53 Quick Slow-Cooker Recipes to Make All Winter Long (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Easy

In a rush? These winter recipes take just 20 minutes (or less!) to prep before going in the slow cooker.

Sweet Orange Chicken

This orange chicken recipe with orange marmalade is a family favorite. It's sure to be a hit at your next get together!—Louise Gilbert, Quesnel, British Columbia

Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Sandwiches

These fabulous Dutch-oven pulled pork sandwiches have a sweet, tangy flavor. If you want a smokier taste, add a little liquid smoke to the pulled pork before returning it to the Dutch oven. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken

My husband and I love this slow-cooker coconut curry chicken! It’s a breeze to prepare and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian or Thai restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon

Pressure-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Your family will thank you for this pressure cooker chicken tortilla soup! Leftovers taste amazing the next day. —Karen Kelly, Germantown, Maryland

Slow-Cooker Asian Short Ribs

My slow cooker is my best friend. I use it at least three times a week. This Asian short ribs recipe is one of my favorites. The sauce can be used for other cuts of meat, too. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders

Sandwiches are my favorite food, so I’m always searching for new ideas. I like sloppy joes and wondered if I could make a sloppy joe of sorts even better. My family approved of these chicken cordon bleu sliders immediately! —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio

Slow-Cooker Beef and Broccoli

I love introducing my kids to all kinds of flavors. This Asian-inspired slow-cooker meal is one of their favorites, so I serve it often. —Brandy Stansbury Edna, Texas

Greek Chicken with Green Beans

My Greek grandmother made the most delicious Greek chicken and green beans with a lemon-tomato flavor. Whenever I make this slow-cooker recipe, I think of her. The juices from the chicken help flavor the green beans, but the beans can be prepared alone as a side dish without the chicken. —Elizabeth Lindemann, Driftwood, Texas

Contest-Winning Bavarian Meatball Hoagies

When my husband is not manning the grill, I count on my slow cooker. These meatballs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser when I serve them as a party appetizer or spooned over crusty rolls and topped with cheese for irresistible sandwiches. —Peggy Rios, Mechanicsville, Virginia

General Tso's Stew

I love Asian food and wanted a chili-like soup with the distinctive flavors of General Tso’s chicken. The slow cooker makes this super easy, and you can use any meat you like. It’s a great with turkey, ground meats or leftover pork. —Lori McLain, Denton, Texas

Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding

A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana

Easy Slow-Cooker Chicken Ropa Vieja

When discussing various methods of cooking ropas, a friend of mine told me her sister adds apple juice. I thought a Granny Smith apple might give the dish an extra kick—and it does. The ropas may also be served with hominy or tortillas, but I think the plantains add a special touch. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Slow-Cooked Apple Cranberry Cider

Buffets are my favorite way to feed a crowd. This fruity cider can be made ahead, then kept warm in a slow cooker so people can serve themselves. —Kathy Wells, Brodhead, Wisconsin

Spiced Apple Oatmeal

These easy apple-y oats let your family have a warm and cozy breakfast no matter how busy you are. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

French Lentil and Carrot Soup

It’s crazy how just a few ingredients can make such a difference. Using finely chopped rotisserie chicken in this recipe makes it perfect for a busy weeknight meal, but you can leave the chicken out if you prefer. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

I’m all about easy slow-cooker meals. Using more cheese than ever, I developed an addictive spin on this casserole favorite. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

Slow-Cooker Roast Chicken

It's easy to make a whole chicken in a slow cooker. We save the shredded chicken to use during busy weeks. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Soup

I love that I can top this creamy soup with anything my heart desires, which means I can eat it several days in a row without ever having to have it the same way twice. You can substitute fresh onions and celery in this recipe if you prefer, but using the dried version makes it easy to throw together on a weekday morning. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

Warm Feta Cheese Dip

We’re big on appetizers, so this dip is a mashup of our favorite tastes, like cream cheese, feta, basil and sweet peppers. Serve with bread or chips. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Slow-Roasted Root Vegetables

When she was a little girl growing up in Italy, my Aunt Virginia learned to make a dish called “Noodles and Nuts.” I tried the topping on carrots and parsnips instead of noodles and haven't looked back. —Terri Collins, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Turkey Ginger Noodle Soup

I wanted something comforting yet healthy, and ginger is my favorite spice. This recipe was a must-try for me, and it didn't disappoint. —Adina Monson, Nanaimo, British Columbia

Applesauce Sweet Potatoes

During the holidays, using a slow cooker not only frees up oven space, but time, too! Sweet potatoes are a must on our family menu, and this no-fuss version will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen. —Pamela Allen, Marysville, Ohio

Italian Sausage and Kale Soup

The first time I made this colorful soup, our home smelled wonderful. We knew it was a keeper to see us through cold winter days. —Sarah Stombaugh, Chicago, Illinois

Slow-Cooker Pizza Dip

I created this dip for my daughter's pizza-themed birthday party. It was an instant hit and I've continued to take it along to other gatherings. Everyone loves it! —Stephanie Gates, Waterloo, Iowa

Beer-Braised Pulled Ham

To jazz up ham, I slow-cooked it with a beer sauce. Buns loaded with ham, pickles and mustard are irresistible. —Ann Sheehy, Lawrence, Massachusetts

Slow-Cooker Spiced Mixed Nuts

What slow cookers do for soups and stews, they’ll do for mixed nuts, too. The scent of spices is delightful, and the nuts are delicious. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

Chicago-Style Beef Rolls

I have fond memories of eating these big, messy sandwiches at a neighbor's house when I was growing up. Freeze any extras and save for another meal! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Potato and Leek Soup

Full of veggies and smoky bacon, with just a little tanginess from sour cream, bowls of this comforting soup taste just as terrific with sandwiches as they do with crackers. —Melanie Wooden, Reno, Nevada

Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby Carrots

These delicious glazed carrots come to the rescue when I’m preparing a special meal. They cook while I prepare the other dishes, and the slow-cooker simmering saves me precious oven space. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California

This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama

Cinnamon Spiced Apples

If you’re feeling festive, scoop some vanilla ice cream over a bowl of my cinnamon spiced apples. They’re homey, aromatic and just plain heavenly. —Amie Powell, Knoxville, Tennessee

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

When I have leftover ham in the fridge, I like to make this slow-cooker split pea soup. Just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and dinner is done. —Pamela Chambers, West Columbia, South Carolina

Slow-Cooker Apple Pudding Cake

A satisfying dessert like this is a superb treat on a chilly night. It has three layers—apples, cake and sauce—and I like to serve it in a bowl. It's comfort food for the soul. —Ellen Schroeder, Reedsburg, Wisconsin

French Onion Soup with Meatballs

I got the idea for how to make this soup after I went to a brewhouse restaurant that put ale in their gravy. I make this every time the weather starts to cool down in the fall—it's comfort food for the soul. —Crystal Holsinger, Surprise, Arizona

Slow-Cooker Chai Tea

A wonderful sweet and spicy aroma wafts from the slow cooker as this fragrant and flavorful chai tea cooks. —Crystal Jo Burns, Iliff, Colorado

Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

No more standing and stirring at the stove. This creamy Stroganoff preps in a skillet, then cooks all day while you’re away. —Sarah C. Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire

Potato Chowder

One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It's easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

I like to sprinkle chicken stew with toasted almonds or cashews and serve with hot couscous. Flavored with cinnamon and a touch of sweetness from the apricots, this pretty dish will stand apart from the rest at potlucks, too! —Angela Buchanan, Longmont, Colorado

Apple Butterscotch Crisp

I give this classic dessert a rich twist with butterscotch pudding. The warm apple filling bubbles to perfection in a mini slow cooker. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia

Chipotle Ham 'n' Cheese Dip

If you enjoy throwing dinner parties for friends, you can't beat a convenient slow-cooker recipe like this one. Who wants to be stuck in the kitchen? Just set the slow cooker on low and have fun visiting with guests. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Slow-Cooked Sweet 'n' Sour Pork

Even though a co-worker gave me this recipe more than 20 years ago, my family still enjoys it today. -Martha Nickerson of Hanco*ck, Maine

Hearty Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe is from my father-in-law, but I tweaked it to make it my own. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas

Sage Turkey Thighs

I created this for my boys, who love dark meat. It is more convenient than cooking a whole turkey and reminds me of our traditional Thanksgiving turkey that's seasoned with sage. —Natalie Swanson, Baltimore, Maryland

Veggie Meatball Soup

It's a snap to put together this hearty soup before I leave for work. I just add cooked pasta when I get home, and I have a few minutes to relax before supper is ready. —Charla Tinney, Tyrone, Oklahoma

Spice-Braised Pot Roast

Just pour these ingredients over your pot roast and let the slow cooker do the work. Herbs and spices give the beef an excellent taste. I often serve this roast over noodles or with mashed potatoes, using the juices as a gravy. —Loren Martin, Big Cabin, Oklahoma

Paddy's Reuben Dip

This slow-cooked spread tastes just like the popular Reuben sandwich. Even when I double the recipe, I end up with an empty dish. —Mary Jane Kimmes, Hastings, Minnesota

Slow-Cooker Rump Roast

I enjoy a good pot roast, but was tired of the same old thing. So, I began experimenting. Cooking the beef in horseradish sauce gives it a tangy flavor. Even my young children love this slow-cooker pot roast with its tender veggies and gravy. —Mimi Walker, Palmyra, Pennsylvania

Creamy Chicken Fettuccine

Convenient canned soup and process American cheese hurry along the assembly of this creamy sauce loaded with delicious chunks of chicken. —Melissa Cowser, Greenville, Texas

Sweet Potato Stuffing

Mom likes to make sure there will be enough stuffing to satisfy our large family. For our holiday gatherings, she slow-cooks this tasty sweet potato dressing in addition to the traditional stuffing cooked inside the turkey. —Kelly Pollock, London, Ontario

Nutty Apple Streusel Dessert

Many people don't think of using a slow cooker to make dessert, but I like having this hot, scrumptious apple treat waiting to be served when we finish up our dinner. I start it in the morning and don't think about it all day. —Jacki Every, Rotterdam, New York

Mulled Grape Cider

I came up with this recipe one year when I tried to make grape jelly and ended up with 30 jars of delicious grape syrup instead. I simmered the syrup with spices to make a lovely autumn drink. —Sharon Harmon, Orange, Massachusetts

As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.