25 Slow Cooker Recipes So Tender You Won’t Even Need a Knife

When a tough cut needs hours before it turns tender, the slow cooker can do the patient work. These 25 recipes include braised roasts, shredded pork, chicken, meatballs, soups, and creamy mac and cheese. Choose a hands-off main for a busy day or a spoonable dinner for a chilly evening, then serve straight from the cooker when it is time to eat.

Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Party-ready and coated in a creamy cheese sauce, Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs bring taco-night flavor to a hands-off dish. Frozen meatballs simmer with tomatoes and green chiles, taco seasoning, Velveeta, and heavy cream; scallions add a fresh finish. The batch serves six and takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. Set out toothpicks for game day, or spoon the meatballs over rice for a simple supper.
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Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Fork-tender chicken and a tangy pan sauce make Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken an easy main to serve over mashed potatoes. Chicken breasts cook with au jus mix, ranch seasoning, pepperoncini juice, peppers, and butter. The recipe serves four and takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. Shred the chicken in the cooker so it soaks up the savory juices, then serve it in sandwiches or over rice for a low-effort dinner.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Hours in the cooker turn chuck roast into fork-tender bites in Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Carrots, potatoes, onion, beef broth, tomato paste, red wine, Worcestershire, and thyme make the pot a full meal, with no separate side required. It serves eight and takes about 8 hours 10 minutes. Start it in the morning for a substantial dinner waiting at the end of a busy day, with bread ready for the broth.
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Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese

Creamy, scoopable pasta makes Slow Cooker Mac n Cheese a welcome choice when dinner should be soft and easy to serve. Elbow macaroni cooks with cheddar, mozzarella, whole milk, evaporated milk, and butter, with Dijon and paprika for extra flavor. The recipe serves eight and takes about 3 hours 10 minutes. Set it out as a hearty side or pair it with a salad for a simple meatless supper.
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Crockpot Turkey Breast

Moist slices make Crockpot Turkey Breast a practical centerpiece when a whole bird is more than you need. Boneless turkey breast cooks with cranberry sauce, dry onion soup mix, and orange juice for a sweet-savory finish. The recipe serves six and takes about 6 hours 15 minutes. Let the meat rest before slicing, then serve with potatoes and vegetables for a holiday meal or an easy Sunday dinner.
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Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Bright, citrus-kissed and easy to shred, Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas gives dinner several ways to reach the table. Pork shoulder cooks with cumin, oregano, chili powder, onion, garlic, orange, lime, and chicken broth until easy to pull apart. It serves eight and takes about 5 hours 25 minutes. Tuck the meat into tortillas with salsa, or set out toppings for a build-your-own taco night that feeds a crowd.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Rich, creamy sauce keeps Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs tender while the cooker does the steady work. Chicken thighs simmer with Italian seasoning, onion, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, broth, cream, and Parmesan. The dish serves six and takes about 4 hours 15 minutes. Spoon the chicken and sauce over pasta or rice, making this a useful dinner for evenings when you want a filling main without tending a pan.
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Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

The Italian classic gets a hands-off approach in Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup, with tender greens and a rich broth. The broth simmers with carrots, celery, small pasta, spinach, and Italian seasoning, bringing meat and vegetables together in one pot. It serves six and takes about 5 hours 10 minutes. Pair the soup with crusty bread for an easy meal, or keep it warm for a family dinner where everyone can serve themselves.
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Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Dinner and sides cook together in Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken, so there is no separate side dish to prepare. Chicken breasts sit with baby potatoes, baby carrots, ranch dressing mix, cream of chicken soup, and heavy cream. It serves six and takes about 8 hours 5 minutes. This longer cook is handy for a workday; spoon the creamy vegetables and chicken onto plates when you get home.
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Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Layered and hearty, Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole combines ground beef, corn, onion, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, cheddar, and tater tots. The cooker softens the potatoes while the beef and sauce meld underneath. It serves six and takes about 5 hours 10 minutes. Scoop it into bowls for a filling family supper, with a green salad on the side to round out the meal.
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Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Hours in the cooker turn chuck roast fork-tender in Slow Cooker Pot Roast, with carrots, potatoes, onion, mushrooms, and garlic cooking alongside it. Beef stock, red wine, tomato paste, thyme, and rosemary build a rich gravy for the vegetables and meat. The recipe serves twelve and takes about 5 hours 10 minutes. Bring the cooker to the table for a generous family dinner, then spoon extra gravy over each serving.
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Pulled Pork Sliders

Saucy, hand-held portions make Pulled Pork Sliders easy to pass around at dinner or a gathering. Pork shoulder cooks with barbecue sauce, beer, ketchup, and brown sugar until it shreds easily; mayonnaise and coleslaw finish the sliders. The recipe makes sixteen servings and takes about 6 hours 15 minutes. Set the pork and rolls out separately so everyone can build a sandwich while the meat stays warm.
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Slow Cooker Potato Soup

Thick and spoonable, Slow Cooker Potato Soup is a cozy bowl for a night when dinner can be served without a knife. Potatoes, chicken broth, bacon, onion, garlic, milk, cheddar, sour cream, and green onions create a creamy, savory soup. It serves six and takes about 3 hours 10 minutes. Add the toppings at the table and pair each bowl with bread or a simple salad for a complete meal.
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Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Low, steady heat softens the beef for Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff, with mushrooms settling into a creamy sauce. Stewing beef or chuck roast cooks with onion, broth, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and cream of mushroom soup, then sour cream finishes the sauce. It serves six and takes about 6 hours 10 minutes. Spoon it over egg noodles for a satisfying supper that can simmer undisturbed while the slow cooker softens the meat.
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Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

Sweet and tangy, Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin cooks until tender in a flavorful glaze. Apple cider vinegar, honey, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, garlic, and ginger make the sauce, which also works well spooned over rice. The recipe serves six and takes about 4 hours 15 minutes. Slice the rested tenderloin for dinner, then keep extra sauce nearby for the plates.
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Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Mild heat and a creamy finish set Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili apart from a tomato-based bowl. Chicken cooks with white beans, corn, green chiles, onion, and broth, while cream cheese and cream or milk make it rich. The recipe serves six and takes about 4 hours 25 minutes. Ladle it into bowls with tortilla chips, shredded cheese, or avocado for an easy dinner that can stay warm until everyone is ready.
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Slow Cooker Ribs

Tender ribs coated in barbecue sauce make Slow Cooker Ribs a hands-off main for a casual family meal. Baby back ribs are seasoned with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, then cook with sauce until the meat softens. The recipe serves four and takes about 4 hours 20 minutes. Finish them with extra barbecue sauce and serve with corn or slaw, letting the slow cooker handle the long cook.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Breast

Creamy Marsala-style sauce keeps Slow Cooker Chicken Breast moist as it cooks with mushrooms, garlic, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cornstarch helps the sauce coat the chicken for serving. The recipe serves four and takes about 2 hours 40 minutes, making it one of the quicker options in this collection. Spoon the chicken over mashed potatoes, noodles, or rice for an easy weeknight meal.
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Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Gravy-soaked bites make Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs easy to portion over mashed potatoes or noodles. Frozen meatballs simmer with beef broth, brown gravy mix, onion soup mix, ketchup, and Worcestershire, with cornstarch thickening the sauce. The dish serves six and takes about 6 hours 5 minutes. It is a useful hands-off dinner when you want familiar savory flavors without shaping individual patties or standing at the stove.
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Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast

Tender, tangy pork shoulder is the centerpiece of Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast, seasoned with ranch and au jus mixes. Butter, pepperoncini peppers, brine, and water or broth cook with the meat, creating tangy juices for serving. It serves eight and takes about 8 hours 5 minutes. Add potatoes or serve it over rice, then use two forks to pull the roast apart right in the cooker.
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Slow Cooker Corned Beef with Cabbage

Plan ahead for Slow Cooker Corned Beef with Cabbage, a make-ahead centerpiece that starts with a three-to-five-day brine before the brisket goes into the cooker. Pickling spices, salt, brown sugar, curing salt, and garlic season the beef; carrots, red potatoes, cabbage, and broth cook alongside it. The slow-cooker stage takes six to eight hours on low. Plan ahead for the curing time, then serve sliced brisket with the tender vegetables for a holiday meal.
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Crockpot Marry Me Chicken

Rich and tangy, Crockpot Marry Me Chicken pairs a sun-dried tomato sauce with pasta or rice. Chicken breasts cook with heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, red pepper flakes, and chicken broth until tender. The recipe serves three and takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. It is a smaller-batch option for a couple or small household, and the sauce can be spooned over the chicken just before serving.
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Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Creamy, herb-seasoned sauce keeps Slow Cooker Pork Chops moist as they cook until tender. Boneless chops simmer with heavy cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, with fresh parsley for an optional finish. The recipe serves four and takes about 4 hours 5 minutes. Serve the chops with mashed potatoes or noodles, letting the sauce flow over the sides for an easy dinner.
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Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Taco-seasoned and topped with melted cheese, Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf changes up a classic meat-and-potatoes dinner. Ground beef mixes with onion, green chiles, taco seasoning, crushed nacho cheese chips, eggs, and milk; taco sauce and Colby Jack finish the top. It serves six and takes about 6 hours 10 minutes. Slice it after resting and add rice, beans, or a crisp salad for a complete plate.
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Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Fall-apart tender with a dark, savory sauce, Slow Cooker Pulled Pork makes an easy filling for sandwiches or bowls. The pork cooks with brown sugar, mustard, soy sauce, bay leaves, and porter beer, with olive oil, salt, and pepper rounding out the seasoning. The recipe serves twelve and takes about 6 hours 10 minutes. Pile it onto buns for a crowd or spoon it over potatoes for a relaxed family dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pulled Pork