There’s something reassuring about knowing dinner is already underway. The afternoon can become a muddle of work, errands and somebody asking what’s for dinner, but at least you have an answer that doesn’t involve staring into the fridge.
That’s why I like keeping a few easy slow cooker recipes in the meal-planning rotation. They move some of the cooking to an earlier part of the day, when there might be a little more time and considerably less hunger.
Of course, a slow cooker doesn’t chop the onions or organise the shopping. We haven’t reached that level of domestic wizardry yet. But choosing the right recipe can make the evening feel much more manageable.
And it doesn’t have to be winter. Slow cooker meals are useful for busy school nights, casual weekend dinners and gatherings when the oven is already occupied.
Start With a Recipe That Fits Your Day
Before choosing a slow cooker dinner, look at the cooking time and any jobs needed before serving.
Some recipes need meat browned first. Others ask you to add ingredients near the end, shred cooked meat or prepare rice separately. Those steps are perfectly manageable, but they’re worth knowing about before you commit.
For an evening when you’ll arrive home hungry, choose something with a short finishing stage. For a day at home, you might be happy with a recipe that needs a little attention along the way.
Here are a few slow cooker ideas from our Edible Crafts collection to help you get started.
1. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken for a Flexible Family Dinner
Our slow cooker salsa chicken feature is a useful starting point for a busy weeknight meal.
A salsa chicken dish gives you several serving options. Depending on the finished recipe, you could build a dinner around rice, tortillas or a bowl of salad with your favourite toppings.
I’d put any extra chilli or hot sauce on the table rather than making the whole meal fiery. It’s an easy way to cater for different tastes without cooking separate dinners.
Check the linked recipe for its ingredients, cooking method and finishing instructions before planning your accompaniments.
2. Sweet and Spicy Beef and Peppers When You Want a Change From Stew
If you have stewing beef but aren’t in the mood for another traditional casserole, take a look at our sweet and spicy beef and peppers feature.
It’s another way to put that packet of beef to work in the slow cooker, particularly when your usual dinner rotation is starting to feel a little repetitive.
Choose a simple accompaniment that suits the recipe’s sauce, such as rice, and add vegetables if needed to round out the meal. Read the original directions before changing the spice level or swapping ingredients.
Sometimes a different flavour combination is enough to make an everyday ingredient feel interesting again.
3. Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes to Free Up the Oven
The slow cooker can handle part of dinner as well as the main meal.
Our slow cooker scalloped potatoes feature a creamy, cheesy potato side that’s particularly useful when oven space is tight.
Think Sunday roast, Christmas lunch or a family gathering where several dishes need cooking at once. Letting the potatoes cook separately gives you more room to organise everything else.
Allow plenty of time and slice the potatoes evenly. Follow the featured recipe’s settings and check that the layers are tender before serving.
A rich potato dish is lovely beside a simple main course and green vegetables. You don’t need every part of the meal to compete for attention.
4. Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate for a Cosy Gathering
For something sweet, save our slow cooker hot chocolate feature.
It’s a fun idea for a winter gathering, a Christmas movie afternoon or a relaxed evening with friends. Set out mugs and a small selection of toppings, then follow the recipe’s heating and stirring directions.
Keep the toppings simple. Marshmallows, a little grated chocolate and perhaps cinnamon are plenty. You can create a lovely hot chocolate station without buying half the confectionery aisle.
This is a separate use for your appliance, of course. If the slow cooker is occupied with dinner, plan the hot chocolate for another occasion or use a second suitable appliance.
Slow Cooker Habits That Make Dinner Easier
Read the Whole Recipe First
Check the preparation, cooking setting, timing and final steps before you start.
A recipe that needs several hours on HIGH won’t necessarily fit the same schedule as one designed for a longer cook on LOW. Follow the specified method rather than treating the settings as interchangeable.
Match the Recipe to Your Cooker
Use the appliance size recommended by the recipe and follow your manufacturer’s filling guidance.
Doubling the ingredients can affect cooking, especially when the cooker becomes crowded. It’s better to choose a recipe that suits your appliance than squeeze in a larger batch and hope for the best.
Prepare the Accompaniments Too
The casserole might be cooking happily, but dinner can still feel unfinished if you haven’t thought about what goes
