Our Top 8 Slow Cooker Recipes for Any Meal

Crock-pots are a great way create a hearty, nutritious meal without a lot of effort. All you have to do to create a well-balanced meal is throw your ingredients in the slow cooker and let it cook! You don't have to be slaving away in the kitchen all day for barbecue pork that falls right apart or to make a moist banana bread. You can make almost anything in a slow cooker! We have some great slow cooker tips for those of you who are beginners or even experienced. We also want to share our top 8 slow cooker recipes, from entrees to desserts. Who knew you could make so many dishes in a slow cooker?

For those of you who can't get enough slow cooker dishes, check out our Ultimate Slow Cooker Recipe Guide with 268 awesome recipes for a slow cooker.
 

Crock-Pot Tips

• It is fine to leave your slow cooker on when you aren't home as long as you're careful. Make sure it isn't near anything flammable and that you check the recipe so nothing overcooks. Double check the recipe in case you have to add anything a few hours into the cooking time.
   
• Crock-pots will not work properly unless there is enough liquid in the pot. Add water or some type of sauce to the base, and use extra if the cooking time is long (at least 1/2 cup).
   
• If you are converting a recipe to a slow cooker recipe, remember that any uncooked meats usually take around 8 hours on low.
   
• Stop opening that lid! It may be tempting to peek in at your meal throughout the day, but this can lower the temperature of the dish, causing a need for a longer cooking time.
   
• In order to thicken the juices, add some cornstarch in the last hour of cooking.
   
• Add seasonings and any dairy in the last hour so it does not get dilluted over time.
   
• Do not put the metal base of the slow cooker in the dishwasher. Handwash only.

Our Top 8 Crock-Pot Recipes

1. Simple Crock-Pot French Onion Soup: With only a few ingredients, you can cook up traditional French onion soup. Add some bready croutons to soak up the delicious onion flavor.
    
2. Crock-Pot Corn Chowder: This can be the perfect soup for summer with fresh corn or to warm you up in the winter with some canned corn. It is rich, creamy and oh so delicious!
   
   
    
3. Favorite Baked Beans: We all know that baked beans take hours to make, so save yourself the trouble and make slow cooker baked beans. Throw them in the pot and froget about them.
   
   
    
4. Alamo Tamale Supper: Even though this is a slow cooker meal, it only takes two hours to cook. Make a Mexican fiesta with these tamales. Serve with a side of guacamoleand sliced veggies to dip.
   
    
5. Crockpot Italian Chicken: This is like an entire dinner in one! You can create a traditional Italian dish with vegetables too in your slow cooker.
   
   
    
6. Barbecue Pork: This pork is so tender, you won't be able to wait to eat it! It does take some time to make, but you won't regret it. Just throw your pork in the slow cooker, and you'll have restaurant quality meat made from scratch!
    
7. Apple Streusel: The apples in this streusel will be deliciously soft and sweet after some time in the slow cooker. Who knew you could make desserts too? Serve it on ice cream or with yogurt and cinnamon.
    
8. Flower Pot Banana Bread: This bread makes a beautiful present to bring to a dinner party! It's great for breakfast with peanut butter, as a light snack or even as dessert with melted chocolate.
   
   

 Click here for  more delicious slow cooker recipes!