A Slow-Cooker Dish A Day: September

Updated: October 11, 2014
Sometimes it's okay to take things slow. This year, let your slow-cooker do the work with 365 days of foolproof recipes.
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1 of 31

Slow-Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

To help you save on prep time, look for jars of peeled garlic in the refrigerated cases in the produce section at most major supermarkets. Add dried apricots to infuse the rich sauce with a fruity back note, and serve over couscous for an impressive North African-inspired supper.
Slow-Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic Recipe
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2 of 31

Slow-Cooker Green Chile Pork

Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: P.J. Mehaffey
This 5-ingredient recipe is so simple, it leaves you extra time to set out your favorite toppings! Buy or make your own guacamole and pico de gallo to serve alongside the pork tacos, and serve with a squeeze of lime as the finishing touch.
Slow-Cooker Green Chile Pork Recipe

3 of 31

Slow-Cooker Creamy Tomato Soup

Diced canned tomatoes simmer away in flavorful broth, leaving them soft, sweet, and ready to puree. This smooth, creamy soup is delicious on its own, but you could also serve it with gooey grilled cheese sandwiches for dunking.
Slow-Cooker Creamy Tomato Soup Recipe
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4 of 31

Bourbon-Peach Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders

Photo: Johnny Miller; Styling: Sarah Smart
These sliders are a saucy mess, in the best way possible--leaving you sweet-tangy drips to lick off your hands. The recipe demonstrates one tasty way to use our slow cooker pork recipe. Go for a standard, soft bun here--it's best for barbecue.
Bourbon-Peach Barbecue Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe

5 of 31

Black Bean and Chicken Casserole

Photo: Dominic Perri; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps 
Now that school is back in session, your slow cooker should be your secret weapon in the kitchen. This simple Black Bean and Chicken Casserole uses a slow cooker, canned beans and rotisserie chicken to make a convenient, no-fuss family meal.
Black Bean and Chicken Casserole Recipe

6 of 31

Carrot-Ginger Soup

Photo: Andrew McCaul; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Slow-cooker Carrot-Ginger Soup provides a healthy and flavorful option for a weeknight dinner. If cool weather hasn't hit your area yet, you could also serve this soup chilled.
Carrot-Ginger Soup Recipe
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7 of 31

Easy Slow-Cooker Jambalaya

Featuring chicken, shrimp and smoked sausage, this classic Creole rice dish is well-suited to the slow cooker because the slow cooking allow all the flavors to blend in a marvelous way.
Easy Slow-Cooker Jambalaya Recipe

8 of 31

Chickpea Chili

Photo: Nina Choi; Styling: Lisa Lee
Add this tasty chili dish to your cool-weather month meal plans. It’s loaded with fiery flavors and served hot off the slow cooker. Serve over couscous with lime wedges and sprinkle with cilantro.
Chickpea Chili Recipe

9 of 31

Slow-Cooker Sweet-and-Sour Brisket

Sweetness from crushed tomatoes and brown sugar is balanced by the tart acidity of lemon juice in this tasty sauce. It pairs perfectly well with succulent slow-cooked brisket and rice for soaking up all the juices.
Slow-Cooker Sweet-and-Sour Brisket Recipe
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10 of 31

Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Lindsey Lower
Don't be turned off by the total time this recipe requires: Eight hours are simply for soaking beans overnight, and another eight are for hands-off cooking. Minimal effort yields this delicious, Cajun-inspired meal.
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice Recipe

11 of 31

Spicy Country Ribs

Photo: Susie Cushner
These spicy country ribs are meatier than baby-backs and tend to have fewer bones. Serve them with biscuits and coleslaw on the side for a simple Southern supper.
Spicy Country Ribs Recipe

12 of 31

Slow-Cooker Turkey Meatballs

Asian flavors perk up lean turkey meatballs for a family-friendly meal. Kids will love the sweet-and-sour sauce and sweet pineapple chunks that flavor the meatballs. Serve over white or brown rice with steamed vegetables on the side.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Meatballs Recipe
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13 of 31

Chicken Cacciatore

This slow-cooker version of chicken cacciatore, an American-Italian classic, calls for a whole chicken that's quartered, then simmered with bell pepper, mushrooms, onion, and tomato.
Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

14 of 31

Pork Carnitas

Oxmoor House
Soft tortillas wrap savory pork, fresh tomatoes, garlic cloves, and citrus juices blending to make the perfect slow-cooker delicacy. Serve with black beans and rice, if desired.
Pork Carnitas Recipe

15 of 31

Triple Chocolate Cake

Gooseberry Patch
This dreamy dessert is ready in just a few hours with the help of your slow cooker. Have vanilla ice cream on standby, and get ready to enjoy drool-worthy, chocolaty cake.
Triple Chocolate Cake Recipe
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16 of 31

Spicy Chicken Stew

Oxmoor House
Salsa and chili powder add spice to this chicken stew, but probably not too much for timid tasters or kids. If you want to kick up the heat, use a hot salsa and a dash of hot sauce or ground red pepper.
Spicy Chicken Stew Recipe

17 of 31

Slow-Cooker Lasagna

Photo: Anson Smart
This is a no-fail recipe that guarantees you won't end up with hard, crusty noodles. Simply layer the ingredients in the slow-cooker, sit back, and relax until the heavenly aromas let you know supper is ready!
Slow-Cooker Lasagna Recipe

18 of 31

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

This slow-cooker pulled pork recipe makes budget-friendly homemade barbecue a breeze! 7 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep time are all you need to get this dish cooking for dinnertime.
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe
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19 of 31

Slow-Cooker Lamb Stew with Rigatoni

Photo: Miki Duisterhof; Styling: Susan Vajaranant
This slow-cooked lamb stew gets its rich flavor from red wine, crushed tomatoes, rosemary, and lots of garlic. Try serving it over rigatoni pasta one night, and then reheat the leftovers and serve over cooked rice the next day.
Slow-Cooker Lamb Stew with Rigatoni Recipe

20 of 31

Sweet Glazed Chicken Thighs

Oxmoor House
This simple chicken dish becomes a whole lot more savory when stuck in a slow cooker. The sweet juice mixture gives the chicken its undeniably delicious flavor. Serve over hot cooked rice.
Sweet Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

21 of 31

Slow-Cooker Veggie Chili

Jennifer Davick; Buffy Hargett; Vanessa McNeil Rocchio
Add a dash of hot sauce to this hearty vegetarian dish for extra heat, if desired. Since it makes 15 servings, you can cook up a batch and enjoy it for lunch or dinner throughout the week!
Slow-Cooker Veggie Chili Recipe
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22 of 31

Rosemary Slow-Cooker Chicken

Photo: Kate Sears; Styling: Elizabeth Blake
Just 10 minutes of prep time sets up the chicken to simmer away for hours in the slow cooker. Not only is it quick and easy to throw together, the leftovers are versatile. Serve with cooked rice, egg noodles, or mashed potatoes for an easy meal the whole family can enjoy.
Rosemary Slow-Cooker Chicken Recipe

23 of 31

Hungarian Beef Goulash

Photo: Ryan Benyi; Styling: Lynn Miller
Make this slow-cooker version of Hungarian goulash by first browning the cubes of beef in a skillet then simmering the beef in a slow cooker along with onion, bell pepper, garlic, tomato paste and broth. Serve the saucy beef mixture over egg noodles for a hearty one-dish meal.
Hungarian Beef Goulash Recipe

24 of 31

Lemony Lentil Soup with Spinach

Photo: Dominic Perri; Styling: Gerri Williams for James Reps
Thanks to your slow cooker, this dinner of Lemony Lentil Soup is ready by the time everyone gets home in the evening. Top this slow-cooker soup with a dollop of yogurt for added zing.
Lemony Lentil Soup with Spinach Recipe
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25 of 31

Slow-Cooker Hashbrown Casserole

Photo: Gooseberry Patch
The best part about this easy and delicious Hashbrown Casserole is that the slow cooker does all the work. Add the ingredients to the pot and forget it! In the morning you will have a perfectly cooked breakfast or brunch waiting for you.
Slow-Cooker Hashbrown Casserole Recipe

26 of 31

Chicken Verde

Oxmoor House
Make your friends "green" with envy at your slow cooker savvy by serving up this savory Southwestern-style entrée, loaded with tomatillos, onion, and roasted poblano and jalapeño peppers. Corn tortillas and a simple green salad round out the menu.
Chicken Verde Recipe

27 of 31

Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Cindy Barr
A nutty dark beer adds richness and depth to the stew. Be careful not to choose a beer that's super-hoppy; it will taste too bitter. Tip: To get 2 pounds of trimmed meat, you'll probably need to purchase a 2 1/2-pound roast.
Classic Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe
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28 of 31

Pork Loin with Cherries

Photo: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Gerri Williams
Hands-off cooking produces easy and flavorful Pork Loin with Cherries. The slow cooker not only saves times but frees up cooking space in the oven or cooktop for making your favorite side dishes.
Pork Loin with Cherries Recipe

29 of 31

Slow-cooker Sloppy Joes

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey
Sloppy joes are easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and guaranteed to please the whole family. For this recipe, throw all the ingredients together and let your slow-cooker do the work.
Slow-cooker Sloppy Joes Recipe

30 of 31

Meatballs with Chutney Sauce

Oxmoor House
Switch things up from the usual spaghetti and meatballs and sink your teeth into these tender, juicy, and succulent meatballs, instead. Place them atop soft, hot cooked couscous and drench with the flavorful chutney sauce.
Meatballs with Chutney Sauce Recipe
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