Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Fall (2024)

  • Recipes
  • Methods
  • Slow Cooker

Christine Gallary

Christine GallaryFood Editor-at-Large

Christine graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, France, and she has worked at Cook's Illustrated and CHOW.com. She lives in San Francisco and loves teaching cooking classes. Follow her latest culinary escapades on Instagram.

Follow

updated Oct 6, 2023

pinterest

email

comments

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Fall (1)

With shorter days and crisper temperatures heading our way, having a warm, home-cooked dinner waiting for us when we walk in the door is such a comfort. With the help of a slow cooker, the prep and cooking don’t have to happen at the last minute, which frees you up to focus on other important tasks, like mixing the perfect autumn co*cktail.

From comforting soups to hearty braises, there’s plenty to choose from with these 25 recipes. As a bonus, these recipes also make plenty of leftovers — perfect for lunch the next day.

Slow Cooker Dinners For Fall

1

/

25

Slow Cooker Coconut Lentil Curry

This slow cooker coconut lentil curry is seasoned with garam masala & turmeric, laced with tomatoes, & finished with coconut milk for a touch of richness.

Go to Recipe

2

/

25

Curried Vegetable and Chickpea Stew

Plenty of vegetables and chickpeas are loaded into this stew, all cooked together in a rich curry-coconut sauce.

Go to Recipe

3

/

25

Slow Cooker Vegan Pumpkin Curry

Grab an extra pumpkin from the pumpkin patch or grocery store in this homage to fall ingredients. Serve with plenty of rice to soak up all the sauce.

Go to Recipe

4

/

25

Slow-Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

These chicken burrito bowls only require five minutes of hands-on prep time — the rest of the work is done by your slow cooker.

Go to Recipe

5

/

25

Slow-Cooked Bolognese Sauce

A recipe for Italian Bolognese sauce that can be made in the slow cooker or on the stove.

Go to Recipe

6

/

25

Slow Cooker Brisket and Onions

The classic flavors of brisket you crave with the ease of the slow cooker. This recipe produces the most crowd-pleasing, tender pot of brisket you've made.

Go to Recipe

7

/

25

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

This is a hearty slow cooker chicken stew with white beans, Southwest spices like cumin and coriander, and a few cans of fire-roasted green chilis.

Go to Recipe

8

/

25

Slow-Cooker Sausage and Spinach Lasagna

Yes, a cheesy lasagna can be made in a slow cooker! This version has loads of spinach and sausage for the ultimate comfort-food dinner.

Go to Recipe

9

/

25

Slow-Cooker Chicken in Milk

Our favorite chicken recipe ever can now also be made in the slow cooker! Milk may seem like a strange ingredient, but it turns into an amazing sauce as it braises the chicken.

Go to Recipe

10

/

25

Slow-Cooker Black Bean Enchiladas

An easy recipe for slow cooker enchiladas with black beans and cheese. Vegetarian.

Go to Recipe

11

/

25

Slow-Cooker Korean Short Ribs

Once these short ribs are quickly browned with the aid of the broiler, they’re slow-cooked in a savory sauce until super-tender. Serve with a side of rice or load into lettuce leaves with pickled vegetables for a fun lettuce wrap.

Go to Recipe

12

/

25

Slow-Cooker Tuna Noodle Casserole

This easy recipe for tuna noodle casserole is made from scratch in the slow cooker or the Crock-Pot.

Go to Recipe

13

/

25

Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas

Spicy, savory, and tender pork shoulder.

Go to Recipe

14

/

25

Slow-Cooker Celery Soup with Bacon

A humble bunch of celery can turn into a rich, creamy soup with the addition of some bacon, potatoes, and broth. Serve with some crusty bread for a warm and comforting dinner.

Go to Recipe

15

/

25

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup

A warm bowl of chicken enchilada soup, made in the slow cooker, tastes like you're eating an enchilada with a spoon.

Go to Recipe

16

/

25

Slow Cooker Coconut and Green Curry Pork

This simple Thai curry stew has bold flavors and can feed a hungry crowd. While it’s great over rice, try with it with store-bought naan for sopping up all the yummy sauce.

Go to Recipe

17

/

25

Mac and Cheese in the Slow Cooker

This slow cooker mac and cheese is so easy! With dry pasta, milk, and cheese, you'll be enjoying warm macaroni and cheese in just a few hours.

Go to Recipe

18

/

25

Meatballs in the Slow Cooker

Meatballs in the slow cooker are a gorgeous thing. They’re gently simmered, so the meatballs stay tender while the sauce becomes luscious and rich. Whether they’re being served over spaghetti for a weeknight dinner or piled onto a meatball sub at a Saturday potluck, these slow-cooker meatballs are going to be a hit — guaranteed.

Go to Recipe

19

/

25

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Spooned over some steamed rice, this easy slow cooker tikka masala is about to make your busy days very happy indeed.

Go to Recipe

20

/

25

Slow-Cooker Beef and Barley Stew with Mushrooms

When you get a craving — especially if it’s for beef and barley stew when snow clouds are building outside — it’s best to just give in and make it. Stew is more of a technique than a recipe, so gather your ingredients and jump right into the kitchen. By late afternoon, you’ll have one mouthwatering pot of stew.

Go to Recipe

21

/

25

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Chicken soup is one of my favorite things to make in the slow cooker. As long as you use dark meat, the chicken never overcooks during the long cooking time, and making a big batch means that you can have it for dinner and stock the freezer at the same time. This Tex-Mex version has fire-roasted tomatoes, carrots, and black beans in a lightly spiced broth, and hits all the notes when you need a bright-yet-warming meal.

Go to Recipe

22

/

25

Slow Cooker Italian Chicken and Broccoli Bowls

The superstar slow cooker strikes again with this tasty combination of brown rice, white beans, chicken, and broccoli florets.

Go to Recipe

23

/

25

Slow-Cooker Vegan Lentil Chili

The easiest slow cooker chili you'll ever make, thanks to the power of lentils. Dump everything in the slow cooker, walk away, then eat it up.

Go to Recipe

24

/

25

Slow Cooker Veggie Pot Pie

This easy, deconstructed veggie pot pie is made in the slow cooker, so you can come home to healthy comfort food even on a busy weekday.

Go to Recipe

25

/

25

Slow Cooker Hearty Chicken Minestrone

The New Year brings different traditions for different folks. Some make black-eyed peas, others make firm resolutions. I make chicken stock. There’s something wonderfully industrious about making homemade stock, and this year on New Year’s Day, that’s where I found myself.

Go to Recipe

Filed in:

autumn

Cooking Methods

dinner

Recipe Roundup

Slow Cooker

video

Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Fall (2024)

FAQs

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

Yes, you most certainly can cook raw meat in the slow cooker! You put it in “cold”, with whatever liquid your recipe calls for, turn it on either “low” or “high” depending on your recipe (I usually start it on “high” for a couple hours, then turn it to “low”), and in 6–7–8 hours, it's now COOKED meat!

What's the difference between slow cooker and crockpot? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Is it better to start CrockPot on high or low? ›

If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low.

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on overnight? ›

Yes, it's safe to leave a slow cooker on when you leave the house. The purpose of a slow cooker is to allow you to cook while you aren't home. Slow cookers simmer food slowly, killing bacteria and raising meat to the perfect internal temperature.

What is the best meat to slow cook? ›

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

Why do they call it crack chicken? ›

Lansing, Michigan is home for the Crack Chicken. A great seasoning for all your favorite foods. Started in 2003, customers tried our famous chicken and came back for more. Their addiction to this delicious taste made them call it Crack Chicken, and that's how the name started, and cracked the food industry world.

How long to cook 1 pound of chicken in crockpot? ›

Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours. Chicken is finished when internal temperature has reached 165F (75C) and it can easily be shredded with a pair of forks. Remove chicken from crockpot and use two forks to easily pull apart and shred chicken.

When should you not use frozen chicken? ›

Chicken or turkey in pieces can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. Ground chicken or turkey is best consumed within three to four months if frozen from the date of purchase.

Should meat or vegetables go in crockpot first? ›

The USDA notes that vegetables take longer to cook in a crock-pot than meat does, so they suggest adding your veggies to the pot first. This is useful if you're worried about about dense vegetables like potatoes or carrots not coming out as tender as the meat in your recipe.

Should you open a slow cooker to stir? ›

Due to the nature of a slow cooker, there is no need to stir the food unless it specifically says to in your recipe. In fact, taking the lid off to stir food causes the slow cooker to lose a significant amount of heat, extending the cooking time required. Therefore, it is best not to remove the lid for stirring.

Why is my beef chewy in slow cooker? ›

If you overcook meat, it becomes dry and tough. Often people using a slow cooker and don't check when the food is actually done. If a recipe says cook for 8 hours on low, people may not check the food for 8 hours.

Can you just throw everything into a slow cooker? ›

For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in. It can be nice to cook the onions beforehand, as the flavour is different to when you put them in raw, but experiment both ways as you may find you prefer one.

Is it safe to put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and safety guidelines. Start clean. Start with clean hands, utensils surfaces and a clean cooker.

Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›

Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.

Can you throw raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Kerri Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5924

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (67 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kerri Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1992-10-31

Address: Suite 878 3699 Chantelle Roads, Colebury, NC 68599

Phone: +6111989609516

Job: Chief Farming Manager

Hobby: Mycology, Stone skipping, Dowsing, Whittling, Taxidermy, Sand art, Roller skating

Introduction: My name is Kerri Lueilwitz, I am a courageous, gentle, quaint, thankful, outstanding, brave, vast person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.