If you are looking for an easy dinner look no further! These 20 easy crockpot recipes will make dinner time completely stress-free!
When it comes to dinner, I often feel so tired and exhausted. is it just me I remember the “witching hour” when my kids were toddlers, and I swear it applies to adults too.
You’ve been growing up all day and now you have to make dinner? And you have to do that every day??? Come on, can’t a girl take a break?
Walk in, the slow cooker. Use your morning energy and get dinner in your crockpot. Then, when it gets to 5 or 6pm, you can sit back, relax and put the finishing touches to dinner.
Also, you’ve already committed to going through with it since it’s already started, so there’s no need to do it at this point in the game. Sometimes I just need to be forced to do something when I don’t feel like it, you know?
And then there’s the bonus of smells! Everyone will look forward to dinner because your whole house smells so wonderful!
We’ve included all of the dinner and main course recipes on this list. If you want more slow cooker recipes (sides, etc.), you can find all of our crockpot recipes here.
Tips for Success
There are a few things to keep in mind when cooking with a slow cooker. Aside from the obvious stuff you’ll find in your manual, here are some tips that come from experience.
- Make cleaning easy: I like to spray the inside of my slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. You can also buy liners, but personally I just don’t like the idea of cooking my food in plastic for hours. Spraying the inside prevents food from sticking and makes cleaning easier.
- Leave the lid on! Every time you open the lid, a lot of heat escapes and slows down the cooking process. Not only is this important for when your recipe is ready, but also for food safety. So resist the urge to peek or stir unless the recipe specifically calls for it.
- Security: If your crockpot has a timer, make sure you use it. Most automatically go low when time is up. I once heard a horror story about a house that burned down because someone couldn’t come home for some reason and their pot just kept boiling, boiling, boiling. So now I’m super careful.
What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot?
As you can see, I use the terms interchangeably. They are the same, but crockpot is a specific brand of slow cooker. Much like Kleenex and Bandaid, the crockpot name has become synonymous with slow cookers. The same applies to Instant Pot and pressure cookers.
PS: Crockpot is a proprietary product. Crockpot is its own brand that I want to recognize and appreciate. This post is not directly affiliated with them.
20 Crockpot Dinner Recipes
Tender and juicy pork with a sweet balsamic glaze, this slow cooker pork loin is a dinner favorite. Fix it and forget it!
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Crockpot BBQ Chicken is irresistible and a real crowd pleaser! It’s super easy to make with just 3 ingredients.
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Whether you’re entertaining or just looking for an easy dinner with great leftovers, crockpot ham is the answer. Hands off and delicious!
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Crockpot Mac and Cheese is perfect for parties, creamy, flavorful and so easy to make. Ready to serve in just 2 hours!
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Slow cooker Moroccan chicken thighs cook all day while you’re busy with other things. They are super flavorful, filling and nutritious.
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts and homemade teriyaki sauce served with rice make this crockpot teriyaki chicken a perfect weeknight meal.
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Warm, comforting, and hearty—all words that describe this simple and easy to make Crockpot Tomato Soup. It’s a crowd puller!
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You won’t believe how good Italian pot roast is! This Slow Cooker Roast Beef is sure to become a family favorite. And it’s easy!
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You’ll find that chili doesn’t need meat to be hearty and delicious. This veggie chili is thick, rich, and flavorful, and it’s so easy to make.
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Just try making slow cooker ribs, so tender and juicy, with loads of flavor from a homemade dry rub and lots of barbecue sauce. Fix them and forget about them for up to ten hours.
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Change up your taco menu with Slow Cooker Pork Tacos, a Mexican riff on tender pulled pork with green tomatillo sauce. Serve with all the side dishes on warm corn tortillas.
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Rich and full of warm heat, this Texas-style slow cooker chili will become an instant favorite of your chili recipe. The big chunks of beef will fall apart in your mouth!
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This slow cooker white chicken chili will become your go-to recipe for fun and busy cool-weather weeknights. The recipe includes 5+ ways to customize this and make it perfect for YOU!
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Slow Cooker Chicken Kale Soup simmers all day for a healthy, hearty dinner that’s ready when you are. It’s packed with lean chicken, lots of green kale, cannellini beans, and loads of flavor.
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This Mango Bourbon Pulled Pork has the perfect combination of sweet and tangy – and the bourbon gives it the WOW factor!
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Slow Cooker Marsala Beef Stew fills your house with tantalizing flavors as it simmers. You’ll look forward to dinner all day long!
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A citrus-based marinade adds flavor and tenderness to slow cooker Cuban pork. Change up your normal pulled pork routine with this unique flavor combination.
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Slow cooker shredded chicken that only requires 3 ingredients. Simple, versatile and delicious.
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This crockpot buffalo chicken is prepared in the crockpot and becomes so tender and flavorful as it cooks. It’s perfect on sandwiches or sliders!
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Start with crockpot spaghetti sauce in the morning and forget about it all day. For dinner, cook up a big pot of pasta and enjoy an absolutely delicious homemade spaghetti dinner.
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