25 Meals You Should Try For Your Slow Cooker

There’s something almost magical about tossing ingredients into a slow cooker, walking away, and returning hours later to a meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. If you are ready to discover some must-try meals you can whip up with your slow cooker, let’s dive in!

Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

Unlike quick stovetop versions, slow cooking releases the vegetables’ natural sweetness while letting the broth thicken into a more vast and flavorful base. Pair it with some whole-grain bread, a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, or a side of roasted vegetables.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Picture this: a hunk of beef so soft it practically falls apart when you look at it. Swimming in a rich, savory gravy with perfectly cooked veggies, this kind of meal makes you want to curl up in a blanket and declare dinner a national holiday.

Slow Cooker Chicken And Dumplings

Fluffy dumplings soaking in a creamy broth? Yes, please! This Southern favorite dates back to the Great Depression when cooks needed filling, budget-friendly meals. Toss in chicken, vegetables, and biscuit dough, then let the slow cooker do the rest.

Slow Cooker Shrimp And Grits

Some green onions, a dash of hot sauce, or crispy bacon crumbles make the perfect finishing touch to this Southern classic. Made effortlessly in the slow cooker, the grits cook low and slow until they reach a creamy consistency, eliminating the need for constant stirring.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Cold weather calls for rich, slow-simmered beef stew. This dish combines seared beef and fragrant herbs, slowly cooking until every bite is tender and deeply satisfying. As the flavors meld over time, the broth thickens into a rich, savory sauce for bread.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork melts in your mouth after hours of slow cooking. Rooted in Southern barbecue traditions, it is a dish that involves seasoning pork shoulder with smoky spices before letting it cook for eight hours. The result? Juicy, fall-apart meat that is perfect for sandwiches or nachos.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Tender and flavorful, these enchiladas emerge from the slow cooker with soft tortillas that soak up every drop of the delicious, tangy sauce. It’s the easiest dinner you’ll make, and after it’s cooked, top with fresh cilantro or a sprinkle of cotija cheese for the ultimate finishing touch.

Slow Cooker Chili

Spicy and packed with flavor, chili is a must-try comfort food that warms you from the inside out. As it slowly simmers, ground beef, beans, tomatoes, and a bold mix of spices create a hearty, mouthwatering dish. The slow cooker works its magic, enhancing the depth of flavor with every passing hour.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Forget takeout; your slow cooker makes taco night effortless! Boneless chicken parts simmer in salsa, spices, and lime juice, absorbing bold flavors. After a few hours, the meat shreds quickly for perfect tacos. Add avocado and cilantro, then enjoy this hands-off, restaurant-quality dish at home.

Slow Cooker Mac And Cheese

Get ready for the easiest, most comforting mac and cheese you’ve ever had straight from your slow cooker. Just toss in your ingredients and watch as everything melts into creamy perfection. Cooking it low and slow keeps the cheese smooth and velvety, never grainy.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Yes, lasagna in a slow cooker. There is no need to pre-cook noodles—layer them with meat sauce and cheese, then let time work its magic. Dating back to ancient Rome, lasagna remains a beloved comfort food. This method ensures perfectly cooked layers without the hassle of boiling pasta separately.

Slow Cooker Chicken Curry

Love bold, aromatic flavors? This slow-cooker chicken curry delivers all that and more. The more it simmers, the more the spices, turmeric, and coriander blend beautifully to create a rich and fragrant sauce that coats every bite of tender chicken. Serve it with fluffy basmati rice or soft naan for a comforting meal.

Slow Cooker Baked Ziti

Pasta lovers, get ready for the easiest, cheesiest way to enjoy baked ziti; no boiling required! Layer uncooked pasta, creamy ricotta, rich marinara sauce, and plenty of melty mozzarella into the slow cooker, and let it do all the work. The result? A perfectly gooey, flavor-packed dish without ever turning on the oven.

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

Louisiana’s favorite rice dish, jambalaya, benefits from slow cooking as its bold flavors meld beautifully. Shrimp, sausage, chicken, and Creole spices create a one-pot wonder with deep, smoky heat. Historically influenced by Spanish paella, this dish guarantees a taste of the South in every bite.

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Who doesn’t love a good stuffed pepper? It is a colorful, flavor-packed beauty loaded with a delicious mix of ground meat, rice, and savory tomato sauce, all slow-cooked to perfection. Letting them simmer low and slow makes the peppers extra tender and gives the filling time to soak up every flavor.

Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs

The ribs are so soft they fall off the bone, coated in an irresistible smoky-sweet glaze. It all starts with a generous seasoning, then a slow cook that turns them into melt-in-your-mouth perfection. And when you think they can’t get any better, a quick broil gives them that caramelized, sticky-good crust.

Slow Cooker Meatballs

For slow cooker meatballs, ground meat, breadcrumbs, egg, garlic, and seasonings are mixed together. The meatballs are browned in a pan to enhance flavor before being placed in the slow cooker with marinara sauce. The dish cooks on low for 4-6 hours, resulting in tender, flavorful meatballs.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

This is comfort food at its finest. It is the kind of meal that makes you want to grab a cozy blanket and savor every bite. As the slow cooker does its job, tender strips of beef soak up all the rich, creamy goodness of the sauce for a dish as velvety as it is flavorful.

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Lentil Soup combines lentils, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and spices, simmered in vegetable broth. The slow cooking process allows the lentils to absorb flavors and become tender. After 6-8 hours on low, the soup is thick, hearty, and ready to be served with bread.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Japanese-inspired teriyaki chicken shines in a slow cooker, creating a sticky, umami-rich glaze. Made with soy sauce and honey, this food balances sweet and savory flavors. Serve over hot rice and some sesame seeds for a takeout-style meal with minimal effort.

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Whether stuffed into warm tortillas or burritos or served over rice, this slow-cooked pork is juicy, tender, and packed with bold, smoky goodness. The hours of slow simmering in a fragrant mix of citrus and spices infuse the meat with a deep, rich flavor.

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, rich broth, and melted cheese make this a luxurious yet simple dish. The slow cooker deepens the onions’ sweetness over hours. The dish, topped with crusty bread and Gruyere, dates back to 18th-century France and remains a comforting classic.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

Imagine coming home to the irresistible aroma of warm spices and buttery cream, all melding together into the perfect curry. Thanks to a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker doing all the work, this butter chicken turns out tender, velvety, and packed with deep, comforting flavors.

Slow Cooker Ratatouille

This French vegetable stew showcases zucchini and tomatoes in a rich, herby sauce. The result is a hearty and vibrant dish, perfect for serving alongside rice or with bread to soak up the juice. With so many delicious ways to enjoy it, the only question is: how will you serve yours?

Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo

For Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo, boneless chicken tenderloins or thighs are placed in the slow cooker with garlic, cream, butter, and Parmesan cheese. After cooking on low for 4-6 hours, the chicken is shredded, and pasta is added, cooking until tender in the creamy sauce.