A slow cooker is not much help when dinner still needs you hovering over it all afternoon. From the larger pool of slow cooker recipes I’ve developed and tested over time, these 17 were selected for long stretches of hands-off time and straightforward finishing. The lineup covers pork roasts, chicken dinners, beef stews, meatballs, sausage, and a substantial green bean side. Most can be left alone for hours, then brought to the table with a quick shred, stir, sauce, or side at the end.
Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops
Tomato-rich and savory, Slow Cooker Swiss Pork Chops combines 2 1/2 pounds of pork chops with beef broth, diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, onion, bell pepper, mushrooms, and garlic. The recipe lists 4 hours 10 minutes total and 6 servings, with the chops browned before they go into the slow cooker. Spoon the blended sauce over mashed potatoes, rice, or bread when dinner is ready.
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Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Roast
Coated with rosemary, sage, and thyme, Slow Cooker Herb-Crusted Pork Roast pairs a 3-pound pork shoulder with white wine, chicken broth, garlic, baby potatoes, carrots, celery, and shallots. The recipe lists 4 hours 10 minutes total and enough for 6, while the instructions also provide longer low-heat timing. Slice the roast beside the vegetables, then use the drippings for the optional gravy.
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4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken
With only chicken breast, cream of chicken soup, stuffing mix, and water or broth, 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Chicken keeps the ingredient list especially short. It takes 4 hours 5 minutes according to the and makes 4 servings, with the stuffing mixture spread directly over the seasoned chicken. Add mashed potatoes, green beans, steamed vegetables, or a simple salad for an easy dinner after a busy stretch.
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Birria de Res
Built on chuck roast and a broad mix of dried chiles, Birria de Res slow-cooks with beef broth, garlic, onion, celery, cider vinegar, cumin, and Mexican oregano. The recipe gives a 5-hour cook time and 8 servings before the beef is shredded and the broth is strained. Ladle the meat and consommé into bowls, or set out onion, cilantro, lime, avocado, and jalapeños for topping.
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Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken
Packed with chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, and rice, Slow Cooker Santa Fe Chicken makes a substantial all-in-one dinner. The recipe lists 6 hours 15 minutes total and 6 servings, with the rice added near the end and the chicken shredded before serving. Bring out tortillas, chips, cornbread, avocado, cheese, sour cream, or cilantro so everyone can finish a bowl their own way.
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Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast
A full roast dinner comes together in Easiest Slow Cooker Rump Roast with 2 1/2 pounds of beef, baby potatoes, carrots, onion, beef broth, rosemary, and thyme. The recipe takes 6 hours 10 minutes total and 6 servings, though the instructions give both high and low settings. Slice or shred the beef and plate it with the vegetables, saving the broth for bread or an optional thickened gravy.
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Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe With Stew Beef
Slow-braised stew beef turns fork-tender in Creamy Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff Recipe With Stew Beef alongside mushrooms, onion, garlic, beef broth, Dijon, Worcestershire, and Maggi seasoning. The recipe takes 7 hours 45 minutes total and 6 servings, then finishes the gravy with a flour slurry and tempered sour cream. Spoon it over wide egg noodles with black pepper and a green vegetable on the side.
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Pot Roast with Bacon
Bacon, beef broth, onion, garlic, thyme, and rosemary surround a 3-pound roast in Pot Roast with Bacon, with cubed turnip added toward the end. The live lists 5 hours 20 minutes total and 6 servings, followed by a reduced, thickened gravy made from the slow cooker liquid. Plate thick slices with mashed cauliflower, zucchini noodles, or another simple side that can hold plenty of gravy.
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Beef Barbacoa
Chiles and warm spices give Beef Barbacoa its depth, starting with chuck roast, beef broth, guajillo and ancho powders, chipotles in adobo, cider vinegar, cloves, oregano, and cinnamon. The recipe lists 6 hours 10 minutes total and 8 servings before the beef is shredded and the cooking liquid is reduced. Use it for tacos, nachos, tortillas, cauliflower rice, or a pile of greens.
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Southern Green Beans
More substantial than a plain vegetable side, Southern Green Beans slow-cooks fresh beans with diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, bacon, smoked sausage, and chicken stock. The list 2 hours 40 minutes total and 12 servings, with an occasional stir during the 2 1/2-hour high-heat cook. Set the pot beside grilled meat, pork tenderloin, fried fish, or a larger potluck spread where a warm side is useful.
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Beef Stew
Deeply beefy and packed with vegetables, Beef Stew combines stew meat with turnips, carrots, celery, mushrooms, onion, garlic, tomato paste, broth, thyme, and a bay leaf. The recipe lists 4 hours 20 minutes total and 12 servings, with the mushrooms added for the last 20 minutes. Fill bowls straight from the slow cooker and keep bread nearby for the broth.
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Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs
Rolled with uncooked long-grain rice, egg, onion flakes, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning, Slow Cooker Porcupine Meatballs simmer in crushed tomatoes with balsamic vinegar and fresh basil. It takes 3 hours 10 minutes total and 4 servings, with 4 meatballs counted per serving. Spoon them over spaghetti or mashed potatoes, then finish the plate with Parmesan or extra basil.
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Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers
Italian sausage links anchor Slow Cooker Sausage & Peppers with red, yellow, and green peppers, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and marinara sauce. With a total time of 6 hours 15 minutes, and 10 servings, with a shorter high setting once the sausage and onions are browned. Tuck everything into toasted buns, spoon it over pasta, or pair it with creamy polenta.
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Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples
Sweet potatoes and tart apples balance the pork in Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin with Sweet Potatoes & Apples, along with onion, ginger, garlic, cranberries, brown sugar, thyme, cinnamon, and nutmeg. The recipe takes 4 hours 15 minutes total and 10 servings, with a faster high setting also included. Cut the tenderloins into thick medallions and arrange them around the fruit and vegetables, adding the cooking juices at the table.
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Authentic Hungarian Goulash
Paprika gives Authentic Hungarian Goulash its defining base, joining stewing beef, plenty of onion, garlic, beef broth, tomato paste, smoked hot paprika, thyme, bay leaves, and balsamic vinegar. The recipe lists 6 hours 15 minutes total and 6 servings before an optional flour slurry thickens the sauce. Put crusty bread, spaetzle, or a simple vegetable beside each bowl to round out dinner.
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German Pork Loin
Mustard-coated pork develops a savory gravy in German Pork Loin with onions, garlic, white wine, chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaves. It takes 4 hours 10 minutes total and 8 servings, with the cooking liquid thickened after the loin rests. Slice the pork across the grain and bring it to the table with sauerkraut, spaetzle, mashed potatoes, or green beans.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Fragrant coriander, turmeric, cumin, amom, ginger, cinnamon, and paprika season Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala before the chicken thighs meet onion, garlic, ginger, tomato sauce, and cream. With a total of 4 hours 45 minutes and 6 servings, with the cream stirred in for the final 20 minutes. Serve the sauce-rich chicken with naan, basmati rice, yogurt, cilantro, and lime wedges.
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