Crockpot Meal Ideas

These crockpot meal ideas can help save you time and get you out of the kitchen faster.

I love using the crockpot because I love the idea of fixing something in the morning and then forgetting about it all day until ready to serve. It can be a busy mother's best friend. I think the crockpot is also a kitchen appliance many of us forget about and don't utilize for its full potential.

One of the best features of the crock pot is how it does its job, cooking a full meal, in so little space. Unlike the oven and cook-top, the crock pot can be relegated to a corner and go about its business virtually unseen. It frees up your time and saves energy as well.

Our Easy Crockpot Recipes Cookbook will help you implement crockpot cooking in your meal plans and provide you with over 2 months worth of crockpot meal ideas.

Download our 80 page ebook and start planning your crockpot meal ideas within minutes.

Tips for Using the Crockpot

Don't cook dairy products, such as cheese or sour cream, in the crockpot for the whole cooking time.

Brown your meat before placing in a crock pot. It is an extra step but will make a big difference in flavor. However, having said that if you don't want to do it recipes will still turn out fine, browning will "keep it up a notch."

If you are in the market to buy a new crockpot look for a crock pot that the inside pot comes out and you can bring it right to the dinner table.

Cut your meat and vegetables in small even pieces to provide even cooking time.

Choosing the Best Crock Pot

Before you explore crockpot meal ideas and recipes you'll need a good crock pot that you can rely on. Think about these tips when buying a new crock pot. A crock pot is made up of three main parts

The outer shell or base
The outer shell should stay rather cool to the touch. You should be able to wash off the surface with a damp rag without too much trouble. Look for skid-proof feet on the bottom to keep the crock pot from slipping around the counter top while you're preparing your meal. The outer shell also houses the controls, so check to see if they are sturdy, well situated, and easy to see.

The inner stoneware or crock insert
The inner stoneware section, or 'crock,' should be rather resilient and feel sturdy. The crock is not unbreakable, so if you drop it on a solid floor, it may break. However, it should feel solid in your hands. The best crock pots have a removable insert so it makes serving and clean up easy. You'll also want to be sure you can get your hands on the crock handles and easily lift it out of the outer shell without struggling.

The lid
The lid, while simple in design, is one of the reasons crock pots work so well. The best lids have a separate knob protruding out of the top. This separation of materials helps to keep the knob cool to the touch while the rest of the device heats up.

The lid should also have a good seal around the outside edge, in order to keep the heat and liquids from escaping. Glass lids used to be the standard, but nowadays the plastic ones are just as nice and they have the added benefit of being lighter, which makes them easier to handle.

3 quart Crockpot

7 quart Crockpot

Electrical Setting Crock Pot

Our Favorite Crockpot Meal Ideas

Bean Chili
This is not your ordinary chili. It is perfect to use on top of greens for a taco salad or nachos or eat it as is for a thick soup.

1/2 lb. ground hamburger, cooked
2 1/2 Cups black beans, if using canned, drain and rinse
6 oz. can tomato sauce
1 Tablespoon taco seasoning, or more to taste
Place ingredients in crockpot and cook on low about 4 hours. If making taco salad serve with lettuce, shredded cheese, olives and sour cream. Nachos are also great just place mixture on crushed tortilla chips and sprinkle with cheese.

More Chili Recipes including White Chili

Crockpot Roast Chicken

Chicken Squash
4 chicken breasts
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
1 acorn squash, peeled and chopped
1 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 Cup honey
Peel and chop carrots and parsnips. Place on bottom of crock pot. Place chicken breasts on top of carrots. Place chopped squash on top. In mixing bowl, blend together broth, garlic, pepper, nutmeg and honey. Pour over all chicken and vegetables. Cook for 6-8 hours on low.

How to make a roast in the crock pot

Easy Spaghetti and Meatballs

You can create this easy dish in the morning and place in the crockpot. When you come home or at dinner time cook your noodles and you're ready to eat.

1 lb. frozen precooked meatballs
1 jar (26 oz) favorite spaghetti sauce or tomato sauce
1 onion, chopped, optional
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning or parsley

Place meatballs in crockpot. Add in sauce, chopped onion if desired, seasoning and garlic. Cook for 6-8 hours on low.

Crockpot Apple Raisin Ham

1 (1.5 lb) honey baked ham
1 can apple pie filling
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup water

Mix together the apple pie filling, raisins, orange juice, and water. Set ham in crockpot and spread mixture over ham. Set crockpot to Low heat, cover, and cook for 4 to 5 hours. This makes a nice dish for any special occasion.

Crockpot Apple Brats and Kraut

1 lb. bratwursts, cut in fourths on a diagonal
4 green apples cut in slices
1 (27 oz) can sauerkraut
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup water

Add all ingredients to crock pot and cook for 4-5 hours on low.

Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms

This recipe is a quick put together crockpot meal ideas. It makes a nice broth that can go over rice or noodles.

crockpot mushrooms and chicken

5 chicken breasts
4 oz. fresh mushrooms, saute or use canned 16 oz. mushrooms and drain
1 cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
salt and pepper to taste

Add chicken and mushrooms in crockpot. Pour chicken broth over top and stir in Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Cook on low 8 hours or on high for 6 hours.

Crockpot Meal Ideas-Pork Recipes

Applesauce Pork Chops

Barbecue Pork Chops

Chalupas- using pork roast

Peachy Pork Chops
can cream mushroom soup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¼ Cup water
½ teaspoon cinnamon
peach juice from 8 oz. can peaches
6 boneless pork chops
2 Cups fresh peaches or canned peaches
Combine cinnamon, soup, Worcestershire sauce, peach juice and water in bowl. Stir together. Place pork chops in crock pot and pour mixture over top. Place peaches over pork chops. Cook 4-6 hours.

Crockpot Cherry Pork Chops

6 pork chops (3/4 inch thick)
1 cup cherry pie filling
2 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp chicken bouillon
salt and pepper to taste

Brown pork chops in skillet on both sides. Add to crock pot. Stir together cherry pie, lemon juice, bouillon and salt and pepper in a small dish. Pour over pork chops and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Crockpot Spicy Spareribs

3 lbs. pork spareribs, cut into serving size pieces
salt and pepper to taste
2 cans (15 oz size) fire roasted diced tomatoes with garlic
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
3 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp cornstarch
Brown ribs in a skillet on the stove on each side. Place in crockpot. Pour tomatoes, onions and celery over the top. Season with salt and pepper. In a small glass stir together water and cornstarch this will thicken the sauce. Pour over ribs and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with extra sauce from the crockpot.

Crockpot Meal Ideas Cookbook

Download our 80 page ebook and start planning your crockpot meals within minutes.
Easy Crockpot Recipes Ebook

Share your crockpot meal ideas and recipes!

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