Our Best Slow Cooker Dinners Of All Time

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

There's nothing more satisfying than coming home after a long day to a house that already smells like dinner. A good slow cooker supper is the ultimate set it and forget it meal. Put away your pots and pans, because we've compiled our absolute best slow cooker dinners of all time.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Photo: Brian Woodcock; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

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Slow-Cooker Brisket with Smoked Paprika

Photo: Annabelle Breakey

Slow-Cooker Brisket with Smoked Paprika Recipe

Save time and oven space and use a slow-cooker for brisket that's tender when pierced, with a rich, velvety sauce. Start in the morning and you'll have brisket by dinnertime.

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Slow-Cooker Four-Cheese Spaghetti with Italian Sausage

Photo: Victor Protasio; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Slow-Cooker Four-Cheese Spaghetti with Italian Sausage Recipe

Switch up your go-to slow-cooker meals and go for a cheesy pasta dish that's loaded with hearty sausage. It's a great option for the entire family, and you can take the leftovers for lunch the next day.

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Slow-Cooker Carnitas

Photo: Victor Protasio

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Recipe

Using a slow-cooker to braise pork means you can start this recipe in the morning, go about your day, and just sizzle the meat right before dinner. Store any leftover carnitas in the cooking liquid and use for sandwiches, or serve over polenta.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

While the chicken becomes fall-apart tender, briny capers, crushed red pepper, and garlic infuse the tomatoes for a robust marinara sauce.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Congee

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Slow Cooker Chicken Congee Recipe

The slow cooker does all the work in this comforting rice porridge, breaking down the rice with fragrant ginger and star anise and poaching the chicken until silky. A bit of chili oil is the vibrant kick this dish needs. You can also use Sriracha or a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Cilantro or baby spinach leaves can work in place of the watercress.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Posole

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Slow Cooker Chicken Posole Recipe

Think of posole as chili's brothier, lighter cousin, a Mexican version of chicken soup. Posole is also a name for the hominy, or rehydrated dried corn, that goes in the dish.

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Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon, and Potato Soup

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon, and Potato Soup Recipe

This soup is perfect for ushering in fall: It's hearty enough for the beginning of soup season, yet brothy and veggie-packed so that it doesn't feel too heavy. Pair it with a slaw or kale side salad and crusty whole-grain bread for a light, satisfying dinner. This recipe is ideal for a weekend, when you can check on the slow cooker after just a few hours; though you won't be able to leave the soup unattended all day, this still offers the benefit of hands-free, fuss-free cooking. Either baby red, Yukon Gold, or fingerling potatoes will work well here, as they'll maintain their shape nicely during cooking.

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Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs Recipe

Short ribs are often considered a cold weather dish, but we gave them a makeover for summer with a bright, tangy sauce (inspired by spiked sweet tea) and a fresh, herbal topping of parsley, scallions, and lemon zest. Serve these easy-to-prepare slow cooker ribs atop grits, mashed potatoes, or egg noodles or alongside potato salad with a tangy, vinegar-based (not mayonnaise-based) dressing.

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Photographer: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder Recipe

This creamy soup makes an indulgent but not too heavy meal on a hot summer day. Pick the freshest sweet corn you can find.

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Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa

Photographer: Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa Recipe

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Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Chuck Roast

Photographer and Prop Stylist: Gina DeSimone; Food Stylist: Briana Riddock

Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Chuck Roast Recipe

Set your slow cooker on low and go on about your day knowing that dinner is gonna be delicious. In this simple set-it-and-forget-it dish, beef chuck roast cooks in a flavor-packed rosemary marinade, full of fresh rosemary leaves and onions for a succulent, highly comforting entree. The habanero pepper delivers a detectable heat, but the spice factor is not overwhelming. However, if you’re sensitive to heat, use a quarter of the pepper instead of half (or omit it altogether). The remaining liquid in the slow cooker can be cooked down on the stovetop into a rich, flavorful gravy to top the beef, along with your favorite starchy side—rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted sweet potatoes would all make great options.

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Slow Cooker Santa Fe Meatloaf

Photography: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Lindsey Lower.

Slow Cooker Santa Fe Meatloaf Recipe

Oven-baked meatloaf can turn dry, but the moisture-sealing magic of the slow cooker makes this one melt in your mouth.

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Slow Cooker Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps

Photography: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Claire Spollen.

Slow Cooker Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps Recipe

This dish is great for a casual get-together or a weeknight meal (with leftovers). The seasoning paste is modeled after Korean ssamjang--a concentrated, salty, slightly spicy concoction. Unlike traditional versions, though, ours is made with grocery store ingredients for ease and convenience.

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Simple Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

Time Inc. Video Studio

Simple Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Recipe

As easy as it gets, this is a great, hands-off, and foolproof method for cooking spaghetti squash. Use the cooked squash for salads, as a veggie swap for pasta noodles, or as a simple fall side dish.

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One-Ingredient Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Time Inc. Video Studio

One-Ingredient Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions Recipe

Don’t feel like standing over a pan of gently sautéing onions? Simply toss them in the slow cooker, let them go (8 hours or overnight), and come back to beautifully tender-sweet caramelized onions—perfect for folding into dips, stirring into sides and salads, layering onto sandwiches, and more.

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Simple Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Time Inc. Video Studio

Simple Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Recipe

This simple whole chicken recipe is great served as is with crusty bread or over rice, but it’s also a great way to cook chicken ahead of time to use in a variety of dishes, such as chicken salad, soups, and casseroles.

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Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder Recipe

Great for a game-day get-together, this hearty and creamy soup feeds a crowd with little hands-on time required.

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Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup Recipe

The potatoes absorb the rich, smoky flavor of the ham hocks in this one-pot soup. Serve with crusty bread, a salad, and hot sauce on the side for an easy meal both kids and adults will love.

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Slow Cooker Thai Beef Curry

Photo: Victor Protasio

Slow Cooker Thai Beef Curry Recipe

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Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey

Victor Protasio

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey Recipe

If your Thanksgiving tradition includes a smoked turkey, save one of the legs for this easy, soul-satisfying soup. Otherwise, look for smoked turkey legs near the bacon at your grocery store (or use a ham hock).

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Slow Cooker Bourbon-Peach Baked Beans

Caitlin Bensel

Slow Cooker Bourbon-Peach Baked Beans Recipe

Skip the canned baked beans in favor of our fuss-free version, which saves up to 300mg sodium per serving. Adobo sauce and bacon build a smoky backbone, while peak-season peaches offer sweet contrast. Bonus: The beans will stay warm in a covered slow cooker for up to 2 hours after being unplugged.

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How to Make Slow-Cooker French Toast

PHOTO BY TIME INC. VIDEO STUDIO

How to Make Slow-Cooker French Toast Recipe
You can even go back to sleep while it cooks

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Slow Cooker Strata Lets You Feel Like Martha Stewart, But Way Lazier

Photo by Stacey Ballis

Slow Cooker Strata Lets You Feel Like Martha Stewart, But Way Lazier Recipe
Use up all your leftovers, get some extra sleep

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Slow Cooker Cheesy Cottage Potatoes

Photo Courtesy Time Inc. Books

Slow Cooker Cheesy Cottage Potatoes Recipe
Serve these savory taters on the side or make them the star attraction

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Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Victor Protasio

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks Recipe

When cooked low and slow, the tender ham hocks completely fall apart and infuse the collard greens with a savory, smoky flavor. Carefully remove the hocks before serving to make sure no bones remain.

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Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe

Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like classic corned beef and cabbage. But, don't be afraid to enjoy this traditional Irish meal any time of the year. This recipe is made corned beef recipe is made simple by the hands-off cooking power of your slow cooker.

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Slow Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup

Greg DuPree

Slow Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup Recipe

Simple flavors and a rustic touch will make this soup an instant home-cooked favorite, especially on chilly, wintry days. Inexpensive dried lentils make up the bulk of the soup, helping fill in your fiber gaps and keep you full longer. Chickpeas are the secret ingredient to achieve supreme creaminess, which become delightfully smooth when blended, and sneak in an extra 3g fiber per serving.

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Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil

Photo: Kelsey Hansen; Prop Styling: Kashara Johnson; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners

Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil Recipe

For a classic summery meal without a fuss, look no further than this slow cooker shrimp boil. With a simple ingredient list and a largely hands-off cooking method, this easy seafood boil is a perfect recipe to plan on for casual warm weather entertaining or even as a low-effort meal to make at the rental house during a beach vacation. We opted to pull the corn out after 30 minutes of cooking as we preferred it on the crisp side, but as long as your slow cooker is large enough, feel free to leave it in the pot as the shrimp and sausage cook.

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Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Victor Protasio

Slow Cooker Carnitas Tacos Recipe

This is going to become your new go-to on taco night. Pork shoulder becomes meltingly tender as it slow-cooks in the chile- and garlic-infused citrus sauce. Searing the pork in a skillet for just a minute adds a depth of flavor you don't otherwise get in a slow cooker. Mildly spicy ancho chile (dried poblano peppers) adds authentic chile flavor to the sauce. Look for dried chiles in the produce or bulk spice department in large supermarkets. To serve taco truck–style, tuck the carnitas into warm corn tortillas and keep the toppings simple with diced white onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Pair with slaw on the side.

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Home-Style Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Alison Miksch

Home-Style Slow-Cooker Pot Roast Recipe

Certain comfort foods are synonymous with Sunday supper, the meal that brings the family together. The convenience of a slow cooker makes it easy to enjoy this classic any day of the week. Be sure to cut the vegetables into large, uniform pieces so they will hold up during the long cook time.

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Slow Cooker Sweet-and-Sour Chicken

Caitlin Bensel

Slow Cooker Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Recipe

This may be our easiest slow cooker recipe yet. There’s no browning in the skillet, no last-minute stovetop sauce—all the magic happens right in the slow cooker. Craving crunch? Serve it as a wrap in the cabbage of your choice.

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Crock Pot Easy Pot Roast

Photo: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Tori Cox and Gordon Sawyer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Crock Pot Easy Pot Roast Recipe

We've adapted this recipe from Phyllis Good's Fix-it and Forget-it Cookbook. Just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker in the morning, and you'll have a meal that the whole family will love by dinnertime.

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Easy Slow-Cooker Jambalaya

Photo: Jen Causey; Food Styling: Tori Cox and Gordon Sawyer; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Easy Slow-Cooker Jambalaya Recipe

This classic Creole rice dish is perfect for the slow-cooker as all the flavors blend together over time in a marvelous way.

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Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs Recipe

Barbecue season is here, but we'll let you in on a secret: All you really need for crowd-pleasing baby back ribs is the right recipe and a slow cooker. Savory, tender, juicy, and slow-cooked to perfection, this recipe for Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs is our newest and best. And just because it's easy doesn't mean this recipe lacks character. Add our homemade Rib Rub and Fancy Barbecue Sauce for a foolproof meal that's truly special.

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Crock-Pot BBQ Ribs

Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Anna Hampton; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Crock-Pot BBQ Ribs Recipe

If you’re skeptical about ribs in a slow cooker, prepare to be amazed by the tender and delicious results. Cooking ribs doesn’t get easier than this two-step method, and while they serve as the perfect summer entrée, you can make these ribs just as easily at any time of year. Start by selecting the style you like: baby back ribs, spare ribs, St. Louis style ribs, or country style pork ribs. Combine with your favorite sweet and smoky BBQ sauce and let your Crock-Pot take it from there. These easy slow cooker ribs are fall-off-the-bone tasty.

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Our Best Slow Cooker Dinners Of All Time

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Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

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Slow-Cooker Brisket with Smoked Paprika

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Slow-Cooker Four-Cheese Spaghetti with Italian Sausage

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Slow-Cooker Carnitas

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Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

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Slow Cooker Chicken Congee

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Slow Cooker Chicken Posole

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Slow Cooker Chicken, Bacon, and Potato Soup

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Slow-Cooker Ginger, Sweet Tea, and Whiskey Short Ribs

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

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Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa

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Slow Cooker Rosemary Beef Chuck Roast

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Slow Cooker Santa Fe Meatloaf

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Slow Cooker Korean Pork Lettuce Wraps

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Simple Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash

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One-Ingredient Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

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Simple Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

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Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

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Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

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Slow Cooker Thai Beef Curry

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Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey

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Slow Cooker Bourbon-Peach Baked Beans

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How to Make Slow-Cooker French Toast

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Slow Cooker Strata Lets You Feel Like Martha Stewart, But Way Lazier

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Slow Cooker Cheesy Cottage Potatoes

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Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

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