35 Slow Cooker Recipes for Weeknights
Effortless Dinners Slow Cooker.
Simplify dinner with over 35 quick prep crockpot meals perfect for busy weeknights.
I remember when the kids were little and my design deadlines were piling up. Dinner felt like an impossible task. Ugh. Then, my mother-in-law gifted me a slow cooker. At first, I was skeptical. But that first pot of chili... wow. The house filled with this incredible, rich smell all afternoon. We sat down to the most tender, flavorful meal, and I'd barely lifted a finger. It felt like a secret weapon. So, yeah, this little appliance became my kitchen hero.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with Slow Cooking
- •The ultimate 'set it and forget it' method for busy days.
- •Creates incredibly tender, melt-in-your-mouth meats.
- •Deepens flavors beautifully over a long, slow cook time.
- •One-pot cooking means minimal cleanup. A true gift.
- •Fills your home with the most comforting, delicious aromas all day long.
- •Perfect for meal prepping and batch cooking for the week.
This list is a lifesaver! I’ve tried three recipes so far, and my family has loved every single one. They’re so easy to prep in the morning, and it feels incredible to have dinner completely done when I get home from work. Thank you for making our weeknights so much calmer and more delicious.
Essential Ingredient Guide
- A Good Cut of Meat: Look for tougher, less expensive cuts like chuck roast, lamb shoulder, or chicken thighs. They become incredibly tender and flavorful after hours of slow cooking.
- Aromatics: Onion, garlic, carrots, and celery are the foundation of so many great slow cooker meals. They soften and release their flavor into everything.
- Cooking Liquid: Broth, stock, or even just a little water is essential. It creates steam and prevents things from drying out. Just don't add too much—the food will release its own juices.
- Herbs and Spices: Use dried herbs at the beginning of the cook time and save fresh herbs, like parsley or cilantro, to stir in at the very end for a pop of freshness.
Complete Cooking Process
- Always start by placing your root vegetables and hearty aromatics at the bottom of the crock. They take the longest to cook and benefit from being submerged in the liquid.
- Next, add your protein. If you have a few extra minutes, searing the meat first in a hot pan creates a much richer, deeper flavor. It’s a step I rarely skip.
- Pour in your liquid—broth, canned tomatoes, a splash of vinegar—but be careful not to add too much. You generally need less liquid than you think.
- Set the lid on and let it be! Resisting the urge to peek is key to maintaining a steady cooking temperature.
- In the last 30 minutes, you can add delicate ingredients like fresh herbs, cream, or a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce.
Your Slow Cooker Questions, Answered
→Do I have to brown the meat first?
Honestly, you don't *have* to, but it makes a world of difference in the final flavor. That caramelization adds a depth you just can't get otherwise. If you're short on time, you can skip it, and dinner will still be great.
→High or Low? What's the difference?
Low and slow is almost always my preference. It gives the flavors more time to meld and results in more tender meat. As a general rule, one hour on high is about equal to two hours on low.
→Can I put frozen meat in the slow cooker?
It's generally not recommended for food safety reasons, as the meat can spend too long in the 'danger zone' temperature-wise. It's always best to thaw your meat completely first.
→My sauce is too thin. How can I fix it?
So easy! In the last 20-30 minutes of cooking, whisk a tablespoon of cornstarch with a few tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the slow cooker, turn the heat to high, and let it thicken up.
35 Slow Cooker Recipes for Weeknights
35+ easy slow cooker recipes for busy weeknights! Simplify dinner with these quick prep crockpot meals. Delicious and wholesome.
Timing
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
6-8 hours
Total Time
8 hours 15 minutes
Recipe Details
Ingredients
Example Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Lamb
- 014-5 lb boneless lamb shoulder
- 022 onions, sliced
- 034 cloves garlic, minced
- 041 cup beef broth
- 051/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 062 tablespoons brown sugar
- 071 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 082 teaspoons cumin
- 09Salt and black pepper to taste
- 101 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
Instructions
Pat the lamb shoulder dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and cumin.
For extra flavor, sear the lamb in a hot skillet with a little oil until browned on all sides. This is optional but recommended.
Place the sliced onions and minced garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker. Place the lamb shoulder on top.
In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar. Pour this mixture over the lamb.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the lamb is completely tender.
Carefully remove the lamb from the slow cooker onto a large cutting board. Let it rest for a few minutes.
Using two forks, shred the lamb, discarding any large pieces of fat.
Return the shredded lamb to the slow cooker and stir in your favorite BBQ sauce. Let it warm through for another 15-20 minutes.
Serve warm on toasted buns with coleslaw for a perfect, effortless meal.
Notes & Tips
- 1Feel free to adapt these recipes to your family's tastes. Swap vegetables, adjust spices, and make them your own. That's the beauty of home cooking!
- 2Slow cooker temperatures can vary by brand, so get to know your machine. Your dish might cook a little faster or slower than the recipe states.
Tools You'll Need
- •Don't overfill your slow cooker—keep it about half to two-thirds full for best results.
- •Always make sure the lid fits snugly to trap heat and moisture.
- •Trim excess fat from meats to avoid a greasy final dish.
- •Add dairy ingredients like cream or cheese at the end of the cooking time to prevent them from curdling.