The crock pot or slow cooker will keep your food tender and tasty. Moreover, using low temperatures for extended periods preserves nutrients and intensifies the flavor. Chicken is a popular choice, but today, we’ll explore 15 crock pot meals that don’t involve using chicken for your dinner.
Slow Cooker Tuscan White Bean Soup
You can prepare a hearty vegetarian dinner for weekdays using cannellini beans, onion, carrots, celery, garlic, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and baby spinach. Once these ingredients are cooked, add the spinach until wilted. Dried thyme and rosemary add depth to this comforting soup.
Crock Pot Salmon Dip
This delicious keto-friendly appetizer will be perfect for parties, potlucks, or a savory snack during family gatherings. Mix salmon leftovers with milk, cream cheese, and dill, cook them on low for one hour, then serve with crackers or fresh vegetables.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
This recipe is ideal for casual gatherings, game days, or summer barbecues. The combination of barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar creates a tangy-sweet flavor profile, and you can serve it on burger buns with your favorite chips, coleslaw, and pickles for classic barbecue flair.
Crock Pot Turkey Chili
Combining ground turkey with beans, tomatoes, bell peppers, onion, garlic, and earthy spices like chili powder, cumin, and paprika will give you the best meal for cozy nights. Prepare this meal ahead of time and serve it with cornbread, tortilla chips, or a dollop of sour cream for more richness.
Crock Pot Pizza
Enjoy a deeper flavor with this slow-cooked pizza. It usually takes 2 to 3 hours to cook on low till the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly. The variety of toppings allows for endless customization, making it a crowd-pleaser. It’s an excellent choice for family movie nights.
Slow Cooker Roasted Tomato Basil Soup
Roasting tomatoes in the slow cooker intensifies their flavors and makes your soup more delicious. For this recipe, you’ll need tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable or chicken broth, fresh basil, and heavy cream. But you can use canned tomatoes instead of fresh ones and add coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative.
Crock Pot Chocolate Chip Cookie
Ditch the oven and embrace gooey magic with this easy crock pot dessert! Simply cream butter and sugars, whisk in eggs and vanilla, then combine dry ingredients and chocolate chips. Press dough into a greased crock pot and cook on low for 2-3 hours for a giant, warm, and delicious cookie treat!
Crock Pot Loaded Potato Soup
Although potatoes are the main ingredient, bacon adds a smoky richness to the soup, while cheddar cheese provides creamy indulgence. It takes 6 to 8 hours on low and then 3 to 4 hours on high to cook perfectly, then stir in milk and cheese until melted.
Slow Cooker Ratatouille
The crock pot is a must-have if you want to prepare mouthwatering vegetarian dishes like this one. Layer your favorite sliced veggies with minced garlic, top them with diced tomatoes and herbs, and cook until tender. Serve with crusty bread or cooked quinoa for a satisfying meal.
Pumpkin Spice Slow-Cooker Oatmeal
If you want a delicious way to begin your day, prepare this dish in advance by slow-cooking rolled oats, pumpkin puree, milk, maple syrup, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. It’s perfect for busy mornings when you want a nutritious and satisfying breakfast ready as soon as you wake up.
Slow Cooker Shrimp and Crab Bisque
Slow-cooking shrimp and crab will make them melt in your mouth when you try this bisque. Sauté the veggies till softened, then transfer to the slow cooker. Add shrimp, crabmeat, seafood stock, heavy cream, sherry, and spices, and cook for 4 to 6 hours.
Slow Cooker Blueberry Cobbler
Fresh or frozen blueberries shine in this classic dessert with its sweet-tart flavor. It’s suitable for summer gatherings and picnics or as a comforting dessert during cooler months. You can try other fruits, such as peaches, strawberries, or mixed berries instead of blueberries.
Crock Pot Indian Fish Curry
White fish fillets like tilapia or cod work perfectly for this recipe. Mix them with coconut milk, tomatoes, onion, garlic, ginger, curry spices, and cilantro, and cook in the crock pot till the fish is cooked. You can also use shrimp and serve this seafood platter with basmati rice or naan bread.
Crock Pot Apple Butter
Your slow cooker is the right appliance to prepare apple butter using sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and lemon juice. This delicious spread can be a wonderful topping for your desserts, served with Cheddar or Camembert cheese, or added to an apple cake for a richer taste.
Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
Sear beef stew meat in a skillet until browned, then transfer to the slow cooker. Add mushrooms, onion, garlic, beef broth, Dijon mustard, and Worcestershire sauce, and cook for 6-8 hours. Stir in the sour cream before serving your beef over cooked egg noodles.
