Updated for 2022
The crockpot, or slow cooker, may be a busy Mom’s best friend — and the perfect way to save time making dinner. Once you gather ingredients, load them up into this handy kitchen appliance, and plug it in, your meal will start cooking while you go about your day, hands-free.
As an extra bonus, using a slow cooker keeps the kitchen cooler because you won’t be turning on the oven.
Soups, stews, and roasts are crock pot mainstays, but you can make light, healthy recipes with your slow cooker, too. We have rounded up a list of great recipes from us and from food bloggers around the internet that are perfect for dinners made easy.

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6-Quart Programmable Crockpot
This one is big, but not so big that it can’t fit in a cabinet. Plus, it has room enough to make food for the whole gang or provide plenty of leftovers. It’s also programmable, meaning you can delay the start of your cooking time. And it automatically keeps food warm after cooking is finished.

Crockpot w/ Hinged Lid
This crockpot has a very cool hinged lid for fancier service. Same great slow cooking + service in style!
6-Quart Instant Pot
Sometimes you want your meal faster than a slow cooker can deliver. Enter the Instant Pot. This beauty can do almost anything; it’s a rice cooker, a pressure cooker, a steamer, and even a yogurt maker. You may never use the stove again. Check the price on Amazon.
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Easy Crockpot Recipes
Crockpot Chili
From Agoura Hills Mom
I love chili and one of the reasons I don’t make it often is because it takes so long. Not a problem with the crockpot! Agoura Hills Mom gives extra tips about what to serve on the side as well as why this dish is perfect to serve no matter the season. Her version calls for ground beef, but you can easily make it with vegetables only if you prefer.
Potato Leek Soup
From Mama Likes to Cook
This recipe looks very tasty and hearty, perfect for a chilly winter dinner — and there are only 5 ingredients, one of which is water, which almost doesn’t count. I’ll be giving this a try for sure.
Garlic Butter Chicken
From Butter Your Biscuit
This is a recipe for what amounts to rotisserie chicken in the crockpot. And it tastes amazing. I love chicken cooked this way, and may or may not have purchased many from Costco. This recipe lets you make it at home, and because it’s in the slow cooker, the machine does the work for you. I tried it recently and I’m HOOKED.

Vegan Frijoles (Beans)
From Yvonne In LA
Yvonne did a Vegan Challenge a couple of years ago and believe me, it was a tough one. One of the best aspects of the challenge, though, was learning new recipes — and Yvonne’s beans are some of the best ever. Enjoy!
Related: Try our No-Oil Pesto Recipe
Slow Cooker Kalua Pork
From Creme de la Crumb
Having grown up in Hawaii, I’m a fan of all items from the luau menu, with the exception of poi, and especially Kalua pork. This recipe looks amazing, and it’s so simple, which is always a bonus.
Classic Crockpot Roast
From Don’t Waste the Crumbs
Pot roast may be your new best friend for dinner, based on how easy this recipe is and how delicious it looks. Plus, it’ll make great leftovers!
Slow Cooker BBQ Ribs
From Carlsbad Cravings
I love BBQ ribs and try to find any excuse to have them. This recipe is just what the doctor ordered because it happens in the crockpot! Yum!
Slow Cooker Cabbage Soup
From the Busy Baker
I am a fan of all cruciferous vegetables, and cabbage soup sounds amazing. Super healthy and of course, super easy in the crockpot.
Related: Food to Celebrate the Los Angeles Rams
Hot Crab Dip
If you’re looking for something a little different, this hot crab dip is a winner. You can enjoy it as an appetizer with crackers or toast but if you want to make it a bit lighter, try it on top of veggies like celery or cucumbers. It’s really easy to make and only requires a few simple ingredients.
Pantry Cleaner Vegetable Soup — RECIPE
From MomsLA
I love chunky vegetable soup almost as much as I love the crockpot itself, and this one has the added benefit of being a great pantry cleaner — meaning, you can add whatever vegetables you have in the fridge or in the cupboard that you like. Here’s what I had in the cupboard today when I made it:
Crockpot Vegetable Soup
Ingredients
2 cups carrots, peeled & chopped
2 cups red onions, peeled & chopped
3 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped
4- 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1 can corn kernels
Add all the ingredients to the crockpot and start it up. Set it on high for 4 hours if you’re kind of in a “rush” and set it on low for 6-8 hours if you’re not. I serve this with a big salad on the side. Super healthy, super delicious, super easy.

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Kristine Halverson
Monday 30th of December 2013
Hi! Love these recipes. Thank you. Kristine
Sarah Auerswald
Monday 30th of December 2013
So glad! Thanks for reading!