Pull out your Crockpot for these flavor-packed slow cooker recipes! These set-it-and-forget-it meals are perfect for busy weeknights, family meal prep, or even hectic holiday gatherings.
Out of all my kitchen hacks, using the Crockpot is hands-down one of my favorites. It’s the easiest way to make insanely tender Mexican meats for taco night (hello, carnitas and birria!) or cozy, all-in-one meals like pot roast when I’m craving a feel-good dinner. But that’s just the beginning. These recipes are major time savers and perfect for meal prep and gatherings. Whether I’m stocking up on high-protein meals for the week or cooking for a crowd, this list never disappoints!
1
Carnitas
2
Birria
3
Barbacoa
4
Pot Roast
5
Pulled Pork
6
Slow Cooker Whole Chicken (Rotisserie)
7
Salsa Verde Chicken
8
Kalua Pork
Choosing The Best Slow Cooker
With so many options out there, picking the right slow cooker can feel overwhelming. And there’s nothing worse than ending up with one that’s confusing to use (or that breaks right away). Trust me, I’ve been there. After some research and testing, here are my top tips to make sure you get the best cooking experience:
- Skip non-stick inserts. Since food cooks for hours (or even overnight), I avoid non-stick coated inserts.
- Look for a programmable timer. Not essential, but definitely a nice-to-have, especially with my favorite 6 Quart Crockpot. A built-in timer makes multitasking and overnight cooking so much easier, and most models automatically switch to “warm” once the time is up. Plus, I most often cook “low and slow.”
- Check the cooking temps. A good slow cooker should reach about 190°F to 200°F on low and 250°F to 300°F on high (though liquids max out at 212°F). What matters most is the timing. It should take about 7 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high to hit peak temp.
- Test it yourself. Not sure if your slow cooker is accurate? Fill it with water, set it on low/high for 2 hours, and check with an instant-read thermometer. I returned a previous slow cooker when it failed to reach the optimal temperature, so it is always best to double-check!
If you try any of these slow cooker recipes, let me know how they turn out in the comments below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration and exclusive content, join my free newsletter here.
Description
Equipment
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker) My favorite slow cooker!
Ingredients
Barbacoa
- 4 pounds beef chuck roast, cut into 3-inch chunks
- 1 onion, diced
- 3-4 chipotles in adobo sauce, finely diced
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- ½ tablespoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¾ cup beef stock
- 3 bay leaves
Taco Ingredients
- tortillas
- diced onion
- avocado slices
- chopped cilantro
- sour cream or cheese, optional
Instructions
- Mix ingredients. Add all of the ingredients, except the bay leaves, to a slow cooker.
- Slow cook. Use tongs to gently mix it all together. Then add the bay leaves, and cover. Cook on low for 8 to 9 hours, or on high for 4 to 5 hours. The beef should fall apart easily when shredded with a fork. If not, cook it a bit longer.
- Shred. Remove the beef to a cutting board and shred it with two forks.
- Simmer. Place the shredded beef back in the slow cooker, give it a stir, and let it simmer in the juices.
- Assemble. Use tongs to remove a serving of barbacoa from the slow cooker, top it on a tortilla, and garnish with your favorite Mexican toppings.
Nutrition
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Recipe roundup originally published October 2021, but updated to include new recipes and information for your benefit!
a couple days ago I saw a recipe for chicken, I think it was citrus chicken.
Chicken with both orange and lemon slices but I can’t find it when I look up
chicken recipes, where can I find it.
Thank you
Barbara
Hi Barbara – It sounds like my Greek lemon chicken recipe!
Lisa, what is your favorite slow cooker you would recommend?
Hi Shelly – You can find my slow cooker linked in my Shop page!
I mad these beautiful Mexican slow cooker tacos and they were absolutely amazing. I used pork instead of beef as it is not allowed according to our religion and it turned out so good. My kids love it as well. Make sure to try it out ya’ll.
Amazing compilation!
Please add more!
So many delicious slow cooker ideas here! I’ve made this barbacoa recipe at least 5 or 6 times, and it always turns out perfectly.