55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (2024)

Set it and forget your way to Cozytown.

By Mackenzie Filson
55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (1)

When fall rolls around, our stoves and ovens are positively packed with our favorite fall cookies, holiday sides, and maybe even a cheeky little warm co*cktail too. Which is why we love to free up some space by breaking out our slow cookers to help us out all season long. So do yourself (and your oven) a huge favor during sweater weather season (amongst all your apple picking and pumpkin carving) by making some of these top fall comfort foods in your slow cooker instead. Best of all, if you're like us (and doing tons of fall baking), these recipes will also save you lots of time with dinner ideas you can truly set and forget so you can focus on what's most important (dessert). These 55 slow cooker recipes make all your fall cooking soooo easy—and will leave your kitchen smelling wonderful to boot!

When the temperatures dip, we're always looking for new ways to stay warm. And what better way to do that than with a steaming mug of slow-cooker mulled wine? (Well, our Crockpot red wine hot chocolate is pretty bomb.) Fall is also prime soup-making time. We're never mad about having leftovers of Crockpot butternut squash soup, Crockpot chicken enchilada soup, and slow-cooker split pea soup. Serve any of our slow-cooker soups with plenty of crusty French bread, and dinner practically makes itself!

Have too many apples from your most recent apple-picking trip? Bust out your slow-cooker for our Crockpot apple butter and Crockpot applesauce, or make these Crockpot baked apples for an impressive holiday dessert.

If you're hoping to take some of the stress out of Thanksgiving dinner, your slow-cooker is about to be your best sous chef in the kitchen. We have tons of Thanksgiving slow-cooker recipes that will help make your Turkey Day a total breeze (and make room in your oven for all those Thanksgiving pies). Try our recipes for Crockpot sweet potato casserole, Crockpot garlicky mashed potatoes, slow-cooker stuffing, and even Crockpot turkey breast to save tons of time (that you can use for that post-dinner nap).

1

Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (3)

Everything about Tuscany speaks to us: the landscape, the history, the art, and, of course, the food! The central Italian region has inspired many of our favorite hearty recipes, like creamy Tuscan chicken, saucy Tuscan butter shrimp, and Tuscan chicken pasta. This time, we’re doubling down on the comfort by giving meatballs and gnocchi the Tuscan treatment, in one dish. What makes this even better? It all comes together in the slow cooker.

Get the Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Meatballs With Gnocchi recipe.

2

Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (4)

When it comes to comfort food, there’s nothing better than a pot of warm, fragrant pot roast and potatoes. Some people might be intimidated at the thought of cooking such a large piece of meat, but in reality, pot roast is one of the easiest things you can make—and this recipe takes that simplicity to the next level by bringing in the slow cooker.

Get the Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe.

3

Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (5)

Looking for a low effort, stick-to-your-ribs dinner? You've come to the right place. This Tex-Mex inspired soup is hearty, delicious, and endlessly riffable. And if you love all things spicy, add some cayenne (a pinch at a time), hot sauce, or canned chiles to your soup to kick the heat up a notch.

Get the Crockpot Chicken Enchilada Soup recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

4

Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (6)

Fact: A game day party or movie night-in is only as good as the Buffalo dip you serve. The best part? Your slow cooker will keep it warm and ready for dipping! Go all out and make a batch of homemade soft pretzels to serve with it.

Get the Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip recipe.

5

Slow-Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (7)

This slow-cooker creamy lemon herb chicken spends all day bubbling along and results in everything you want in a meal: delicious, comforting, and easy. By cooking low and slow, the humble chicken breast is transformed into something that melts in your mouth. Lemon, herbs, and garlic infuse the chicken with loads of flavor with some cream at the end to round out the sauce.

Get the Slow-Cooker Creamy Lemon Herb Chicken recipe.

6

Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (8)

This vegan butternut squash soup is made in a slow cooker, so after you chop up all your vegetables, it’s essentially hands-off. A quick blitz with an immersion blender at the end, and you’ve got a silky, drinkable butternut squash soup.

Get the Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

7

Crockpot Pepper Steak

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (9)

Pepper steak is a straightforward, savory sweet stir-fry that we think works amazingly when made in a slow cooker. The steak gets very tender, and it takes on some of the qualities of your favorite beef stew while still staying true to the original.

Get the Crockpot Pepper Steak recipe.

8

Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken & Potato Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (10)

The slow cooker makes the chicken completely fall apart while making the potatoes creamy and tender. Use your favorite curry powder to spice up the dish and make it even more comforting. If you aren’t a fan of kale, you can always use spinach or Swiss chard instead!

Get the .

9

Crockpot Cube Steak

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (11)

Looking for a hearty slow-cooker recipe that you can set and forget until dinnertime? Look no further. This easy smothered cube steak is perfect for hungry crowds, best served with mashed potatoes and a light veggie side like spinach salad.

Get the Crockpot Cube Steak recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

10

Crockpot Spaghetti Squash

News flash! You don't have to turn on your oven to make perfectly cooked spaghetti squash. Once you've cooked up your squash, why not put it to good use? Our four-cheese spaghetti squash is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. 😍

Get the Crockpot Spaghetti Squash recipe.

11

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (13)

Few things feel as special—and as satisfying—as a well cooked beef short rib. This version is fall-off-the-bone tender and insanely flavorful, thanks to a quick sear before slow cooking and a Korean-inspired sauce that would make anything taste good.

Get the Slow-Cooker Short Ribs recipe.

12

Slow-Cooker Creamy Gnocchi Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (14)

When the temperature drops below 60°, all we want for dinner is soup. Make it a slow-cooker soup and it's even better. With extremely little effort, you'll end up with a soup that's so warm and comforting, you'll completely forget there's a blizzard outside.

Get the Slow-Cooker Creamy Gnocchi Soup recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

13

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (15)

We love slow cookers because they do all of the work for us, meaning we can do literally anything else while the chicken cooks. Need dinner faster? Make our classic chicken cacciatore instead.

Get the Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore recipe.

14

Easy Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (16)

This is the perfect "set it and forget it" slow-cooker recipe for a busy fall weeknight. Make it in the morning, and this sweet and savory squash-filled dinner will be practically ready for you by the time you get home.

Get the Crockpot Butternut Squash Soup recipe.

15

Crockpot Spaghetti

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (17)

Yes, it's true: This entire meal (including the pasta!) can be made in the Crockpot. Love this recipe? Check out our slow-cooker chicken Alfredo for your next pasta night.

Get the Crockpot Spaghetti recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

16

Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (18)

The spiced garlicky herb sauce is absolutely heavenly and will make this the best pork shoulder of your life. For serving, we'd recommend some herb roasted potatoes and a bright, leafy sautéed green like Swiss chard.

Get the Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder recipe.

17

Crockpot Green Bean Casserole

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (19)

Is it even the holidays without this cozy side? This recipe makes green bean casserole even simpler; instead of using an oven, it can be mixed and cooked in your slow cooker. Save all that oven space for the holiday ham or turkey!

Get the Crockpot Green Bean Casserole recipe.

18

Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (20)

This split pea soup is so simple, filling, and full of flavor. And while it's especially good for those cold winter times, this soup is so easy to throw together, it's great all year round.

Get the Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup recipe.

Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below

19

Crockpot Whole Chicken

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (21)

We know it sounds crazy, but you can replicate the deliciousness of a rotisserie chicken at home... in your slow cooker. To get that iconic crispy skin, add a brown sugar spice rub and do a quick broil after slow cooking to get that beautiful, caramelized finish.

Get the Crockpot Whole Chicken recipe.

20

Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Soup

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every Fall (22)

Come home to the best bowl of soup with zero effort. If you love our cheesy chicken and broccoli bake, you'll fall in love with our soup version. With all the same flavors—and less-effort required—this easy soup is perfect for cold, lazy days.

Get the Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Soup recipe.

55 Slow-Cooker Recipes We Turn To Every 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.

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

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.

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'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 OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

What happens if you slow cook on high instead of low? ›

Let's say you want to slow cook a pork roast recipe that calls for 8 hours on Low, but you need it done in much less than 8 hours. Switching to High for the sake of time savings can leave you with a roast that's dried out or even burned on the exterior, but undercooked and not at a food-safe temperature in the center.

Can I leave my slow cooker on high all day? ›

Yes, so long as the lid is on and the liquid is topped up. Crock pots are designed to run for long periods of time, that is kinda their thing.

Can you leave stew in slow cooker overnight? ›

The short answer: Yes. slow cookers are made to cook food for extensive periods of time (some can be left up to 24 hours). But, of course, follow safe practices outlined in your instruction manual, and keep the appliance on low or warm, as opposed to high, overnight.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in crockpot? ›

Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker? ›

Gravy beef and chuck steak are great slow cooker options, as they are tough and rich in tissues that make for deliciously tender meat. Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned.

What is the easiest meat to cook? ›

Tender cuts from the back (loin) region are quick-cooking cuts. These are cuts like ribeye, sirloin, strip steak, pork chops, and tenderloin. These cuts don't need much cooking to make them taste awesome.

How long can you leave chicken in a crockpot on low? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Can I put a hot crockpot in the fridge? ›

Do not put the hot slow-cooker insert directly into the fridge. When it comes to reheating, do not reheat food in the slow cooker. Again, it can take too long for the food to come up to a safe temperature. Safety experts recommend reheating cooked food on the stove or by another quicker method, until steaming.

How long can chicken stay in crockpot on warm? ›

Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

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.

Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›

You certainly can add raw ground beef to the crockpot. As a matter of fact, many (if not most) slow-cooker chili recipes ask for the meat to be added raw.

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.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edwin Metz

Last Updated:

Views: 6231

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (78 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edwin Metz

Birthday: 1997-04-16

Address: 51593 Leanne Light, Kuphalmouth, DE 50012-5183

Phone: +639107620957

Job: Corporate Banking Technician

Hobby: Reading, scrapbook, role-playing games, Fishing, Fishing, Scuba diving, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Edwin Metz, I am a fair, energetic, helpful, brave, outstanding, nice, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.