20 easy and delicious crockpot meals

BBQ chicken in the crockpot couldn’t be easier. All it requires is some liquid and a spice rub of some sort, and you’re in business. If you aren’t interested in being experimental, you can cover your chicken in salt, pepper, and BBQ sauce, and you’ll get the same result. 

Seriously, all it takes to make tasty crockpot meals is some salt and pepper and a premade jar of something. Salsa chicken is one such meal, and it can be used to make tacos, fajitas, rice bowls, or nachos. 

Mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort food. Making it in the crockpot is that much more appealing because it’s so simple. Try it at least once before holiday season so you have it in your arsenal in case you need a last-minute side for a get-together. 

Chili is the perfect crockpot meal because it makes such a large batch and makes your entire home smell so comforting and good. It’s also so easy. Try making some turkey chili for a lean meat alternative that’s just as flavorful. 

You might’ve only considered baking or grilling pork chops in the past, but don’t let those babies fool you. They can be made in the crockpot, too. They come out so tender and juicy, and they can be thrown with various sides as a delicious and filling entree. 

It’s time we started recognizing that beef stroganoff is a top-tier meal. It always flies under the radar, and it deserves more credit. And it’s a meal that can be just as tasty made in the slow cooker as on the stovetop. 

The ultimate easy crockpot meal, you can’t go wrong with pot roast. There are about 100 ways to season a pot roast and dozens of combinations of vegetables to throw in there, and every single blend is sinfully good. It’s a great meal to make if you’re unskilled in the kitchen but want to impress someone.  

If you’re not cooking ribs in your slow cooker, you need to be. While it can’t give the smoky flavor that a grill can, a slow cooker makes for the most tender ribs. Plus, you don’t have to go outside to cook them, making it the perfect option for colder months. 

If pot roast isn’t your jam, but you still want tender beef and veggies, opt for beef stew. It’ll be thick and tasty and the beef will melt in your mouth after all those minutes in the slow cooker. 

Oh, you better believe you can make chicken noodle soup in the slow cooker. Your home will smell like heaven afterward, too. It’s the perfect meal to prepare on a cold day that you’ll be spending at home. 

You can also opt for potato soup if you’re in the mood for something hearty and comforting. And potato soup is great because it can take so many forms. You can add some bacon or ham for a little extra protein, and there are dozens of vegetables that can be added. 

People don’t want to admit it, but corned beef is an excellent meal. It’s got so much flavor, and it’s filling without being too much. It’s such a breeze to make on the crockpot, and it can serve a multitude of people. 

Meatballs are another easy meal to make in the slow cooker, and there are dozens of ways you can go. Swedish, Italian, Asian-inspired — you name it, and it’s possible.

Chicken tortilla soup is easily one of the top five best soups of all time, and the fact that it can be made in a slow cooker makes it even better (maybe even a top three). The only step you can’t take in the slow cooker is garnishing the soup with fresh tortillas (for the crunch). 

All sorts of Asian-inspired meals can be made in the crockpot. You might not get the same texture you get when making these meals on the stovetop or getting takeout, but they’ll still have great flavor, be much simpler to make, and cost a fraction of the price. 

Brisket is another good crockpot meal to make ahead of the holidays in case you need to whip out the recipe for a party. You’ll likely find that you want to make your entire holiday meal from slow cooker recipes. And honestly, you should. 

Taco meat and all sorts of accompanying toppings can be made in the slow cooker. If you’ve got multiple slow cookers at your disposal, you can make a medley of taco fillings and toppings for the ultimate meal. Or you can keep it simple with just one option. Either way, it’ll be delicious. 

Ragu is another underrated pasta dish that deserves recognition, especially since it can be made in the slow cooker. You’ll want to cook your pasta separately, but having ragu ready with almost zero preparation will be worth it.  

If you’re a curry fan, great news: You can make that in the crockpot, too. You’ll want to make your rice in a separate apparatus so it’s nice and fluffy, but if you have some rice prepared that you just need to warm up, it’s no hassle at all. 

If you haven’t made enchiladas in the slow cooker yet, you haven’t lived. Okay, that’s a little dramatic, but it’s emblematic of how delicious and easy a meal they are to make in the slow cooker. They just might change your life (or at least become a go-to in your meal rotation).