17 easy slow cooker recipes for people who hate cooking

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Not everyone is born with a love for cooking! That’s why the slow cooker is your new best friend, and I’ve got 17 insanely easy recipes to prove it.

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

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.

These chicken legs cook by themselves while the BBQ sauce gets thick and rich. The meat falls off the bone after a few hours in the slow cooker, making dinner prep super simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

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.

A mix of peach preserves and BBQ sauce turns these ribs tender in the slow cooker. The meat cooks down until it pulls apart with a fork, making this a no-fuss dinner option.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

Slow Cooker Chuck Roast

A plate of pot roast with carrots and mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker Chuck Roast. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Put this beef in your slow cooker with basic seasonings for a hands-off dinner. The meat gets so tender it shreds with a spoon, and the flavor soaks through every bite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chuck Roast

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Slow cooker chicken with BBQ sauce in a crock pot with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The chicken cooks down until it pulls apart in strings. This slow cooker meal makes enough for sandwiches all week, and the meat stays moist in its own sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

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.

Chunks of ham and potatoes cook together in this creamy soup. The slow cooker does all the work while the cheese melts in to make the broth rich and thick.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ham and Potato Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

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

The chicken thighs stay juicy while cooking in their own sauce. This basic recipe needs just a few ingredients but the slow cooker makes them taste like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Asian Spare Ribs

Two ribs on a tray with sesame seeds and green onions.
Asian Spare Ribs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The ribs soak up soy sauce and spices as they cook. Your slow cooker turns them tender while the sauce gets sticky and coats every piece.
Get the Recipe: Asian Spare Ribs

Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Three slow cooker tacos with chicken, lime, avocado and tomatoes.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Honey and lime juice make this chicken extra flavorful. The meat shreds easily after cooking all day, ready to pile into taco shells.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Tacos

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Fresh vegetables and noodles cook in a rich broth. The slow cooker builds the flavors all day for a soup that takes no effort but tastes like it came from a restaurant.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

A close-up of a crispy Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joe sandwich with creamy sauce on a soft bun, served on a plate.
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The chicken cooks in buffalo sauce until it’s tender enough to shred. This slow cooker meal makes sandwich filling that’s spicy and creamy at the same time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sloppy Joes

Coca Cola Pulled Pork

A serving of pulled pork in a white bowl with hamburger buns and bottled coca-cola in the background on a checkered cloth.
Coca Cola Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The cola helps make this pork extra tender in the slow cooker. The meat pulls apart easily and has a sweet-savory flavor that’s perfect for sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Coca Cola Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Beef Tips

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

The beef gets fork-tender while cooking in rich gravy. Your slow cooker turns tough meat soft and makes the sauce thick without you having to stir.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

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

The broccoli cooks down while the cheese melts into the broth. This slow cooker copy of the restaurant favorite takes just minutes to put together.
Get the Recipe: Panera Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken on a white plate on rice topped with parsley.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

The chicken breast stays moist in a cream sauce. Your slow cooker makes the sauce rich and thick while keeping the meat tender.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken

French Onion Meatballs

A plate of meatballs in gravy, mashed potatoes, and broccoli on a wooden board.
French Onion Meatballs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

These meatballs need just five ingredients and cook in French onion soup. The slow cooker makes them tender while the sauce gets rich and brown.
Get the Recipe: French Onion Meatballs

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.

Mushroom soup makes a creamy sauce for these pork chops. The meat gets tender in your slow cooker while the sauce thickens around it.
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.

The beer helps make this beef extra tender as it cooks. Your slow cooker creates perfect meat for sliders topped with pickles and onions.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Beer Sliders

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