When chilly evenings make dinner feel like a chore, I turn to Target for these slow-cooker helpers. Each one earns its spot by making cozy, satisfying meals easier to pull together.
1. Beef Broth – 32oz – Good & Gather™ – $1.29
Cold-weather dinners start more easily with this 32-ounce broth on hand. It gives pot roast, beef stroganoff, and stew a savory liquid base without artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.
Taste: The broth tastes distinctly meaty, with savory onion, carrot, and celery notes. Its silky mouthfeel gives slow-cooked dishes more body than water alone.
Make It Better: Add herbs for more depth, or finish the dish with a small splash of vinegar to brighten all that richness.
Parting Thoughts: At $1.29, it earns its place as a dependable foundation for beefy comfort food.
2. McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix – 1.3 oz – $3.49
Sunday pot roast gets much simpler with this dried herb-and-spice mix doing the seasoning work. It is especially handy when you want a dump-and-go dinner with roast, carrots, potatoes, and broth.
Taste: The flavor is savory and homestyle, with enough seasoning to turn the cooking liquid into a rich gravy. Because the mix is finely ground, it blends into the liquid rather than adding a chunky texture.
Make It Better: Whisk the packet into the broth before pouring it over the other ingredients so the seasoning disperses evenly.
Parting Thoughts: Busy cooks will appreciate the convenience, though confident spice-cabinet improvisers may prefer mixing their own blend.
3. Organic Chili Beans – 15oz – Good & Gather™ – $1.29
For a low-effort chili night, these fully cooked whole pinto beans arrive already seasoned in chili sauce. They bulk up slow-cooker chili or soup while contributing flavor, which means fewer separate ingredients to measure.
Taste: The chili sauce brings a gentle heat that stays approachable rather than fiery. Whole beans add a hearty, substantial texture to each bowl.
Make It Better: Combine them with ground beef or turkey and diced tomatoes for an easy chili base.
Parting Thoughts: This can is a smart pick for families wanting cozy chili without an aggressive spice level.
4. Frozen Mixed Vegetables – 12oz – Good & Gather™ – $0.99
I keep a frozen bag like this around for nights when chopping vegetables is the step most likely to derail dinner. The blend of carrots, corn, green beans, and peas can go directly into slow-cooker stews, soups, or chicken dishes.
Taste: The mix has a straightforward vegetable flavor, balancing the sweetness of corn and carrots with peas and green beans. Its cut pieces distribute easily throughout brothy comfort dishes.
Make It Better: Add the vegetables straight from the freezer and pair them with broth for a nearly prep-free soup or stew starter.
Parting Thoughts: For $0.99, the saved chopping makes this freezer shortcut especially worthwhile.
