Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Set-It and Forget-It Dinners

The slow cooker is one of my favorite kitchen appliances and it is constantly being put to good use in my kitchen. If you also love a comforting crockpot recipe or just need some fresh slow cooker recipe inspiration then this post is for you. I’ve put together a list of the best easy slow cooker recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights or slow weekends. All of them are delicious, easy to make, and while they may be made in the slow cooker they don’t compromise on flavor.

Not Your Mom’s Boring Slow Cooker Recipes

There’s nothing quite like coming home to a dinner that’s already made and ready to eat. Thankfully, because of the modern magic of the slow cooker, with just a little prep in the morning, you can have dinner ready and waiting for you after a long day.

If you need some fresh slow cooker inspiration I’ve rounded up over 20 of my go-to slow cooker recipes in one place. These recipes are built for the days when you need something easy but don’t want to compromise on flavor. One of the most common complaints I get about slow cooking is that the flavor is just not as good a stovetop or oven version and I’ve vowed to created recipes that challenge that! From chili to pulled pork, pasta, salads, and more there’s a little something for everyone on this list and they all actually taste GOOD.

These recipes are When you think of recipes to cook in a slow cooker you may think boring or heavy but trust me, these are not your slow cooker recipes. Every one is packed with complex flavors, perfect textures, and easier than you can imagine!

The Best Easy Slow Cooker Recipes

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

This recipe gives you tender, juicy, and flavorful beef and the best part is that the slow cooker does almost all of the work. Pile the beef on toasted buns, add a bit of my lightened up garlic aioli, some melty cheese, and you’ve got the easiest weeknight dinner recipe that everyone will love!

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Salad

The best salad made with tender chicken, black beans, fresh veggies and the perfect creamy cilantro ranch.

Balsamic Slow Cooker Beef

A seared chuck roast cooked low and slow in a tangy balsamic sauce until perfectly tender, juicy, and full of flavor. Just a few simple ingredients and about 30 minutes of hands-on time for an easy dinner the slow cooker handles from there.

Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs cooked in a sweet, savory, slightly spicy honey garlic sauce until perfectly tender. A no-fuss, nearly failproof dinner that’s ready when you are.

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

A seared chuck roast simmers away with zesty Italian seasonings, pepperoncini, and giardiniera until tender and shreddable. Pile it onto toasted rolls with melty provolone for an easy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing sandwich bar.

Mississippi Pot Roast

Chuck roast, onions, garlic, a homemade ranch seasoning, and tangy pepperoncini peppers, seared and then finished low and slow until fall-apart tender. Serve over mashed potatoes or piled onto toasted brioche buns.

Slow Cooker Ribs

A flavorful dry rub, a few hours in the slow cooker, and a quick finish under the broiler gives you ribs that are tender, juicy, and slightly charred — no smoker required.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

A seasoned pork shoulder cooked low and slow until perfectly tender and shreddable, then tossed back into the flavorful cooking juices. Pile it onto toasted brioche buns with coleslaw for the ultimate sandwich.

Healthy White Chicken Chili

A dairy-free white chicken chili made with shredded chicken thighs, white beans, and green chiles, finished with a bit of coconut cream for richness. Works equally well on the stovetop or set-and-forget in the slow cooker.

Simple & Easy Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Ground beef and Italian sausage browned and simmered with plenty of veggies for a hearty, flavorful sauce that tastes like it took all day (because it did, hands-off). Serve over your favorite pasta for an easy dinner the whole family will love.

Cozy Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Short ribs cooked low and slow until melt-in-your-mouth tender. A comforting, hands-off dinner that feels a little special without much effort.

White Bean Turkey Chili

Lean ground turkey and hearty white beans swap in for the usual beef and kidney beans in this cozy spin on classic chili. Make it on the stovetop in about 45 minutes, or let it go all day in the slow cooker.

The Best Dutch Oven Pot Roast (Slow Cooker Option!)

Classic comfort food made with a beef chuck roast, carrots, celery, and a rich broth. The Dutch oven method is the star, but a slow cooker version is included for an easy, mostly hands-off dinner.

Easy BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

Sweet and tangy slow cooker BBQ chicken piled onto toasted brioche buns with a crisp, tangy homemade coleslaw. A complete sandwich dinner made almost entirely hands-off.

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

A lighter take on classic chili made with ground turkey, kidney and black beans, and warm spices. Prep it in the morning and come home to a hot, ready-to-eat dinner.

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken

Chicken breast, a jar of salsa verde, and a handful of pantry spices go into the slow cooker for a couple of hours until perfectly shreddable. Use it in tacos, burrito bowls, salads, or nachos all week long.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Chicken breast, barbecue sauce, and a handful of spices cooked until tender and easy to shred. Versatile enough for salads, sandwiches, nachos, or bowls.

Healthy Slow Cooker Chili

Ground beef, kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and just the right amount of spice, simmered in the crockpot for eight hours until it’s perfect. Stovetop instructions are included if you’re short on time.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef Burrito Bowls

Tender shredded beef braised for hours in the slow cooker, piled into bowls with fresh veggies and all your favorite burrito toppings. A true weeknight dinner dream.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef Tacos

Chuck roast simmered with warm spices, citrus, and vinegar until fall-apart tender and easy to shred. Use it in tacos, burrito bowls, taco salads, or nachos.

Slow Cooker Chicken Carnitas

Chicken thighs cooked low and slow, then finished under the broiler until crispy and golden. Perfect for tacos, bowls, salads, or piled onto nachos.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Chicken, spices, salsa, and lime juice go into the slow cooker and come out perfectly tender and easy to shred. Great for tacos, burrito bowls, or taco salads all week long.

Green Chicken Enchilada Soup

All the flavor of green chicken enchiladas in cozy soup form, made entirely in the slow cooker. Tender shredded chicken, fresh veggies, beans, and green enchilada sauce come together for a hearty, flavorful dinner. 

Salsa Verde Chicken Soup (Stove Top + Slow Cooker)

Shredded chicken, tangy salsa verde, and hearty white beans come together in a warm, comforting soup. Sear it on the stove for a 30-minute dinner, or toss everything in the slow cooker for a hot meal waiting when you get home.

Healthy Beef Stew (Stovetop or Slow Cooker)

A hearty, veggie-packed beef stew thickened with arrowroot starch instead of flour, keeping it Whole30, Paleo, and gluten-free. Choose the stovetop for a faster dinner or the slow cooker for a hands-off day.

One Pot Chicken Stew

 Chicken thighs and vegetables simmered in an herb-filled broth until tender — comfort food in a bowl. Made in a single pot on the stove, or easily adapted for the slow cooker.