If you want to make more of your slow cooker but need some recipe ideas, we’ve got you covered! Using a slow cooker is a convenient way to cook meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it's a great way to develop deep and rich flavours in your food.
What’s best about slow cooker cooking is just how quick and easy it is. Some of these recipes might call for browning of the meat to seal it, but you can also just throw everything into your cooking pot and let the slow cooker do the rest. It’s up to you.
Here are some of our favourite slow cooker recipe ideas that are healthier than frying.
Slow cooker whole chicken
Cooking a whole chicken in a slow cooker is easy and results in tender and juicy meat. Simply place the chicken in the slow cooker with some seasonings of your choice and about 100 ml of stock and let it cook on low for about 5 hours.
We’d recommend adding vegetables like carrots, and onions for great flavour. Before you remove the chicken from the slow cooker, be sure to tip all of the fluid out of the chicken. What’s left in the slow cooker can then be turned into an awesome gravy.
Slow cooker chicken thighs
Chicken thighs are a flavorful and affordable cut of meat that work great in a slow cooker. You can make a simple marinade with olive oil, soy sauce, and garlic, and let the chicken cook on low heat for 5 hours or high for 3 hours. The result is tender and juicy meat that is perfect for serving with rice or vegetables.
Slow cooker chicken curry
Slow cooker chicken curry is packed with flavours and spices. You can make with diced chicken breast, onion, sliced garlic, chopped ginger, tomato (tinned chopped tomatoes are fine) and a few tablespoons of curry powder and garam masala.
Simply mix everything together in the slow cooker and let it cook on low heat 6 hours or high heat for 4 hours. Serve with some rice or naan bread.
Slow cooker chicken casserole
This chicken casserole is a comforting and hearty meal that is perfect for a chilly day. It's made with chicken (either breast, drumsticks or thighs as you like), carrots, celery, and potatoes. Season with salt, pepper, a teaspoon of thyme, a spoon of mustard and a bay leaf. Cook on high for 4 or low for 7.
Slow cooker chicken cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is an Italian classic and a crowd-pleaser. It’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken.
Simply combine chicken, tomatoes, chopped peppers, onion, garlic, and some Italian seasoning in the slow cooker and let it cook on low heat for 7 hours. Serve with some pasta or crusty bread.
Chicken stew slow cooker
Chicken stew is the classic one-pot meal that is packed with vegetables and protein, and a slow cooker is the perfect one pot for the job. You can make with chicken breast, sweet potatoes, carrots, and celery, and seasoned with rosemary and thyme. You can also add some spinach or kale for extra nutrients. 3 hours on high or 7 on low should do the trick!
Slow cooker chili con carne
Chili is a spicy and flavourful dish that’s always a fave. It's made with minced beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and chili peppers, and seasoned with cumin and coriander. You can also add some avocado or coriander for extra freshness. It can be made in as little as 3 hours on a slow cooker at high setting. But 7+ hours on low is the way to go.
Slow cooker beef stroganoff
This Russian classic is a creamy and indulgent dish that is perfect for a special occasion. It's made with beef sirloin, onion, mushrooms and sour cream (which you’ll want to end near the end of cooking) and cooked on low heat for several hours to tenderise the meat, about 5-7 hours on low. Serve with some pasta or rice.
Slow cooker beef stew
Beef stew is a comforting and filling meal that is perfect for a cold day. It's made with cubed beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion, and seasoned with bay leaves and thyme. You can also add some red wine or beef broth for extra richness. 7 hours on low will make it rich and delicious. You can cook it for longer, but the beef might start to break down completely unless you seal the meat first.
Beef bourguignon slow cooker
This French classic is a sophisticated dish that’s perfect for a dinner party but easy to make in a slow cooker. It's made with beef stewing meat, bacon, mushrooms, shallots, and cooked in red wine and beef broth for at least 5 hours to develop the flavors. Serve with some crusty bread, dauphinoise potatoes and a glass of wine!
Beef casserole slow cooker
Beef casserole is a simple and hearty meal that is great for feeding a crowd. It's made with beef, potatoes, carrots, and onion, and seasoned with garlic and rosemary. You can also add some Worcestershire sauce or tomato paste to give it a richer flavour.
Slow cooker roast beef
Roast beef is a classic Sunday dinner that is easy to make in a slow cooker. It’s really important to sear your beef first though. Then simply season the beef with salt and pepper, add stock and red wine and let it cook on low heat for 5 hours until it's tender and juicy. Add some veg into the pot for some incredible gravy. Serve with all the trimmings and gravy.
Beef brisket slow cooker
Beef brisket is a tasty and tender cut of meat that’s almost made for slow cooking. Simply season the brisket with some garlic, onion, and paprika. Or you can add in some shop bought barbecue sauce. Let it cook on low heat for several hours until it's fall-off-the-bone delicious. Serve with some roasted vegetables or coleslaw.
Slow cooker sausage casserole
This sausage casserole is a comforting and filling meal that is perfect for a family dinner. It's made with sausages, potatoes, carrots and haricot beans, tinned tomatoes, 200 ml of stock and some mixed herbs. Cook for 4 hours on high or 8 on low. About 20 minutes before it’s done, make sure the slow cooker is on high and add some cheese and breadcrumbs on top for extra crunch.
Slow cooker pulled pork
Pulled pork is a classic that is perfect for a barbecue or a picnic. It's made with pork shoulder, onion, garlic, and barbecue sauce, and cooked on low heat for several hours until it's tender and juicy. Serve with some coleslaw and buns.
Slow cooker mushroom risotto
This mushroom risotto is a creamy dish that is perfect for a midweek dinner. It's made with arborio rice, mushrooms, onion, and Parmesan cheese and cooked on low heat with some vegetable broth and white wine. Serve with some greens on the side. Cook on high for an hour, then stir and then give it another hour. You’ll want to check on it in the second hour to make sure the rice doesn’t overcook.
Slow cooker mac and cheese
Mac and cheese is perfect as a main meal or a side dish and is super simple in a slow cooker. Simply mix together pasta, cheese, milk and some seasoning, and let it cook on low heat for 4 hours until it's creamy and bubbly. It’ll need about 2 hours on high, but give it a stir and check towards the end. Serve with some broccoli or salad.
Slow cooker rice pudding
This rice pudding is a comforting and sweet dessert that is perfect for a cozy night in. It's made with rice, milk, sugar, a splash of vanilla essence and a pinch of cinnamon, and cooked on low heat until it's creamy and fragrant. 3 hours on low should do the trick. Serve on its own or with some fruit or whipped cream.
Slow cooker vegetable curry
Whether you don’t eat meat or you just love a veg curry, it’s perfect for the slow cooker. Pop your slow cooker on high and add onions and curry spices. Allow to sizzle and stir until fragrant and then add your choice of veg like cauliflower, peppers and aubergine. Chickpeas are great too. For the sauce you can add either chopped tomatoes, coconut milk or both! Cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5, and serve with some rice or flatbread and scatter some chopped coriander on top.
Inspired to get slow cooking? Whether you’re starting from scratch or after an upgrade we’ve got a great choice of Morphy Richards slow cookers, Crock-Pot slow cookers, Swan slow cookers, Ninja multicookers and more.
