January is here, and it’s officially National Slow Cooker Month! There’s no better time to celebrate the magic of this kitchen staple that makes meal prep easier, saves time, and fills your home with delicious aromas. Just about every family in the United States has a slow cooker. Whether you’re a busy homeschool mom or just looking for simple ways to create hearty meals, these top 10 easy slow cooker recipes are sure to delight your family and simplify your days.
As part of my renewed planning vigor for the new year, I am doing monthly meal planning. January’s meals are scheduled. Slow cooker recipes are helping me out of the food rut of the same few meals.
get the kids involved in the kitchen
Remember, cooking is a wonderful way to incorporate Montessori practical life activities into your child’s day. Involve kids by assigning age-appropriate tasks that help them develop fine motor skills, independence, and a sense of responsibility. Younger children (ages 2-4) can wash vegetables, tear herbs, or stir ingredients in a bowl. Preschoolers and early elementary kids (ages 5-7) can measure ingredients, sprinkle seasonings, or help set the slow cooker. Older children (ages 8 and up) can take on more complex tasks like peeling vegetables, following a recipe, or assembling layers in a dish like lasagna. These activities not only make cooking a shared family experience but also help children feel proud of their contributions to the meal.
new to slow cooker recipes?
Slow cookers are designed to be left on and unattended, so it is generally safe to use when you are not at home or overnight. Slow cookers use such a low level of power, about 1.5 times the wattage of a 100 watt light bulb, they can be left on for long periods of time without using much power. It should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle, not an extension cord; never leave anything plugged into an extension cord unattended. (Having a firefighter child ruined extension cords and candles for me; know better do better!) Be sure to read and follow your instruction manual.
If you need to buy a slow cooker, here is a reliable model large enough to feed a family and has a ceramic crock, not a crock lined with a nonstick coating. At the time of this post, it is 30% off too!
For best results, don’t fill the crock more than 2/3 full and resist the temptation to remove the lid during cooking. Every time you remove the lid, all of the slowly accumulated heat is let out and the temperature drops; every time you lift the lid, add 30 minutes to the cooking time. Also, keep in mind that hot steam collects under the lid; raising the lid away from you when the food is done can keep your eyeglasses steam-free and save you and your clothes from hot water droplets.
A pro-time-saver tip is to meal prep into plastic zip bags on the weekend for the easiest, stress-free home-cooking all week long. The meals are also budget-friendly! I have been eating a gluten-free (20 years), grain-free diet (15 years), so pseudo-grains like quinoa or buckwheat are used with more traditional grain options included.
the slow cooker recipes
Each recipe yields 6 servings.
1. Classic Beef Stew
Nothing says comfort food like tender chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and celery simmered in a rich, flavorful broth. Pair it with crusty bread for a satisfying winter meal. Do you enjoy dry wine? Kick your stew up a notch with leftover Cabernet, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Sangiovese, or Malbec; freeze leftover wine in plastic bags to keep it fresh.
ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces (grass-fed when possible)
- 4 medium potatoes, diced
- 4 large carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce (check ingredients, if you are gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
instructions:
- Place beef, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
- Then, in a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, optional wine, and a pinch of salt and pepper and pour over the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Lastly, add the bay leaf.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
2. Creamy Chicken and Quinoa Soup
When the days are chilly, this creamy, hearty soup is perfect and is packed with protein from the chicken and quinoa.
ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa (rinsed) or wild rice
- 3 large carrots, diced
- 3 celery stalks, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Pepper to taste
instructions:
- Place chicken, wild rice, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and thyme in the slow cooker.
- Add chicken broth.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Shred the chicken with two forks and stir in heavy cream. Lastly, cook for an additional 30 minutes.
3. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Personally, I am not big on pork, but boy, does the family love a shredded pulled pork! Rather perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or sliders, this savory recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
ingredients:
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup ketchup or barbeque sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked, when you have it)
- Salt and pepper to taste
instructions:
- Rub the pork shoulder with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Place in the slow cooker.
- Mix ketchup barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and garlic in a bowl. Pour over the pork.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 6 hours.
- Shred the pork and mix with the sauce before serving.
4. Vegan Chili
While I eat meat regularly, I also treasure flavor-packed meatless meals. Full of beans, vegetables, and bold spices, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser even for us meat lovers.
ingredients:
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers, diced
- 1 head cauliflower, diced
- 6 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked, when you have it)
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 bunch cilantro, washed and chopped
instructions:
- Simply combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Then stir well and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Stir in the lime juice and cilantro just before serving.
- Lastly, serve with toppings like avocado and if you aren’t strictly vegan, shredded cheese or sour cream.
5. Slow Cooker Eggplant Lasagna
Layers of eggplant, marinara sauce, cheese, and ground beef or veggies cook to perfection. Another version of this gluten-free lasagna is to use thinly sliced potato as the noodles in place of the eggplant.
ingredients:
- 12 lengthwise slices of eggplant, uncooked
- 4 cups marinara sauce
- 1.5 cups ricotta cheese (or small curd cottage cheese for a protein boost)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 lb ground beef (grass-fed when possible) or 2 cups diced vegetables
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
instructions:
- Brown the ground beef or sauté the vegetables if using. Drain any excess fat.
- Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Layer eggplant slices, ricotta cheese, ground beef or vegetables, marinara sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with cheese on top.
- Cook on low for 4-6 hours.
6. Honey Garlic Chicken
When is a sweet and savory dish not a hit with kids and adults alike? Serve it over cauliflower rice, sweet potato noodles, or bean threads (rice or noodles if you’re not grain-free) for a complete meal.
ingredients:
- 2 lbs chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce (gluten-free tamari option)
- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp ginger, minced
- 2 Tbsp tapioca starch (for thickening)
instructions:
- Place chicken in the slow cooker.
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, tapioca starch, garlic, and ginger. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
7. Slow Cooker Buckwheat
Start your mornings off right with warm, creamy buckwheat that’s ready when you wake up.
ingredients:
- 2 cups ground buckwheat (or steel-cut oats)
- 6 cups milk or almond milk
- 1/4 cup coconut or brown sugar or molasses
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
instructions:
- Simply combine all ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Then, simply stir and serve warm with toppings like fruit, nuts, or honey.
8. Loaded Baked Potato Soup
Indeed, everyone loves all the flavors of a loaded baked potato in a creamy, comforting soup.
ingredients:
- 6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 8 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 green onions, sliced
instructions:
- Add potatoes, chicken broth, and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Use an immersion blender to blend until smooth.
- Once smooth, stir in cream, cheese, sour cream, and bacon.
- Then cook for an additional 30 minutes to perfectly meld the flavors.
- Top with green onions before serving.
9. Slow Cooker Thai Curry
Bring bold, exotic flavors to your table with this easy-to-make Thai curry. Did you know that the spices in curry are particularly anti-inflammatory? I LOVE curry! This is excellent when served over cauliflower rice.
ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs chicken or tofu, cubed
- 1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
- 3 Tbsp red curry paste (curry powder can be used when you don’t have the paste)
- 2 bell peppers, sliced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 Tbsp ginger, minced
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
instructions:
- Add chicken or tofu, coconut milk, curry paste, bell peppers, carrots, onion, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce to the slow cooker, then stir to combine.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Serve with cauliflower rice, jasmine rice, or naan bread.
10. Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
End your meal on a sweet note with this warm, spiced apple crisp that cooks to perfection in your slow cooker while you spend time with the family. Who doesn’t love a hot apple dessert?
ingredients:
- 6 medium apples, peeled and sliced
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 cups almond flour
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
instructions:
- Place apples in the slow cooker and sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, lemon juice, and brown sugar.
- In a bowl, mix almond flour, salt, and melted butter, then spread over the apples.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours.
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream when desired.
slow cooker recipes are home-cooking game-changers for busy moms
Indeed, the slow cooker isn’t just a convenience; it’s truly a game-changer for busy families and those who crave home-cooked meals without the hassle. Try one of these recipes this National Slow Cooker Month and enjoy the delicious, stress-free benefits of this culinary powerhouse. While cooking with the kids away from the high heat of a stovetop, you can add some thought-provoking points to the conversation.
slow cooker fun facts to share with the kids
I am a history buff and find the backstories of everyday items fascinating. Share these stories with your kids. You never know what they will be inspired to accomplish!
During the early twentieth century, American inventor Irving Naxon was inspired by his mother’s story from her native Lithuanian town of his grandmother making a traditional stew that took several hours to cook in an oven. He invented the slow cooker and applied for the patent in 1936, receiving it in 1940. To avoid hiring a lawyer to process the patent application, Naxon passed the patent bar exam. Naxon invented several other appliances and has over 200 patents to his name. Naxon’s first slow cooker was The Boston Beanery. In 1970, he retired and sold the patent to the Rival Company which produced the Crock-Pot. The rest is history.
Which recipe are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments or share your favorite slow cooker recipes below!
Much mom love,
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