19 set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker recipes

Photo of author

| Published:

Feel that winter chill creeping in? Well, grab your coziest blanket and get ready to snuggle up with the ultimate cold-weather companion – your trusty slow cooker! We’ve got 19 mouthwatering recipes that are about to become your new best friends this winter.

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Closeup of Slow Cooker beef with egg noodles.
Crock Pot Beef and Noodles. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This beef and noodle combo is pure winter comfort food. The meat cooks until it falls apart, then gets mixed with tender noodles.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

A crockpot filled with tater tots, melted cheese, bacon pieces, and chopped green onions.
Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This stick-to-your-ribs casserole combines chicken, ranch, and bacon into one filling winter dish. The slow cooker does all the work while you stay cozy inside.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tater Tot Casserole

Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Ham and Potato soup in a gray and white bowl with a spoon.
Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Ham and potatoes simmer together in this filling winter soup. Add cheese at the end for an extra rich bowl.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Cincinnatti chili on top of spaghetti and covered with cheese, beans and onions.
Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This unique take on chili pairs ground beef with unexpected spices. The slow cooker creates a winter meal that’s different from standard chili.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cincinnati Chili

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches

A chicken sandwich topped with coleslaw on a seeded bun, served with French fries and a pickle spear on a white plate.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

BBQ sauce and ranch seasoning team up in this crowd-pleasing sandwich filling. It’s an easy winter meal that won’t break the bank.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Ranch Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Beef tips with mashed potatoes and brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Beef Tips. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef tips break down into tender pieces as they cook in rich gravy. This winter meal sticks to your ribs on the coldest days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup

A bowl of creamy potato soup topped with shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, and crumbled bacon, next to a spoon and a blue and white checkered napkin.
Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chunks of potato cook down into a thick, rich soup base. Add your own toppings to this winter staple that cooks while you’re out in the cold.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Loaded Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast

A slow cooker filled with beef and cranberries.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef and cranberries team up in this simple winter recipe. The slow cooker makes the meat tender while the tart berries give it a fresh spin.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken legs cook until they fall off the bone in BBQ sauce. This winter recipe gives you the taste of summer without firing up the grill.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Pork Chops on a plate covered with a creamy mushroom gravy and served on mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Pork Chops. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pork chops cook in mushroom soup until they’re fork-tender. This winter recipe makes its own creamy sauce while it cooks.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

Three pulled pork sliders with pickles and cheese are stacked on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef gets extra tender when it cooks in beer, making these sliders packed with flavor. They’re the right choice for warming up during winter game days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas

Close-up of shredded pork garnished with chopped herbs and lime wedges.
Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Pork slowly breaks down into tender, flavorful meat that’s great for tacos. This big-batch recipe helps you stock the freezer for winter meals.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chipotle Carnitas

Slow Cooker Smothered Steak

A plate with a serving of mashed potatoes topped with two pieces of meat in brown gravy, garnished with herbs and accompanied by Brussels sprouts.
Slow Cooker Smothered Steak. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This beef dish creates its own rich gravy as it cooks. The meat turns soft enough to cut with a fork – just what you want for a cold winter night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Smothered Steak

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork

A plate with roasted pork, brussels sprouts and cranberry sauce.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Tart cranberries cut through rich pork as it cooks. This no-fuss meal fills the house with warmth on winter days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cranberry Pork

Slow Cooker French Dip

A sandwich with meat and gravy on a plate next to a bowl of sauce.
Slow Cooker French Dip. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef gets so tender it shreds easily for these sandwiches. The cooking liquid doubles as dipping sauce in this winter-ready meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Dip

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A bowl of broccoli cheddar soup with broccoli and carrots.
Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

This copycat soup brings broccoli and cheese together in a thick, rich base. It’s the kind of winter comfort food that makes you want to stay inside.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Beef patties cook low and slow in gravy until they’re fork-tender. This winter comfort food classic feeds the whole family without much work on your part.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

A crock pot filled with chicken and lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Basic ingredients come together for a chicken dinner that hits the spot. The slow cooker makes this a no-stress winter meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow cooker country style ribs on a tray on top of mashed potatoes with corn.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These ribs cook in a mix of peach preserves and BBQ sauce until they’re tender. They bring a bit of sweetness to winter dinners.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.