Slow Cooker Recipes To Get You Through Autumn - keep it simpElle (2024)

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Hey! I think it’s time to dust off the slow cooker… or am I only speaking for myself?! Mine has pride of place on a beautiful butchers block in my kitchen but I honestly haven’t used it all summer long. Which means, I need some slow cooker recipes to get inspired for what to make!

I reached out to my communities (who also contributed to this epic round up of no bake energy ball recipes) and they didn’t let me down. I have a great selection of slow cooker dishes perfect for main meals for the whole family.

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If you do make one of the recipes below, the please drop by and leave a comment below as we’d all love to get your feedback and hear your results!

Happy slow cooking! <3

Super Easy Crockpot Potato Soup

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Tis the season for warming, filling, comfort soups. You can literally prepare this within just a few minutes and throw it into your slow cooker for dinner all week! [See the Recipe]

Cinnamon Maple Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes

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Basically, you only need two main ingredients for this super easy side dish. Add a few spices and it does the recipe wonders. [See the Recipe]

Buffalo Chicken Dip

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The perfect low carb dish to take to your next party is this slow cooker dip. It’s creamy, cheesy and as spicy as you desire. [See the Recipe]

Smokey Beef Barbacoa

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This Mexican inspired slow cooked beef recipe is perfect served over rice or you can toss it in some tacos for a warming, delicious evening family meal. [See the Recipe]

Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks

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With or without wine, this is the perfect lamb dish to switch up your Sunday roast. Melt in the mouth, tender and simply served alongside a delicious gratin dauphinoise or a healthy carrot and swede mash. [See the Recipe]

Vegan Slow Cooker Lentil Stew With Harissa

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This slow cooker lentil stew, spiced with aromatic harissa paste, will warm you up on the cool autumn or winter evenings. It’s easy, hearty and bursting with vegetables and flavour. Vegan and gluten-free. [See the Recipe]

Creamy Chicken Chili

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You might be surprised to know this recipe is dairy free, but still oh so creamy. It’s easy to make, wit ingredients you probably already have. [See the Recipe]

Chicken Tortilla Soup

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Another perfect dinner recipe that you can make in the morning before you leave for work with this day chicken tortilla soup. This recipe is chock-full of fibre from the black beans and other veggies with a zesty flavour. [See the Recipe]

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

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This recipe uses a homemade teriyaki sauce to bring us a sugar, gluten, allergy and soy-free dish which can be bulked up with added veggies right in your slow cooker. [See the Recipe]

Easy Slow Cooker Chilli Con Carne

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Come home to this chilli con carne ready to serve 4. You can easily double up the recipe to make 8 servings then just freeze the extra for different days. [See the Recipe]

Peri Peri Chicken Casserole

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If you’re looking for an easy family dinner idea then you need to check out the super tasty slow cooker peri peri chicken casserole. Simply serve with wedges and homemade Nando’s style peas for a totally delicious, easy family dinner recipe! [See the Recipe]

Gluten And Dairy Free Sausage Stew

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If you’ve ever wondered what you can do with chicken sausages, then here is your answer. This dish is super easy to make and packed full of soluble fibre. [See the Recipe]

Orange And Lemon Crockpot Chicken Thighs

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This fresh and vibrantallspice, lemon and orange crockpot chicken thighs recipe makes for the most beautiful spiced, tasty easy lunch, weeknight dinner and is even perfect for entertaining. [See the Recipe]

Beetroot Chocolate Cake With Beetroot Vanilla Topping

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Cake, in a slow cooker. Slow cooking the cakegives it a rich, fudgy texture, that perfectly matches the decadent cake with earthy beets. [See the Recipe]

Slow Cooker Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

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Because, yes, you can make dessert in your slow cooker too! One of my favourite sweet things is cinnamon rolls. So you’re are welcome…. for this easy, no fuss recipe… made in the slow cooker. [See the Recipe]

Easy And Delicious Slow Cooker Fudge

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Rainy Day Mum has got our back with the sweet recipes. Here is a slow cooker fudge recipe so simple that even a 3 year old can make it! It even makes the perfect gift for school teachers…. if you don’t eat it all first. [See the Recipe]

Add the ingredients for these recipes to your shopping list, spare 15 mins in the morning for prep and your weekly meal times will be transformed with minimal effort. The slow cooker is highly underrated in my opinion, and is pretty versatile. Check out some slow cooker recipe books you can shop on Amazon:

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Tried one of these slow cooker recipes?! Then please leave us a comment below as we’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Also get in touch if you have a recipe you would like featured.

Like this post? Be sure to save it on your Pinterest board for later!Click to follow on Pinterest for more Food, Glorious Food inspiration.

Elle

Shop Crock Pot – The Original Slow Cooker

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Slow Cooker Recipes To Get You Through Autumn - keep it simpElle (2024)

FAQs

How do I get more Flavour in my slow cooker? ›

Spice up your life

Dry, fragrant spices like cumin and coriander seeds need to be fried in oil and added at the beginning of the recipe as they take time to impart their essence. Hot chilli-based flavourings should be added to taste at the end, as the fire can multiply the over the long cooking time.

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.

How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

Why do you put a tea towel under a slow cooker lid? ›

Soak up the condensation

Taste user Jenny says she puts a tea towel under her crockpot lid to catch water and stop it thinning too much. This technique is also a favourite with taste's food editor Miranda.

What foods should not go 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

Why fry onions before slow cooking? ›

Onion - the One Ingredient You Must Pre-Cook Before Adding to Your Slow Cooker! Never add onions to a slow cooker dish that you haven't sautéed first – I find you get that slight raw onion flavour throughout and it just ruins the dish for me. I really think it's worth the extra effort.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off? ›

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.

Why are my slow cooker meals tasteless? ›

Why is slow cooker food bland and watery? There is no evaporation to concentrate sauces and no caramelisation to deepen and enrich flavours so finished dishes lack depth, umami and can be colourless and watery.

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.

Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

Information. 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 better to cook on a high or low crockpot? ›

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a 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.

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

✔️ Instant Pots are multi-functional.

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

When cutting up ingredients for your meal, keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood separate from any food you plan to eat raw (for example, garnish or toppings like cheese, cilantro, or lemon zest). Use separate cutting boards, plates, and utensils. Large cuts of meat and poultry may be cooked safely in a slow cooker.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

How not to use a slow cooker? ›

7 Slow Cooker Mistakes to Avoid, According to Chefs
  1. Adding Delicate Vegetables Too Early. ...
  2. Overfilling the Slow Cooker. ...
  3. Using a Slow Cooker to Reheat Food. ...
  4. Not Reducing Liquid for Soups and Stews. ...
  5. Not Searing Meat Before Putting It in a Slow Cooker. ...
  6. Putting Frozen Foods in a Slow Cooker. ...
  7. Adding Fresh Herbs Too Early.
Sep 15, 2023

Are Slow cookers safe to leave on while at work? ›

Are slow cookers safe to leave on? 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.

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