Recipes

the Best Slow Cooker Meals

RECIPE BY: San

DATE: January 8, 2026

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A collection of the Best Slow Cooker Meals has all of your favorites covered. From pasta to soups, steak to chicken, tacos to burritos & everything in between.

The one thing they all have in common is that they are EASY. Just throw in the ingredients, and let your slow cooker do all the work.

collage image of slow cooker recipes

difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot?

  • Essentially, there is no difference between a Crockpot and a slow cooker. They both use moist heat to cook food over a long period. They are used to cook the same types of foods and have the same results. Each contains a pot, glass lid, and heating element. It’s a geographical thing based on where you grew up, whether you call it a slow cooker or a crockpot.

What is the best size slow cooker to buy?

Slow cookers come in various sizes, from 2-quart, commonly used for small party dips, to 8 1/2-quart. If you are planning to feed a family of three to five, you will probably want a four- to six-quart model. I typically use my 6-quart model, of which I have four.

close up shots of slow cooker recipes in collage image

I love using my slow cooker for dinner. I use it at least once to twice a week, especially during the school year. It makes it easy to just throw everything in and then return a few hours later to have our dinner ready. I also love using my slow cooker when I have to feed a crowd. My absolute favorite slow cooker meal, which friends and family most request, is my Authentic Tortilla Soup.

Do you have a favorite slow cooker meal? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below. There are so many here, so you will want to make it soon. The hardest part will be deciding which one to make first.

More Slow Cooker Tips

  • Can you put aluminum foil in a crockpot?
    Lining the inside of your slow cooker with aluminum foil will make it easier to clean and help cook the food more evenly. Another way to use foil in the slow cooker is to wrap the food, like potatoes, in foil. *Note* I have never used either of these methods and have no idea if they work.
  • Do you have to put water in a slow cooker?
    You only “need” to add water if it will help cook your ingredients, like meat or vegetables, or if your following recipe recommends it. Most recipes use some liquid. It doesn’t have to be water, but broths, soups, and sauces are other commonly used ingredients.

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collage image of slow cooker recipes with recipe title

Slow Cooker Chile Verde

chicken tikka masala

tikka masala in bowl with rice

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Recipe

burrito shredded pork with sauce

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

overhead shot of chicken tortilla soup. in bowl with tortilla chips

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

close up picture of teriyaki chicken in white bowl

Slow Cooker French Onion Pork Chops

close up shot of pork chops on plate

Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

close up shot of gumbo in bowl with rice

Slow Cooker Honey Orange Chicken

close up shot of orange chicken over rice on plate

queso Verde

chip in queso

Slow Cooker Chipotle Barbecue Chicken

bbq chicken sandwich with cheese on black plate

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

close up shot of shredded chicken in burrito

Blue Ribbon Chili

overhead shot of a bowl of blue ribbon chili.

tuscan tortellini soup

overhead shot of tortellini soup

white chicken chile

SLOW COOKER WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Sloppy Joes

photo of a sandwich with a bite taken out of it

Slow Cooker Lasagna

close-up photo of a fork cutting off a bite of lasagna

Butter Chicken

slo cooker butter chicken on plate close up shot

4-ingredient chicken tacos

close up shot of chicken tacos on plate with lettuce

Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

tomato soup bowl

Honey Garlic Chicken

close-up photo of tongs grabbing shredded chicken

BBQ Chicken

bbq chicken sandwich on black plate with cilantro garnish

Basil chicken in coconut curry sauce

SLOW COOKER BASIL CHICKEN IN COCONUT CURRY SAUCE

Parmesan Herb Chicken Orzo

SLOW COOKER PARMESAN HERB CHICKEN ORZO

Chili Chicken Tacos

close up shot of soft chicken tacos

Hawaiian Chicken

SLOW COOKER HAWAIIAN CHICKEN

Chicken Fajita Soup

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN FAJITA SOUP

Honey Soy Chicken Wings

SLOW COOKER HONEY SOY CHICKEN WINGS

Slow Cooker Chili Cheese Dip

SLOW COOKER CHILI CHEESE DIP – cheesy and full of flavor, this easy recipe will score a win on game day and be a hit during the holidays.

honey garlic chicken

CROCK POT HONEY GARLIC CHICKEN

Buffalo Chicken Taquitos

close up shot taquitos stacked on plate

mozzarella stuffed meatballs

SLOW COOKER MOZZARELLA STUFFED MEATBALLS

crock pot hashbrown casserole

CROCK POT HASH BROWN CASSEROLE

chicken parmesan

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN PARMESAN

slow cooker french onion soup

SLOW COOKER FRENCH ONION SOUP

BBQ Brisket

close up shot brisket on cutting board shredded

Salisbury steak

SLOW COOKER SALISBURY STEAK

Stuffed Bell Peppers

SLOW COOKER STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Beef Stroganoff

CROCK POT BEEF STROGANOFF

Lemon Rosemary Lentil Soup

SLOW COOKER LEMON ROSEMARY LENTIL SOUP

butter chicken

SLOW COOKER BUTTER CHICKEN

Potato & Cauliflower Soup

SLOW COOKER SWEET POTATO & CAULIFLOWER SOUP

Taco Lasagna

SLOW COOKER TACO LASAGNA

Zuppa Toscana

SLOW COOKER ZUPPA TOSCANA

Lasagna Soup

SLOW COOKER LASAGNA SOUP

Broccoli & Cheese Soup

SLOW COOKER BROCCOLI AND CHEESE SOUP

Apple Cider Pulled Pork

SLOW COOKER APPLE CIDER PULLED PORK

Beef & Broccoli

beef and broccoli in bowl

Quinoa Tortilla Soup

SLOW COOKER QUINOA TORTILLA SOUP

Thai Chicken with Peanut Sauce

SLOW COOKER THAI CHICKEN WITH PEANUT SAUCE

barbecue Chicken

SLOW COOKER BARBECUE CHICKEN

Chile Colorado

CHILE COLORADO

chile Lime Pulled Pork

SLOW COOKER CHILE LIME PULLED PORK

Mexican Quinoa Tacos

SLOW COOKER MEXICAN QUINOA TACOS

Green Chicken Gyros

SLOW COOKER GREEK CHICKEN GYROS

Minestrone

SLOW COOKER MINESTRONE

Spanish Chicken Stew

SLOW COOKER SPANISH CHICKEN STEW

creamy Chicken Noodle

SLOW COOKER CREAMY CHICKEN NOODLE

Blue Cheese French Onion Soup

SLOW COOKER BLUE CHEESE FRENCH ONION SOUP

Slow Cooker Green Chicken Taquitos

SLOW COOKER GREEK CHICKEN TAQUITOS

Hey, I'm Sandra! At A Dash of Sanity, you'll discover family-friendly recipes for every occasion. Whether it's speedy dinners or delectable desserts, I'm here to make your mealtime delicious, simplify your holiday baking, and unite your loved ones around the table.

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12 Comments

  1. The coconut basil chicken is calling my name! What a gorgeous round-up and I’m so excited to try a few new dishes! Thanks lady!

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