The Best Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Weekdays

Posted on by Morgan

Slow cookers are perfect for busy weekdays, allowing you to come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat meal. These recipes are easy to prepare and require minimal hands-on time, making them ideal for a hectic schedule. Here are some of the best slow cooker recipes to simplify your week:

1. Classic Beef Stew

Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
  • 4 carrots, sliced
  • 4 potatoes, diced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine (optional)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Brown Meat (Optional): For added flavor, brown beef cubes in a skillet over medium-high heat.
  2. Combine Ingredients: Add beef, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic to the slow cooker. Stir in beef broth, wine (if using), tomato paste, thyme, bay leaf, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until beef is tender and vegetables are cooked through.

2. Creamy Chicken Alfredo

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 8 oz fettuccine pasta

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Sauce: In the slow cooker, combine heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add Chicken: Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker, coating them with the sauce mixture.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken with two forks.
  4. Cook Pasta: Cook fettuccine according to package instructions. Toss with the chicken and sauce before serving.

3. Beef and Broccoli

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb beef sirloin, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1/4 cup water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: In the slow cooker, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Add beef slices and coat well.
  2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Add Broccoli: About 30 minutes before serving, add broccoli florets.
  4. Thicken Sauce (Optional): Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce to thicken, if desired.

4. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients:

  • 3 lbs pork shoulder
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Hamburger buns for serving

Instructions:

  1. Season Pork: Rub the pork shoulder with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Place in the slow cooker with onion slices.
  2. Add Liquids: Pour barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar over the pork.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours. Shred pork with two forks and mix with the sauce. Serve on hamburger buns.

5. Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add lentils, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 4-5 hours, until lentils and vegetables are tender.

6. Chicken Taco Soup

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn kernels, drained
  • 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
  • Tortilla chips and sour cream for serving

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add chicken breasts, black beans, corn, tomatoes, chicken broth, and taco seasoning to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken and stir into the soup.
  3. Serve: Top with shredded cheese, tortilla chips, and a dollop of sour cream.

7. Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
  • 1/4 cup water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Sauce: Mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in the slow cooker.
  2. Add Chicken: Place chicken thighs in the sauce mixture.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Shred chicken if desired.
  4. Thicken Sauce (Optional): Mix cornstarch with water and stir into the sauce to thicken.

8. Vegetable Curry

Ingredients:

  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
  • 2 cups mixed vegetables (potatoes, carrots, bell peppers)
  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add onion, garlic, curry powder, turmeric, coconut milk, mixed vegetables, and chickpeas to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until vegetables are tender.

9. Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

  • 4 large bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare Peppers: Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove seeds. Place in the slow cooker.
  2. Make Filling: In a bowl, mix ground beef or turkey, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, onion, and oregano. Stuff mixture into peppers.
  3. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours. Sprinkle with cheese before serving if desired.

10. Sweet and Sour Pork

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 lbs pork tenderloin, cut into cubes
  • 1 cup pineapple chunks (with juice)
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions:

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add pork, pineapple chunks with juice, bell pepper, onion, soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and garlic to the slow cooker.
  2. Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours, until pork is tender.

These slow cooker recipes are perfect for busy days, allowing you to prepare wholesome and delicious meals with minimal effort. Enjoy coming home to a hot, comforting dish!