13 Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Prep in 15 Minutes or Less

Let your slow cooker do the work tonight!

By
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud
Devan Grimsrud

Devan Grimsrud is a Berlin-based writer, editor, and recipe developer originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. After working in television production with James Beard Award-winning chef Andrew Zimmern, she relocated to Berlin and became the managing editor at Kitchen Stories, an international digital cooking platform with millions of active users. 

Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Published January 22, 2025
Devan Grimsrud
Overhead view of a blue platter and a serving spoon with shredded chicken and pepperoncini

Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

There's nothing like coming home to a meal (or snack) you already made, and these 13 slow cooker recipes will give you that satisfaction. Prepare in 15 minutes or less, then let it cook completely hands-off while you go to work, read on the couch, or take a long walk with the dog.

Don't forget to read the helpful tips and tricks from our editors and contributors as you find your new favorite hands-off slow cooker recipe.

  • Corned Beef and Cabbage

    Crockpot Corned Beef - drizzling mustard on sliced corned beef
    Marta Rivera

    "It's important for this recipe to purchase a package of corned beef that includes a spice packet. While most corned beef is full of flavor on its own, the spice packet pumps up the taste of the overall dish. It most often contains bay leaves, black peppercorns, and mustard seeds." —Marta Rivera, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Mississippi Chicken

    Overhead view of a blue platter and a serving spoon with shredded chicken and pepperoncini

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Morgan Hunt Glaze / Food Styling by Jennifer Wendorf / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "Make Mississippi chicken using boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts and cook until the internal temperature reaches at least 170°F." —Liz Mervosh, Simply Recipes Recipe Tester

  • Taco Soup

    A bowl of crockpot Taco Soup topped with sour cream and chips
    Lisa Lin

    "Make this soup more (or less!) spicy by adjusting the amount of chili powder. Start with an extra 1/2 teaspoon and work from there. You can also add a minced jalapeño or other spicy fresh chili." —Lisa Lin, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Chicken and Rice Casserole

    A plate with chicken and rice casserole, ready to serve and eat.
    Elise Bauer

    "To make rice in a slow cooker with chicken, you have to drastically reduce the amount of liquid you would normally use to cook rice, otherwise, your rice will be completely mushy. The main ingredients (chicken, onions, tomatoes) release moisture while they cook, which the rice then absorbs." —Elise Bauer, Simply Recipes Founder

    Continue to 5 of 13 below

  • Pulled Pork With 5-Spice

    Slow Cooker Chinese Pulled Pork
    Elise Bauer

    "You may be tempted to either cut off all the fat before cooking, but the fat is where you'll find the flavor and it's needed to keep the meat from drying out. I suggest ladling off excess fat after cooking, and then adding some back to get to the consistency, taste, and texture you want." —Elise

  • Chickpea Curry With Sweet Potatoes and Red Peppers

    Slow Cooker Chickpea Curry
    Sabrina Modelle

    "This makes a curry with a thick tomato-y sauce. If you'd like a creamier, more coconut-y sauce, stir in a second can of coconut milk after cooking." —Sabrina Modelle, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Easy Chicken Chili

    Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chili Chicken Chili in the crockpot
    Emma Christensen

    "Don't love a tomato-y chili? Reduce the amount of tomatoes to one can and add extra broth to compensate." —Emma Christensen, Simply Recipes General Manager

  • Mexican Pulled Pork Tacos

    Mexican pulled pork tacos with all the fixings, ready to eat
    Elise Bauer

    "Besides tacos, you can use this pulled pork to make tamales, enchiladas, burritos, or even a quick weeknight quesadillas." —Elise

    Continue to 9 of 13 below

  • Chicken with Moroccan Spices

    A plate with couscous and Moroccan spices chicken ready to serve
    Elise Bauer

    "If you don't want raisins or dried fruit, add a cup of sliced carrots the last hour of cooking." —Elise

  • Spinach Feta Dip

    Spinach feta dip in the slow cooker
    Nick Evans

    "Instead of making a classic spinach and artichoke dip, I doubled the spinach usually called for and added feta cheese for a saltier dip. If you're really missing the artichokes, though, go ahead and add a can. Just halve the amount of spinach." —Nick Evans, Simply Recipes Contributor

  • Shredded Chicken

    Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken in a slow cooker, being pulled apart with two forks

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    "The "secret sauce" of this shredded chicken recipe is the addition of pineapple juice. Not only does pineapple juice add sweetness (needed for balance of flavors), but it also helps tenderize the chicken, making it even easier to shred." —Elise

  • Ranch Pot Roast

    A plate of ranch pot roast, ready to eat

    "The two best cuts of beef for pot roast are chuck and bottom round. Chuck is a little fattier and falls apart (in a good way) when you slice it. Bottom round is a leaner cut, but still becomes tender in the pot." —Simply Recipes Editors

    Continue to 13 of 13 below

  • Turkey Stew with Mustard and Root Vegetables

    Slow Cooked Turkey with Mustard Sauce
    Elise Bauer

    "We're adding carrots and parsnips early in the cooking, since they will hold up better to long slow cooking than potatoes. If you want potatoes in your stew, add them later on in the cooking." —Elise

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