Best 9 Simple Slow Cooker Recipes

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Slow cookers, also known as crock pots, are a convenient and versatile kitchen appliance that allows you to prepare delicious meals with minimal effort. Whether you're a beginner cook or a seasoned pro, a slow cooker can help you create a variety of dishes, from classic comfort foods to modern culinary creations. With its ability to cook food slowly and evenly over a long period of time, a slow cooker is perfect for those who have busy schedules or want to come home to a ready-made meal. In this article, we'll explore some of the best recipes that showcase the versatility and ease of cooking with a slow cooker, providing a range of options to suit every taste and dietary preference.

Here are our top 9 tried and tested recipes!

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER PINTO BEANS AND HAM



Simple Slow Cooker Pinto Beans and Ham image

This is my simple version of pinto beans and ham. It's just a basic recipe with no frills. My husband always enjoys this version. Serve with cornbread.

Provided by Cindy

Categories     Side Dish     Beans and Peas     Baked Bean Recipes

Time 9h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

14 cups water, divided
2 cups dried pinto beans
1 ham bone with meat
1 large red onion, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ham base (such as Better than Bouillon®)
1 dash hot pepper sauce (such as Tabasco®), or to taste
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Bring 8 cups water and pinto beans to a boil in a large pot. Remove pot from heat, cover, and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse before using.
  • Transfer pinto beans to a slow cooker. Add ham bone, red onion, minced garlic, and ham base. Pour in remaining 6 cups of water, or enough to cover the beans.
  • Cool on Low until beans are tender, about 8 hours.
  • Remove the ham bone, shred meat, and add back to the beans. Discard the bone. Serve hot, seasoned with hot sauce, salt, and pepper.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 178 calories, Carbohydrate 32.4 g, Fat 0.7 g, Fiber 7.8 g, Protein 10.7 g, SaturatedFat 0.1 g, Sodium 184.4 mg, Sugar 2 g

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER JAMBALAYA



Simple Slow Cooker Jambalaya image

Chicken, sausage and shrimp simmered with rice & veggies for a one-pot meal that's perfect for family gatherings.

Provided by Campbell's Kitchen

Categories     Trusted Brands: Recipes and Tips     Swanson®

Time 4h49m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 pounds chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 pound andouille sausage, sliced
1 (12 ounce) package mirepoix (diced celery, carrots and onions)
2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, undrained
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups Swanson® Chicken Broth
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups converted long-grain white rice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Combine chicken, sausage, mirepoix mix, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, garlic, Swanson® Chicken Broth, Cajun seasoning, thyme, and oregano in a slow cooker. Cook on High until chicken is tender, 4 to 5 hours. Stir occasionally. During the last 30 minutes, add rice and shrimp; stir to combine. Turn off slow cooker.
  • Let stand, covered, for at least 15 minutes to allow rice to absorb most of the remaining liquid. Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 403.6 calories, Carbohydrate 31.9 g, Cholesterol 122.9 mg, Fat 19.1 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 26.3 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 843.3 mg, Sugar 3.1 g

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER IRISH STEW



Simple Slow Cooker Irish Stew image

I received this recipe when I was in the third grade. Our teacher made this for us in class on St. Patrick's Day, and I've made this very simple, hearty meal every year in March since then.

Provided by RainbowJewels

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews     Irish Stew Recipes

Time 8h15m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 7

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, or as needed
2 pounds cubed beef stew meat
6 potatoes, peeled and diced
4 medium yellow onions, sliced
1 ½ cups water
2 beef bouillon cubes
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Heat a skillet over medium heat and add oil. Cook stew meat until browned on all side, 5 to 10 minutes.
  • Transfer browned meat to the insert of a slow cooker. Add potatoes, onion, water, bouillon cubes, salt, and pepper.
  • Cover and cook on Low power for 8 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.6 calories, Carbohydrate 33.2 g, Cholesterol 62.6 mg, Fat 19 g, Fiber 4.4 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 292.6 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

SLOW-COOKER SIMPLE BRUNSWICK STEW



Slow-Cooker Simple Brunswick Stew image

Looking for a hearty slow-cooked dinner made using Progresso™ chicken broth? Then serve this hearty stew loaded with pork, beans and veggies.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 8h30m

Yield 9

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 cups frozen southern-style diced hash brown potatoes (from 32-oz bag), thawed
2 1/3 cups chopped onions
2 cups Progresso™ reduced-sodium chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 box (9 oz) frozen baby lima beans, thawed
1 1/4 cups chopped green bell peppers
1 cup frozen cut okra, thawed
1 cup barbecue sauce
1 cup chopped cooked chicken breast
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 lb pulled smoked pork, chopped
2 cans (8 oz each) no-salt-added tomato sauce
2 cans (7 oz each) Green whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained
1 can (14.5 oz) no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

Steps:

  • Spray 5- to 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, stir together all ingredients.
  • Cover; cook on High heat setting 8 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 330, Carbohydrate 46 g, Fiber 6 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 2 1/2 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 610 mg

SIMPLE 3 STEP SLOW COOKER TANGY CHICKEN WITH HEINZ 57 SAUCE



Simple 3 Step Slow Cooker Tangy Chicken With Heinz 57 Sauce image

Make and share this Simple 3 Step Slow Cooker Tangy Chicken With Heinz 57 Sauce recipe from Food.com.

Provided by weekend cooker

Categories     Chicken

Time 5h15m

Yield 1 meal, 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 4

1 large roasting chicken, quartered
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup Heinz 57 steak sauce
1 (15 ounce) can steweed tomatoes

Steps:

  • Wash, and dry chicken quarters with paper towels and place in large slow cooker.
  • In a large saucepan, combine butter, 57 sauce, and stewed tomatoes. Heat just until butter melts, and ingredients mix well. Pour over chicken.
  • Cover aand cook on low for 5-6 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 386.6, Fat 29.2, SaturatedFat 10.3, Cholesterol 122.2, Sodium 155.7, Carbohydrate 4.2, Fiber 1.3, Sugar 2.8, Protein 26.1

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER PICANTE CHICKEN



Simple Slow Cooker Picante Chicken image

another slow cooker recipe that I have made an adjustment to. The brown sugar really adds flavor to it. This is one to try.

Provided by weekend cooker

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 4h10m

Yield 4 chicken breasts, 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 green bell pepper, seeded, and cut into rings
1 (16 ounce) jar picante sauce
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons prepared mustard

Steps:

  • Place chicken breasts in a slow cooker, with the bell pepper rings over top of the chichen.
  • Combine picante, brown sugar, and mustard, and spoon over top of the chicken.
  • Cover and cook for 4 1/2 hours.

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER LASAGNA (CROCK POT)



Simple Slow Cooker Lasagna (Crock Pot) image

Not a lot of ingredients and super easy to throw together. I'm sure this won't replace my regular lasagna recipe, but it would be great for busy days. Adapted from Betty Crocker.

Provided by Karen..

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 6h25m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 lb bulk Italian sausage (or substitute ground beef or pork)
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
3 (15 ounce) cans Italian-style tomato sauce
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 ounces)
1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
15 uncooked lasagna noodles

Steps:

  • Cook sausage and onion in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until sausage is no longer pink; drain. Stir in tomato sauce, basil and salt.
  • Mix 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the ricotta and Parmesan cheeses. (Refrigerate remaining mozzarella cheese while lasagna cooks.).
  • Spoon one-fourth of the sausage mixture into 6-quart slow cooker; top with 5 noodles, broken into pieces to fit. Spread with half of the cheese mixture and one-fourth of the sausage mixture. Top with 5 noodles, remaining cheese mixture and one-fourth of the sausage mixture. Top with remaining 5 noodles and remaining sausage mixture.
  • Cover and cook on Low heat setting 4 to 6 hours or until noodles are tender.
  • Sprinkle top of lasagna with remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Cover and let stand about 10 minutes or until cheese is melted. Cut into pieces.

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER PORK CHOPS



Simple Slow Cooker Pork Chops image

Mushrooms, potatoes, and tender pork chops are slow cooked in a creamy, oniony sauce in this comforting one-pot meal.

Provided by CARRIE98

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pork     Pork Chop Recipes

Time 6h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed golden mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package onion soup mix
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
½ cup water
1 onion, sliced
1 (12 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
4 potatoes, halved
4 pork chops

Steps:

  • Mix together cream of mushroom soup, golden mushroom soup, onion soup mix, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and water in a slow cooker.
  • Stir in onion, mushrooms, and potatoes.
  • Place pork chops in the mushroom mixture, turning to coat both sides.
  • Cover and cook on Low for 6 hours.
  • Spoon the mushroom sauce over the pork chops and potatoes for serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 407.5 calories, Carbohydrate 43.7 g, Cholesterol 73 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 4.7 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 3.2 g, Sodium 1186.5 mg, Sugar 8.9 g

SIMPLE SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK



Simple Slow Cooker Pulled Pork image

Succulent pulled pork slow cooked in a smokey homemade barbeque sauce makes perfect sandwiches for picnics, football Sundays, or dinner.

Provided by degy

Categories     Main Dish Recipes     Pork     100+ Pulled Pork Recipes

Time 6h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon ground black pepper
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 (2 1/2 pound) boneless pork loin roast
1 ½ cups diet cola-flavored carbonated beverage
1 ½ cups ketchup
2 tablespoons liquid smoke flavoring
6 Portuguese rolls, split

Steps:

  • Whisk salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder together in a small bowl until seasoning is well-mixed. Rub seasoning mixture onto pork loin to coat completely; place loin in a slow cooker.
  • Whisk cola and ketchup together in a bowl; stir in liquid smoke. Pour cola mixture over pork.
  • Cook on Low for 6 to 7 hours (or cook on High for 3 to 4 hours). Shred pork using two forks; serve pulled pork on Portuguese rolls.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 692.3 calories, Carbohydrate 77.1 g, Cholesterol 89.7 mg, Fat 23.6 g, Fiber 4.5 g, Protein 42.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.2 g, Sodium 2587.5 mg, Sugar 15.5 g

Tips:

  • Prep your ingredients beforehand: Cut vegetables, dice onions, and mince garlic before you start cooking to save time.
  • Sear meat before slow cooking: Searing meat in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker helps develop its flavor and creates a richer sauce.
  • Use a variety of liquids: Don't just use water in your slow cooker recipes. Try using broth, wine, or even coconut milk for a more flavorful dish.
  • Don't overcrowd the slow cooker: Make sure there's enough space for the ingredients to cook evenly. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and a watery dish.
  • Cook on low for longer: The low setting on your slow cooker is ideal for most recipes. Cooking on high can overcook the food and make it tough.
  • Thicken the sauce: If the sauce in your slow cooker recipe is too thin, you can thicken it by adding a cornstarch slurry or a roux. Be careful not to over-thicken the sauce, or it will become gluey.

Conclusion:

Slow cooker recipes are a great way to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals without spending hours in the kitchen. With a little planning and preparation, you can create a variety of flavorful and satisfying dishes that the whole family will love. So next time you're looking for an easy and convenient way to cook a meal, reach for your slow cooker.

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