Skip to content

Top Navigation

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Course
  • Baking
  • Global
  • Healthy
  • Favorite Ingredients
  • Holidays and Occasions
  • Quick and Easy
  • Convenience Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling
  • How To
  • Extra Crispy
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Email Preferences
  • Logout
Login
Pin FB

Explore MyRecipes

MyRecipes MyRecipes
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      55+ Easy Dinner Recipes for Busy Weeknights

      Everybody understands the stuggle of getting dinner on the table after a long day. If you're looking for a simple recipe to simplify your weeknight, you've come to the right place--easy dinners are our specialty. For an easy supper that you can depend on, we picked out some of our tried-and-true favorites that have gotten us through even the busiest of days. Whether you're cooking for yourself or for a family, these easy dinners are sure to leave everyone satisfied and stress-free. Read More
    • The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      The Brilliant Secret to Making Better Mashed Potatoes

      Trust me, it’s so worth it. Read More
    • 65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      65 Super Easy Finger Foods to Make for Any Party

      From chips and dip to one-bite apps, finger foods are the perfect way to kick off a party. No forks or spoons required, just easy-to-pick-up party foods, so you can clean up in no time.  Read More
  • Course

    Course

    See All Course
    • Best Appetizer Recipes...Ever
    • Best Drink Recipes for Any Occasion
    • Salad Recipes
    • The Ultimate Guide to Sensational Sides
    • Soup and Stew Recipes
    • Easy Entertaining for Everyone
    • Breakfast and Brunch Recipes
    • Main Dishes and Entrées
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Dessert Recipes
  • Baking

    Baking

    See All Baking
    • Bread Recipes
    • Our Most-Loved Cake Recipes
    • Cookie Recipes
    • Pie Recipes
  • Global

    Global

    See All Global
    • Spanish Recipes
    • Thai Recipes
    • Vietnamese Recipes
    • Middle Eastern Recipes
    • Mexican Recipes
    • Malaysian Recipes
    • Korean Recipes
    • Japanese Recipes
    • Italian Recipes
    • Indian Recipes
    • Greek Recipes
    • French Recipes
    • Chinese Recipes
    • African Recipes
    • American Recipes
    • Cajun and Creole Recipes
    • Caribbean Recipes
    • South American Recipes
    • Southern Recipes
    • German Recipes
  • Healthy

    Healthy

    See All Healthy
    • Easy, Healthy Recipes
    • Healthy Breakfasts
    • Healthy Dinners
    • Healthy Desserts
    • Diabetic Recipes
    • Gluten-Free Diet and Recipes
    • Vegan Recipes
    • Low Carbohydrate Recipes
    • Low Cholesterol Recipes
    • Low Fat Recipes
    • Low Sodium Recipes
    • Low Calorie Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
  • Favorite Ingredients

    Favorite Ingredients

    See All Favorite Ingredients
    • The Ultimate Guide to Chicken
    • Vegetable Recipes
    • Beef Recipes
    • Cheese Recipes
    • Chocolate Recipes
    • Pasta Recipes
    • Pork Recipes
    • Seafood Recipes
    • Shrimp Recipes
  • Holidays and Occasions

    Holidays and Occasions

    See All Holidays and Occasions
    • A Foodie's Guide to Halloween Recipes
    • The Ultimate Thanksgiving Guide
    • Hanukkah Recipes
    • Your Ultimate Christmas Recipe Guide
    • Our Most Festive New Year's Recipes
    • Best-Ever Super Bowl Sunday Recipes
    • Best Valentine's Day Recipes
    • Mardi Gras Recipes
    • The Ultimate Guide to Easter Recipes
    • Cinco de Mayo Recipes
    • Labor Day Recipes
    • The Ultimate Fourth of July Guide
    • Memorial Day Recipes
    • Touchdown-Worthy Tailgate Recipes
    • Wedding and Shower Recipes
  • Quick and Easy

    Quick and Easy

    See All Quick and Easy
    • 15-Minute Recipes for Busy Home Cooks
    • 5 Ingredients or Less
    • Dinner Tonight
    • No-Cook Recipes
    • 45-Minute Recipes
  • Convenience Recipes

    Convenience Recipes

    See All Convenience Recipes
    • Budget-Friendly Recipes
    • Our Top Make-Ahead Recipes
    • Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
  • BBQ and Grilling

    BBQ and Grilling

    See All BBQ and Grilling
    • Grilled Beef Recipes
    • Grilled Fish Recipes
    • Grilled Shrimp Recipes
    • Grilled Chicken Recipes
    • Grilled Pork Recipes
    • Grilled Vegetable Recipes
  • How To

    How To

    See All How To
    • 7 Ways With...
    • Videos
    • Ingredients and Tools
    • Kitchen Cleaning
  • Extra Crispy
  • News

Profile Menu

Your Profile

Account

  • Register
  • Email Preferences
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Cooking Method
  3. Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
  4. 26 Zero-Prep Slow Cooker Dinners

26 Zero-Prep Slow Cooker Dinners

Updated February 22, 2019
Skip gallery slides
Pin
Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sriracha BBQ Sauce
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

These quick and easy crockpot recipes make weeknight dinners a breeze. There's something about slow cooker recipes that call for cooking beforehand that's just... frustrating. Ideally, you want a recipe that lists the slow cooker in the very first step. So, we snagged our best hassle-free recipes for crockpot chicken, chili, and more to make the most of your slow cooker's capabilities.

Start Slideshow

1 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Slow Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic
Credit: Jennifer Causey Styling: Lindsey Lower

Slow Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic Recipe

White meat can dry out after a long haul in the slow cooker, so we opt for bone-in thighs to guarantee optimal flavor and succulence. Make prep easier with prepeeled garlic, and pretty-up the platter with lemon slices and thyme sprigs.

1 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Credit: Time Inc. Video Studio

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas Recipe

This slow cooker pork carnitas recipe is a perfectly simple and inexpensive way to feed a crowd. Set out a stack of warm corn tortillas along, with a few simple toppings, and allow everyone to pile on the unbelievably rich and tender pork as they please.

2 of 26

3 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

chicken-sweet-potato-and-corn-slow-cooker-chowder
Credit: 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.

3 of 26

Advertisement

4 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil

Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil image
Credit: 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.

4 of 26

5 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup

creamy-potato-and-ham-hock-slow-cooker-soup
Credit: 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.

5 of 26

6 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

A simple spice rub goes a long way to make this simple dump dinner. Just grease the slow cooker, place the onions and roast in, and let it cook low and slow until it's tender and delicious.

6 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Beef

Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Beef

Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Beef Recipe

Make this tangy meat sauce in the slow-cooker to top macaroni or other pasta. A quick and easy meal when you're craving some classic Italian flavors.

7 of 26

8 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
Credit: Alison Miksch; Styling: Buffy Hargett Miller

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon Recipe

Pop this sweet potato mixture into your slow cooker on a busy morning. It will be ready to serve as soon as everyone sits down to dinner. Serve aside a simple roast or rotisserie chicken for extra protein.

8 of 26

9 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup

Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup
Credit: Christopher Testani; Styling: Alistair Turnbull

Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup Recipe

Creamy white beans are the perfect match for a hearty leafy green like kale. Sausage adds a meaty bite, and a touch of Parmesan finishes it off beautifully.

9 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens
Credit: Victor Protasio

Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens Recipe

This vegetarian collards recipe brings all the flavor without any meat. We call for fire-roasted tomatoes, smoked paprika, and apple cider vinegar for the ultimate meat-free flavor.

10 of 26

11 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti Recipe

Once the sauce simmers in the cooker, all that's left to do is cook a pound of pasta, and serve up this gorgeous, hearty sauce.

11 of 26

12 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Vegetable-Lentil Soup

Vegetable-Lentil Soup
Credit: Kate Sears; Styling: Elizabeth Blake

Vegetable-Lentil Soup Recipe

After a hectic day at work, hearty bowlfuls of Vegetable-Lentil Soup await you in the slow cooker.

12 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Pulled-Pork Tacos

pork-tacos
Credit: Kan Kanbayashi

Pulled-Pork Tacos Recipe

Tacos are always a great meal you can eat with your hands. In this recipe, your pork gets perfectly tender and shreddable in the slow cooker.

13 of 26

14 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore image
Credit: 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.

14 of 26

15 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Victor Protazio

Soulful Chicken Soup Recipe

No dish is quite as soothing as a hearty bowl of chicken noodle soup. Slow cookers couldn't have made the road to comfort any easier: Simply toss in the ingredients, switch on, and then walk away. We love old-fashioned, wide egg noodles for this recipe. To make sure they aren't mushy and overcooked, don't leave them in the slow cooker any longer than 10 minutes.

15 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Chicken Congee

Slow Cooker Chcken Congee image
Credit: 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.

16 of 26

17 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket Recipe

Slow cooking tougher cuts of meat, such as beef brisket, gives you a meltingly tender texture. For tacos, serve the saucy barbacoa in tortillas with green and red onion, cilantro leaves, jalapeño slices, and fresh lime wedges.

17 of 26

18 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
Credit: 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.

18 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
Credit: Victor Protasio

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey Recipe

This super meaty meal is the perfect blend of split pea soup and a hearty turkey stew. Look for smoked turkey legs near the bacon at your grocery store (or use a ham hock).

19 of 26

20 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes and Carrots

Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes and Carrots
Credit: Brian Kennedy; Styling: Lindsey Lower

Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes and Carrots Recipe

There's no better dinner than a showstopping feast of beef, cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. To create the traditional flavor profile of corned beef and cabbage without the traditionally massive sodium spike, we simmer brisket in a strong aromatic spice blend at low and slow heat rather than starting with brined beef.

20 of 26

21 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
Credit: Oxmoor House

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili Recipe

This soup has a mild chile flavor. If you want more heat, increase the amount of chili powder and don't seed the jalapeños.

21 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

22 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Smoked Turkey-Lentil Soup

Smoked Turkey-Lentil Soup
Credit: Oxmoor House

Smoked Turkey-Lentil Soup Recipe

Throw smoked turkey, dried lentils, and a handful of other ingredients into the slow cooker in the morning, and you'll come home to a hearty and comforting meal.

22 of 26

23 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup
Credit: 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.

23 of 26

24 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe

This slow-cooker pulled pork recipe makes budget-friendly homemade barbecue a breeze! 7 ingredients are all you need to get this dish cooking for dinnertime. For delicious barbecue sandwiches, add honey, barbecue sauce, mustard, and soy sauce to the slow cooker when the meat is done and cook for an additional hour on low. Serve on hamburger buns with a side of baked beans, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, and cornbread for the ultimate Southern plate.

24 of 26

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

25 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Easy Brunswick Stew

Easy Brunswick Stew
Credit: Oxmoor House

Easy Brunswick Stew Recipe

Okra, barbecued pork, lima beans, and chopped chicken make this stew a hearty, filling option for the slow-cooker.

25 of 26

26 of 26

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sriracha BBQ Sauce

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sriracha BBQ Sauce
Credit: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Missie Neville Crawford

Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sriracha BBQ Sauce Recipe

Rub pork with a sweet and spicy mixture, then let it cook down in a sweet and vinegary sauce.

26 of 26

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 26 Slow Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic
    2 of 26 Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
    3 of 26 Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder
    4 of 26 Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil
    5 of 26 Creamy Potato-and-Ham Hock Slow-Cooker Soup
    6 of 26 5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
    7 of 26 Slow-Cooker Macaroni and Beef
    8 of 26 Slow-Cooker Sweet Potatoes with Bacon
    9 of 26 Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup
    10 of 26 Vegetarian Slow-Cooker Collard Greens
    11 of 26 Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
    12 of 26 Vegetable-Lentil Soup
    13 of 26 Pulled-Pork Tacos
    14 of 26 Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore
    15 of 26 Soulful Chicken Soup
    16 of 26 Slow Cooker Chicken Congee
    17 of 26 Slow Cooker Barbacoa Brisket
    18 of 26 Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
    19 of 26 Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey
    20 of 26 Slow Cooker Beef and Cabbage with Potatoes and Carrots
    21 of 26 Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
    22 of 26 Smoked Turkey-Lentil Soup
    23 of 26 Slow Cooker Creamy Lentil Soup
    24 of 26 Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
    25 of 26 Easy Brunswick Stew
    26 of 26 Pulled Pork Sandwiches with Sriracha BBQ Sauce

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email
    MyRecipes

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    MeredithMyRecipes.com is part of the Allrecipes Food Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. MyRecipes is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. MyRecipes may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright MyRecipes. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.myrecipes.com

    Sign in

    View image

    26 Zero-Prep Slow Cooker Dinners
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.