisket. All it takes are a few simple ingredients and minimal hassle (if you're able to plan ahead). Even desserts can benefit from a Crockpot; cheesecake cooked in a slow cooker gets an incredible silky texture because the machine steams the cake as it bakes. F&W has plenty of easy slow cooker recipes, including glazed pork ribs with white beans and meatballs that are equally great served in a bowl with spaghetti or on a hoagie roll. Read on for our very best slow cooker recipes, from Dutch oven to electric Crockpot.

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Slow Cooker Burnt Honey Barbecue Chicken

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (1)

When it’s so blazing hot outside that you can’t bear the thought of firing up the grill, this no-fuss slow cooker barbecue chicken recipe will come to the rescue. A quick sear in a cast-iron skillet awakens the flavors of the herbs and spices and gives the chicken a nice crust that makes the finished barbecue taste more authentic.

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02of 25

Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (2)

Prepared in a 6-quart slow cooker, this three-cheese version of the American comfort food gets a nice kick from a generous pinch of cayenne, while buttery breadcrumbs give it a great crunch.

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03of 25

Filipino Chicken Adobo with Bacon and Bay Leaves

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (3)

This bright and deeply savory preparation is considered the unofficial national dish of the Philippines. This Dutch oven recipe is rich with umami from rendering bacon fat and adding the cooked bacon pieces into the broth.

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04of 25

Slow Cooker Barbecued Pulled Pork

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (4)

Serve the pulled pork with coleslaw and pickles, or mound it on hamburger buns and top with coleslaw and thinly sliced onion and dill pickles.

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05of 25

Dutch Oven Classic Beef Stew

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (5)

Hearty chunks of beef turn tender after a low and slow trip in your favorite Dutch oven; potatoes join the party during the tail end of cooking to retain their texture.

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06of 25

Buttered Rum

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (6)

This luxurious, velvety drink is just the thing to sip on a cool night — and using a slow cooker makes it especially easy to pull together. Heat the cream and butter first, slowly so that the mixture doesn't break. Then whisk in dark brown sugar, followed by spiced rum, salt, and a Moroccan spice mix. The end result is a richly flavored batch of drinks perfect for entertaining.

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07of 25

Harissa White Bean Stew with Turmeric Yogurt

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (7)

Cookbook author Sarah DiGregorio adds depth and heat to her hearty white bean stew by adding harissa twice: first for the long simmer in the slow cooker, then at the end, to finish the dish with some bright heat. This stew will keep in the fridge for up to four days, so it's a perfect make-ahead meal.

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08of 25

Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (8)

This flavor-packed Cuban stew, featuring shredded flank steak, tomatoes, and olives, can be made up to two days in advance.

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09of 25

Slow Cooker Sour Cream Cheesecake

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (9)

Cheesecake cooked in a slow cooker has an unbelievably silky texture because the machine steams the cake as it bakes. The toughest part about making it is resisting the urge to peek inside the slow cooker — the lid must stay closed to retain heat.

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10of 25

Slow Cooker Glazed Pork Ribs with White Beans

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (10)

Baby back ribs, Great Northern beans, white wine, tomatoes, chicken broth, and more come together for a hearty, satisfying meal.

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11of 25

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Brisket

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (11)

A few hours in the slow cooker and this beef dish will be melt-in-your-mouth delicious by the time you're ready to eat it.

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12of 25

Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Napa Cabbage and Pickles

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (12)

Napa cabbage and thinly sliced sour pickles add texture and tang to this substantial stew. Searing the pieces of beef chuck before putting them in the slow cooker gives the dish a rich flavor.

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Slow Cooker Classic Beef Stew

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (13)

Be sure to use boneless chuck roast for this recipe, which has excellent marbling and flavor.

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14of 25

Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (14)

These meatballs can be served simply in a bowl, but they are equally delicious with spaghetti or on a hoagie roll.

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15of 25

Slow Cooker Beef Goulash

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (15)

This warming Eastern European short rib stew is best served in deep bowls over buttery noodles.

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16of 25

Slow Cooker Coconut Pork Curry

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For this dish, pork shoulder gets cooked with bold ingredients like fresh ginger, garlic, curry powder, cumin, and turmeric. The flavors intensify and penetrate the meat after four hours in the slow cooker.

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17of 25

Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce on Spaghetti

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This indulgent Sunday sauce recipe includes pork shoulder, pancetta, sweet Italian sausages, and plenty of garlic.

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18of 25

Slow Cooker Pasta Bake

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (18)

Valerie Bertinelli’s slow cooker baked ziti is super simple — it only takes 15 minutes of active time and is ready in an hour and 45 minutes. If you’re really short on time, you can buy the vegetables pre-cut from the store.

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19of 25

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks with Lemon, Dill, and Feta

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (19)

Lamb shanks are slow cooked to perfection with herbs and spices, giving this dish a complex flavor through a simple method.

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20of 25

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (20)

After just 25 minutes of prep and initial cooking, it's set-it-and-forget-it for this cozy classic. The soup is done when the chicken is tender, six to eight hours later. If you prefer your pasta al dente, add it after the chicken has cooked.

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21of 25

Slow Cooker Turkey Wings

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (21)

These slow cooker turkey wings are first braised until tender and then broiled to a crispy finish.

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22of 25

Slow Cooker Ethiopian-Spiced Chicken and Black Lentil Stew

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (22)

In this intensely comforting spiced chicken and black lentil stew, bold ingredients like fresh ginger, garlic, tomatoes, and white wine simmer slowly with an Ethiopian spice blend called berbere.

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23of 25

Slow Cooker Asado de Puerco (Pork and Tomatillo Stew)

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (23)

Make this classic Mexican dish in your slow cooker for ease and extra flavor. Hominy provides texture and savory corn goodness in the tangy tomatillo sauce; the cilantro garnish adds a pop of freshness to the bowl.

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24of 25

Slow Cooker Ham Hock and Chickpea Stew

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (24)

Split pea soup was the inspiration for this robust stew. Like split peas, chickpeas need to simmer for a long time, making them great for a slow cooker.

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25of 25

Slow Cooker Moroccan-Spiced Chicken with Apricots, Olives, and Almonds

Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (25)

This warming chicken dish is slow cooked in Moroccan spices and best served on couscous with a sprinkle of toasted almonds.

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Our 25 Best Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Which is better, a crockpot or a slow cooker? ›

If you're planning to cook your meals mostly when you're not home or overnight, then sticking to a Crockpot might be a better choice, since the heat distribution is more even and there is no need to stir at all.

What company makes the best crockpot? ›

Best Overall: All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker with All-in-One Browning, 7-Quart. This is so much more than a slow cooker. The All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker can saute, brown meat, simmer stews and cook rice! But having all these bells and whistles doesn't take away from the quality of the slow-cooking feature.

Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

What is the number one crockpot? ›

Our favorite slow cooker is the GreenPan Elite 8-in-1 Electric Slow Cooker. It maintained a steady, low temperature during testing, was easy to clean up, and the exterior stayed cool to the touch. Slow cookers: The countertop appliance you know and (maybe?)

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What shape slow cooker is best? ›

Many slow cookers are oval-shaped, which makes them better able to hold a whole chicken, roast, or other large item. But that elongated shape can be awkward to fit into a cabinet. If you're only going to use your cooker for making soups and stews shape is less important and you might prefer a taller, round option.

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

For many home cooks, a Dutch oven or a stovetop or electric pressure cooker may be a better investment.

Is stainless steel or ceramic better for crock pots? ›

Stainless steel provides an incredibly versatile cooking experience suitable for a range of methods, recipes, and beyond. While ceramic cookware is easy to clean and non stick, its heat limitations and lack of durability can have an impact on its uses in the kitchen.

What happened to rival crockpots? ›

Jarden's Sunbeam Products, Inc. subsidiary continues to manufacture products under the Rival and Holmes brands, although Crock-Pot was spun off as its own brand and its slow cookers no longer feature the Rival logo, and Bionaire and Patton have become Jarden subsidiaries.

How to choose a slow cooker? ›

We've picked out the most important features to look out for when trying to find the best slow cooker for you.
  1. Timer. This will come in handy if you're out for the day. ...
  2. Controls. ...
  3. Keep warm. ...
  4. Auto cook. ...
  5. Sous vide. ...
  6. Lid. ...
  7. Pot. ...
  8. Indicator light.
Mar 15, 2024

Is the Ninja slow cooker worth it? ›

If you're looking for a slow cooker that's a bit more flexible and multi functional than a bog standard slow cooker, then the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker is a great choice. It's far more useful than most slow cookers.

Why do they call it crack chicken? ›

Lansing, Michigan is home for the Crack Chicken. A great seasoning for all your favorite foods. Started in 2003, customers tried our famous chicken and came back for more. Their addiction to this delicious taste made them call it Crack Chicken, and that's how the name started, and cracked the food industry world.

Can you put raw chicken in a crockpot? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

How long should you cook chicken in a crockpot? ›

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika, and place in the slow cooker on top of the crumpled aluminum foil. Set the slow cooker to High for 1 hour, then turn it down to Low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the chicken is no longer pink and the juices run clear.

Which is better round or oval slow cooker? ›

Oval is often a better choice than round.

If you cook chicken pieces stacked together in a tall, round 4-quart slow cooker, rather than in a single layer in an oval 6-quart slow cooker, it will take longer.

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