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Slow-Cooker Classics

Slow-Cooker Classics

There are days when you want to lose yourself in the kitchen, enjoying the hours spent standing over the stove. And then there are all of the other days of the year. When your calendar is packed -- or when you simply want a satisfying supper -- let your slow cooker handle dinner duties. These easy (and easy-to-clean-up) recipes prove that you can create flavor-packed, hearty meals with a little prep and the flip of a switch.

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Slow-Cooker Beef Ragu

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Make this classic "set it and forget it" recipe before leaving in the morning, and its wafting flavors will greet you at the door when you return home. Use two forks to gently pull apart the meat.

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Slow-Cooker Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken

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More seasoned than spicy, chicken legs become fall-off-the-bone tender when given the slow-cooker treatment. Cumin, cinnamon, and ginger lend a sophisticated sharpness to the chicken's sauce -- make sure to reserve leftovers to serve with rice or polenta.

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Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

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Some of the best meals are the least complicated. Let this homey and nostalgic dish evoke childhood memories -- or create new ones! Either way, this comforting meal is as easy to enjoy as it is to clean up.

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Slow-Cooker Spanish Meatballs

Con Poulos

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Forget the spaghetti -- these spiced meatballs can be enjoyed all on their own. This recipe calls for pork, but ground beef or turkey can be used and would be equally delicious.

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Slow-Cooker Cajun Stew

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Most people think of using a slow cooker for hearty red-meat dishes; this bright and spicy Louisiana-style stew with shrimp, okra, and smoked sausage shows this favorite appliance can do much more. The smoked sausage, like andouille or kielbasa, add both robust and delicate tastes to the finished dish.

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Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

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Tough cuts, such as the brisket used in this recipe, become meltingly pliable when cooked for ages. Serve this dish with grainy mustard to provide a pleasant textural contrast.

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Slow-Cooker Bacon Jam

John Kernick

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This addictive and tangy spread needs no boasting. Spoon some onto crusty bread for a festive appetizer or scoop into jars to bring to your next holiday party.

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Slow-Cooker Triple Chocolate Brownies

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Enough with the stews -- pass the sweets! These decadent brownies are a crowd-pleasing treat that cook for 3 1/2 hours, so set them up before making dinner. By the time you're finished eating, dessert will be ready.

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Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu

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Plan ahead and make this hearty ragu a day or two in advance, as the flavors will become richer with time. Serve it spooned over thick egg noodles, polenta, or a hunk of crusty bread.

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Pork and Hominy Stew

Andrew Purcell

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Inspired by classic Mexican pozole, this sumptuous stew owes its appealing texture to springy hominy and buttery avocado. If hominy isn't available, canned white or kidney beans would also work well.

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Slow-Cooker Turkey Stew with Lima Beans

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If you love turkey, then think beyond Thanksgiving! Cooked with lemon zest and finished with lemon juice, this bright stew is extremely flavorful.

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Beef, Barley, and Vegetable Soup

Andrew Purcell

Occasionally, slowly cooked meats will benefit from being browned first, as is the case with this robust stew. Some machines include a stove-top-safe insert; if yours doesn't have one, a heavy-bottomed skillet will work just as well.

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Slow-Cooker Pear and Apple Butter

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This sweet and tart spread makes a lovely holiday gift -- but be sure to save some for yourself! It's great on toast, on pancakes, or mixed into oatmeal.

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Slow-Cooker Chili Chicken Tacos

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Dark-meat chicken becomes easily shreddable (and perfect for tacos) after hours of low, slow cooking. Using boneless, skinless thighs makes the steps after cooking a cinch. If doubling this recipe to serve guests, set up taco shells, toppings, and chicken and allow everyone to serve themselves.

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Lamb with Olives and Potatoes

Romulo Yanes

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When given time and a bit of care, lamb shanks become velvety and richly complex. And the sauce for this dish is equally exceptional -- make sure to spoon some over each plate before serving. Ask your butcher to slice shanks crosswise to fit better into your slow cooker.

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Slow-Cooker Marmalade-and-Vinegar Pork Recipe

Anna Williams

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The power couple behind this slow-cooker braise is orange marmalade and red-wine vinegar. They give the dish a tang that’s the perfect complement to rich pork shoulder. Serve the stew over couscous -- maybe the simplest accompaniment ever. Peppery watercress adds a fresh, crisp finish.

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