19 Simple Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Families

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Slow cookers are the ultimate kitchen helper, letting you enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals with minimal effort. This collection of 19 recipes offers something for everyone, from comforting soups like Greek lemon chicken and lentil to hearty main dishes like braised boneless short ribs and Hawaiian pork chops. Whether you’re preparing a tender lamb shank or a flavorful veggie lasagna soup, these recipes make dinnertime easier while delivering incredible flavors. Let’s explore these hands-free meals that will cook themselves while you go about your day.

Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Avgolemono is a wonderful chicken soup from Greece that boasts fresh lemon juice, chicken, herbs, and more. It’s light enough for an appetizer but filling enough for a meal.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Chicken Dumpling Soup

A creamy chicken and dumpling soup with chunks of chicken, carrots, celery, and herbs visible. A wooden-handled ladle scoops some of the thick soup, highlighting the tender dumplings and vibrant vegetables. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Enjoy a cozy, flavorful meal with Chicken Dumpling Soup! Tender chicken, fluffy dumplings, and hearty veggies come together in a rich, comforting broth. Easy to make and perfect for warming up on any day!

Get The Recipe: Chicken Dumpling Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Teriyaki

Indulge in the comforting flavors of Slow Cooker Beef Teriyaki – tender beef melded with a flavorful teriyaki sauce and sweet bell peppers.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Teriyaki

Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Sliced roasted chicken breast garnished with rosemary sits on a white plate alongside green beans and two lemon slices. The chicken appears juicy with a golden-brown glaze, showcasing the best of slow cooker recipes for mouthwatering results.

This slow cooker chicken breasts recipe makes juicy, flavorful chicken that’s perfect for any meal. The savory seasoning blend, combined with onions and garlic, adds a burst of flavor, making it a versatile option for salads, sandwiches, tacos, and more.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Lentil Soup

Enjoy every spoonful of this Vegan Lentil Soup, with slow-cooked veggies and lentils in a delicious saucy broth. Pair it with your go-to bread for a satisfying, protein-packed meal.

Get the recipe: Vegan Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

This Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers dish brings together sausages, bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce, resulting in a flavorful delight. It’s like a friendly home cook sharing a favorite recipe, making cooking enjoyable and accessible for all.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Oxtail Orzo Soup

Oxtail and orzo come together in perfect harmony in this slow cooker soup. The tender oxtail meat and chewy orzo pasta create a delightful textural experience, all bathed in a rich and flavorful broth.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Oxtail Orzo Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Soup

A white bowl filled with brisket soup. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Soup is a meal-prepping dream! It’s incredibly easy to throw together in your slow cooker and delivers a delicious and satisfying soup that’s perfect for dinner or leftovers for lunch. The hearty flavors and melt-in-your-mouth brisket make it a versatile option for any occasion.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Brisket Soup

Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

A close-up of spaghetti bolognese topped with grated cheese highlights this classic ground beef recipe. The dish features spaghetti noodles mixed with a savory meat and tomato sauce, garnished with shredded cheese, creating a hearty and appetizing appearance. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Whip up this speedy Spaghetti Bolognese recipe and you’ll have a meat sauce so packed with Italian flavor, it might just start singing opera! Ready in just 30 minutes—because who has time to wait for deliciousness?

Get The Recipe: Quick & Easy Spaghetti Bolognese

Braised Boneless Short Ribs

A hearty beef stew in a pot, featuring chunks of tender beef and braised short ribs, sliced carrots, whole mushrooms, and garnished with chopped fresh parsley. The rich, dark broth adds a comforting warmth to the beautifully presented dish. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This outstanding recipe for Braised Boneless Short Ribs produces unbelievably succulent beef that practically melts in your mouth. It’s the epitome of comforting, heartwarming cuisine!

Get The Recipe: Braised Boneless Short Ribs

Crockpot Bulgogi Jackfruit

Bulgogi Pulled Jack Fruit is great on a sandwich! — Image Credit: Namely Marly

Savor the rich, umami flavors of Korean cuisine with this slow-cooked jackfruit bulgogi. Tender jackfruit chunks are simmered in a sweet and savory sauce, infused with the aromatic notes of garlic, ginger, and sesame, creating a plant-based twist on the beloved Korean classic.

Get the recipe: Crockpot Bulgogi Jackfruit

Slow Cooker Apple Sausage in Onion Gravy

Close-up of a delicious sausage and onion dish. The sausages are surrounded by caramelized onions and garnished with fresh sage leaves. The rich, savory sauce glistens on the sausages and onions, making the dish look warm and appetizing—perfect for a slow cooker apple sausage twist. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This tasty Slow Cooker Apple Sausage in Onion Gravy recipe is a classic British dish, served inside a large Yorkshire pudding.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Apple Sausage in Onion Gravy

Key West Crab and Lobster Bisque

This Key West crab and lobster bisque made in a slow cooker is a breeze to whip up. Each spoonful is packed with seafood goodness and a creamy texture that hits the spot. For seafood fans seeking a tasty and cozy meal, this crockpot seafood bisque is spot on.
Get the Recipe: Key West Crab and Lobster Bisque

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops

A plate of white rice topped with a grilled pork chop, covered in a tangy sauce and garnished with a pineapple ring and chopped parsley. — Image Credit: Kitchen Divas

Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops are a breeze to whip up! Who doesn’t adore juicy, sweet pork chops with pineapple? The flavors mix together just right!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Hawaiian Pork Chops

Potato Leek Soup

A white bowl filled with creamy potato soup, a staple of old school recipes, topped with shredded cheese and garnished with chopped green onions and ground black pepper. A spoon rests nearby on a napkin. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

Who says you need cream for a creamy soup? This recipe utilizes leeks, potatoes, and butter to create a surprisingly silky texture without any dairy. It’s a simple and wholesome option packed with flavor.

Get The Recipe: Potato Leek Soup

Veggie Lasagna Soup

A closeup of vegan lasagna soup in a bowl shows freshly chopped herbs on top and a creamy sauce. — Image Credit: Namely Marly

Get cozy with a bowl of vegan lasagna soup. This hearty dish brings all the yummy flavors of classic lasagna in a slurpable form, with a rich tomato broth, tender pasta, and creamy vegan ricotta.

Get the recipe: Vegan Lasagna Soup

Slow Cooker Italian Pulled Pork

A white bowl full of Italian Pulled Pork. — Image Credit: Erren Hart/Erren’s Kitchen

This Italian pulled pork isn’t just for sandwiches! While it shines on a toasted bun, shred it up and add it to pasta dishes, stuff it into tacos, or serve it over polenta for endless flavor combinations.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooker Crock Pot Chicken Breasts

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks

This recipe is a delicious foundation for your personal touch! Feel free to experiment with different herbs, spices, or vegetables to create a customized lamb shank dish that reflects your taste preferences. It’s a versatile and comforting dish that’s easy to make your own.

Get The Recipe: Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks