23 delicious slow cooker recipes you can set and forget

These 23 slow cooker recipes make cooking easy and full of flavor. You can set them in the morning or afternoon and let them cook while you go about your day. The recipes need very little effort but still deliver hot, satisfying results. With simple ingredients and a set-it-and-forget-it approach, you can enjoy meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

Image shows bite of irresistible Thai chicken chili.

Thai Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Crockpot Applesauce

Image shows delicious applesauce in a bowl
Crockpot Applesauce. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Apples soften slowly while cinnamon and sugar mix into every bite. There’s almost no work beyond tossing them in the slow cooker and letting it do its job. The result is a warm, flavorful applesauce that’s easy to serve with toast, yogurt, or on its own, making it a simple slow cooker recipe you can set and forget.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Applesauce

Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork

Image shows an overhead shot of Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork on a blue plate served with rice.
Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Garlic and seasonings coat the pork before it cooks low and slow in the slow cooker. The meat turns tender and juicy without any stirring or watching. The broth absorbs all the flavors and can be spooned over rice or potatoes, making this a delicious slow cooker recipe with very little effort.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Tongs holding shredded barbeque pork over a white bowl with more pork inside.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

A few ingredients are all that’s needed for pork that cooks itself into tender, shred-ready pieces. The slow cooker handles everything while the meat soaks up the flavors. It works for tacos, sandwiches, or bowls, making this a hands-off slow cooker recipe full of taste.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Crockpot Chili

Image shows a closeup of a bowl of Crockpot beef chili.
Crockpot Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Ground meat, beans, and spices cook together slowly until the chili is thick and packed with flavor. There’s no need to stir or adjust anything during cooking. This recipe makes a full, hearty meal without extra work, and leftovers taste even better the next day.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili

Slow Cooker Thai Pork

Image shows Slow Cooker Thai Pork on a bed of rice on a white plate with sliced carrots and green onion on top of it.
Slow Cooker Thai Pork. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Garlic, soy sauce, and Thai spices turn pork into tender pieces that absorb all the sauce. The slow cooker does all the work while the flavors develop on their own. This recipe is easy to make and perfect for bowls, wraps, or lettuce cups with minimal effort.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Pork

Thai Chicken Chili

Image shows squeezing lime over yummy Thai chicken chili.
Thai Chicken Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken thighs cook low and slow in a flavorful sauce until they can be shredded easily. The sauce blends into a bold, balanced flavor while the slow cooker handles everything. It’s a simple recipe that gives a satisfying, hands-off meal ready to serve over rice or noodles.

Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Chili

Crockpot Carnitas

Image shows a delicious bite of homemade carnitas on a fork.
Crockpot Carnitas. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Pork cooks slowly until tender while absorbing all the seasonings and flavors in the slow cooker. The meat shreds easily and can be used in tacos, sliders, bowls, or served plain for a simple meal. This recipe is a no-fuss, hands-off slow cooker option that makes busy days easier while still delivering a flavorful and satisfying meal.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Carnitas

Perfect Pot Roast

A cooked beef roast surrounded by halved red potatoes in a slow cooker.
Perfect Pot Roast. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

A few vegetables and a piece of beef are cooked low and slow until the meat is soft enough to eat with a spoon. The broth picks up all the flavors while the slow cooker does all the work. This recipe is a classic slow cooker option that feels like it took hours without demanding any attention.

Get the Recipe: Perfect Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken

Image shows a Bite of tomato lime chicken on a fork with rice and the rest of the bowl in the background.
Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken cooks slowly until juicy, while lime and tomatoes add bright, fresh flavor that blends throughout. Minimal prep is required, and the slow cooker handles the cooking without any stirring or checking. This is a simple, low-effort recipe that delivers a satisfying meal ready to serve with almost no work.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken

Sweet Tomato Chicken

Plate of rice topped with shredded chicken in red sauce.
Sweet Tomato Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken simmers gently in a thick tomato sauce that keeps it juicy and full of flavor. The slow cooker does all the cooking while the sauce thickens around the meat. This recipe is an easy, hands-off option that makes a filling meal perfect for rice, noodles, or toast.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Tomato Chicken

Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups

Image shows a close up head on view of Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups on a white tray, topped with guacamole and crumbled cotija cheese.
Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Beef cooks slowly in spices until it’s tender and full of flavor with very little effort. The masa cups hold the filling and crisp while the meat cooks on its own. This slow cooker recipe is simple to make but still looks and tastes impressive at the table.

Get the Recipe: Crockpot Mexican Beef in Masa Cups

Mexican Meatball Sandwiches

Image shows delicious Mexican meatball sandwiches.
Mexican Meatball Sandwiches. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Meatballs cook low and slow in tomato sauce until they’re soft and flavorful. No browning or extra steps are needed because the slow cooker does all the work. This recipe makes an easy, hands-off meal that works for sandwiches or pasta and tastes like it took much longer to make.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Meatball Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Pork Chili

Image shows close-up of a spoonful of chili with beans, cheese, and corn, held above a pot filled with the same dish, placed on a wooden surface.
Slow Cooker Pork Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Pork, beans, and spices cook together while the slow cooker does all the work. The meat becomes tender, and the sauce thickens naturally without any stirring. This recipe makes a hearty, full-flavored meal with very little effort or cleanup.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chili

Crock Pot Tortilla Soup

A bowl of chili with black beans, corn, and shredded chicken, topped with crispy tortilla strips.
Crock Pot Tortilla Soup. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chicken, broth, tomatoes, and spices cook slowly into a warm, flavorful soup that builds flavor on its own. The slow cooker handles everything without any extra steps or monitoring. This recipe is filling, simple to make, and ready to serve whenever needed.

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Tortilla Soup

Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast Recipe

A plate of sliced roast meat topped with gravy, sautéed onions, and a few diced tomatoes, accompanied by a serving of mashed potatoes.
Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast Recipe. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Beef cooks low and slow in a rich broth until it’s tender enough to fall apart with minimal prep. The slow cooker develops flavor naturally without any browning or stirring. This recipe is an easy, satisfying option that makes it feel like a full meal came from hours of work.

Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast Recipe

Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

A crock pot full of sausage, peppers, and marinara sauce.
Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Sausages cook slowly with peppers until everything is soft and full of flavor, with no stirring needed. The juices from the meat and vegetables blend naturally while the slow cooker does all the work. This recipe is a simple, hands-off meal that can be served over pasta, rice, or stuffed into rolls.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Sausage and Peppers

Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

A crock of butternut soup.
Slow Cooker Butternut Soup. Photo credit: Little House Big Alaska.

Butternut squash cooks slowly until soft and ready to blend into a creamy, smooth soup. The slow cooker handles everything while the flavors develop naturally without stirring. This recipe makes a comforting, easy-to-make meal that tastes so good with very little work.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Butternut Soup

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Chicken cooks in a sweet honey garlic sauce with pineapple pieces until the flavors soak in completely. The slow cooker does all the work and keeps the meat tender and sticky. This recipe is an easy, flavorful option that tastes like a treat without extra effort.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

A Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana with potatoes and kale.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Sausage, bacon, and potatoes cook together in a rich broth until everything is tender and flavorful. The slow cooker ensures nothing overcooks, and the flavors blend on their own. This recipe makes a hearty, easy-to-serve meal with almost no hands-on time.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow cooker split pea soup in a slow cooker with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup. Photo credit: Real Balanced.

Split peas and broth cook slowly until thick, creamy, and packed with flavor. Minimal prep is needed, and the slow cooker does all the work. This recipe makes a comforting, full-flavored soup that feels homemade without standing at the stove.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

Slow cooker bbq chicken legs in the crock pot after cooking.
Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Chicken legs simmer in BBQ sauce until tender while the sauce thickens naturally on its own. The slow cooker handles everything without any turning or attention. This recipe makes a flavorful, hands-off meal that tastes like it took hours of work but didn’t.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Legs

French Toast Casserole

Slow cooker lined with parchment paper and filled with high protein French toast casserole with blueberries.
French Toast Casserole. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Bread, eggs, and milk cook slowly into a soft, custardy casserole that soaks up all the flavors. The slow cooker does all the work without stirring or monitoring. This recipe is an easy, set-it-and-forget-it breakfast that works for mornings with very little effort.

Get the Recipe: French Toast Casserole

Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Barbacoa tacos on a tray topped with peppers and onions.
Slow Cooker Barbacoa. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Beef cooks slowly in a mix of spices until it becomes soft, tender, and packed with flavor throughout. Very little prep is needed, and the slow cooker handles all the work while the flavors build naturally. This recipe is simple and hands-off, giving rich, pull-apart meat that works perfectly for tacos, bowls, sandwiches, or any meal that needs a flavorful protein.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbacoa

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