If you are a fan of a slow cooker meal, then why not change it up a bit by trying this selection of recipes.
Slow cookers are great for the ease of returning from work to a freshly cooked meal, but you can also make great desserts and breakfasts too.
They are a firm favourite for many as placing all the ingredients in the slow cooker saves preparation time and cuts down on cleanup.
Delish has shared 70 top recipes to try - here's some of them. There's no end to the different courses you can make with a slow cooker.
Beef and Brocolli
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. sirloin steak, thinly sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 tbsp. sriracha
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 spring onions, thinly sliced, plus and more for garnish
- 2 tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Cooked jasmine rice, for serving
Directions
- Add the steak, beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, Sriracha, garlic, and green onions.
- Cover and cook on low until beef is tender and cooked through for 3 and a half to 4 hours.
- When the steak is tender, spoon a few tablespoons of the slow-cooker broth into a bowl and whisk with cornstarch. Pour into slow cooker and toss with the beef until combined. Add broccoli and cook, covered for a further 20 minutes.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and spring onions and serve over rice.
Chicken Alfredo
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups heavy cream1 c. low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 tbsp. butter, softened
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 lb. rigatoni or penne
- 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan
- Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Method
- In a slow cooker, add chicken, heavy cream, butter, and broth. Season with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on high for 2 hours, until chicken is cooked through. Transfer to a plate and shred with two forks, then set aside.
- Add your chosen pasta and parmesan to slow cooker, and cook until rigatoni is tender, for around 20 to 25 minutes.
- Return chicken to slow cooker and mix together.
- Garnish with parsley before serving.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced into coins
- 2 stalks celery, sliced4 tsp. sprigs fresh thyme
- 4 tsp. sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bay leaf
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 10 cups of low-sodium chicken broth
- 8 oz. egg noodles
Method
- Add chicken, onion, carrots, celery, thyme, rosemary, garlic, and bay leaf to your slow cooker.
- Season generously with salt and pepper.
- Pour in broth. Cover and cook on low, 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with two forks.
- Take out the herbs and the bay leaf.
- Return chicken to slow cooker and add egg noodles.
-
Cook on low, covered, until al dente for around 20 to 30 minutes.
Paella
Ingredients
- 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 lb. chorizo, sliced
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup short-grain rice
- 1 can of chopped tomatoes
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp. paprika
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 1/2 cup frozen peas
- Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
-
Lemon wedges, for serving
Method
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat oil.
- Add chicken to one side and chorizo to the other. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden - this will take around 10 minutes.
- In a large slow-cooker, add browned chicken-chorizo mixture, rice, tomatoes, onion, garlic, paprika, and cayenne and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour over chicken broth and white wine and stir.
- Cover and cook on low until rice is almost tender, stirring occasionally for around 1½ to 2 hours.
- Add in shrimp and frozen peas, cover and cook until shrimp is pink and peas are warmed through - for around ten minutes.
- Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
Buffalo Ranch Wings
Ingredients
- 2 lb. chicken wings
- 1 cup buffalo wing sauce
- 1 packet Ranch seasoning
- kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Fresh chives, for serving
- Ranch dressing, for serving
Method
- Place chicken wings in a large slow-cooker.
- In a large bowl, mix together buffalo sauce and ranch seasoning and season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the mixture over chicken wings and stir to coat them.
- Cover and cook on high until cooked through for around 2 1/2 to 3 hours.
- Heat broiler or grill.
- Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and pour wings onto them and leave on until they go crispy, for around five minutes.
- Garnish with chives and serve with ranch dressing.
Chocolate Brownie Cake
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) melted butter
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Vanilla ice cream
- 1/2 cup chopped strawberries
Method
- Using two long 5” to 6” strips parchment paper, line the bowl of a slow cooker in an 'X' formation and spray generously with cooking spray.
- Whisk together butter, sugars, cocoa powder, flour, eggs, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
- Fold in the chocolate chips and pour batter into your slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 5 hours, or until it's set around the edges and slightly gooey in the middle.
- Lift the brownie out and serve with ice cream and strawberries.
French Toast
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 large brioche
- 8 large eggs
- 2 cups of single cream
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- Pinch of nutmeg
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Powdered sugar, for serving
Method
- Grease the inside of slow cooker with cooking spray. Slice brioche into thick slices then quarter each slice and place inside.
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, single cream, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, salt and nutmeg and beat together.
- Pour egg mixture over bread, folding bread gently to make sure each piece is coated.
- Cook on low for around 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the French toast is warm and cooked through.
- Serve warm with maple syrup and powdered sugar.
