Let’s be real. You’re scrolling for dinner ideas while simultaneously thinking about that work email, what to watch tonight, and whether you have any clean socks left. Your brain is full. The last thing you need is a recipe that requires 27 ingredients and a degree in culinary arts.
You need a hero. And that hero is your slow cooker, currently gathering dust in the back of your pantry.
I’m here to give that humble appliance a promotion. We’re talking about meals that require more effort to buy the ingredients than to actually make them. We’re embracing the beautiful, the simple, the few-ingredient wonder. These are the recipes for busy weeknights, for lazy Sundays, for when you want to feel like a domestic god/goddess without actually acting like one.
So, grab a coffee (or a glass of wine, I don’t judge), and let’s get into these 20 life-saving, few-ingredient crockpot meals you can literally start tonight. Your future, well-fed self thanks you.
1. Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Sweet, sticky, and savior-of-your-weeknight glorious.
Ingredients
- 4-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (or 1/2 tsp ground ginger in a pinch)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in your crockpot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s well-coated.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
This is the little black dress of crockpot meals—effortlessly stylish and always appropriate. The chicken becomes so unbelievably tender it practically falls off the bone, and the sauce reduces into a perfect, glossy glaze. Serve it over rice and watch it disappear.
2. 3-Ingredient Salsa Verde Chicken
You literally cannot mess this up. I’ve tried.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (16 oz) jar salsa verde
- 1 packet (1 oz) taco seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken.
- Pour the entire jar of salsa verde on top.
- Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours. Shred with two forks before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
The taco seasoning infuses the chicken with flavor while the salsa verde adds a tangy, slightly spicy kick. It’s perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or piled high on nachos. It’s my go-to for feeding a crowd without breaking a sweat.
3. The Easiest Pot Roast of Your Life
Grandma’s classic, minus the fuss.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-4 lb) chuck roast
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 (14.5 oz) can beef broth
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chuck roast in the center of your crockpot.
- Scatter the carrots and potatoes around it.
- Sprinkle the onion soup mix over everything.
- Pour the beef broth over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Your entire house will smell like a cozy, Sunday comfort-food haven. The roast becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender, and the potatoes and carrots soak up all the savory goodness. It’s a complete meal in one pot. Who doesn’t love that?
4. Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pork Chops
Tastes decadent, requires zero decadent effort.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless pork chops
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the pork chops in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, heavy cream, Parmesan, and garlic powder.
- Pour the mixture over the pork chops.
- Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
These pork chops are the opposite of dry and boring. They simmer in a rich, creamy, garlicky sauce that is absolutely divine over egg noodles or mashed potatoes. It’s comfort food that feels a little fancy, without the fancy work.
5. Black Bean and Corn Salsa Chicken
Your new favorite meal-prep superstar.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (16 oz) jar of your favorite chunky salsa
- 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken in the crockpot.
- Add the black beans, corn, and salsa. Do not stir.
- Place the whole block of cream cheese on top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
- Stir well to combine the melted cream cheese into the sauce before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
The cream cheese makes the sauce incredibly rich and creamy, balancing the zestiness of the salsa. It’s a flavor party in your mouth. IMO, it’s even better the next day for lunch.
6. Hearty Italian Sausage and Peppers
Game day, weeknight, any-day perfection.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Italian sausage (sweet or hot)
- 2 large bell peppers, sliced (I use one red, one green)
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 1 (24 oz) jar of your favorite marinara sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the whole sausages at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Top with the sliced peppers and onions.
- Pour the marinara sauce over everything.
- Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Serve these on hoagie rolls for epic sandwiches, or over polenta for a cozy meal. The sausages become incredibly juicy, and the peppers and onions soften into sweet, savory perfection. It’s a crowd-pleaser every single time.
7. Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin
Sweet, tangy, and impossibly elegant for so little work.
Ingredients
- 1 (2 lb) pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp minced fresh rosemary (or 1/2 tsp dried)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the pork tenderloin in the crockpot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon, maple syrup, soy sauce, and rosemary.
- Pour the sauce over the pork.
- Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
This combination is a match made in heaven. The mustard isn’t overpowering; it just adds a wonderful depth that plays so well with the sweet maple. It slices beautifully and looks like you put in way more effort than you actually did. 🙂
8. French Dip Sandwiches
Better than the restaurant version, and you get to wear sweatpants.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-4 lb) beef chuck roast
- 1 (10.5 oz) can beef consommé
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- 1 cup water
- Provolone cheese and hoagie rolls for serving
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chuck roast in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together the beef consommé, au jus packet, and water.
- Pour the liquid over the roast.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Shred the beef and serve on toasted hoagie rolls with provolone, using the liquid in the pot for dipping.
Why You’ll Love It
The au jus is already right there, people! The beef becomes so flavorful and shreddable. Toasting the rolls and melting the provolone is the only “work” left. It’s a sandwich that feels like an event.
9. Creamy Tomato Soup
The ultimate cozy companion for a grilled cheese.
Ingredients
- 2 (28 oz) cans crushed tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cups vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Add the crushed tomatoes, diced onion, vegetable broth, and tomato paste to the crockpot. Stir.
- Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or carefully blend in batches in a regular blender).
- Stir in the heavy cream before serving.
Why You’ll Love It
Forget the canned stuff. This soup is vibrant, rich, and tastes like a warm hug. Blending it makes it feel fancy and restaurant-quality. Pro tip: don’t skip the immersion blender—it’s a game-changer for creamy soups.
10. Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken
A tropical vacation for your taste buds, no flight required.”
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks in juice (do not drain)
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, mix the entire can of pineapple (with juice), BBQ sauce, and soy sauce.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken.
- Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
The pineapple gets incredibly tender and sweet, while the soy sauce adds a savory backbone that keeps it from being too sweet. Serve it over rice and pretend you’re on a beach. It’s a mood-lifter, I swear.
11. Mississippi Pot Roast
The internet sensation that 100% lives up to the hype.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-4 lb) chuck roast
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini pepper juice (from the jar)
- 4-5 whole pepperoncini peppers
- 1/2 stick butter
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chuck roast in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the au jus and ranch seasoning packets over the top.
- Pour the pepperoncini juice around the roast, and place the whole peppers and butter on top.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
This recipe is famous for a reason. The tangy, salty, buttery, herby flavor is completely addictive. It’s unlike any other pot roast you’ve had. FYI, it makes phenomenal sandwiches the next day.
12. Lemon Herb Chicken and Potatoes
Bright, fresh, and feels downright virtuous.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken legs or thighs
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the baby potatoes in the bottom of the crockpot.
- Place the chicken on top of the potatoes.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Pour over the chicken and potatoes.
- Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
The lemon juice cuts through the richness of the chicken, and the potatoes become infused with all the beautiful flavors. It’s a complete, healthy-ish meal that cleans up easy. What’s not to love?
- BBQ Pulled Pork
The ultimate no-fuss party food.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-4 lb) pork shoulder (Boston butt)
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 1 (18 oz) bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the sliced onion at the bottom of the crockpot.
- Place the pork shoulder on top of the onions.
- Pour the BBQ sauce and apple cider vinegar over the pork.
- Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
- Shred the pork, discarding any large fat pieces, and mix it back into the sauce.
Why You’ll Love It
This is the most forgiving recipe on the planet. You can’t overcook it. The longer it goes, the more tender it gets. Pile it on buns, and you’ve just fed a hungry crowd with about 5 minutes of active work. You’re welcome.
14. White Chicken Chili
Cozy, creamy, and packed with protein.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 (15 oz) cans Great Northern beans, drained
- 1 (15 oz) can corn, drained
- 1 (4.5 oz) can diced green chiles
- 1 (32 oz) box chicken broth
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place all ingredients into the crockpot.
- Stir to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.
- Remove the chicken, shred it with two forks, and return it to the chili.
Why You’ll Love It
It’s lighter than a traditional chili but just as satisfying. The green chiles give it a gentle warmth, not a harsh spice. Top it with cheese, sour cream, and avocado for the full experience.
15. Teriyaki Chicken
Skip the takeout. Your wallet and your taste buds will thank you.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 3/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
- 2 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (for thickening)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Pour over the chicken.
- Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
- In the last 30 minutes, mix the cornstarch and water to create a slurry. Stir it into the crockpot and let it cook until the sauce thickens.
Why You’ll Love It
This tastes just like your favorite takeout teriyaki chicken, but you control the ingredients. Using thighs instead of breasts guarantees a juicier result. Serve it over a bed of fluffy rice.
16. Sausage and Potato Casserole
The definition of hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients
- 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced into rounds
- 1.5 lbs potatoes, cubed
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup water
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Combine the sausage, potatoes, and onion in the crockpot.
- In a bowl, mix the cream of mushroom soup with the water.
- Pour the soup mixture over the sausage and potatoes and stir to coat.
- Cook on LOW for 7-8 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
This is pure, uncomplicated comfort food. The potatoes soak up the smoky flavor from the sausage, and the creamy soup binds it all together. It’s a one-pot wonder that requires zero thought.
17. Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken
Zesty, fresh, and ridiculously creamy.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (16 oz) jar salsa verde
- 1 packet taco seasoning
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the chicken in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle with taco seasoning and top with the salsa verde.
- Cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
- Shred the chicken, then add the cream cheese, lime juice, and cilantro. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and fully incorporated.
Why You’ll Love It
If you love the flavors of a creamy cilantro-lime dressing, this is your jam. It’s tangy, herby, and rich all at once. It’s incredible in tacos, burritos, or over cilantro-lime rice.
18. Simple Beef Stew
The classic, simplified.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs stew meat, cubed
- 1 lb baby carrots
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes, halved
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 (10.5 oz) can French onion soup
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the stew meat, carrots, and potatoes in the crockpot.
- Pour the cream of mushroom and French onion soups over the top. Do not add water.
- Stir everything to combine.
- Cook on LOW for 8-9 hours.
Why You’ll Love It
Two cans of soup create the most delicious, savory, and rich broth for this stew. It’s a brilliant shortcut that delivers maximum flavor. It’s the definition of hearty.
19. Pork Tacos al Pastor-Style
All the flavor, none of the spinning spit.
Ingredients
- 1 (2-3 lb) pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple in juice
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 packet taco seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the pork in the crockpot.
- Add the entire can of crushed pineapple (with juice), the minced chipotle, and the taco seasoning. Stir.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Shred the pork and serve on tortillas with diced onion and fresh cilantro.
Why You’ll Love It
You get that signature sweet and smoky al pastor flavor without any special equipment. The chipotle adds a beautiful, smoky heat. It’s a taco Tuesday upgrade you need in your life.
20. Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Sounds weird, tastes genius.
Ingredients
- 1 (3-4 lb) pork shoulder (Boston butt)
- 1 (12 oz) can Dr. Pepper
- 1 (18 oz) bottle of your favorite BBQ sauce
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Place the pork shoulder in the crockpot.
- Pour the can of Dr. Pepper over it.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
- Drain off most of the liquid, then shred the pork.
- Stir in the BBQ sauce and cook for another 30 minutes on HIGH.
Why You’ll Love It
The soda acts as a tenderizer and adds a subtle, caramel-like sweetness that complements the BBQ sauce perfectly. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it—this is a cult favorite for a reason.
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