I love making meals that are hearty, flavorful, and easy to prepare, which is why I’ve compiled a list of my favorite crock pot recipes. From comforting Crock Pot Beef Stew to exotic Crock Pot Thai Chicken Curry, these dishes promise to transform your mealtime routine with minimal effort.
The 17 Best crock pot recipes
1. Crock Pot Beef Stew
Crock Pot Beef Stew is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender beef chuck cubes, sliced carrots, diced potatoes, chopped onions, and minced garlic, slowly cooked with beef broth and tomato paste for depth and richness.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 4 carrots, sliced
- 3 potatoes, diced
- 2 onions, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Instructions
1. Brown the beef cubes in a skillet over medium-high heat before placing them in the crock pot.
2. Add the carrots, potatoes, onions, and garlic to the crock pot.
3. In a bowl, mix together the beef broth and tomato paste, then pour over the ingredients in the crock pot.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours, until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Stir occasionally.
2. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup combines tender boneless, skinless chicken breasts with hearty vegetables like carrots, celery, and onion, all simmered in savory chicken broth. Egg noodles complete this comforting, easy-to-make dish.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 3 medium carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 ounces egg noodles
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Place the chicken breasts, chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
3. Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the slow cooker.
4. Add the egg noodles and cook on high for an additional 20-30 minutes, or until the noodles are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
3. Crock Pot Pulled Pork
Crock Pot Pulled Pork features tender, slow-cooked pork shoulder infused with barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and spices. It’s an easy dish that combines savory flavors with a hint of sweetness from brown sugar.
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds of pork shoulder (pork butt)
1 cup of barbecue sauce
1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup of chicken broth
1 tablespoon of brown sugar
1 tablespoon of paprika
1 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
1. Place the pork shoulder in the crock pot.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, chicken broth, brown sugar, paprika, and salt.
3. Pour the mixture over the pork, ensuring it is well covered.
4. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the pork is tender and shreds easily with a fork. After cooking, shred the pork directly in the pot and stir it into the juices before serving.
4. Slow Cooker Chili
Slow Cooker Chili is a hearty and comforting dish made with ground beef, kidney and black beans, diced tomatoes, and a blend of chili powder and cumin. Ideal for busy days, simply add and go.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (1
4.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no longer pink, breaking it into crumbles, then drain any excess fat.
2. Add the cooked beef, kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, chopped onion, chili powder, and cumin to the slow cooker.
3. Stir well, cover, and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Stir before serving and enjoy your slow cooker chili!
5. Crock Pot Pot Roast
Crock Pot Pot Roast is a comforting, hearty dish featuring chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, and onion, slow-cooked with garlic, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce for tender, flavorful results.
Ingredients
3 to 4 pounds chuck roast
4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
4 potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
1. Place the chuck roast in the center of the crock pot. Arrange the carrots, potatoes, and onion around the edges of the roast.
2. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the top and pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce around the roast and vegetables.
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or until the meat is tender and shreds easily with a fork. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
6. Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese is a creamy, comforting dish featuring elbow macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, and butter. It’s an easy, slow-cooked recipe perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
2 cups elbow macaroni, uncooked
4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups milk
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until just al dente, then drain.
2. In the crock pot, combine the cooked macaroni, cheddar cheese, milk, evaporated milk, melted butter, salt, and pepper.
3. Stir everything together until well combined. Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is melted and the mixture is creamy.
7. Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs are effortlessly delicious and tender. With baby back ribs seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, they’re slow-cooked in apple cider vinegar, then glazed with barbecue sauce.
Perfect for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 2 racks of baby back ribs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
1. Remove the silver membrane from the back of the ribs. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. Cut the ribs into manageable pieces, about 3-4 ribs per section, and place them in the slow cooker, standing on their sides around the edges or lying flat.
3. Pour the apple cider vinegar over the ribs, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the ribs are tender.
4. Preheat your broiler or grill. Brush the ribs with barbecue sauce and broil or grill them for about 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce becomes caramelized. Serve with additional barbecue sauce if desired.
8. Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos simplify weeknight dinners using boneless chicken breasts, taco seasoning, salsa, and diced tomatoes with green chilies. This dish delivers juicy shredded chicken ready to fill taco shells or tortillas.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix (about 1 ounce)
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Taco shells or tortillas, for serving
Instructions
1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of a slow cooker. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken.
2. Add the salsa, canned tomatoes with green chilies, and chicken broth to the slow cooker, ensuring the chicken is covered.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.
4. Shred the chicken with two forks inside the slow cooker, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve in taco shells or tortillas with your choice of toppings.
9. Slow Cooker Baked Ziti
Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is an easy, hearty dish featuring ground beef or Italian sausage, marinara sauce, uncooked ziti pasta, ricotta, and a blend of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses, cooked to perfection.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage
1 jar (about 24 ounces) marinara sauce
3 cups water
1 pound uncooked ziti pasta
1 cup ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef or Italian sausage until fully cooked. Drain any excess fat.
2. In a large slow cooker, combine the cooked meat, marinara sauce, and water. Stir in the uncooked ziti pasta, ensuring it is well-coated with sauce.
3. Dot the ricotta cheese over the top of the pasta mixture, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly across the surface.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the pasta is tender and the cheese is bubbly. Stir gently before serving.
10. Crock Pot Thai Chicken Curry
In this Crock Pot Thai Chicken Curry, chicken, coconut milk, and Thai red curry paste blend with red bell pepper and onion for a rich, aromatic dish. Fish sauce and brown sugar add depth and balance.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
- 1 can (14 ounces) coconut milk
- 3 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
1. Place the chicken cubes, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, red bell pepper, and onion in the crock pot. Stir to combine.
2. Add the fish sauce and brown sugar, then stir again to ensure the chicken is well-coated in the sauce.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
4. Serve hot over rice, and enjoy!
11. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew blends hearty chickpeas, tangy diced tomatoes, and warm spices like cumin, cinnamon, and ginger for a comforting and aromatic dish perfect for any cozy meal.
Ingredients
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can (1
4.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
1. Place the chickpeas, diced tomatoes, onion, and garlic into the slow cooker.
2. Stir in the cumin, cinnamon, and ginger until everything is well combined.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours until the flavors meld together.
4. Serve the stew hot, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro if desired.
12. Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken
Crock Pot Honey Garlic Chicken is a simple yet delicious dish made with boneless, skinless chicken breasts slow-cooked in a flavorful sauce of honey, soy sauce, ketchup, garlic, dried basil, and black pepper.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Place the chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot.
2. In a bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, minced garlic, dried basil, and black pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
4. Remove the chicken from the crock pot and serve with the sauce spooned over the top.
13. Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken
Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken is an easy dish featuring bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs cooked with lemon juice, zest, minced garlic, oregano, and olive oil. It’s perfect for a flavorful, hassle-free meal.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Juice and zest of 2 lemons
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
1. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
2. In a slow cooker, combine lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, chicken broth, and olive oil.
3. Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the slow cooker, ensuring they’re submerged in the liquid.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or on high for 3–4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
14. Crock Pot Butter Chicken
Crock Pot Butter Chicken features tender chicken thighs slow-cooked in a rich sauce of coconut milk, garam masala, cumin, tomato paste, minced garlic, and fresh ginger. It’s perfect alongside rice or naan.
Ingredients
-
1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
Instructions
1. Place the chicken thighs in the crock pot.
2. In a bowl, mix together the coconut milk, garam masala, cumin, tomato paste, garlic, and ginger. Pour this mixture over the chicken in the crock pot.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the chicken is tender and cooked through. Stir occasionally if possible.
4. Serve the butter chicken with rice or naan, garnishing with cilantro if desired. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
15. Slow Cooker Eggplant Parmesan
Slow Cooker Eggplant Parmesan is a hearty and comforting dish featuring layers of eggplant, marinara sauce, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and Italian-style breadcrumbs. It’s garnished with fresh basil for a delicious meal.
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
1. Lightly sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat dry with paper towels.
2. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere.
3. In a slow cooker, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer eggplant slices over the sauce, followed by more sauce and a mix of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat layering, finishing with cheese on top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours, or until the eggplant is tender and the cheese is bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
16. Crock Pot Korean Beef
Crock Pot Korean Beef is a savory dish featuring beef chuck roast slow-cooked with soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This flavorful combination ensures tender, aromatic beef perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
2 pounds of beef chuck roast, cut into chunks
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
1. Place the beef chunks in the slow cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together the beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sesame oil.
3. Pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker, ensuring the beef is well-coated.
4. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the beef is tender. Stir occasionally to keep the flavors blended.
17. Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Slow Cooker Jambalaya is a hearty Creole dish featuring diced chicken breast, spicy andouille sausage, tomatoes, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, long-grain rice, and shrimp. A warm, comforting meal made effortlessly in a slow cooker.
Ingredients
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
12 ounces andouille sausage, sliced
1 can (1
4.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
1 cup long-grain rice
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
Instructions
1. Place the diced chicken breast, sliced andouille sausage, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, and Cajun seasoning into the slow cooker. Stir to combine and ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
3. About 30 minutes before serving, add the rice and shrimp to the slow cooker. Stir well, cover, and continue cooking until the shrimp are pink and the rice is tender.
4. Once done, fluff the jambalaya with a fork before serving. Adjust seasoning to taste and enjoy!
