These 21 slow cooker dinners are the kind of meals that make Monday feel less annoying because most of the work happens while you’re busy doing everything else. You’ll find beef roasts, creamy chicken, pork dinners, soups, ribs, sliders, and cozy meals that cook low and slow, then get served warm without making the night feel harder than it already is.
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
A creamy comfort dinner, Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff cooks 1½ pounds of stewing beef or chuck roast with onion, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and parsley for 6 to 8 hours on low. Stir in ¾ cup sour cream near the end so the sauce turns smooth instead of curdling. Serve over 8 ounces of egg noodles while the beef is tender and the sauce is still warm.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Rich and creamy, Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs starts with 2 to 2½ pounds of bone-in skinless chicken thighs seasoned with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then cooked with onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and chicken broth. Heavy cream and fresh spinach go in at the end so the sauce stays creamy and the greens just wilt. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours. Finish with grated Parmesan and serve warm with the sauce spooned over the chicken.
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Slow Cooker Corned Beef with Cabbage
A full comfort plate, Slow Cooker Corned Beef with Cabbage uses a 5-pound beef brisket, beef broth, pickling spice, carrots, red potatoes, and green cabbage. The brisket can be brined for 3 to 5 days first with water, salt, brown sugar, pickling spice, curing salt, and garlic. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, then add the vegetables near the end so they soften without falling apart.
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Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast
Tangy and tender, Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast cooks 3 to 4 pounds of pork shoulder or pork butt with ranch seasoning, au jus gravy mix, butter, pepperoncini peppers, pepperoncini brine, and a little water or broth if needed. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours until the pork shreds easily. Mix the shredded pork back into the juices so every bite picks up the buttery pepper flavor.
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Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
Creamy and simple, Crockpot Marry Me Chicken uses 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts with chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, red pepper flakes, and chopped sun-dried tomatoes. Sear the chicken for 2 to 3 minutes per side first, then let it cook low in the sauce for 3 to 4 hours. Fresh basil goes on before serving for a clean finish. Serve it with pasta, rice, potatoes, or vegetables so the sauce has somewhere to land.
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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole
A hearty slow cooker dinner, Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole combines 1 pound of browned ground beef with corn, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, onion, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Frozen tater tots go on top in one layer and cook until the filling is hot and the potatoes are soft. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours. Broil the cooked casserole for 2 to 3 minutes if you want the top browned before serving.
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Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Built for tacos and bowls, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas cooks 4 pounds of boneless pork shoulder with cumin, oregano, chili powder, red pepper flakes, onion, garlic, orange juice, lime juice, and chicken broth. Sear the pork first for about 2 minutes per side, then cook on low for 4 to 5 hours until it shreds easily. Broil the shredded pork for 5 to 7 minutes if you want crisp edges.
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Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Creamy and direct, Slow Cooker Pork Chops cooks 4 boneless pork chops in a garlic Parmesan sauce made with heavy cream, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. The pork cooks on high for 3 to 4 hours until tender and fully cooked. Spoon the sauce over the chops right before serving so they stay coated. Add parsley if you want a simple finish, then serve with potatoes, rice, noodles, or vegetables.
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Slow Cooker Rump Roast
A classic roast dinner, Slow Cooker Rump Roast cooks 2½ pounds of rump roast with yellow baby potatoes, baby carrots, beef broth, onion, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper. Everything goes into the slow cooker together, then cooks low for 7 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours. The beef slices after cooking while the vegetables soak up the broth.
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Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
Glazed and tender, Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin uses 2 pounds of pork tenderloins rubbed with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. The glaze combines apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or high for 1½ to 2 hours, then thicken the juices with a flour slurry. Slice, spoon the glaze over the pork, and serve with parsley on top.
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Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs
Easy and saucy, Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs uses a 26-ounce bag of frozen meatballs with beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on low for 6 hours, then stir in a cornstarch slurry to thicken the gravy. The sauce turns rich enough to spoon over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
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Slow Cooker White Chili Chicken
Creamy but not heavy, Slow Cooker White Chili Chicken cooks 1½ pounds of chicken breasts or thighs with white beans, corn, green chilies, onion, chicken broth, garlic powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours, then shred the chicken. Cream cheese and heavy cream go in for the last 10 to 15 minutes so the broth turns smooth. Serve hot with shredded cheese, avocado, tortilla chips, or cilantro.
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Slow Cooker Pot Roast
A full dinner in one pot, Slow Cooker Pot Roast cooks 3 pounds of chuck roast with onion, carrots, garlic, tomato paste, beef stock, red wine, potatoes, mushrooms, thyme, rosemary, and parsley. The roast cooks low for 4 hours first, then potatoes and mushrooms go in for the final hour. The beef turns tender while the vegetables take on the broth and wine.
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Slow Cooker Potato Soup
Thick and loaded, Slow Cooker Potato Soup cooks 4 large potatoes with chicken broth, bacon, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper until fork-tender. Butter, flour, and milk are added later, then the soup gets blended until creamy with some potato chunks left behind. Cook on high for 3 to 4 hours or low for 5 to 6 hours. Serve with cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions on top.
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Simple and saucy, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork cooks 2 pounds of pork loin with olive oil, brown sugar, mustard, soy sauce, bay leaves, dark beer, salt, and pepper. Cook on low for 6 hours, then shred the pork right in the slow cooker. Leave it uncovered for another 30 to 45 minutes so the sauce thickens around the meat.
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Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken
Creamy and easy, Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken layers baby potatoes and baby carrots under 4 to 6 boneless skinless chicken breasts. Ranch dressing mix, cream of chicken soup, and heavy cream make the sauce that cooks down over the chicken and vegetables. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 6 hours until the vegetables are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
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Mississippi Pot Roast
Buttery and tangy, Mississippi Pot Roast cooks a 2-pound chuck roast or pot roast with ranch seasoning, au jus or brown gravy mix, pepperoncini peppers, pepperoncini juice, and butter. Brown the roast first, then cook on low for 8 to 10 hours until fork-tender. Shred the beef into the juices so the seasoning coats every piece. Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice.
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Pulled Pork Sliders
Party-ready but still dinner-friendly, Pulled Pork Sliders slow-cooks 1½ pounds of pork shoulder with barbecue sauce, beer, ketchup, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook on high for 4 to 6 hours, then shred the pork and mix it back into the juices. A slider sauce made with mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, cumin, and sugar goes over the buns.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew
A cold-night classic, Slow Cooker Beef Stew cooks 3 pounds of chuck roast cubes with onion, carrots, russet potatoes, beef broth, tomato paste, red wine, bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme. Everything cooks on low for 8 hours until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft. Remove the bay leaves before serving and add fresh herbs if you like. Serve warm with crusty bread or over mashed potatoes for a heavier plate.
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Slow Cooker Ribs
Saucy and hands-off, Slow Cooker Ribs starts with 2 pounds of baby back ribs rubbed with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. The ribs cook with 2 cups of barbecue sauce on high for 3 to 4 hours until the meat pulls away from the bone. Finish in a 425°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes so the tops get slightly crisp and caramelized. Brush with more sauce before serving.
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Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken
Tangy and low-effort, Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken cooks 1 pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts with au jus mix, ranch seasoning, pepperoncini juice, chopped pepperoncinis, and cubed butter. Cook on low for 5 to 6 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours until the chicken is fork-tender. Shred it right in the crockpot and stir it into the buttery juices.
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