Slow cookers have brought a decent dinner for the working family within reach. Try out these tasty meals, and you will thank us later!
French Onion Soup
Start by caramelizing four onions. Add 3 tbsp of flour, 8 oz of beer, 64 oz of beef stock, 2 tbsp of thyme, and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When done, add french bread croutons and a slice of preferred cheese and broil for a couple of minutes to melt. More of an Instant Pot fan? Try our Instant Pot French Onion Soup.
Pulled Pork Nachos
To serve four, just combine a pound and a half of pork loin with a cup of BBQ sauce, one onion, three minced garlic cloves, and one pepper of choice. Cook on low for six hours, shredding the pork with a fork about halfway through. When finished, lay on chips, add cheese, and broil for a few minutes to melt the cheese. Top to taste and serve!
Hot Apple Cider
Cut nine apples and an orange into quarters and place them in the cooker. Add three cinnamon sticks, a whole nutmeg, and two teaspoons of cloves. You can also add all spice if desired. Fill with water up to about a half inch from the top. Cook on low for six to eight hours, mashing the apples with about an hour to go. You can sweeten with about 2/3 cup of any combination of brown sugar, maple syrup, or other desired sweetener. Want a little booze in your cider? Try these 11 Apple Cider Cocktails That Taste Like Fall in a Glass.
Chicken Taco Chili
Combine one can each of black and kidney beans, two garlic cloves, one onion, one jalapeno, one green pepper, 10oz frozen corn, an 8oz can of tomato sauce, 28oz diced tomatoes, one tablespoon cumin, one teaspoon oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Add two uncooked chicken breasts to the top and cook on low for six hours. Pull chicken apart before serving. Also, be sure to try our Crockpot Creamy White Chicken Chili.
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
Combine the following: 14oz (two cans) of drained artichoke hearts, 10oz of spinach, 8oz sour cream, one onion, two crushed garlic cloves, 3/4 cup parmesan cheese, 3/4 cup of milk, 1/2 cup feta cheese, 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, and pepper to taste. Cover with 8oz of cream cheese and cook on low for two hours and 15 minutes, stirring in the melted cheese with about 15 minutes to go.
Chex Mix
Chex mix in a crockpot? You read that right! Combine a mixture of nine cups of Chex cereal (three cups each rice, wheat, and corn) with two cups of pretzels, and one cup each of Cheerios and peanuts or mixed nuts. Mix six tablespoons melted butter, one tablespoon seasoned salt, and 1/4 cup of Worcestershire sauce and drizzle over the cereal mix in your slow cooker. Cook on low for three hours, stirring gently occasionally.
Italian Meatballs
Create meatballs out of one pound of ground beef, 1/4 cup each of breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, and parsley, one egg, crushed garlic clove, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine meatballs in the cooker with a sauteed olive oil and garlic mix, and 28oz of crushed tomatoes. Cook on low for four to six hours.
Bacon-Wrapped Tenderloin
Wrap a half-tenderloin (3-4 lbs) in bacon securing with toothpicks and then brown the bacon in a pan. Place in cooker with juices, one onion, and four cloves of garlic. Cook on low until internal temp is 100° (2-4 hours). Combine 3/4 beef broth, 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar, one tablespoon dijon mustard, two tablespoons sugar, and one tablespoon flour. Continue cooking until the temperature rises to at least 130°.
Sloppy Joe Dip
Brown one pound of hamburger on the stove with half a sweet onion and one bell pepper (both chopped), Combine beef mixture with a can of Sloppy Joe sauce, 8oz cream cheese, and 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Cook on low for two hours and serve with chips.
BBQ Beer Pulled Chicken
Season three pounds of chicken breast with one teaspoon garlic powder, one tablespoon each of onion powder and paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine in slow cooker with 8oz of beer and 32oz of bbq sauce. Cook on low for 8 hours and serve!
Chicken Tikka Masala
Combine the following: half an onion, four minced garlic cloves, one can tomato puree, 1 1/2 cups plain yogurt, one tablespoon cumin, 1/2 tablespoon paprika, 3/4 tablespoon each of cinnamon and pepper, and two tablespoons each of ginger, olive oil, lemon juice, and Garam Masala. Cut five chicken breasts into one-inch pieces and add to the mix. Combine one cup heavy cream and half a tablespoon of corn starch and stir in. Cook on low for eight hours.
Crockpot Lasagna
Brown two pounds of ground beef on the stove and combine one pound cottage cheese with two cups mozzarella cheese in a separate bowl. Add a thin layer of pasta sauce and beef to the bottom. Place a layer of noodles, breaking as needed to fit the shape. Then alternate meat and sauce layers with cheese, separating with noodles each time until all ingredients are used (you will probably need two jars of marinara sauce). Cook on low for six to eight hours.
Spiced Applesauce
Quarter six pounds of apples and cook with 3/4 cup water or apple juice on low for six to eight hours. Towards the end of the cooking cycle, stir in one teaspoon cinnamon and half a teaspoon each of nutmeg and cloves. After cooking, run through a food mill to remove seeds and skin if desired. Alternatively, you can cut out seeds and skin before cooking.
Pulled Pork
Combine three tablespoons paprika, two tablespoons salt, two teaspoons black pepper, half a teaspoon thyme, and one teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and garlic powder. Stir in half a cup honey, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, and three tablespoons olive oil to form a paste. Add onion halves to the cooker followed by three pounds of pork shoulder. Top with paste and cook on low for seven to eight hours.
Coconut Hot Chocolate
Combine four cans of coconut milk, two cans of condensed milk, and two teaspoons each of vanilla and coconut extracts. Stir in 8oz of chopped dark chocolate and 1/4 cup cocoa powder. Cook on low for two hours stirring every 15-20 minutes. Garnish with marshmallow, cream, and even toasted coconut if you desire.
"Baked" Beans
Mix 1/2 cup each of BBQ sauce, ketchup, and brown sugar, along with one teaspoon dry mustard, three cans of drained great northern beans, one diced green bell pepper, and one diced onion. Add in either bacon or ham if desired and cook on low for eight to 10 hours.
Creamy Mac and Cheese
Combine two cans each of evaporated milk, cheddar cheese soup, shredded cheddar cheese, and cheddar jack cheese with 2 1/2 cups of water making sure cheese begins to melt. Add a pound of uncooked pasta and cook on low for two to three hours. You will want to add one cup of very hot water after cooking to thin the cheese mixture.
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Combine three pounds chopped red potatoes, 1/4 cup unsalted butter, four crushed garlic cloves, and 1/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for seven to eight hours. Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/3 cup parmesan, two tablespoons milk, and half a teaspoon each of thyme, oregano, and basil before mixing with a hand mixer.
Chicken Teriyaki
Combine three pounds chicken with 3/4 cup soy sauce, 1/3 cup brown sugar, three tablespoons orange marmalade, one tablespoon ginger, two cloves minced garlic, and 1/4 cup each of apple cider vinegar and honey. Cook on low for four to five hours. Strain the liquid into a saucepan, add 1 1/2 tbsp each of cold water and corn starch, and bring to a boil while stirring. Pour teriyaki sauce over chicken and serve.
