17 Slow Cooker Recipes That Get You Through the Cold Stretch

Getting through the cold stretch feels a little easier thanks to 17 slow cooker recipes ready to go whenever you need something simple. Warm meals feel extra welcome during winter months, but spending hours cooking isn’t always realistic. Slow cookers step in to make life less hectic. All it takes is a little planning, and you’re set up for a pleasing dinner.

A bowl of shredded beef garnished with cilantro and peppers.
Mississippi Pot Roast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Pulled Pork Sliders

A close-up of a pulled chicken sandwich with sesame seed bun, shredded carrots, cabbage, and creamy sauce.
Pulled Pork Sliders. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Warm buns piled with juicy shreds make these Pulled Pork Sliders an instant favorite on cold days. They bring a familiar comfort that makes guests linger around the table. I layer them on a platter for gatherings and watch the stack vanish fast. Even leftovers turn into a sought-after lunch.
Get the Recipe: Pulled Pork Sliders

Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Shredded chicken mixed with sliced green peppers and seasoning in a green bowl.
Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken. Photo credit: Your Perfect Recipes.

Mouthwatering aroma fills the entire place whenever this Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken simmers away for hours. What looks simple turns into something surprisingly flavorful by dinnertime. I grab extra rolls to get every last drop of sauce. People almost always ask for the recipe before dinner wraps up.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mississippi Chicken

Cheesy Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Close-up of meatballs covered in a rich, creamy yellow sauce, garnished with chopped green onions.
Cheesy Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Gooey cheese and saucy meatballs come together for a warm, crowd-pleasing option in Cheesy Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs. The slow cooker guarantees the perfect texture with little fuss. I usually make a double batch for game day because friends scoop them up so fast. Seconds and third helpings happen before you know it.
Get the Recipe: Cheesy Slow Cooker Nacho Meatballs

Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

A close-up of a casserole dish featuring tater tots, creamy sauce, ground beef, corn, and garnished with chopped parsley.
Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Comfort and heartiness meet in Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole, where every spoonful feels like a small reward. It’s reliable on the coldest nights when a filling meal matters most. I reach for simple sides that let the casserole shine. Bowls are cleared in record time.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cowboy Casserole

Savory Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

A close-up of saucy Salisbury steak meatballs served on a bed of egg noodles, garnished with chopped fresh herbs.
Savory Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Rich, thick gravy covers each bite in these Savory Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs. The aroma will carry throughout your whole home, coaxing everyone to dinner early. I ladle extra gravy onto mashed potatoes for true comfort. This dish brings plenty of smiles to the table.
Get the Recipe: Savory Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak Meatballs

Crockpot Turkey Breast

Sliced roasted turkey breast topped with a fruit-based sauce, being drizzled with additional sauce from a spoon.
Crockpot Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Juiciness and warmth define every slice of this Crockpot Turkey Breast. Settling in with a plate feels like a holiday meal minus all the effort. I serve it as the main star or tuck slices into sandwiches for easy lunches. The only complaint comes when the platter is empty.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

A close-up of soup with meatballs, carrots, celery, spinach, slivered almonds, and fresh herbs in a clear broth.
Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Tiny meatballs and leafy greens bob in every ladle of this Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup. Even picky eaters are tempted to try a second bowl. I add this dish to the rotation when a hands-off dinner feels necessary. No one asks for takeout when soup this good is waiting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Wedding Soup

Hearty Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Close-up of a slice of cheesy taco casserole topped with chopped tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeño slices on a white plate, reminiscent of the comforting flavors found in slow cooker taco meatloaf.
Hearty Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Bold spices and tender texture work together in Hearty Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf. Every slice holds up to toppings and plenty of sides. I never have trouble getting kids or adults to try a bite. It’s the ultimate busy-day meal solution.
Get the Recipe: Hearty Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow cooker pot roast with mushrooms and carrots garnished with fresh rosemary.
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Slow simmering locks in juicy comfort for Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Every meal feels like a special occasion when this dish is on the menu. I serve hunks of meat alongside roasted veggies for a meal that covers all the bases. Empty plates are what you’ll see at the end.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

A bowl of egg noodles topped with creamy beef and mushroom stroganoff, garnished with chopped herbs.
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Creamy sauce and fork-tender pieces turn Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff into dinner you’ll want on repeat. Preparing this meal early in the day means zero rush when everyone is hungry. I find leftovers just as appealing as the first taste. Friends always ask what’s in the secret sauce.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Slow Cooker Rump Roast

Slices of cooked beef with sprigs of herbs, served with small potatoes and carrots on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Rump Roast. Photo credit: My Reliable Recipes.

Juicy roast and savory juices ensure Slow Cooker Rump Roast steals the show long before dinnertime. Its deep flavor is satisfying even on the coldest evenings. I set it out as the centerpiece for family-style meals. Seconds and even thirds happen without delay.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Rump Roast

Slow Cooker White Chili Chicken

Bowl of creamy chicken soup topped with tortilla strips, sliced green jalapeños, cilantro, corn, and a dollop of sour cream.
Slow Cooker White Chili Chicken. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Creamy broth and tender bite-sized pieces make Slow Cooker White Chili Chicken shine. The flavor gets richer the longer it cooks, thanks to a few hours in the slow cooker. I ladle big scoops for anyone craving something warm and filling. It’s a favorite every time the temperature drops.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker White Chili Chicken

Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

A bowl containing pulled pork.
Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Saucy, flavorful meat gets piled high with Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on the winter menu. It’s easy to feed a group well with this recipe. I pack leftovers into wraps or sliders for the next day. Compliments always follow.
Get the Recipe: Juicy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

A dish of seasoned chicken breasts garnished with parsley, surrounded by carrots and potatoes in a bowl.
Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken. Photo credit: Pocket Friendly Recipes.

Herby aroma drifts from the kitchen while Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken does all the work for you. Minimal effort leads to a home-cooked meal worth bringing folks to the table. I make extra just to guarantee leftovers. A rush for seconds is pretty much guaranteed.
Get the Recipe: Tender Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken

Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast

Shredded roast beef served over mashed potatoes with a pepper and a light drizzle of gravy, garnished with chopped herbs.
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Savory juices soak right through Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast, leaving every bite tender and flavorful. This dish handles itself without much work from you. I include it in meal plans when schedules are tight. Full plates are the best reward.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mississippi Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of meat, carrots, potatoes, and garnished with fresh herbs in a thick, reddish-brown broth.
Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Chunks of beef and hearty veggies make each ladle of Slow Cooker Beef Stew warming and familiar. It feels more like a hearty meal than just another dinner. I prep everything in the morning and let the slow cooker work its magic. Everyone leaves the table full and content.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Mississippi Pot Roast

A bowl of shredded beef garnished with cilantro and peppers.
Mississippi Pot Roast. Photo credit: Hungry Cooks Kitchen.

Fork-tender, savory, and packed with flavor, Mississippi Pot Roast rules the dinner table on the coldest nights. The aroma alone brings everyone in from the cold. I like to make enough for leftovers, because it tastes even better the next day. Questions about the recipe are a sure thing at clean-up.
Get the Recipe: Mississippi Pot Roast

About the Author
A woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing with her arms crossed. She is wearing a sleeveless, black and white diamond-patterned dress.

Hey there! I’m Mandy

Mandy Applegate is a home cook, food blogger, and writer who believes the best meals are the ones shared with the people you love.

She’s all about easy recipes that taste amazing, the kind that make ordinary days feel a little more special and remind you why cooking at home matters.

She has been published on NBC, the Daily News, the Boston Herald, and the Chicago Sun-Times, amongst many others.

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