23 Best Slow Cooker Recipes To Wow Your Family

The best slow cooker recipes to bring to your next get-together.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published January 31, 2026
Robin Shreeves
Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce with a spoon lifting a meatball out of the sauce.
Alison Bickel

When it’s time to celebrate with friends and family, we gather with food. So, pull your slow cooker from the dark recesses of your bottom corner cupboard next to the sink, choose a soon-to-be-favorite recipe from our list, and prepare to return from the potluck without a leftover in sight.

Whether you’re looking for a traditional or novel meal, these slow cooker recipes reward the potluck crowds by coaxing out layer upon layer of flavor. Celebrate the convenience of the slow cooker, celebrate the food, and celebrate the people (who will wish they had a bigger bowl).

  • Slow Cooker Jambalaya

    How to Make Jambalaya in the Slow Cooker
    Nick Evans

    The Creole seasoning, shrimp, and smoked sausage are among the high points of this dish. And although you needn’t be in Louisiana proper to pull it off, do yourself a favor and turn up the volume on The Neville Brothers, and you won’t be too far off.

  • Mississippi Chicken

    Angled view of a blue platter and a serving spoon with shredded chicken and pepperoncini

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    Senior Editor Laurel Randolph says, "I call for mayonnaise instead of butter for an extra dose of savory creaminess. I used a stock base rather than chicken gravy mix because you’ll never find me without a jar of stock base in the fridge; it amps up the chicken flavor."

  • Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

    Crockpot Corned Beef - drizzling mustard on sliced corned beef
    Marta Rivera

    Contributor Marta Rivera says, "Add the vegetables in the last two hours of cooking the slow cooker corned beef. Adding them toward the end of the cooking time preserves their texture and some of their color."

  • Slow Cooker Cider Pulled Pork

    Pulled pork and pickled red onions in a toasted bun on a white plate, on a wooden table.
    Summer Miller

    Having a solid go-to pulled pork recipe on hand will save the day. The rub uses baking spices, cider, mustard, tomatoes, garlic, and vinegar for standout flavor. If you need another old acquaintance of pulled pork, give these pickled onions a try.

    Continue to 5 of 23 below

  • Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole

    Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole Topped with Crispy Shallots on a Platter Surrounded by Utensils, a Kitchen Towel, and a Glass of Water

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Just look at this beauty! This slow cooker version of the holiday must-have frees up oven space. From-scratch fried onions are its crowning glory, but here's a hot tip: get the surprisingly good premade fried onions next time you're at an IKEA marketplace to save yourself a step.

  • Slow Cooker Spinach Feta Dip

    A white bowl of spinach dip with crumbled feta on top, next to some pita chips on a white marbled background.
    Nick Evans

    If you’re after a classic dip with a twist, this is the one. The ribbons of spinach and the saltiness of feta cheese give this dish the body and flavors we look for in a dip. If you’re in need of even more flavor, go ahead and add a bit of smoky bacon. Just don’t plan on leftovers.

  • Slow Cooker Stuffing

    Slow Cooker Stuffing on a Spoon with More in the Background

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    Contributor Nick Evans says, "There isn’t a hard and fast rule when it comes to bread for stuffing. If you have some leftover bread, I would use that. I’ve used hamburger and hot dog buns before and it works well."

  • Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chili Chicken Chili in the crockpot
    Emma Christensen

    The versatility of a chili allows you to create a dish that pleases the pickiest of eaters. Whether you swap out for your favorite beans, chili peppers, or toppings, it can be adapted with ease. If you’re feeling more creative still, a dollop of salsa verde lends a tart brightness to a can’t-miss dish.

    Continue to 9 of 23 below

  • Slow Cooker Bourbon Short Ribs with Cheesy Grits

    Braised Short Ribs in the Slow Cooker
    Nick Evans

    As the weather cools down, this becomes my go-to potluck dish. The richness of a cut like short ribs is only enhanced by the cheesiness of the grits. While the bourbon and brown sugar bring depth of flavor to the sauce, the orange zest brightens it. And to carry on those specific flavors, finish the get-together with a classic cocktail like an Old-Fashioned.

  • Jamaican Beef Stew with Scotch Bonnets, Ginger, and Allspice

    Two Bowls of Jamaican Beef Stew (One Served With Rice and Just a Bowl of Beef Stew) on a Blue and White Kitchen Towel Next to a Dutch Oven With More Stew

    Simply Recipes / Kalisa Marie Martin

    The allspice base notes, the method of browning the sugar, and the warmth from the peppers distinguish this stew from many others. The layers of flavor can be enjoyed on their own, or you can serve it over a bowl of long-grain rice.

  • Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole

    A piece of cooked chicken next to a mound of rice and vegetables on a white plate.
    Elise Bauer

    Chicken thighs are a wonderful vessel for the deep flavors of cumin and cinnamon, which the rice assumes as well. It's a simple and flavorful dish. Do you want to know the secret to the success of this recipe? In cooking the rice, hold back 1/2 cup of chicken stock, then after 60 minutes of cooking, see if the rice needs the additional liquid.

  • Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

    Meatballs in a slow cooker filled with tomato sauce with a spoon lifting a meatball out of the sauce.
    Alison Bickel

    Tomato sauce and meatballs are an ideal pairing—I dare say they are even better than Scorsese and De Niro. In a restaurant I worked in, we cooked our meatballs right in the sauce—not in a slow cooker, though. If you’re looking to go full-on old-school Italian-American, make your own homemade pasta to go along with it. You could also keep it simple and serve these up by themselves with some toothpicks.

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  • Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry with Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers

    Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
    Sabrina Modelle

    Whether you like your curry with coconut milk creaminess or a thicker tomato base, there is flexibility to this dish. If you soak the chickpeas overnight, you can reduce the cooking time, too. It all goes into the slow cooker at once, giving you a moment to make a Cilantro Lime Rice to serve it with.

  • Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    A plate of pot roast with potatoes and carrots on a dark grey plate, on an off-white fabric background.
    Alison Bickle

    Pot roast hits all the traditional touchpoints with beef, carrots, potatoes, and mushrooms. Oh, and the gravy—absolutely do not forget the gravy. There is loads of flavor in using a chuck roast, and if you sear the meat beforehand, you’ll be filling your slow cooker with even more beefy flavors.

  • Slow Cooker Banana Bread Pudding

    Two plates of banana bread pudding with ice cream on top, next to a jar of sauce.
    Jessica Gavin

    The make-ahead aspect of a slow cooker dessert removes many of my baking stressors. The simplicity of a bread pudding—with its flavors of nutmeg, cinnamon, banana, and caramel—ranks it among the desserts I just can’t turn down.

  • Slow Cooker Beef and Bean Chili

    Tailgate Beef Chili Recipe in a crock pot.
    Nick Evans

    Served over rice, in a bowl on its own, or ladled over a hot dog, a good chili like this one will be part of your cool-weather months. You could even make potato skins and fill them with the rich flavors of chili.

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  • Slow Cooker Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos

    A plate with tacos
    Elise Bauer

    Founder Elise Bauer says, "Besides tacos, you can use this pulled pork to make tamales, enchiladas, burritos, or even quick weeknight quesadillas."

  • Slow Cooker Boston Baked Beans

    A black bowl of baked beans viewed from above.
    Elise Bauer

    Founder Elise Bauer says, "Why pre-soak the beans? You don't have to (see this great Russ Parsons article in the LA Times about why you don't need to soak beans), but not doing so in this recipe will increase the cooking time. With the beans pre-soaked, they'll still take 8 hours to cook and soften in a slow-cooker."

  • Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat
    Elise Bauer

    Tacos are always fun for a crowd of people to build themselves. Everyone will appreciate the variety of garnishes you’ve laid out, but they will lose themselves in the layers of flavor—earthy cumin, shades of heat from chili powder, and the sweet acidity of pineapple—the slow cooker infuses into the chicken.

  • Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Pork

    pulled pork sandwich with pickled onions
    Garrett McCord

    This is a crowd pleaser. Pork shoulder, onions, Dr Pepper soda, bbq sauce, and spices slow cook together for 8 to 10 hours. When it's done, the pork shreds easily with two forks. Serve on buns with pickled onions or slaw.

    Continue to 21 of 23 below

  • Spiced Mulled Wine

    spiced mulled wine in glass mugs
    Nancy Mitchell

    For a holiday or winter potluck, spiced mulled wine is something simple to contribute that everyone will appreciate. Simmer inexpensive red wine with brandy, ginger, sugar, an orange, cloves, and cinnamon. Once heated through, turn the slow cooker to warm and serve hot in mugs.

  • Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    slow cooker taco soup topped with corn chips and sour cream
    Lisa Lin

    Here's your game day potluck dish. Ground beef, beans, corn, and chilis make a spicy soup. Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, corn chips, sour cream, and cilantro.

  • Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

    slow cooker mashed potatoes in a bowl with a pat of butter
    Lisa Lin

    Who doesn't love creamy mashed potatoes? Make a crowd-sized amount in your slow cooker that will stay warm throughout the gathering. Great for holiday potlucks—make the dish ahead of time, store in the fridge, and reheat before serving.

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