Effortless & Delicious: Slow Cooker Recipes For Busy Lives

Let’s be honest, who has time to stand over a hot stove every night after a long day? Not this cook! That’s why I’ve become a huge fan of my slow cooker. It’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights, allowing me to throw ingredients in the pot in the morning and come home to a delicious, home-cooked meal.

This article will share some of my favorite easy slow cooker recipes that are perfect for beginners and busy families. These recipes require minimal prep time and produce mouthwatering results with minimal effort. So, grab your slow cooker and let’s get cooking!

1. Classic Beef Stew

This hearty stew is a true comfort food classic. It’s packed with tender beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich, flavorful broth.

Ingredients:

2 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 2-inch cubes

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed beef broth

1 cup red wine (optional)

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

Instructions:

1. Sear the beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. Sear the beef on all sides until browned.
2. Combine ingredients: Add the browned beef, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the slow cooker. Pour in the diced tomatoes, beef broth, red wine (if using), thyme, and rosemary. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the beef is very tender.
4. Thicken the stew: In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the stew and cook for an additional 15 minutes, or until thickened.
5. Serve: Serve hot with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This comforting dish is a family favorite. The tender chicken and fluffy dumplings make for a satisfying and hearty meal.

Ingredients:

3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups chicken broth

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients: Place the chicken, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth, bay leaves, thyme, and oregano. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours, until the chicken is very tender.
3. Make the dumplings: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the milk, whisking until smooth. Stir in the melted butter.
4. Add dumplings: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it. Discard the bay leaves. Drop the dumpling batter by spoonfuls over the simmering chicken broth.
5. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 20-30 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked through.
6. Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Serve hot.

3. Easy Pulled Pork

This classic slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. The tender pulled pork can be used in a variety of ways, such as sandwiches, tacos, or salads.

Ingredients:

3-4 pound boneless pork shoulder (also called Boston butt)

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained

1 cup apple juice or cider

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients: Place the pork shoulder, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker. Pour in the diced tomatoes, apple juice, brown sugar, chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the pork is very tender and easily shreds.
3. Shred the pork: Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
4. Serve: Serve the pulled pork on buns with your favorite toppings, such as coleslaw, barbecue sauce, and pickles.

4. Slow Cooker Chili

This hearty and flavorful chili is a crowd-pleaser. It’s easy to make and can be customized to your liking with your favorite toppings.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained

1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 (1.25 ounce) packet chili seasoning

1 teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the beef: Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain off any excess grease.
2. Combine ingredients: Add the browned beef, onion, garlic, black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes and green chilies, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, chili seasoning, cumin, and chili powder to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Serve: Serve hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped onions, and jalapenos.

5. Slow Cooker Pot Roast

This classic pot roast is incredibly tender and flavorful. It’s a simple yet impressive meal that will impress your family and friends.

Ingredients:

3-4 pound beef chuck roast

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup beef broth

1/2 cup red wine (optional)

2 sprigs fresh rosemary

2 sprigs fresh thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients: Place the beef roast, onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in the slow cooker. Pour in the beef broth, red wine (if using), rosemary, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, until the beef is very tender.
3. Serve: Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve the roast with the vegetables and pan juices.

Tips for Slow Cooker Success:

Don’t overcrowd the slow cooker: Make sure there is enough room for the ingredients to cook evenly.

Use the right amount of liquid: Too little liquid can cause the food to dry out, while too much liquid can make the food watery.

Brown the meat (optional): Browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker can add extra flavor.

Stir occasionally: Stirring the ingredients occasionally helps to ensure even cooking.

Adjust cooking times: Cooking times may vary depending on the size and type of ingredients.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many delicious and easy slow cooker recipes that you can try. With a little planning, you can enjoy delicious home-cooked meals all week long without spending hours in the kitchen. So, grab your slow cooker and start cooking!