11 Slow-Cooker Soup and Stew Recipes to Warm Your Body and Soul
The only thing better than a nearly effortless dinner is the smell of it simmering all day long.
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There are so many reasons why we love using a slow-cooker: First and foremost, it's exceptional at breaking down and tenderizing tougher cuts of meat. As they cook slowly (hence the name!) over the course of four to eight hours, a slow cooker (or even a multicooker used on the slow cook function) will build flavor, as demonstrated with the absolutely beautiful Slow-Cooker Lamb Stew that's pictured here. Other reasons to love slow-cooker recipe? They result in one-pot meals, which makes for easy clean-up, and you can prepare them ahead of time, whether for a family meal or for entertaining a larger group.
One of our favorite recipes to make in this handy countertop appliance is Slow-Cooker Ribollita. It's a hearty Italian-style vegetable stew that brings together Lacinato kale, zucchini, chopped tomato, and cranberry beans. Be sure to serve it with toasted crusty bread and plenty of grated cheese. Another vegetarian winner is our Slow-Cooker White-Bean Soup, a dish so well-suited for chilly fall or winter days. Cubed butternut squash is accented with sage and garlic, then cooked with great northern beans, leeks, and spinach.
If you're a beef lover, try our take on that most classic Cuban beef stew ropa vieja. Tender flank steak is cooked with capers, Spanish olives, tomatoes, cumin seeds, and jalapeño pepper.
Enjoy these slow-cooker soups and stews during the colder months—they are meals to make again and again until spring officially comes around.
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Slow Cooker Tex-Mex Chicken and Beans
Jarred salsa is the secret ingredient in this south-of-the-border chicken stew. It adds just the right amount of heat with an assist from another pantry all-star: canned chipotles in adobo. And whatever you do, don't forget the toppings! Set out sour cream, chopped jalapeño, hot sauce, and tortilla strips, and let your guests help themselves.
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Slow-Cooker Ropa Vieja
This may be the most satisfying dish you'll eat all week—okay, all winter long. It's meaty, fatty, spicy—a totally welcome take on flank steak. Serve it over rice so that not a drop goes to waste.
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Slow-Cooker Sicilian-Style Beef Stew
Aromatic orange zest, rosemary, and rich green olives are the key, ingredients in this rich stew. Before adding cubed beef chuck to the slow-cooker, brown it in a sizzling hot cast-iron pan to seal in the juices and create gorgeous color.
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Slow-Cooker Ribollita
Everyone will love this cozy plant-based stew. It's packed with vegetables including Lacinato kale, zucchini, and tomatoes, plus rich cranberry beans that help to create a silky broth.
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Slow-Cooker Indian-Style Fish Curry
This fragrant coconut milk curry features a medley of spices that bubble together slowly for a few hours. Flaky white fish, such as cod or halibut, is added 20 minutes before the dish is finished, so it cooks through but doesn't become overcooked.
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Hearty Beef Stew
Just five minutes of prep is all you need for this meaty dinner. busy, chilly days.
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Slow-Cooker White-Bean Soup
Is this the best-ever bean soup? We think so! It's packed with protein, thanks to Great Northern beans, and colorful vegetables like leeks, butternut squash, and spinach. To put it simply, it's a home run.
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Spicy Turkey Chili
Turkey thighs and fiery serrano chiles are the only non-pantry ingredients in this easy slow-cooker recipe.
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Slow-Cooker Shrimp, Sausage, and Okra Stew
Strategically adding ingredients to this Cajun stew ensures that every element is perfectly cooked.
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Slow-Cooker Green Chili
You can make this smoky, robust pork-and-potatoes chili in the Crock-Pot or oven. Either way, you'll be rewarded with a rich, satisfying meal. And the leftovers make incredible burritos.