EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (2024)

EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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The perfect hands-free way to cook flavorful meals. When life gets hectic, let one of these easy slow cooker recipes do the work for you.

EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Table of Contents

  • Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
  • Chicken Recipes
  • Recipes with Beef
  • Pork Recipes
  • Soups
  • Crockpot Side Dishes

Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

I’m all about making recipes as easy as possible. Especially during busy weeknights – simplicity is key! That’s why I love to make easy crockpot recipes, as well as sheet pan dinners, 30-minute meals and freezer meals. Quick, simple and delicious!

Dinner is the one time every day our entire family gets to gather together and catch up. While having a meal together is something I look forward to, I don’t necessarily want to spend an hour prepping, chopping, and cooking dinner every evening.

Days like that are when crockpot cooking comes into play. I particularly love easy slow cooker recipes because I can simply add ingredients into the crockpot and let the cooking happen on my behalf while I get to spend time with my kids.

Here are some of the best slow cooker recipes—give them a try and you’ll love them too! Some of these are even 5-ingredient crockpot meals that we reach for again and again.

Chicken Recipes

Chicken is by far the most frequently consumed meat in our home. I particularly love slow cooker chicken recipes. Unless you are making something with ground chicken, you don’t need to cook the chicken beforehand–the crockpot will do all the work for you.

EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (3)

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Bowls

A delicious taco bowl loaded with cilantro lime rice, seasoned chicken, black beans and corn. Easily made in the slow cooker and dinner is ready when you are!

Total Time: 4 hours hours

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Crockpot Shredded Chicken Recipe

Easy shredded chicken made in the crockpot or instant pot. One of the most simple, versatile and tasty recipes out there. Perfect to put on salads, tacos, nachos…you name it!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow cooker honey garlic chicken is one of my favorite crockpot chicken recipes that's quick, flavorful and absolutely delicious. It comes out perfectly tender every time!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Creamy Italian Chicken

This creamy Italian chicken is made in the crockpot with just 4 simple ingredients. A family favorite meal that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Total Time: 5 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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BBQ Pulled Chicken

This crockpot BBQ chicken is only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes prep! Tender, flavorful and juicy shredded BBQ chicken that's perfect for sandwiches, salads, tacos, pizza and more.

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Ranch Chicken Tacos

A tried and true family favorite recipe that takes just 4 ingredients and 5 minutes to prep! Quick, easy and healthy. These ranch chicken tacos are so juicy, tender and full of flavor!

Total Time: 6 hours hours

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Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

Flavorful and easy teriyaki chicken made in the crockpot! Only 5 minutes of prep and an instant family favorite!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Chicken Tinga Tacos Recipe

A delicious crockpot chicken tinga tacos recipe that tastes like it came straight from a Mexican restaurant. So easy and only takes 5 minutes to prep. These tinga tacos are authentic and amazing!

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Shredded Chicken Salad Recipe

Slow cooker chicken salad is a delicious make-ahead recipe that is perfect for lunches and potlucks. Made with some of the classic chicken salad ingredients but with a new spin!

Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Salsa Chicken Recipe

This crockpot salsa chicken takes just 2 simple ingredients and is one of the easiest recipes ever! Perfect on salads, bowls, tacos, burritos and more.

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Hawaiian Haystacks Recipe

These Hawaiian haystacks are a family favorite dinner that's easy, inexpensive and completely customizable. Made in the crockpot and perfect for busy weeknights.

Total Time: 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Salsa Verde Chicken Recipe

The easiest salsa verde chicken made in the crockpot or Instant Pot. Use the flavorful, tender and juicy meat in tacos, tostadas, enchiladas or bowls!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Recipes with Beef

Beef is one of the most versatile ingredients out there—just think of the difference between ground beef and shredded beef. Each one of these recipes uses a cut of beef to create a filling (and tasty!) meal.

Insider’s Tip: Once I find a slow cooker recipe with beef that my entire family loves, I keep a close eye out to see when that cut goes on sale and stock up to make freezer meals.

EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (15)

Crockpot Lasagna Recipe

This crockpot lasagna recipe is the easiest way to make lasagna! Simple to assemble with tender pasta noodles, meat sauce and cheese then it cooks hands off for busy days.

Total Time: 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

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Shredded Beef Tacos

These shredded beef tacos are a great meal for busy school nights. They are so simple – the slow cooker does all the work for you. The whole family will love them!

Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe

Tender and juicy Mississippi pot roast that's made in the crock pot. Just 6 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep to make this easy dump and go dinner!

Total Time: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Beef and Broccoli Recipe

Forget takeout and make restaurant-worthy crockpot beef and broccoli at home. This easy recipe takes only 10 minutes to prep. Let your crockpot do the work for tender, flavorful beef and broccoli.

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker BBQ Brisket Sandwiches

Sliced, tender brisket is cooked in the slow cooker to perfection then sliced and piled high on a soft roll. Top with coleslaw and extra sauce for the perfect summer meal.

Total Time: 5 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

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Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

This corned beef and cabbage recipe is an easy dinner for St. Patrick's Day made with tender corned beef, cabbage, carrots and potatoes simmered in the slow cooker all day for the best results!

Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Taco Lasagna

Layers of tortillas, cream cheese, beans, taco meat, enchilada sauce and cheese. This slow cooker taco lasagna is perfectly creamy, cheesy and has tons of flavor.

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

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Hawaiian Meatballs

These Hawaiian meatballs are easy, tasty and always a crowd pleaser. Meatballs are cooked in BBQ sauce with pineapple and ginger for the perfect appetizer or main dish.

Total Time: 2 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

This slow cooker beef stroganoff only takes 5 minutes to prep and is made with less than 10 ingredients! A classic comfort food dish that's packed with flavor in a creamy sauce.

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Green Chili Burritos

Warm flour tortillas filled with tender slow cooker shredded beef and finished off with your favorite toppings. These green chili burritos are delicious, easy, andperfect for a weeknight dinner for busy families!

Total Time: 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Chili

This crockpot chili is a hearty and flavor-loaded recipe that's cooked nice and slow so the flavors meld and each spoonful is better than the one before!

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

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Pork Recipes

Pork slow cooker recipes are definitely underrated. In fact, these are some of the best recipes out there! Pork is another meat that can be used in so many different ways and with so many different cuisines.

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Pulled Pork Recipe

This easy BBQ pulled pork takes just 5 minutes to prep with 5 simple ingredients. It's perfectly juicy and tender, with delicious BBQ flavor. Make it in the crockpot OR instant pot!

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

These slow cooker carnitas are super easy to make and taste great in tacos, nachos, enchiladas or burritos! So tender and full of flavor.

Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Instant Pot Kalua Pork

Perfectly tender and juicy instant pot kalua pork with the best smoky Hawaiian flavor. So easy to make with only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep!

Total Time: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Ribs

Easy baby back ribs smothered with a homemade rub and sweet and tangy barbecue sauce. Cooked to perfection in the crockpot and fall off the bone delicious. These are the best slow cooker ribs!

Total Time: 5 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Spiral Ham

Learn how to cook crockpot spiral ham with only 5 minutes prep! With the best juicy and tender results, cooking a spiral ham has never been easier for the holidays.

Total Time: 4 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Sweet Pork

This slow cooker sweet pork is made with 5 ingredients and only takes 5 minutes of prep work! Tastes great in tacos, burritos, salads and enchiladas!

Total Time: 8 hours hours

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Soups

Over the cooler months, these easy crockpot recipes are in constant rotation at my home. There is truly nothing like a steaming bowl of homemade soup to warm you right up!

Plus, this is a great way to add lots of fiber and protein to your day in an easy-to-digest form. The vegetarian slow cooker recipes on this list are absolutely incredible and are just the thing to make for Meatless Mondays.

EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (32)

Crockpot Potato Soup

The ultimate comfort food in a bowl! This simple crockpot potato soup takes just 5 minutes of prep and turns out absolutely amazing. Just throw it all in the slow cooker and forget it!

Total Time: 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Chicken Enchilada Soup

This slow cooker chicken enchilada soup is creamy, warm and absolutely delicious! One of my favorite 'set it and forget it' crockpot meals that's perfect for busy weeknights!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Cabbage Soup

This crockpot cabbage soup is not only delicious and flavorful but chock full of vegetables with lots of fiber and is very satisfying. All you need to do is dump everything in the slow cooker and let it do the work for you!

Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Mexican Chicken Soup

Paleo, gluten-free and Whole30 friendly! An easy crock pot soup recipe that takes just 5 minutes of prep. This Mexican chicken soup is packed with veggies and is healthy and delicious!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Crockpot White Chicken Chili

This crockpot white chicken chili recipe is made with tender chicken, beans, flavorful salsa and a creamy base. Takes just 5 minutes of prep and is great for busy weeknights.

Total Time: 3 hours hours 35 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Seafood Stew

A delicious seafood recipe cooked in a tomato-based broth with potatoes. This slow cooker seafood stew is comforting and is an easy-to-make dinner idea!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

An easy and hearty meal made with beef, burgundy wine, fresh vegetables, and herbs, all cooked to perfection within the slow cooker! In this beef bourguignon recipe, the alcohol is cooked out, leaving a rich and thick liquid for the beef and vegetables to cook in.

Total Time: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

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Chicken and Rice Soup

This easy chicken and rice soup is a comforting and delicious one-pot meal loaded with tender vegetables, chicken and a flavorful broth that the whole family will love! Makes the perfect soup recipe for chilly weather!

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

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Chicken Vegetable Soup

This chicken vegetable soup is a simple yet hearty recipe that is easy to make in the slow cooker! Made with chicken breasts, vegetables, a flavorful broth and seasonings, it's comfort food in a bowl.

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Green Enchilada Chicken Soup

This slow cooker green enchilada soup has everything you love about the classic green chile chicken enchiladas in the form of soup. It only takes about 10 minutes to prep and then the crockpot does all the rest!

Total Time: 5 hours hours

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Crockpot Lasagna Soup

This easy crockpot lasagna soup is a meaty, saucy recipe that has all the delicious flavors we love in a traditionally baked classic lasagna but in the form of a comforting, hearty, soup!

Total Time: 2 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Beef Stew

Crockpot beef stew has loads of chunky beef, tender vegetables, and a simple seasoning slow-cooked in a flavorful broth for a melt-in-your-mouth spoonful the whole family will enjoy!

Total Time: 6 hours hours 20 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Side Dishes

These are perfect to make for the holidays or for a dinner party where you don’t want to leave meal prep to the last minute. These slow cooker side dishes are completely portable too—just let it cook all day, then when it’s time to go take your crockpot with you, and plug it in to keep it warm.

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Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese Recipe

Only takes 10 minutes to prep and is made with only a few simple ingredients! Pure comfort in a bowl and tastes absolutely amazing.

Total Time: 2 hours hours

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Crockpot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

These crockpot mashed potatoes are easy to make in your slow cooker and result in creamy, smooth and velvety mashed potatoes! Best of all there is no boiling on the stovetop involved.

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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Crockpot Creamed Corn

This slow cooker creamed corn is made with a secret ingredient to give this classic dish a twist! Super creamy, rich and has amazing flavor.

Total Time: 3 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

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Slow Cooker Risotto

This butternut squash risotto recipe is a savory, good-for-you dinner that's loaded with veggies and bits of sausage, all cooked together in the slow cooker. This dinner practically prepares itself and everyone will clamor for seconds.

Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes

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Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

Using only 4 ingredients, these easy brown sugar glazed carrots are a definite crowd-pleaser. Coated in a butter and a brown sugar glaze, it's the perfect balance of tender and crunch in every bite!

Total Time: 3 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

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If you aren’t pulling your crockpot out of your cabinet right now, what are you waiting for? :) Give yourself a break and reach for any of these easy slow cooker recipes. Enjoy!

Categorized as: Crockpot, Crockpot, Dinner, One Pot, One Pot, Recipe Roundup

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Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

More about Jamielyn Nye

Add a comment

25 comments

    • Kathleen McClellan

    awesome recipe’s thank you !!!

    • Reply
    • Margaret Vaughan

    Looks amazing

    • Reply
    • Candace

    Can’t wait to try these recipe

    • Reply
    • Mindy

    All I can say is – tasty, tasty, tasty! Images look awesome and mouth watering, I will try every single recipe as soon as I can!

    • Reply
    • Becca @TheDatingDivas

    LOVE using my slow cooker- especially in the fall! Pinned!

    • Reply

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EASY Slow Cooker Recipes - I Heart Naptime (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to sleep with a slow cooker on? ›

Slow cookers are easy to use, easy to clean and they save time, which is a huge benefit, especially for busy families. However, leaving them completely unattended does carry risk. Experts tell HuffPost, people should unplug appliances when they're not being used.

What foods should be slow cooked? ›

The Best Foods to Cook in Your Slow Cooker
  • Long-Cooking Cuts of Meat. Tough cuts of meat that turn out meltingly tender when cooked low and slow are made for this appliance. ...
  • Whole Chicken & Chicken Thighs. ...
  • Soups, Stews & Chilis. ...
  • Dips.
Jan 6, 2020

What is an alternative to slow cooking? ›

Oven-Baked Magic: Another option for slow cooking without a slow cooker is to utilise your oven. Choose an oven-safe dish with a lid or tightly cover a regular baking dish with foil. This method is excellent for roasts, casseroles, and baked dishes.

Can I slow cook something for 24 hours? ›

The short answer: Yes. slow cookers are made to cook food for extensive periods of time (some can be left up to 24 hours). But, of course, follow safe practices outlined in your instruction manual, and keep the appliance on low or warm, as opposed to high, overnight.

Is it okay to leave the slow cooker on low overnight? ›

Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Can you leave raw meat in slow cooker overnight? ›

Yes, it is safe to cook meat in a crock pot overnight as long as the internal temperature of the food reaches a safe minimum temperature of at least 145°F for beef, pork, and lamb, or 160°F for poultry, as measured by a food thermometer.

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

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

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.

What cooks faster than a Crockpot? ›

A pressure cooker can cook the same types of delicious recipes that a slow cooker can and so much more, but cook them substantially faster (click for pressure cooker recipes).

How to mimic a slow cooker? ›

Opt for a heavy, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid, like a Staub or Le Creuset Dutch oven, to mimic the moisture retention of a slow cooker. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents excessive drying out. Slow cookers are designed to trap moisture, leading to a self-basting environment.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

Browning Is Better

And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? ›

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? One of the most common reasons for mushy noodles is overcooking. Pasta, including noodles, has a relatively short cooking time compared to other ingredients typically prepared in a crockpot.

Is it safe to leave the house with a slow cooker on? ›

Absolutely! If you feel comfortable leaving your crockpot on while you're at work, you should also feel safe using it overnight. However, if your slow cooker is old, it may be time to toss it.

Are slow cookers safe to have on all day? ›

Yes, if you use them correctly. The slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, over several hours. The combination of direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam, destroys bacteria making the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

Is it safe to go out with slow cooker on? ›

Safety First

The thought of leaving the house with an appliance running can be unsettling, but slow cookers work on low wattage (only as much power as 1-1/2 100 watt light bulbs) and are designed to perform while you're away.

How long can you keep a crockpot on warm? ›

The 'Warm' setting is ONLY for keeping already-cooked food at the perfect serving temperature until mealtime. To prevent food from dipping into temperatures that aren't food-safe, you shouldn't use the 'Warm' setting for more than 4 hours.

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