Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (2024)

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (1)

It’s no secret that we love slow cookers here at Good Housekeeping. Slow cookers help us create amazingly delicious meals with zero fuss, minimal prep and no need to hang over the hob for hours. And there seems to be a misconception that all you can make are stews and casseroles, when in fact the humble slow cooker is a much more versatile piece of kitchen equipment.

Did you know, a slow cooker is the perfect gadget to cook a piece of meat in?

Take our slow cooker ham recipe, we use coca-cola to make this sweet and salty joint of meat, while our slow cooker beef joint recipe is an absolute winner, and saves space in the oven.
Midweek meals can also be a doddle, from our gorgeous slow cooker chicken breast piccata to our delightfully simple slow cooker chicken fajitas recipe. In fact, family classics can all be whipped up in your crock pot from spaghetti Bolognese, to macaroni cheese, and even slow cooker chicken curry recipe. This also means batch cooking is made much simpler, and you can have a steaming pot of food ready when you have finished work.

People seem most surprised when we tell them you can make desserts in the slow cooker. We love this rice pudding, which is a great get-ahead dessert that can be served hot or cold (we love ours with jam). We’ve tried tons of sweet stuff in the slow cooker from brownies, to cheesecakes and even a butterscotch pudding, which we promise is worth a try.

Don’t let your slow cooker get dusty in the cupboard, use this versatile kitchen gadget to create delicious dishes, without slaving away in the kitchen. And if you don’t have one, we’ve tested a bunch to find the best, and this digital Crock-Pot version (which is under £100) was a clear winner. Happy slow cooking!

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1

Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (3)

A little lighter and not too boozy, this recipe is perfect for serving to anyone who finds the usual Christmas pud a bit too rich. Either make our easy Christmas pudding in advance and mature it, or make it on Xmas morning and have it bubbling away in the crockpot, warmed and ready for serving after your festive lunch.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Christmas Pudding

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2

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (4)

This easy mulled wine recipe is a festive staple. We recommend buying a fruity red like a merlot or grenache. You can even keep the wine warm in the slow cooker - perfect for Christmas parties. This recipe can be doubled or scaled up if serving a large crowd.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

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3

Slow Cooker Butter Halloumi Curry

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (5)

Classically made with chicken, we’ve added halloumi to this delicious slow cooker curry to make it suitable for vegetarians. If you prefer a less salty option, then replace the halloumi with paneer.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Butter Halloumi Curry

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4

Slow Cooker Pulled Jackfruit

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (6)

A plant-based vegan version of pulled pork, this easy slow cooker recipe is full of flavour and bound to please vegetarian and vegan guests at parties and barbecues. Double the recipe if making for a crowd.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Jackfruit

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5

Slow cooker beef stew with dumplings

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (7)

Place all the ingredients for this slow cooker beef casserole straight into the bowl. No need to brown the beef in advance - just lightly dust the pieces of braising steak with flour before hand.

This recipe will be meltingly tender after just six hours on high in the slow cooker.

The dumpling are just three ingredients and can be added to the stew during the last hour of cooking. Or we suggest serving this with mashed potatoes - the ultimate in midweek comfort food.

A dollop of onion marmalade, stirred in towards the end, will add the sweetness of caramelised onions with non of the hassle.

Slow cooker beef stew with dumplings recipe

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6

Slow Cooker Ham and Red Lentil Stew

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (8)

This hearty and satisfying stew is deliciously easy – just let the slow cooker do the work! We used carrots, parsnips and potatoes, but you can use any leftover roast veg here.

Slow Cooker Ham and Red Lentil Stew

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7

Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Blondies

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (9)

These indulgent crockpot blondies are easy to make and packed with squidgy caramel and dark chocolate. Don’t worry if your blondies are slightly dark on the base - this only adds to the delicious buttery caramel flavour.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Salted Caramel Blondies

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8

Slow Cooker Mushroom Stroganoff

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (10)

This vegetarian alternative to the beef classic is cooked in a slow cooker for added ease. Serve with pasta for a delicious midweek meal.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Mushroom Stroganoff

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9

Slow Cooker Pork Casserole

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (11)

It doesn’t get much more comforting than a pork casserole, and it doesn’t get much easier than cooking it in a slow cooker! Fill the kitchen with comforting aromas and enjoy a hearty stew with succulent pork pieces at the end of a long working day.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Casserole

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10

Mushroom Bourguignon

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (12)

This vegan recipe is perfect for the colder months. Let your slow cooker do all the hard work and be rewarded with a rich and flavoursome stew.

Recipe: Mushroom Bourguignon

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11

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (13)

This is the perfect recipe to use up the leftover flesh from your Halloween jack-o’-lantern. Or, if you can’t find pumpkin then use butternut squash instead.

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Stew recipe

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12

Slow Cooker Ramen

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (14)

This ramen couldn’t be easier to make and is full of flavour. The miso will cause the ramen to look a little split, but will come together once mixed at the table.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Ramen

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13

Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (15)

We’ve bulked out the mince with lentils to reduce the fat content and topped this pie with sweet potato for a lower GI in this healthier twist on a supper staple.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Shepherd’s Pie

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14

Slow cooker beef bourguignon

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (16)

This French classic is perfect to have gently cooking, ready for when you come in from the cold. If you can, buy beef that isn’t already pre-cut, as the pieces are often too small or unevenly cut. You can substitute some of the wine for more beef stock if you want to have a subtler flavour.

Slow cooker beef bourguignon recipe

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15

Slow Cooker Chicken Chasseur

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (17)

Give this traditional chicken stew a go. For ease, we’ve made ours in the slow cooker.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Chasseur

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16

Slow Cooker Meatballs

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (18)

If you want to add extra flavour, brown your meatballs in a hot pan before adding to the slow cooker at step 4.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatballs

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17

Slow Cooker Vegetable Tagine

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (19)

If you’re catering for vegans, then simply omit the honey (or replace with a sweetener of your choice) and check the stock you’re using is vegan-friendly.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Tagine

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18

Slow Cooker Smokey Bonfire Chorizo Stew

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (20)

Let the slow cooker do the work for this warming stew. Replace the new potatoes with chunks of butternut squash for a lower-carb option.

Slow Cooker Smokey Bonfire Chorizo Stew Recipe

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19

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (21)

This spiced chicken is also great in wraps if you fancy. If you want it to be more stew-like, add an extra 150ml stock to the slow cooker at the beginning.

Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken

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20

Slow cooker vegan aubergine and sweet potato Jalfrezi

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (22)

This spicy curry is packed full of flavour and goodness. To further elevate the curry, stir though spinach towards the end of cooking, and finish with coconut yogurt, if you like.

Slow cooker vegan aubergine and sweet potato jalfrezi recipe

Our best ever slow cooker recipes to make now (2024)

FAQs

What is the number one Crockpot? ›

Best Overall: All-Clad Gourmet Slow Cooker with All-in-One Browning, 7-Quart.

What is the difference between a Crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

The pot of the slow cooker usually sits on a base that houses the heating element on the bottom, while Crockpots have their pots inside of a container (or crock) and get heating from all sides. Therefore, slow cookers heat up slower than crockpots, with the heat level higher on the bottom of the pot.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What size slow cooker for 2 adults? ›

Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people.

Is it worth buying a slow cooker for one person? ›

And for solo cooks or families of two, a small slow cooker or a mini slow cooker offers the convenience of the appliance without taking up too much space in the kitchen. “Small slow cookers such as the 1 to 1.5-quart models are a great option for those cooking meals for one,” says Grainer.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level.

Is it better to cook on high or low in a slow cooker? ›

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

Should you flip chicken in slow cooker? ›

Should you flip the chicken in the slow cooker? No, all you need to do is add all the ingredients into the slow cooker, cover and cook.

Is A slow cooker better than a microwave? ›

Microwave ovens are considered to be marginally more energy efficient than slow cookers. However, if you are preparing meat such as a lamb joint or stewing beef, slow cooking will create a superior meal.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Why are my carrots still hard in the slow cooker? ›

If you don't have enough liquid in the pot, the carrots won't cook evenly and may stay tough. Aim for at least a cup or two of liquid, enough to reach about a third of the way up on the ingredients.

Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›

You certainly can add raw ground beef to the crockpot. As a matter of fact, many (if not most) slow-cooker chili recipes ask for the meat to be added raw.

Who made the original slow cooker? ›

Patented by prolific inventor Irving Naxon, the Beanery was originally intended for a Jewish stew of meat and beans called cholent, which is slowly cooked on Fridays in preparation for the Sabbath. The bean cooker that eventually became the Crock-Pot was first patented by prolific inventor Irving Naxon in 1940.

What are the numbers on slow cooker? ›

There are five numbered heat settings on the heating base, 1 to 5. Heat setting # 1 should only be used to warm dinner rolls, muffins, etc. Heat setting # 2 should only be used to keep warm cooked foods for serving, whereas Heat Settings #3, #4 and #5 are to be used for actual cooking of foods.

Which is the most economical slow cooker? ›

Swan SF17010N Slow Cooker - 1.5 litres - £14.99

One of the cheapest slow cookers to buy and to run is the Swan SF17010N slow cooker, which offers the usual high, low and auto settings to keep your food warm and has a capacity of 1.5 litres, which is large enough to feed one or two people.

What happened to rival crock pots? ›

Jarden's Sunbeam Products, Inc. subsidiary continues to manufacture products under the Rival and Holmes brands, although Crock-Pot was spun off as its own brand and its slow cookers no longer feature the Rival logo, and Bionaire and Patton have become Jarden subsidiaries.

References

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