Chilly days are ideal for putting your slow cooker to work. From braising meats to creating a succulent stew, cooking low and slow is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy cozy, comforting meals. These simple slow cooker recipes for stews, soups, casseroles and more will warm you up from the inside out.
Decadent Breakfast: French Toast
If you love the smell of breakfast, this warming, sweet and easy recipe will be like aromatherapy for your home. Apples give the French toast a special essence, on the verge of entering pie territory. So pile them on and let it all simmer until tender and perfect.
Split Pea Soup for the Soul
In a pinch, you can find this classic in our aisles. But when you have the time, do yourself a favor and indulge in the savory yet delicate flavors of slow-cooked ham, tender vegetables and fresh herbs. Hearty, filling and oh so comforting.
Comforting Asian-Inspired Flavors
You can do a lot with tofu. You can fry it, bake it, grill it, sauté it and so on. But cooking it slow and low with the deep, fiery flavor of gochujang sauce and salt is an event in itself. Use a firm tofu so it holds up while maintaining an enjoyable texture. Best served hot with rice and sprinkled with sliced green onions.
Short Ribs That Aren’t Short on Flavor
Here’s an entrée that you’ll be craving clear into summer. Meaty short ribs combine with spicy and savory flavors to create moist, fall-off-the-bone bites that’ll make you forget it’s below freezing outside. This recipe calls for an eight-hour cook, so you can just imagine how good your kitchen is going to smell.
Granola All Grown Up
Sometimes, you crave a wholesome breakfast without the sweetness, and that’s when this easy slow cooker recipe comes in handy. Toasty and crisp with a satisfying crunch, this is a granola that begs to be paired with banana and blueberries for a nice mix of textures in every bite. And if you decide you want to sweeten things up even more, there’s always agave nectar!
North African Flavors Made Easy
The best thing about cooking chickpeas in a slow cooker is that you don’t have to presoak them. The next best thing is this amazing five-ingredient recipe that builds a rich flavor over the course of four simmering hours. If you know, then you know. But for the uninitiated, this recipe is a great way to explore tantalizing new tastes in your very own kitchen.
Pot Pie: The Comfort King
Is there anything cozier and more soul-warming than a soothing pot pie? We don’t think so. One bite of this intermediate-level recipe and you’ll agree. To be fair, it’s only more involved because it involves an oven and calls for homemade sweet potato biscuits in place of a crusty “top.” The extra effort is worth enjoying all winter long.
German for Delicious and Cozy
Fork-tender pot roast simmering for hours in its own juices with green herbs, onions, carrots, potatoes, cabbage and broth makes for a delightful way to warm up after a long day. These flavors are like a scarf for your taste buds, wrapping around them with savory goodness. Satisfy your inner carnivore and enjoy this staple done right.
The Whole Enchilada
Replace your next taco night with this Mexican-inspired casserole. Cooking slow and low mellows the heat of the jalapeños, making it easier for younger folks at the table to enjoy. However, if you want to dial up the fire, just leave the seeds in the peppers and they’ll work their magic. Enjoy this vegetarian classic.
Dreamy Creamy Breakfast
Experience the rewarding texture and comfort of homemade oatmeal using this easy slow cooker recipe. The honey and vanilla provide just the right amount of sweetness and depth to give your day the start it deserves. Oh, and it refrigerates well, so you don’t have to wake up at 2 AM to get it all started.
A Veggie-Packed Breakfast
Here’s a surefire winner for those cold winter mornings (or anytime you desire a hot, delicious breakfast): a casserole that eats like a frittata. Each perfect bite will have eggs, savory ham, hearty hash browns and nourishing vegetables like onion, spinach and bell peppers. Bonus: It’s simple to make it vegetarian by subbing mushrooms or a plant-based protein for ham.
Pot Roast That Deserves a Toast
If you love to grill, you already know the tenderizing benefits of soaking meat in beer. But this slow cooker meal takes it to the next level, resulting in fall-apart bites of succulent stew meat. Add winter root veggies like parsnips and carrots, and you’ve got the definition of comfort. Trust us, you’ll want some crusty bread to dip into the delicious juices.
A Classic Pot Roast That Can’t Be Denied
This filling family pleaser boasts all the classic flavors of winter in one amazing dish. Boneless beef chuck roast is clearly the star, but a supporting cast of russet potatoes and onions give it that heartiness we all love. The great thing about this recipe is that you’re free to add in other veggies and make it as colorful as you’d like. Cornbread mandatory.
Chicken Meets Fall Flavors
Thanks to a marriage of chicken, apples and sweet potatoes, this hearty stew has a surprising depth of flavor. The aromatics of sage and fennel will delight you throughout the cooking process. Perfect for nights you crave a filling meal that’s a bit on the lighter side.
