27 slow cooker dinners that cook while you relax

Busy evenings call for easy comfort food. These 27 slow cooker dinners cook while you relax and fill the kitchen with amazing smells. A must-see list for simple meals that feel almost effortless!

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

A bowl of chili with beans, corn, diced avocado, sour cream, sliced peppers, and cilantro, garnished with tortilla chips. — Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Busy evenings get easier when dinner cooks on its own. In the middle of the day, Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili slowly simmers while downtime actually feels like downtime. By the time hunger shows up, a hearty slow cooker dinner is already waiting.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

A bowl of chicken pot pie with a flaky crust, filled with chicken, carrots, peas, and corn. — Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Long days call for dinners that run themselves. Later in the evening, Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie comes together after hours of steady cooking while you relax. Slow cooker dinners like this keep the kitchen simple and stress low.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie

Slow Cooker Carnitas

Carnitas tacos on a blue plate. — Slow Cooker Carnitas. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

Hands-off cooking can still lead to a full dinner. During the day, Slow Cooker Carnitas slowly cooks until ready for an easy meal without standing by the stove. Slow cooker dinners like this make relaxed evenings possible.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Carnitas

Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Mexican shredded beef bowls with plantains, rice and beans and peppers. — Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Dinner plans feel easier when cooking happens in the background. By the end of the day, Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls come together after steady slow cooker time. Slow cooker dinners like this make busy nights much more manageable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Bowls

Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

A plate of spaghetti topped with meatballs, tomato sauce, grated cheese, and parsley, served with a fork, garlic bread, and a small bowl of red pepper flakes. — Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Simple dinners can still feel like a full meal after a long day. Hours of slow cooking bring Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce together while you focus on everything else. Slow cooker dinners that cook while you relax make weeknights easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Pork tenderloin on a cutting board next to a slow cooker. — Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Weeknight cooking gets easier when the slow cooker handles the work. During the afternoon, Slow Cooker Pork Loin In Crock Pot slowly cooks until dinner time arrives. Slow cooker dinners like this help keep evenings calm and simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot

Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry

A bowl of white rice and vegetable curry garnished with lime wedges, placed on a wooden surface with a linen napkin nearby. — Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry. Photo credit: MOON and spoon and yum.

Relaxed evenings start with meals that cook on their own. Throughout the day, Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry simmers slowly and builds flavor without constant attention. Slow cooker dinners like this make dinner feel almost effortless.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry

Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder

A bowl of creamy potato corn chowder topped with bacon and cheese, next to a wooden spoon, bread slices, and a green plant on a red checkered cloth. — Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Cold evenings call for a dinner that cooks quietly all day. Later on, Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder is ready after hours of slow cooking in the background. Slow cooker dinners like this keep dinner simple and stress low.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

A bowl of shredded teriyaki chicken garnished with chopped green onions and sesame seeds, served over white rice. — Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Busy schedules leave little time for complicated cooking. Earlier in the day, Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken starts working while you move on with the rest of the day. Slow cooker dinners like this keep dinner plans easy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow cooker apple BBQ pulled pork sandwiches with apple carrot raisin slaw. — Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Big dinner flavor can come from hands-off cooking. After steady hours in the slow cooker, Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches are ready to pile onto plates. Slow cooker dinners that cook while you relax make nights feel easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker BBQ Apple Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

A bowl of tomato-based soup with ground meat, chopped cabbage, and herbs on a woven placemat beside a wooden spoon and parsley garnish. — Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Long days call for dinner that cooks without constant attention. Hours of slow simmering turn Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup into a hearty meal waiting at the end of the day. Slow cooker dinners like this keep the kitchen simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cabbage Roll Soup

Slow Cooker Beef Curry

A plate of white rice topped with a thick beef and tomato stew, garnished with chopped cilantro. — Slow Cooker Beef Curry. Photo credit: xoxobella.

A relaxed evening starts with a meal already in progress. By dinner time, Slow Cooker Beef Curry has cooked slowly while you handled everything else. Slow cooker dinners like this make home cooking easier to keep up with.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Curry

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot

Two tacos on a plate with a bowl of guacamole. — Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Taco night becomes much easier with slow cooking. Throughout the day, Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos In Crock Pot cooks quietly until it is ready to serve. Slow cooker dinners like this help keep dinner simple and quick.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos in Crock Pot

Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

A white bowl with slow cooker Italian pork roast, potatoes and carrots. — Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Dinner feels easier when the slow cooker handles the long cooking time. By the time evening arrives, Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast has been cooking steadily for hours. Slow cooker dinners like this help keep weeknight meals under control.
Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Pork Roast

Slow Cooker Corned Beef Hash Au Gratin

A dish of sliced potatoes, onions, and sausage in a creamy sauce, garnished with parsley, served in a bowl on a wooden table. — Slow Cooker Corned Beef Hash Au Gratin. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Comfort meals can still be easy when slow cooking takes the lead. Hours in the slow cooker bring Slow Cooker Corned Beef Hash Au Gratin together while you relax. Slow cooker dinners like this keep preparation simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Corned Beef Hash Au Gratin

Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken

Image shows a Bite of tomato lime chicken on a fork with rice and the rest of the bowl in the background. — Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Fresh dinner plans do not have to mean extra work. Throughout the afternoon, Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken slowly cooks while you move on with the day. Slow cooker dinners that cook while you relax make weeknight cooking easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tomato Lime Chicken

Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Barbacoa tacos on a tray topped with peppers and onions. — Slow Cooker Barbacoa. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Big dinner flavor often comes from slow cooking. After several hours in the slow cooker, Slow Cooker Barbacoa turns into an easy meal ready for serving. Slow cooker dinners like this help keep dinner stress low.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Barbacoa

Slow Cooker Ratatouille

An image of ratatouille on a plate with bread. — Slow Cooker Ratatouille. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Vegetable-based dinners can still be simple and filling. Hours of steady cooking turn Slow Cooker Ratatouille into a ready-to-serve meal by evening. Slow cooker dinners like this keep the kitchen calm while you relax.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ratatouille

Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork

Long cooking times work perfectly in a slow cooker. By dinner time, Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork has been cooking slowly while the day moves along. Slow cooker dinners like this make relaxed evenings easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Garlic Roast Pork

Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, potatoes, carrots, and garnished with parsley. — Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Photo credit: xoxobella.

Classic comfort meals work well with hands-off cooking. Hours in the slow cooker bring Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew together without constant attention. Slow cooker dinners like this keep dinner simple after a long day.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup

A white bowl filled with creamy chicken and rice soup, garnished with herbs, placed on a wooden table. — Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Soup nights feel easier when cooking starts earlier in the day. After hours of slow simmering, Slow Cooker Turkey And Rice Soup is ready when dinner time arrives. Slow cooker dinners like this help keep the evening relaxed.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey and Rice Soup

Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Dinner can still feel complete without spending time at the stove. During the day, Slow Cooker Pork Chops cook slowly until evening rolls around. Slow cooker dinners like this keep weeknight meals easy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Chops

Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

A plate of cheesy beef and potato casserole garnished with herbs, served with a fork. A potato, greenery, and a slow cooker are visible in the background. — Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin. Photo credit: Mama's on a Budget.

Busy days call for meals that cook quietly in the background. By dinner time, Slow Cooker Beef And Potato Au Gratin has slowly come together in the slow cooker. Slow cooker dinners like this help make evenings easier.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Potato Au Gratin

Crockpot Chili

Image shows a closeup of a bowl of Crockpot beef chili. — Crockpot Chili. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Chili nights get easier with hands-off cooking. Throughout the day, Crockpot Chili slowly simmers until dinner time finally arrives. Slow cooker dinners like this make relaxed evenings possible.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Chili

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Big flavor can still come from easy cooking methods. Hours of slow cooking turn Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef into a ready dinner without constant attention. Slow cooker dinners like this keep weeknight cooking simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

An overhead image of slow cooker tikka masala in a bowl with rice, with a slow cooker on the background. — Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala. Photo credit: Urban Farmie.

Plant-based dinners can still work well in the slow cooker. By the end of the day, Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala has cooked slowly while you relax. Slow cooker dinners like this keep dinner plans easy to manage.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf

Comfort food becomes easier when the slow cooker does the work. Hours of steady cooking bring Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf together while you focus on the rest of the day. Slow cooker dinners like this help keep evenings simple.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Taco Meatloaf