It has been two years since my family began selecting, making, and reviewing a weekly Crock Pot recipe, and in that time we have collected over 100 slow-cooked meals. Everyone has a favorite (or four) and today I’m sharing those all-star recipes with you.
The timing couldn’t be better. School is starting, which means busy evenings for many families. I’ve already got the nervous sweats about having two kids in school, two kids with homework, and two kids with after school activities. Where am I going to find the time to make, prepare, and serve dinner?
Someone hold me.
Here’s where my Crock Pot comes in handy. Many slow cooker recipes take as long to throw together as it would to make one more lunch in morning. Quite a few can even be prepped the night before, saving even more precious time to glug coffee and yell at kids to get their shoes on already.
Earlier this month, when the entire Crock Pot Thursday crew was together, we took a break from fetching each other drinks and watching each other’s kids, and each of us chose our favorite recipe to include in this post. We fondly remembered our top-tier dishes, with the family members who chose the winners smiling smugly like a proud parent at an awards ceremony.
Here are the winners, in no particular order. Keep this list close to your heart, and your belly and your household will love you forever.
Click on the name or the image to go to the recipe.
Enjoy!
Pork Carnitas
“Authentic? Probably not technically, but these Pork Carnitas taste awesome.”
-My sister-in-law, Kim
Best Slow-CookerShrimp Boil
My sister-in-law, Sarah, picked up a taste for shrimp boil when she lived in Texas, and she selected this recipe for us a few months ago. It should be mentioned that as a group, most of us agree that this is probably the very best recipe we’ve made so far.
Funny story: Sarah not only picked this winning recipe, last year she also picked the worst recipe we’ve ever tried. I didn’t share that dud with you. Because I love you guys, that’s why.
About this recipe, Sarah says, “It no longer limits delicious shrimp boils to the summer months. I’m excited for this meal again when there’s two feet of snow on the ground.”
Stuffed Bell Peppers
This was my pick, and I love these Crock Pot Stuffed Bell Peppers for a few reasons. One, stuffed peppers are just plain ol’ delicious, and two, the peppers are stuffed with uncooked meat, which saves me the time it would take to brown the meat, and it’s one less pan to wash. WIN!
Mississippi Roast
This roast is cooked with a stick of butter on top and with a handful of pepperoncinis, which is maybe why my husband said, “It doesn’t taste like a flavorless piece of meat, like many slow-cooked roasts.” He’s right. It’s so super good.
Teriyaki Chicken
My brother-in-law, Erik says, “This is as good of teriyaki as I’ve ever had.”
Pineapple Glazed Ham
“I don’t know why, but I really love pineapple and pork.”
-My sister-in-law, Stephanie
If you’re like Steph, you’ll love this Pineapple Glazed Ham.
Slow Cooker Reuben Sandwiches
These Reubens are kind of magical. Even the sauerkraut haters like these sandwiches.
My mother-in-law, Linda, says, “They are easy, and the flavors are really authentic.”
Beef and Broccoli
This Beef and Broccoli tastes as good as it looks. True story.
French Dip Subs
Both my father-in-law, Bob, and my brother-in-law, Tyler, picked this as their favorite, which is funny because they are already so much alike.
Tyler says, “I don’t want to be quoted.”
Bob says, “Tenderest meat and best au jus dip I ever had, and it was ready to eat as soon as we walked into the house!”
Can you tell my father-in-law doesn’t do any of the cooking? Or understand how a slow cooker works?
World’s Greatest Chili
I know other people claim their chili is the best, and maybe they actually believe it, but those guys are wrong. This right here is the best slow-cooked chili in the land. It’s only an added bonus that it’s modified for the Crock Pot from Nora Ephron’s chili recipe. That lady could write. We all know that. But she could cook her butt off, too.
Slow-Cooked Whole Chicken
This is one that isn’t super exciting, but it is a wonderfully healthy and simple. I love this Slow-Cooked Whole Chicken so hard.
Corn Chowder
This is my seven-year-old son’s favorite recipe, and my brother-in-law, Kirk, picked it, too.
My boy says, “Why are you asking me about Corn Chowder? Oh! Are you making it?”
And Kirk says, “I effing love Corn Chowder.”
When you add these recipes to your rotation, you become one of us. We’re like the Olive Garden: When you’re slow-cooking, you’re family!
