The Best Slow-Cooker Recipes of 2023 (2024)

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Slow Cooker Chuck Roast

My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooker chuck roast recipe is terrific. You’ll also love how flavorful and tender this comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York

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2/49

Slow-Cooker Short Ribs

It is easy to learn how to cook short ribs in a slow cooker. The slow-cooker short ribs become so tender that you can cut the meat with a fork! The beef short ribs cook in a rich braising liquid that doubles as a gravy when it comes time to serve.

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3/49

Roast Beef and Gravy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Roast Beef and Gravy

This slow-cooker roast beef and gravy is unbelievably easy. On busy days, I put this main dish in the crock and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa

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4/49

White Bean Chicken Chili

My sister shared this white bean chicken chili recipe with me. I usually double it and add one extra can of beans, then serve with cheddar biscuits or warmed tortillas. The jalapeno adds just enough heat to notice but not too much for my children. —Kristine Bowles, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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5/49

Comforting Cheesy Potatoes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Cheesy Potatoes

Real home cooks give this cheesy potatoes recipe rave reviews, whether they're made simply in the slow cooker or baked in a casserole dish.

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6/49

Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Ranch Chicken

Slow-cooker ranch chicken is perfect for busy weeknights! Tender chicken coated in a velvety sauce is always a crowd-pleaser, especially when it's topped with the decadent combo of bacon and cheddar cheese.

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7/49

Taste of Home

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

What if you could get the perfect pot roast with half the work, but double the flavor? Good news: You can. Here's how, with the help of our best slow-cooker pot roast recipe.

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8/49

Slow-Cooker Turkey Breast Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow Cooker Turkey Breast

Make this Thanksgiving dinner the easiest ever with our slow-cooker turkey breast recipe.

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9/49

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

When there’s a chill in the air, nothing beats this beef stew. Seasoned with thyme and dry mustard, the hearty slow-cooker beef stew is chock-full of tender carrots, potatoes and meat. —Earnestine Wilson, Waco, Texas

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10/49

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 Crock Pot many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

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11/49

Crockpot Ham

Overwhelmed by all the holiday recipes taking up your oven real estate? Here’s how to heat up a precooked ham in a slow cooker for a tender, flavorful feast. — Taste of Home

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12/49

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow-cooker split pea soup is so easy, all you have to do is dump everything into the cooker. This soul-warming soup comes together in a snap!

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13/49

Hungarian Goulash Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Hungarian Goulash

This Hungarian goulash recipe features tender chunks of beef and a rich sauce infused with paprika and caraway seeds. It's a warm and comforting slow-cooker meal that is best served over egg noodles.

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14/49

Slow-Cooker Barbecued Beef Sandwiches Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Barbecued Beef Sandwiches

Chuck roast makes delicious slow-cooker barbecue beef sandwiches after simmering in a rich, homemade sauce all day. The meat is tender and juicy and takes minutes to prepare for a weeknight dinner or potluck. —Tatina Smith, San Angelo, Texas

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15/49

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow-cooker chicken tortilla soup is easy and delicious. Simply brown the chicken, then toss everything in the slow cooker, and walk away!

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16/49

Slow-Cooker Pork Chops Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Pork Chops

Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee

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17/49

Slow-Cooker Beef Tips Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Beef Tips

As a busy mom, I love my slow-cooker meals! Beef tips remind me of a childhood favorite. I make this slow-cooker beef tips recipe with mushrooms and red wine, then serve over brown rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota

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18/49

Easy Slow-Cooked Pork Tenderloin Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Pork Medallions

These slow-cooker pork medallions are a simple, low-prep meal for busy days. Start them before you take the kids for their after-school activities, or yourself for errands, and dinner will be done when you get home.

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19/49

Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan

Enjoy cozy, cheesy slow-cooker chicken Parmesan without leaving a sink full of dirty pots and pans. Serve with a side of spaghetti or with crust rolls for sandwiches!

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20/49

Calico Cowboy Beans Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Cowboy Beans

When you bring sweet and tangy cowboy beans to share, you'll be the hit of the barbecue!

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21/49

Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops

These slow cooker lamb chops are, without a doubt, the lamb dish we like best. I usually simmer them on low for hours. The aroma is irresistible, and they come out so tender, they practically melt in your mouth! —Sandy McKenzie, Braham, Minnesota

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22/49

Texas Black Bean Soup

This hearty meatless stew made with convenient canned items is perfect for spicing up a family gathering on a cool day. It tastes as if it's made with love and yet it requires so little time and attention. —Pamela Scott, Garland, Texas.

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23/49

Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Memphis-Style Ribs

After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Restaurant in Memphis, I was inspired to create a slow-cooked version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor that the ribs would get from being grilled over hot coals. —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

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24/49

Slow-Cooker Salisbury Steak Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Poor Man's Steak

These flavorful "steaks" fit into everybody's budget. A special friend shared the recipe, and I think of her each time I make it. - Susan Wright, Mineral Wells, West Virginia

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25/49

Chunky Creamy Chicken Soup Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Chunky Creamy Chicken Soup

I am a stay-at-home mom who relies on my slow cooker for fast, nutritious meals with minimal cleanup and prep time. I knew this recipe was a hit when I didn't have any leftovers and my husband asked me to make it again. —Nancy Clow, Mallorytown, Ontario

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26/49

Slow-Cooker Swiss Steak Supper Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Swiss Steak Supper

To save a step when making slow-cooker steak and potatoes, I keep peppered seasoned salt on hand to use instead of the seasoned salt and pepper. —Kathleen Romaniuk, Laval, Quebec

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27/49

Za'atar Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Za'atar Chicken

It's hard to find a dinner that both my husband and kids will enjoy—and even harder to find one that's fast and easy. This is it! No matter how much I make of this dish, it's gone to the last bite. —Esther Erani, Brooklyn, New York

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28/49

Potluck Macaroni and Cheese Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Potluck Macaroni and Cheese

You'll always have a winner at the potluck when you bring macaroni and cheese. Here's an extra-rich, creamy version for the slow cooker. —Jennifer Blondek, Chicopee, Massachusetts

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29/49

Cube Steak Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Cube Steak

This meltingly tender slow-cooker recipe is the perfect introduction to cube steak, a tenderized cut of beefthat's rich beyond its price tag.

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30/49

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Steak Diane Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew

Come home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom’s wonderful recipe, but I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois

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31/49

Copycat Cheesecake Factory Steak Diane Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Creamy Italian Chicken

Italian salad dressing mix is like a secret weapon for adding flavor to this creamy chicken dish. Served over rice or pasta, this Italian dressing chicken is rich, delicious and special enough for company. —Maura McGee, Tallahassee, Florida

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32/49

Slow-Cooker Cheese Dip

I brought this slightly spicy cheese dip to a gathering with friends and it was a huge hit. The spicy pork sausage gives the dip plenty of zip! —Marion Bartone, Conneaut, Ohio

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33/49

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Cranberry Sauce Meatballs

Using packaged meatballs helps save time in the kitchen and they are just as tasty as homemade. My friends look forward to enjoying these meatballs at our holiday gatherings and there are no leftovers! The sauce is tangy yet sweet, and the festive color is perfect for any party. —Amy Scamerhorn, Indianapolis, Indiana

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34/49

Spicy Touchdown Chili Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Spicy Touchdown Chili

For me, football, cool weather and chili just seem to go together. Whether I’m cheering on the local team on a Friday night or enjoying a Saturday afternoon of Oklahoma Sooner football with some friends, I enjoy serving this chili on game day. —Chris Neal, Quapaw, Oklahoma

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35/49

Potato Chowder Recipe photo by Alejandro Monfort for Taste of Home

Potato Chowder

One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It's easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana

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36/49

Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Baked Ziti

I don't know one family that doesn't have some crazy, hectic evening. This recipe is a quick and easy fix for a busy weeknight dinner. —Christy Addison, Clarksville, Ohio

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37/49

Slow-Cooker Rotisserie Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Rotisserie Chicken

You won't believe this golden brown chicken was made in the slow cooker. Packed with flavor, slow-cooker rotisserie chicken results in meltingly moist meat, tender carrots and juices that are perfect for gravy.

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38/49

Slow-Cooker Rump Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Rump Roast Recipe

Our rump roast recipe is the perfect any-night meal. It's a hearty meat-and-vegetable dish with the ease of the best set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker recipes. Dinner will be a breeze with this one!

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39/49

Shredded Beef au Jus Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Shredded Beef au Jus

My mom found this recipe in a farm journal soon after she and my dad got married. The tender beef has been a family favorite for years, and my dad often requests it. —Danielle Brandt, Ruthton, Minnesota

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40/49

Slow-Cooker Chicken Thighs Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Slow-cooker teriyaki chicken thighs could not be more packed with flavor, nor could this recipe be much easier to prepare. So pull out the crockpot and get your taste buds ready.

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41/49

Championship Bean Dip Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Refried Bean Dip

This five-star refried bean dip is one of our most popular appetizer recipes. After one dreamy bite, you'll understand why. It's spicy, a little creamy and extremely cheesy.

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42/49

Slow-Cooker Beef Tenderloin Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Beef Tenderloin

I created this slow-cooker beef tenderloin recipe when I was having guests over. It tastes incredible with little effort. —Amanda Wentz, Virginia Beach, Virginia

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43/49

Slow-Cooked Lemon Chicken Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Lemon Chicken

A great way to get chicken breast at its most moist and tender is to let the slow cooker do the work. That leaves you with less than 10 minutes of prep for this aromatic slow-cooker lemon chicken recipe.

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44/49

Contest-Winning Mushroom Pot Roast Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Contest-Winning Mushroom Pot Roast

Packed with wholesome veggies and tender beef, this is one company-special entree all ages will like. Serve mashed potatoes alongside to soak up every last drop of the beefy gravy. —Angie Stewart, Topeka, Kansas

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45/49

Chicken with Mushroom Gravy Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Chicken with Mushroom Gravy

This deliciously moist chicken is a longtime favorite with family and friends of Darolyn Jones in Fishers, Indiana. “It’s so easy, comforting and rich.” she says. “A friend shared the recipe years ago, and I adapted it by adding a few new ingredients. I like to serve it over mashed potatoes or rice.”

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46/49

Shrimp Chowder Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Shrimp Chowder

Move over, clam chowder! This shrimp chowder recipe is family-approved and ready to hit the table.

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47/49

Slow-Cooker Saucy Pork Chops

"I serve these tender chops a couple of times a month because we just love them," writes Sharon Polk of Lapeer, Michigan. "The tangy sauce is delicious over mashed potatoes, rice or noodles."

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48/49

Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Spareribs

Even my three little ones love these easy-to-make and delicious-to-eat slow-cooker spareribs. The succulent meat falls right off the bone! —Julie Czmer, West Bloomfield, Michigan

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49/49

Chicken in Sour Cream Sauce Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Chicken in Sour Cream Sauce

Tender chicken is deliciously dressed up in a flavorful cream sauce with fresh mushrooms. This is an excellent entree for your family or guests. —Jane Carlovsky, Sebring, Florida

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Originally Published: December 08, 2020

Author

Lara Eucalano

Lara has been an editor for Taste of Home since 2018. Prior to her work in food and lifestyle publishing, she spent nearly a decade in the world of marketing as a brand storyteller. In her personal life, Lara runs the world's smallest farm, comprised of several raised beds and a flock of demanding chickens.

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The Best Slow-Cooker Recipes of 2023 (48)

The Best Slow-Cooker Recipes of 2023 (2024)

FAQs

What is best cooked in a slow cooker? ›

Here are some great long-cooking cuts to try in your slow cooker:
  • Beef: chuck roast, brisket, stew meat and short ribs.
  • Pork: pork shoulder, pork butt, pork ribs, country-style ribs, ham.

What is the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

What is the best meat to slow cook in a Crockpot? ›

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

What not to put in a slow cooker
  1. Lean, tender cuts of meat. Lean, tender (and usually more expensive cuts) will actually become dry and tough if you cook them in a slow cooker! ...
  2. Meat with skin left on. ...
  3. Too much liquid. ...
  4. Delicate vegetables. ...
  5. Fresh herbs and spices. ...
  6. Milk and cream. ...
  7. Alcohol. ...
  8. Seafood.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

Can you put aluminum foil on a Crockpot? ›

Line the slow-cooker insert with a foil collar, then fit two large sheets of heavy-duty foil in the slow cooker, perpendicular to one another, with the extra foil hanging over the edges.

What cooks faster than a Crockpot? ›

The difference between slow cookers and pressure cookers is the way that they cook the food.
  1. Slow cookers use low heat to slowly cook food.
  2. Pressure cookers use hot steam and pressure to quickly cook food.
Nov 11, 2022

Why putting a tea towel over a slow cooker? ›

Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.

Why put paper towel under crockpot lid? ›

According to slow-cooking expert Sarah DeGregorio, author of Adventures in Slow Cooking, lining the lid with a paper towel soaks up the extra steam and prevents it from dripping back onto the face of the dish.

Why is my meat still tough after slow-cooking? ›

It's because you haven't let the collagen break down. Extend the cook time, make sure there's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish.

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

While Crock-Pot is just a brand name, Crock-Pots, Crock-Pot-style slow cookers, and other types of slow cookers will all get the job done. Across brands and styles of slow cookers, they all have one thing in common: They cook low and slow, and do all of the work while you're away.

What is the most popular size slow cooker? ›

The 6- or 7-quart models are among the most popular, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best choice for everyone. (By the way, here's our favorite slow cooker brand.) Find yourself among the descriptions below to learn which slow cooker we'd recommend for you.

Which roast is better for slow cooker? ›

7-Bone Chuck Roast

Identified by the 7-shaped bone it contains. Rich and flavorful, it's ideal for the slow-cooker.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference is the time it takes to reach that temperature. Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

Can you cook from raw in a slow cooker? ›

Can raw meat be cooked in a slow cooker? Yes! that is one of the best way to cook meats! Put in some raw beef brisket, leave it in for the 6+ hours, and once it is ready…it is so tender! Slow cookers are so great as you can just throw everything in and no need to worry about it.

Does food taste different in a slow cooker? ›

It's More Tender and Flavorful

Aside from being juicier, slow-cooking makes meat a lot more tender and flavorful. The extra juices help to accomplish this but it's mainly the long-cooking time that brings out the richness of the meat.

Is food cooked in slow cooker healthy? ›

The low heat helps less expensive, leaner cuts of meat become tender and shrink less. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam created within the tightly-covered container combine to destroy bacteria and make the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

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