13 Best Simple Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love

Every time I make Slow Cooker Recipes, it feels like magic. I can throw everything in the pot in the morning and come back hours later to a meal that smells incredible and tastes even better. Even when I’m exhausted from work or errands, the house feels cozy, and everyone gathers around asking what’s for dinner. Honestly, there’s something so comforting about knowing dinner basically cooks itself.

When I serve Slow Cooker Recipes, I like pairing them with sides that complete the meal, like crusty bread, mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or a fresh salad. Sometimes I add roasted veggies, pickles, or a dollop of sour cream. On special nights, I’ll serve cornbread or garlic rolls. Every combination makes the meal even more comforting and satisfying.

13. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken is perfect for an easy and tasty dinner. It slowly cooks chicken with honey and garlic, making the meat tender and full of flavor. It works beautifully with rice or vegetables and keeps your kitchen stress-free. This simple slow cooker recipe is ideal for beginners and a comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tsp dried basil

Directions

1. Place chicken in the slow cooker. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, ketchup, and basil, then pour over chicken.
2. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
3. Serve with rice or steamed vegetables.

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12. Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Beef Stew is hearty and easy. Slow-cooked beef with vegetables makes every bite soft and flavorful. It’s perfect for cold evenings and works well for leftovers.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs beef stew meat
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp tomato paste

Directions

1. Add beef, carrots, potatoes, onion, beef broth, thyme, and tomato paste to the slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7–8 hours or high for 4 hours until beef is tender.
3. Stir and serve warm.

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11. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is easy and flavorful. Pork shoulder slowly cooks in BBQ sauce, producing tender, shreddable meat. Perfect for sandwiches or plates with sides.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp smoked paprika

Directions

1. Place pork in slow cooker. Mix BBQ sauce, vinegar, broth, brown sugar, and paprika; pour over pork.
2. Cook on low for 8–9 hours or high for 4–5 hours until pork is shreddable.
3. Shred pork and serve on buns or with your favorite sides.

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10. Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Alfredo

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Alfredo is rich and comforting. Chicken slowly cooks in a creamy sauce that blends perfectly. Ideal with pasta or veggies.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

Directions

1. Place chicken in slow cooker. Pour heavy cream, chicken broth, garlic, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning over it.
2. Cook on low for 4–5 hours until chicken is tender.
3. Serve with cooked pasta.

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9. Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry

Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry is full of flavor. Vegetables cook slowly with curry spices, producing a rich, comforting dish. Perfect with rice or naan.

Ingredients

• 2 cups chopped potatoes
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup peas
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced

Directions

1. Add all vegetables, coconut milk, curry powder, onion, and garlic to slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours until vegetables are tender.
3. Serve with rice or naan.

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8. Slow Cooker Chili

Slow Cooker Chili is hearty and easy. Beef or turkey cooks slowly with beans and tomatoes, producing a rich, flavorful dish. Great for cold days.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 bell pepper, chopped

Directions

1. Brown meat in a pan, then transfer to slow cooker with beans, tomatoes, onion, chili powder, cumin, and bell pepper.
2. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
3. Serve hot with cornbread or rice.

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7. Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Salmon

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Salmon is healthy and flavorful. Lemon and garlic make the salmon tender and fresh-tasting.

Ingredients

• 4 salmon fillets
• 2 lemons, sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Place salmon in slow cooker with lemon slices, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook on low for 1–2 hours until salmon is done.
3. Serve with vegetables or rice.

6. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is juicy and flavorful. Chicken cooks slowly in a sweet and savory sauce. Perfect with rice or noodles.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp ginger, grated

Directions

1. Mix soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger in slow cooker. Add chicken.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours until tender.
3. Serve with rice or noodles.

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5. Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers cook bell peppers stuffed with rice, ground meat, and seasonings until tender and flavorful.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix ground meat, rice, onion, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
2. Stuff each bell pepper and place in slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

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4. Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese is creamy and comforting. Pasta cooks slowly with a smooth cheese sauce.

Ingredients

• 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 4 cups milk
• ½ cup butter
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper

Directions

1. Add macaroni, cheeses, milk, butter, salt, and pepper to slow cooker.
2. Cook on low for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve warm.

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3. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos are flavorful and easy. Chicken cooks slowly with spices and sauce, making it tender for tacos, burritos, or bowls.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup salsa
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Place chicken in slow cooker and add taco seasoning, salsa, broth, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
3. Shred chicken and serve.

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2. Slow Cooker Lasagna

Slow Cooker Lasagna cooks noodles, cheese, and meat sauce slowly for a soft, cheesy, flavorful meal.

Ingredients

• 9 lasagna noodles
• 1 lb ground beef or sausage
• 2 cups ricotta cheese
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Brown meat and mix with marinara sauce and Italian seasoning.
2. Layer noodles, ricotta, meat sauce, and mozzarella in slow cooker.
3. Cook on low for 4–5 hours.

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1. Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs

Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs cook slowly in marinara sauce until tender and flavorful. Perfect for pasta, sandwiches, or appetizers.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef or pork
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Mix meat, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, salt, and pepper, and form into meatballs.
2. Place meatballs in slow cooker and pour marinara sauce over them.
3. Cook on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.

CONCLUSION

Slow cooker recipes make mealtime effortless, flavorful, and comforting. From hearty stews and tender meats to creamy pastas and vibrant vegetable dishes, the slow cooker transforms simple ingredients into satisfying meals. Perfect for busy days, these recipes bring warmth, convenience, and deliciousness to every table.