The best part of a crockpot dinner is walking in the door to a house that already smells like dinner. These 11 crockpot dinners you can set and forget take just a few minutes of prep in the morning, then the slow cooker does the rest.
You will find tender beef, juicy pork, easy meatballs, hearty chili and a cozy soup, all perfect for busy weeknights, game days and lazy Sundays.
Chicken and beef crockpot dinners
1. Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Just three ingredients go into the slow cooker, and you come back to tender shredded chicken. Use it for tacos, sandwiches, salads and rice bowls all week.
Get the recipe: Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken
2. Easy Slow Cooker Flank Steak
Let the slow cooker turn flank steak tender while you go about your day. Slice it for fajitas, steak sandwiches or a hearty dinner plate.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Flank Steak
3. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Tender beef in a creamy, savory sauce, made easy in the crockpot. Spoon it over egg noodles or mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Pork crockpot dinners
4. Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
A lean, easy pork dinner that stays tender in the slow cooker. Serve it with roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin
5. Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Easy, tender ribs with a sweet and tangy twist from Dr. Pepper. No grill or smoker needed.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Ribs
Crockpot meatballs
6. Easy Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
Meatballs in a rich, creamy gravy that simmer away in the slow cooker. Serve them over egg noodles for a cozy family dinner.
Get the recipe: Easy Crockpot Swedish Meatballs
7. Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
Lean turkey meatballs simmered in sauce for a lighter set-it-and-forget-it dinner. Serve them over pasta or tucked into sub rolls.
Get the recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
8. Easy Crock Pot Frozen Meatballs
Start with a bag of frozen meatballs and let the crockpot handle the rest. It is the ultimate lazy dinner and doubles as a party appetizer.
Get the recipe: Easy Crock Pot Frozen Meatballs
Crockpot chili and soup
9. McCormick Chili in the Crockpot
The classic back-of-the-packet chili, with directions for making it in the slow cooker. It is simple, familiar and feeds a crowd.
Get the recipe: McCormick Chili in the Crockpot
10. Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
A hearty twist on chili with tender pulled pork. Top it with cheese, sour cream and green onions.
Get the recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Chili
11. Culver’s Copycat Stuffed Pepper Soup
All the flavor of stuffed peppers in an easy slow cooker soup. Let it simmer all day and come home to dinner.
Get the recipe: Culver’s Copycat Stuffed Pepper Soup
Tips for set-and-forget crockpot dinners
- Prep the night before. Chop vegetables and measure ingredients into the crock insert, then refrigerate it overnight.
- Keep the lid on. Every peek lets heat escape and can add cooking time.
- Fill it right. A slow cooker cooks best when it is half to two-thirds full.
- Low and slow is best. Cooking on low gives tougher cuts like flank steak and ribs time to get tender.
- Check the temperature. Chicken should reach 165°F and pork 145°F before serving.
Crockpot dinner FAQ
Can I leave my crockpot on while I’m at work?
Yes, slow cookers are designed to cook unattended. Use the low setting and follow your slow cooker’s safety instructions.
Can I put frozen meat in the crockpot?
For food safety, thaw raw meat before slow cooking. Fully cooked frozen meatballs are the exception and work well straight from the freezer.
What is the easiest crockpot dinner on this list?
The crockpot shredded chicken and the frozen meatballs both need just a few ingredients and a few minutes of prep.
Let the slow cooker do the work
Pick a few of these crockpot dinners for the week, prep in the morning and come home to a hot, ready dinner.
Save this post to your Pinterest crockpot recipes board so you always have a set-and-forget dinner on hand.
