15 Time-Tested Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Weeknight Meals

Nothing beats coming home to the smell of a delicious meal ready and waiting. With these slow cooker recipes, you can skip the evening rush and let your kitchen do the heavy lifting. Each recipe here is tried and true, meaning they’re reliable, tasty, and designed to fit perfectly into busy schedules.

Beef Bourguignon

Tender chunks of beef are slowly simmered with carrots, onions, and mushrooms in a rich red wine sauce for a comforting dish inspired by French cuisine. Simply add beef, vegetables, beef broth, red wine, garlic, and seasonings to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. This slow-cooked meal creates an irresistible, savory sauce ideal for pairing with mashed potatoes or crusty bread. While slow-cooking brings out deep flavors, the recipe requires minimal prep, perfect for busy nights. As the hours pass, the beef becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, creating a luxurious dinner with little effort. An ideal comfort meal for cooler nights​.

Honey Garlic Chicken

In a simple mixture of honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a dash of chili, chicken thighs become tender and flavorful. Just add boneless, skinless chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and chili garlic sauce to the slow cooker and let it cook for 4-5 hours on low. The result is juicy, sweet-savory chicken perfect for serving over rice or with steamed veggies. This dish offers a balance of sweetness and spice, making it a crowd-pleaser for family dinners. An effortless set-and-forget meal, it’s ideal for quick weeknight prep. The sauce thickens as it cooks, coating the chicken beautifully​.

Spicy Beef Vegetable Stew

Combining ground beef, chopped veggies, and a spicy broth, this stew is both hearty and flavorful. Add browned ground beef, diced tomatoes, corn, beans, and spices to the slow cooker and simmer for 5-6 hours. The spiced broth infuses the vegetables with flavor, resulting in a comforting, filling soup that’s great for cold nights. Serve with cornbread or a slice of crusty bread for a complete meal. This spicy stew is easy to adjust based on heat preference, so feel free to add or reduce chili powder. With minimal prep, it’s ideal for hands-off cooking​.

Curried Lentil Soup

Loaded with lentils, coconut milk, and warming spices, this vegan soup is as comforting as it is nourishing. Combine lentils, coconut milk, vegetable broth, carrots, and spices like curry powder and turmeric in the slow cooker, and let it cook for 5-6 hours. The lentils absorb the rich flavors, creating a thick, creamy soup with a hint of spice. Serve with naan or rice for a complete meal that’s easy on prep time. Ideal for meal prep, this recipe is freezer-friendly, making it perfect for batch cooking. This soup is both hearty and nutritious.

Loaded Potato Soup

Creamy and hearty, this soup combines diced potatoes, bacon, onions, and cheese for a rich, savory meal. To prepare, simply add chopped potatoes, onion, chicken broth, and garlic to your slow cooker, and cook for 7-8 hours on low. Toward the end, stir in heavy cream and shredded cheese for a velvety finish. Top with green onions and additional bacon for extra flavor, creating a crowd-pleasing, warming dish. This soup is perfect for cold nights, pairing well with crusty bread. Its thick consistency makes it a favorite among creamy soup lovers​.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Perfect for BBQ lovers, this recipe delivers tender chicken bathed in a tangy sauce. Combine boneless chicken thighs with BBQ sauce, a splash of apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce, then cook on low for 4-5 hours. The slow cooking process locks in moisture, making the chicken incredibly juicy and flavorful. This dish pairs well with coleslaw, cornbread, or served as a sandwich filling. It’s an easy, set-and-forget meal for busy nights, satisfying the craving for classic BBQ flavors. Customize with additional spices to suit your taste​.

Italian Beef Sandwiches

Inspired by classic Italian sandwiches, this recipe slow-cooks beef with Italian spices, pepperoncini, and broth. Start with beef chuck roast, add pepperoncini, Italian seasoning, garlic, and beef broth, and let it cook for 6-8 hours until tender. Once ready, shred the beef, load onto crusty bread, and top with melted provolone. These sandwiches are a perfect weeknight treat, offering a hearty, spicy flavor profile that pairs beautifully with roasted vegetables or a side salad. The pepperoncini add a unique tang, making this a standout dish​.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

This easy recipe combines shredded chicken, cream cheese, green chiles, and enchilada sauce in the slow cooker. Add chicken breasts, enchilada sauce, cream cheese, and green chiles, and cook for 5-6 hours on low. Once the chicken is tender, shred and mix thoroughly with the sauce, then assemble into tortillas. Cover with more enchilada sauce and cheese before baking briefly to melt the cheese, creating a creamy, flavorful dish. Serve with salsa and sour cream for a cozy Mexican-inspired dinner that’s ideal for busy nights​.

Carnitas

Perfect for tacos, this carnitas recipe slow-cooks pork with orange juice, garlic, and spices for a zesty, tender result. Begin with pork shoulder, orange juice, garlic, cumin, and oregano in the slow cooker, and cook on low for 8 hours. After cooking, shred the pork and broil briefly to crisp the edges, enhancing texture. These carnitas are versatile, great for tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos. The citrus adds a refreshing twist, balancing the rich pork flavor with a hint of sweetness​.

Easy Keto Chili

This keto-friendly chili omits beans to keep it low-carb while retaining the hearty flavor of traditional chili. Combine ground beef, tomatoes, peppers, and spices in the slow cooker, letting it cook on low for 8 hours to blend flavors. The result is a rich, savory dish packed with protein and fiber, perfect for a cold night. Serve it topped with cheese or avocado for added texture and creaminess. This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for keto or low-carb dieters, offering a comforting meal without the carbs​.

Slow Cooker Jambalaya

This Cajun-inspired dish combines shrimp, sausage, chicken, and rice for a flavorful and filling meal. To make, add sausage, chicken, diced tomatoes, bell peppers, and Cajun spices to the slow cooker, and cook on low for 5-6 hours. Add the shrimp in the final 30 minutes for perfect tenderness. The spices infuse the proteins and rice, creating a hearty meal that’s perfect on its own or with a side of cornbread. This dish brings the bold flavors of the South to your kitchen, all with minimal prep time​.

Beef Stroganoff

A classic comfort food, beef stroganoff is made easy with the slow cooker. Simply add beef, mushrooms, onion, garlic, and beef broth, and cook for 6-8 hours on low. When nearly done, stir in sour cream to create a creamy sauce that coats the tender beef perfectly. Serve over egg noodles for a complete meal that feels rich and satisfying without much effort. The long cooking time allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making this an excellent choice for colder nights​.

Slow Cooker Chicken Parmesan

For an Italian-inspired dish, this slow cooker chicken Parmesan layers chicken breasts with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. Place breaded chicken breasts, marinara sauce, and seasonings in the slow cooker, cooking on low for 4-5 hours. Add shredded mozzarella and Parmesan in the last 15 minutes for a melty topping. Serve over spaghetti for a full Italian meal with minimal prep. The chicken stays moist, while the cheese creates a gooey finish, making it a family favorite for pasta night​.

Vegetarian Minestrone Soup

This hearty, vegetable-packed soup is perfect for a light dinner that still satisfies. Add carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes, kidney beans, and pasta to the slow cooker, along with vegetable broth and Italian herbs, cooking for 6-7 hours. The slow cooking allows the vegetables to tenderize and flavors to meld, creating a rich, aromatic broth. Serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan or a side of crusty bread. It’s a low-calorie, nutritious meal that’s great for meal prepping or busy weeknights​.

BBQ Pulled Pork

A slow cooker staple, this BBQ pulled pork recipe is great for sandwiches or served with coleslaw. Start with pork shoulder, BBQ sauce, and apple cider vinegar, cooking on low for 8-10 hours. Once tender, shred the pork and mix with the sauce for a tangy, smoky flavor. It’s an easy recipe that yields plenty of leftovers, perfect for a quick dinner or lunch. Serve it on a bun with pickles, or enjoy it with a side of mac and cheese for a Southern-inspired meal​.

This article originally appeared on RetailShout.

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