Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (2024)

Slow cooker meals are the solution to creating boldly flavored weeknight meals with minimal prep time. From sweet and tangy Buffalo meatballs to slowly simmered soups loaded with garden-fresh vegetables, these slow cooker recipes are hearty, easy, and the perfect way to feed your family without the fuss. Browse the best slow cooker recipes that our community of home cooks created in 2021.

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Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (1)

Craving decadent French flavor with minimal effort? Your slow cooker creates an aromatic beef bourgignon with deliciously authentic flavor. Sprigs of fresh thyme and a generous pour of red wine round out this wonderfully savory dish.

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Slow Cooker Pasta fa*gioli Soup

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (2)

Enjoy a hearty Italian soup equipped with ground beef, kidney beans, and a slew of fresh vegetables that will satisfy everyone at the table. Finish with a dusting of Parmesan cheese for a flavorful finish.

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Slow Cooker Easy Peach Cobbler

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (3)

"Delightfully sweet and rich," says recipe creator Nicole. "The crust is buttery with bits of crumbly bits on the top and the peaches are super juicy and bursting with flavor. It reminds me of the dump cake-version of peach cobbler that we would enjoy after long days on the lake in the summer."

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Slow Cooker Pineapple-BBQ Meatballs

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (4)

Sweet, tangy meatballs paired with bell peppers and pineapple make an enticing meal that your family will love. This saucy dish shines at parties parties, potlucks, or any gathering that needs a pop of tropical flavor.

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Slow Cooker Philly-Style Shredded Beef Sliders

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (5)

Chuck roast, beef consomme, and Provolone cheese are sandwiched between pillowy burger buns for a winning recipe. Bite into a Philly classic made easy with the help of your slow cooker.

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Slow Cooker Teriyaki Pulled Chicken

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (6)

Honey, garlic, and tamari take this shredded chicken dish to the next level. Serve fork-tender meat atop a bed of rice and vegetables, or make a sandwich for finger-licking results.

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Slow Cooker Pecan Pie Bread Pudding

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (7)

Bite into a delightfully gooey dessert studded with spiced sugar and chopped pecans that will satisfy your sweet tooth all year long. Use day-old French bread and readily available pantry ingredients to create a luscious slow cooker confection.

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Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (8)

A creamy sauce made with peanut butter, chicken broth, and minced garlic coats perfectly al dente pasta for a rich and tangy finish. Reviewers suggest adding a bit of chili sauce to the mix for a spicy kick of flavor.

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Slow Cooker Mojo Chicken

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (9)

"I made this dish tonight to rave reviews!" shares home cook lindsey. "The only thing I did differently was use boneless, skinless chicken breasts in lieu of thighs. Served over rice with some of the sauce. I found the dish moist and flavorful."

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French Lentil Soup

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (10)

Look to a hearty lentil soup for the ultimate comfort food. Diced celery, carrots, and coriander add to the depth of this classic, making it a go-to for a cozy weeknight meal.

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Irish Stout Beef Stew

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (11)

Use a can of stout beer to tenderize and add rich, authentic flavor to this top-knotch slow cooker recipe. Simply brown meat, combine all ingredients, and cook on high for six hours.

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Pollo en Salsa

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (12)

Creamy Mexican-style chicken meets chipotle salsa and avocado to create an irresistibly delicious main dish. Perfectly steamed white rice accompanies each bite of this smoky and tangy meal for a bite you won't forget.

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Slow Cooker Ground Turkey Soup with Poblanos and Corn

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (13)

Dive into a Southwestern soup with all of the fixings. Garlic, poblano peppers, and chili powder create the base of this zesty concoction, while sweet corn, potatoes, and bacon add seriously bold flavor.

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Sweet and Tangy Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (14)

This uniquely sweet and tender chicken recipe is loaded with bold flavors. Raspberry vinaigrette, barbecue sauce, and cola combine to create a thick sauce that pairs perfectly with tender chicken breast and a soft sesame bun.

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Mashed Potatoes with Half-and-Half and Sour Cream

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (15)

A big batch of creamy garlic mashed potatoes is just a button away. Combine potatoes, half-and-half, butter, and and seasonings for a fluffy spoonful of homemade goodness every time.

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Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate for a Crowd

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (16)

What could be cozier than a slow-simmered hot chocolate drink kissed with autumn-inspired spices? With just six ingredients, this crowd-pleasing beverage will wow with its unique flavor and delightfully creamy texture.

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Slow Cooker Frittata

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (17)

Breeze through breakfast prep with a recipe that practically makes itself. Fresh spinach, cherry tomatoes, and Cheddar cheese come together for a beautifully balanced morning meal.

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Slow Cooker Ground Beef Chili

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (18)

"My family loved this!" raves Allstar Lindsay. "I did use onion versus onion flakes per notes of recipe author. I also added a teaspoon of garlic powder. It came out thick, rich, and delicious."

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Easy Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (19)

These tender chicken meatballs are coated with a hot and sweet Buffalo sauce that your whole family will love. Nicole's recipe has all of the tantalizing flavors of your favorite wings, minus the mess.

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Shredded Chicken Sandwiches with Pesto Mayonnaise

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (20)

"This was wonderfully easy with delicious results," says Rebekah. "Let the crock pot do all the work, shred up the meat and the peppers and you're pretty much done!"

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More Inspiration

Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (21)

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Our Best New Slow Cooker Recipes of 2021 (2024)

FAQs

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker.

How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

Avoid overcrowding: For the best results, fill a slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. Go ahead and cook big roasts and whole chickens; just make sure you use a large crock and that the lid fits snugly on top. Trim fat: For silky sauces and gravies, take a minute or two and cut the excess fat from the meat.

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. Slow cooking steak is a convenient way to cook steak over several hours, tenderizing it and adding exceptional flavor along the way.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

Can I just put beef in the slow cooker raw? ›

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned.

What's the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

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.

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

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off? ›

It is not recommended to keep food warm in a slow cooker overnight by turning it off and not opening it until the next morning. Doing so could create an environment that allows bacteria to grow, which can make the food unsafe to eat.

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on all day? ›

Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you should brown your meat (beef) before. The meat will cook without browning in the slow cooker but it will have a boiled flavor to it. It will also look kind of grey.

Why is my beef still tough after slow cooking? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

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.

What vegetables are good in a slow cooker? ›

The best vegetables for a slow cooker are sturdier veggies like celery, carrots, tomatoes, onions, peppers and green beans, like we used in this recipe.

Is there anything you Cannot cook in a slow cooker? ›

The slow cooker is great for tenderizing tough cuts of meat, preparing a stew, or whipping up a rich, flavorful bowl of chili. It's not great, however, for cooking delicate vegetables such as spinach, asparagus, and peas.

When should I add vegetables to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables such as zucchini and beans can be added to your dish in last ¾ - 1 hour of cooking when cooking on High, or 2 hours if cooking on Low. Hard, starchy vegetables like potato and carrots are best added around 3 hours before the meal is done if cooking on High, and 4 hours on Low.

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