50 Slow cooker recipes you can set and forget

Slawomir Fajer // Shutterstock
Slawomir Fajer // Shutterstock

Though the warm days of summer continue to linger, fall is just around the corner, and it's never too early to break out the slow cooker. From comforting soups to fluffy bread, slow cookers are the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it appliance, bringing us a host of meals with minimal effort. It's little wonder that the global market for slow cookers and sous-vide cookers (a similarly hands-off cooking tool) was valued at $9.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach nearly $15.1 billion by 2035.

Considering the average slow cooker runs on about as much energy as a lightbulb, many believe the investment is worthwhile. Home chefs can save money—and valuable time—by relying on these gadgets all year round. Whether you're putting together a family-friendly weeknight meal or cooking a dish for the office potluck, you can't beat the slow cooker for convenience and ease of use. Slow cookers are ideal for meal prep, allowing you to whip up several days' worth of food with minimal work.

To celebrate the humble slow cooker, Stacker compiled a list of recipes from Allrecipes. Many of these can be left to cook overnight or throughout the day, so they're ready for serving when you are, with practically no prepping involved. Read for simple sandwich fillings, rethought mac and cheese, pot roast, and much more.

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1 / 50

Slow Cooker Italian Beef for Sandwiches

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,692 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 12 hours
- Total time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

2 / 50

Slow Cooker Lemon Garlic Chicken II

- Rating: 4.2/5 (1,635 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 3 hours 15 minutes
- Total time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

3 / 50

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,303 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

4 / 50

Slow-Cooker Pepper Steak

- Rating: 4.4/5 (3,602 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 12
- Read more about the recipe here

6 / 50

Charley's Slow Cooker Mexican Style Meat

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,276 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Additional time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 8 hours 50 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

7 / 50

Slow Cooker Ham

- Rating: 4.6/5 (1,434 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 24
- Yield: 24 servings
- Number of ingredients: 2
- Read more about the recipe here

8 / 50

Chicken Cacciatore in a Slow Cooker

- Rating: 4.4/5 (249 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 6 hours
- Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 chicken breast halves
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

9 / 50

Sweet and Savory Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

- Rating: 4.6/5 (277 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Additional time: 8 hours 30 minutes
- Total time: 14 hours 65 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 20
- Read more about the recipe here

11 / 50

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

- Rating: 4.4/5 (403 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Total time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

12 / 50

Easiest Pot Roast Ever

- Rating: 4.4/5 (545 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 5 hours
- Total time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

13 / 50

Smoked Paprika Goulash for the Slow Cooker

- Rating: 4.2/5 (146 reviews)
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

14 / 50

Slow Cooker Chicken Pepperoni

- Rating: 4.0/5 (62 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

16 / 50

White Chicken Enchilada Slow-Cooker Casserole

- Rating: 4.1/5 (240 reviews)
- Prep time: 30 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 10
- Read more about the recipe here

17 / 50

Grandma Maul's Italian Beef

- Rating: 4.3/5 (12 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 10 hours 10 minutes
- Total time: 10 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 1 - 4 pound roast
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

18 / 50

Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Kielbasa with Pineapple

- Rating: 4.4/5 (21 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 3 hours 5 minutes
- Total time: 3 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

19 / 50

Marie's Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,435 reviews)
- Prep time: 40 minutes
- Cook time: 9 hours
- Total time: 9 hours 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

21 / 50

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak

- Rating: 4.6/5 (2,775 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 5 hours
- Total time: 5 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

22 / 50

Mississippi Pot Roast

- Rating: 4.7/5 (460 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 5 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

23 / 50

Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

- Rating: 4.4/5 (9,879 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 6 hours
- Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

24 / 50

Butter Beef

- Rating: 4.2/5 (614 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 5 hours
- Total time: 5 hours 5 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here

26 / 50

Slow Cooker Filipino Chicken Adobo

- Rating: 3.5/5 (15 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 5 hours
- Total time: 5 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

27 / 50

Amazing Pork Tenderloin in the Slow Cooker

- Rating: 4.2/5 (3,576 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

28 / 50

Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

- Rating: 4.7/5 (2,057 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 9 hours
- Total time: 9 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

29 / 50

Easy Slow Cooker Swedish Meatballs

- Rating: 4.7/5 (57 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

31 / 50

Slow Cooker Lasagna

- Rating: 4.3/5 (1,145 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 11
- Read more about the recipe here

32 / 50

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

- Rating: 4.6/5 (5,100 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 7 hours
- Total time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 4
- Read more about the recipe here

33 / 50

Easy Slow Cooker Stroganoff

- Rating: 4.1/5 (42 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

34 / 50

Grandma's Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage, Slow Cooker Variation

- Rating: 4.3/5 (57 reviews)
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Cook time: 7 hours 14 minutes
- Additional time: 5 minutes
- Total time: 7 hours 44 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

36 / 50

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

- Rating: 4.4/5 (403 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- Total time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

37 / 50

Tequila Slow-Cooked Beef Enchiladas

- Rating: 3.8/5 (12 reviews)
- Prep time: 45 minutes
- Cook time: 13 hours 10 minutes
- Additional time: 30 minutes
- Total time: 13 hours 85 minutes
- Servings: 12
- Yield: 12 servings
- Number of ingredients: 13
- Read more about the recipe here

38 / 50

Fiesta Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos

- Rating: 4.6/5 (167 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 6 hours
- Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 8
- Yield: 8 servings
- Number of ingredients: 3
- Read more about the recipe here

39 / 50

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

- Rating: 4.5/5 (710 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Total time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 14
- Read more about the recipe here

41 / 50

Easy Slow Cooker French Dip

- Rating: 4.5/5 (4,196 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 7 hours
- Total time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 9
- Yield: 9 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

42 / 50

Zesty Slow Cooker Chicken Barbecue

- Rating: 4.6/5 (6,429 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

43 / 50

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

- Rating: 4.4/5 (2,544 reviews)
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 7 hours
- Total time: 7 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 sandwiches
- Number of ingredients: 5
- Read more about the recipe here

44 / 50

London Broil for the Slow Cooker

- Rating: 4.3/5 (463 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 7 hours
- Total time: 7 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 5
- Yield: 5 servings
- Number of ingredients: 7
- Read more about the recipe here

45 / 50

Jennie's Heavenly Slow Cooker Chicken

- Rating: 4.4/5 (913 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 4 hours
- Total time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

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46 / 50

Easy Slow Cooker Meatballs

- Rating: 4.2/5 (688 reviews)
- Prep time: 20 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 20 minutes
- Servings: 16
- Yield: 16 meatballs
- Number of ingredients: 9
- Read more about the recipe here

47 / 50

Slow Cooker Pineapple-BBQ Meatballs

- Rating: 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Cook time: 2 hours
- Total time: 2 hours 5 minutes
- Servings: 10
- Yield: 10 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here

48 / 50

Slow Cooker Venison Roast

- Rating: 4.5/5 (429 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 6 hours
- Total time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 6
- Yield: 6 servings
- Number of ingredients: 8
- Read more about the recipe here

49 / 50

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff I

- Rating: 4.4/5 (4,301 reviews)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 8 hours
- Total time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Yield: 4 servings
- Number of ingredients: 6
- Read more about the recipe here