12 Easy Crockpot Meals
Easy Crockpot Meals – Fast and practical without sacrificing taste, these crockpot recipes are just so easy! I’m talking showstopping dinners that spent the day cooking quietly on the kitchen counter while you got stuff done. What could be better than that? 🙌
Now, I love spending an afternoon in the kitchen making my favorite meals from scratch just as much as the next home cook does. But let’s be real, coz sometimes life gets in the way. That’s when I whip out my easy crockpot meals. Busy home cooks, I see you. 😉
The prep work for these dump-and-go slow cooker recipes is ridiculously fast. And once all your ingredients are safely tucked away in your crock pot, you can head off to wherever you need to go and come home to a piping hot, mouthwatering dinner for the whole family. Ah, slow cooker magic. ✨
FAQs
It’s a little tricky. Technically, the term “Crock-Pot” refers to the brand name of a specific slow cooker. Over time though, people started referring to all slow cookers as crock pots or crockpots, kinda like you might call generic zipper storage bags Ziplocks, even if they aren’t technically Ziplock bags. Crock-Pots generally have a removable ceramic pot that sits inside the heating element, which heats the pot from all sides. Many slow cookers don’t have a removable vessel and some only heat from the bottom. In any case, all of these recipes will work with a Crock-Pot, crockpot, or slow cooker.
Yes! Some recipes recommend you sear the outside of your meat first for added flavor, but it isn’t necessary. It’s totally fine to put raw meats straight in the cooker.
It depends on the recipe, but most of the time, you would put root veggies, like potatoes, onions, and carrots, on the bottom and layer the meat on top. Then the meat’s juices drip down onto the veggies giving them lots of flavor while keeping the meat from tasting oily.
Chicken Slow-Cooker Recipes
1 . Slow Cooker Whole Chicken
A whole juicy, tender chicken complete with roasted veggies is my go-to fast and easy dinner. It is so much better than a store-bought rotisserie chicken and incredibly easy to make. Plus, it feeds the whole family and then some.
Serve your bird with red potato salad and boiled corn if you want to add a few extra sides. You’ll love this recipe because it goes with just about anything!
Refrigerate your leftover chicken in an airtight container, and it should stay good for 3-5 days. You can either reheat them in the microwave or oven on low heat.
2. Moroccan Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Chickpeas, olives, and herby couscous take chicken thighs to a new level in this Mediterranean slow cooker meal. It’s so flavorful, healthy, and tastes amazing. What’s not to love?
Make it a fully Mediterranean meal by serving hummus and homemade pita bread (or maybe even pita chips!) as a starter for this meal. Because it won’t disappoint. 🤤
Store any leftovers in separate containers in the fridge for 3-5 days. Reheat them on the stovetop on medium-low heat until heated through, and don’t forget to stir frequently.
3. Slow Cooker Jamaican Curry Chicken
This Jamaican curry chicken is finger-licking good. Literally! And because it’s hearty, it’s packed with flavor, it’s one of the easiest crockpot meals you’ll ever make! Throw in some veggies, and you’ve got a one-pot meal.
I love serving this over a bed of steamy white rice, but it tastes great over garlic mashed potatoes. And please don’t forget the bread because pull-apart garlic bread rolls are perfect for sopping up any extra curry sauce you left behind.
If you have any leftovers (doubt it, though 😜), store them in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Heat them up on the stovetop, stirring frequently until the chicken is heated through.
4. Slow Cooker Chicken and Bean Stew
Did someone say 10 minutes of prep time? This easy crockpot meal is so simple you won’t believe it. In addition, it’s packed with delectable Caribbean spices, loads of chicken, and plenty of hearty beans. So it’ll feed a crowd, and it’ll please a crowd.
Serve it up with some Mexican cornbread or some skillet cornbread and slow-cooker collard greens. It’s a fantastic combination since this stew is a little chili-esque.
You can keep leftovers sealed up in the fridge for 3-5 days. They are super easy to reheat stovetop, but you can also pop a bowl in the microwave.
5. Slow Cooker Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken
Everyone loves this Jamaican classic, but did you know you can do brown stew chicken in the crockpot? It’s so easy, insanely good, and has minimal cleanup. (Another perk of crockpot cooking! 😅)
Pair it with coconut rice or my easy rice and peas for a true island experience. Oh, and don’t forget to also give your guests a glass of sorrel drink! 🏝️
Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days in an airtight container. Reheat them on the stovetop on medium heat for best results.
Beef Slow-Cooker Meal Recipes
6. Slow Cooker Jamaican Beef Stew
Think beef stew, but with all the flavors of Jamaica infused into the beef, vegetables, and gravy. This is one of my favorite crockpot meals because it’s hearty, comforting, delicious, and loaded with Jamaican seasonings. Allspice, ginger, scotch bonnet, garlic, and thyme all add to the island version of your favorite stew.
Stew and bread just go together, so make sure you’ve got some on hand for dipping. I like to serve mealie bread or hot water cornbread with this stew. It may sound unusual but try it once, and you’ll be convinced.
Store leftovers in the fridge. Keep them in an airtight container for 3-5 days, and then reheat them on the stovetop. Individual servings also do well in the microwave. 👍
7. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Savory beef that falls off the bone smothered in a cozy gravy is a crockpot classic you so have to try. It’s also a one-pot meal, complete with roasted veggies that soak up lots of flavor from the meat. Classic comfort food has never been easier.
I highly recommend serving this meal with some bread to sop up the gravy. So try my homemade garlic bread or garlic knots as the perfect companion to pot roast gravy. 👌
Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days and heat them up on your stovetop or in the microwave when you are ready to serve them. This easy crock pot meal tastes just as good the next day.
8. Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja
This Cuban favorite might look like “ropa vieja” (old clothes), but it certainly tastes a whole lot better. 😜 Cumin, sazon, bay leaves, loads of garlic, and plenty of other spices make this slow cooker recipe really simmer into something special. The tomato broth over the shredded beef is divine, so everyone always asks for seconds.
Serve some fried sweet plantains or tostones on the side, and don’t forget the rice. A steamy bed of white rice to soak up the juice from the ropa vieja is the proverbial icing on the cake. 😆
Store leftover meat in an airtight container in the fridge, which should last 3-5 days. Zap it for a few in the microwave or heat it on the stovetop on medium-low heat.
9. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
This hearty beef stew with plenty of herbs and spices smells and tastes so good you will put this recipe on repeat in your kitchen, especially when it’s chilly outside. Ginger, fresh thyme, smoked paprika, and lots of veggies complement the beef beautifully, making a downright delicious dish. Did I mention it’s super easy to customize to your family’s tastes too? Win-win people! 😁
If you’re feeling a little extra, try my Guinness Beef Stew in the crock pot too! It’s equally delicious with a little something extra in the gravy. Either way, be sure to serve this dish with a crusty baguette or some homemade no-knead bread for dipping. It’s heaven. 😇
Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-5 days and reheat them on the stovetop on low heat, my friend. Slow-cooker beef stew is one of those recipes that just seems more flavorful the day after you cook it.
Pork and Lamb Crockpot Meals
10. Slow Cooker Pork Chops
Fall-off-the-bone pork chops in a creamy mushroom sauce? Yes, please! This is a delightful take on pork chops, which happily are still budget-friendly meat these days. There is a little searing and sautéing involved, but boy, is it worth it. The flavor of these chops is out of this world. 💫
Also, these bad boys are super versatile. Serve them over creamy garlic mashed potatoes with a side of parmesan-crusted baked asparagus. Or simply serve them over white rice or your favorite pasta. 🫶
Store leftover chops in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3 days. Reheat them stovetop or in the microwave; either approach works great.
11. Slow Cooker Pork Loin
It might sound hum-drum, but this slow cooker pork loin is stuffed with pineapple and garlic, then cooked over even more pineapple and onions. It’s also topped with a beautiful balsamic brown sugar glaze. Fancy schmancy, but oh so easy to make. This is not your average pork roast, my friend.
I love serving this main dish with some roasted fingerling potatoes or a sweet potato salad because the colors and flavors will have your guests raving!
Refrigerate your leftovers for 3-4 days in an airtight container. Reheat leftovers in the microwave for a minute or two, and enjoy again!
12. Slow Cooker Leg of Lamb
A crispy exterior, loads of complementary flavors, and tender, juicy meat, all with minimal prep time, make this one of my favorite lamb recipes. Perfect for the holidays or just a special weeknight, you’ll love the textures and flavors this easy slow cooker recipe has to offer.
Serve it up with honey-glazed baby carrots and some stewed greens or your family’s favorite side dishes because this main dish goes great with just about any side. 😋
Keep leftovers covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Reheat leftovers in the oven on low heat until heated through.
Conclusion
There you have it! Twelve of my easiest, most delicious slow cooker meals for a busy weeknight. What’s your go-to crockpot meal when life gets crazy? Comment below; I might just have to add your recipes to my own repertoire of easy slow-cooker meals. 😁
