Slow cookers are a popular choice for those looking to reduce the cost of cooking whilst still making delicious meals. Their design means you can put the ingredients in and allow it to slowly cook without the need to spend all day in the kitchen using the oven. If you’re looking to introduce a slow cooker into your kitchen, or you’re not sure where to begin, then we recommend starting simple. In this article, we share 10 simple slow cooker recipes.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- 500g beef stew meat (cubed)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 2 potatoes (cubed)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 400g canned diced tomatoes
- 500ml beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Place all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender.
Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs (cut into chunks)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 400ml coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Instructions: Combine all ingredients except cilantro in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Serve over rice and garnish with fresh cilantro.
Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole
Ingredients:
- 8 pork sausages
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 2 carrots (sliced)
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 400g canned chopped tomatoes
- 250ml beef or vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Brown the sausages in a pan and then transfer to the slow cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, celery, peas, corn, etc.)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 400g canned diced tomatoes
- 1 litre vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Put all ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
- 1.5kg pork shoulder
- 1 onion (sliced)
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 250ml BBQ sauce
- 60ml apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker. Mix the remaining ingredients and pour over the pork. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. Shred the pork before serving.
Slow Cooker Chili Con Carne
Ingredients:
- 500g ground beef
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 400g canned kidney beans (drained and rinsed)
- 400g canned diced tomatoes
- 250ml beef broth
- 2 tablespoons chilli powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Brown the ground beef in a pan and transfer to the slow cooker. Add all the other ingredients and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Mushroom Casserole
Ingredients:
- 500g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 250g mushrooms (sliced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 250ml chicken broth
- 250ml heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Place the chicken, mushrooms, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, flour, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken and mushrooms. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions: Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix the lemon juice, zest, olive oil, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
Slow Cooker Chocolate Fondue
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Assorted dippable: strawberries, bananas, marshmallows, pretzels, etc.
Instructions:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the heavy cream until it's hot but not boiling.
- Place the chocolate chips in the slow cooker and pour the hot cream over them.
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and let it sit for 5 minutes to allow the chocolate chips to melt.
- After 5 minutes, stir the mixture until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Turn the slow cooker to the "warm" setting to keep the fondue warm and smooth while serving.
- Prepare your dippable products by washing and slicing the fruits and arranging them on a platter along with the other items you'll be dipping.
- Serve the warm chocolate fondue with the platter of dippables and enjoy!
Slow Cooker Apple Crisp
Ingredients:
- 4 cups sliced apples (peeled and cored)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (cut into small pieces)
Instructions: Toss the sliced apples with lemon juice, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Place the apple mixture in the slow cooker. In a separate bowl, mix the rolled oats, flour, brown sugar, and butter until crumbly. Sprinkle the oat mixture over the apples. Cook on low for 2-3 hours until the apples are tender, and the topping is golden brown.
To conclude
This is just the beginning of your slow cooker experience. There are many different recipes available online which you can try to your preference. The key is to be confident and experiment with your cooking.
If you were unsure before but these recipes have proved a tipping point, all of our slow cookers can be found here.