Slow Cooker Kielbasa Sauerkraut and Potato Soup

It was cold. Darned cold. And windy. Just yucky out. But it was nice inside because I had a big ole batch of slow cooker kielbasa and sauerkraut and potato soup. Yeah it’s a mouthful to say, but it’s great German-inspired comfort food at its best. Nothing fancy. Great kraut flavor, but not so overpowering. Tender potatoes that soak up lots of flavor after hours and hours in the slow cooker. Kielbasa sausage.in every bite. Yes, every bite! Like I said, nothing fancy. Just good.

Slow Cooker Kielbasa sauerkraut and Potato Soup

If you’re not a big fan of caraway seeds you can actually leave them out and still have a great tasting slow cooker kielbasa sauerkraut and potato soup. Trust me. My wife isn’t a fan of them, so I had to omit them. This despite the fact that it pained the German in me greatly.

I used Russet potatoes because they are my favorite and I always have a big bag of them on hand. You can substitute other potatoes. Just make sure that the potatoes are all about the same size so they cook in the same time. If you use smaller potatoes you might have to reduce the cook time a little.

Also try my slow cooker spicy kielbasa cabbage soup.

Slow Cooker Kielbasa sauerkraut and Potato Soup
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Kielbasa Sauerkraut and Potato Soup

You can leave out the caraway seeds if they aren't your favorite.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword mashed potatoes, sauerkraut, sausage
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Servings 6
Calories 445kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Polish sausage pre-cooked. Sliced then sliced again into half circles
  • 2 pounds sauerkraut rinsed, drained. You can use less if you want.
  • 6 medium Russet potatoes cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon caraway seed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  • Brown the cut sausage in a skillet over medium-high heat. Transfer to a slow cooker.
  • Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours or until the potatoes are fork-tender but not falling apart. Stir gently every hour or so.

Nutrition

Calories: 445kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 1674mg | Potassium: 1330mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Florida Sunshine Carrots

It’s not that I don’t like carrots. It’s just that they aren’t the first thing I think of when I am coming up with a side dish for dinner. They just don’t wow me. Or rather, they didn’t used to wow me. These slow cooker Florida Sunshine carrots changed that. This is about the easiest recipe ever. And the best. The end result was flavor-packed, tender carrots that have a slight sweetness to them. And a slight pineapple flavor that makes them even more special. I actually could not stop eating them!

Slow Cooker Florida Sunshine Carrots

The recipe for these slow cooker Florida Sunshine carrots came from a wonderful cookbook, The Southern Slow Cooker Bible. It is packed with recipe after recipe of delicious southern-inspired dishes. I can’t recommend it enough. Heck, I got this wonderful side from it. It made a carrot lover out of me!

I did not garnish these carrots with toasted coconut like the original recipe stated. After tasting the carrots right out of the slow cooker I decided that they were perfect as they were. Yeah, I love coconut, and it’s hard to turn it down, but I really felt I’d enjoy this side dish as-is. And I did! Maybe I’ll add coconut next time.

Slow Cooker Florida Sunshine Carrots
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Florida Sunshine Carrots

I skipped the coconut because the carrots are amazing without it.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword carrots
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours
Servings 8
Calories 141kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Spray the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • Add the carrots. Top with the pineapple, also adding any juices.
  • Sprinkle with the brown sugar and dot with the butter.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-5 hours or until just tender.
  • Add salt and stir.
  • Serve garnished with toasted coconut (if desired).

Nutrition

Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 417mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 19046IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 54mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

This is when I have to admit that I’m addicted to onion rings. I love them dipped in ketchup, BBQ sauce or remoulade, but I love them even more on a great sandwich or burger. So, I decided on slow cooker barbecue beef sandwiches. I made a big slow cooker full of barbecue beef, spooned it onto buns, topped it with as many onion rings as I could fit, and a bit of extra sharp cheddar cheese, and I was happy. The crunchy rings are a nice contrast to the tender, juicy beef. And yeah, I did have more rings on the side. Darn right I did. I’m addicted to them.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

The beef on these slow cooker barbecue beef sandwiches is really flavorful and tender. Does it taste like a brisket that has been smoked for 14 hours? No. But it’s mighty good, and not just great on sandwiches, either. Save a little for nachos or for topping hot dogs or burgers.

Yes, you could skip the onion rings. You could add sliced red onion instead. I recommend letting the onion soak in cold water for at least 10 minutes before using. That’ll help cut some of the onion-ness.

Also try my slow cooker Hungarian beef.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches

I made a big slow cooker full of barbecue beef, spooned it onto buns, topped it with as many onion rings as I could fit, and a bit of extra sharp cheddar cheese, and I was happy.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 sandwiches
Calories 567kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the roast into your slow cooker.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the ketchup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, liquid smoke, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Pour the mixture over the beef.
  • Cover and cook on low 8-10 hours or until the beef is tender.
  • Carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred with a fork.
  • Divide beef between buns.
  • Top with onion rings and cheese and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 567kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 132mg | Sodium: 1082mg | Potassium: 831mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 401IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 226mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

I have a slow cooker for the same reason most people have one: it’s easy. But even though I like easy, I love flavor more. I won’t trade taste for convenience, which is why I really liked these slow cooker steak fajitas. The beef simmers low and slow, taking on the great flavors from onion, peppers and salsa, along with a really fantastic fajita seasoning.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

I topped these slow cooker steak fajitas with a very simple but flavorful sour cream mixture. All you do is take a little sour cream and add chipotles in adobo. In a crunch for time? Just use chipotle salsa instead of chopping chipotles.

The better the salsa you use the better these fajitas will be. Don’t opt for the cheap stuff.

Also try my slow cooker Sloppy Joes.

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Steak Fajitas

I won’t trade taste for convenience, which is why I really liked these slow cooker steak fajitas. The beef simmers low and slow, taking on the great flavors from onion, peppers and salsa, along with a really fantastic fajita seasoning.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, slow cooker, southwestern, steak
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 420kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

For the fajitas

  • 2 pounds beef sliced thin (I used ribeye)
  • 1 red bell pepper sliced thin
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced thin
  • 1 sweet onion sliced thin
  • 20 ounces salsa
  • 2 tablespoons fajita seasoning store-bought or make your own using the recipe below
  • flour tortillas or corn, warmed
  • chipotle sour cream for serving (just mix a tablespoon or so of chopped chipotles in adobo with sour cream)

For the fajita seasoning

Instructions

For the fajitas

  • Turn on your slow cooker, setting the temperature to low.
  • Add the salsa then the remaining ingredients except for the tortillas and topping.
  • Cook for 6-8 hours or until the beef is tender.
  • Serve on warmed tortillas topped with chipotle sour cream.

For the fajita seasoning

  • Combine all ingredients. Store unused portion in an air-right container.

Nutrition

Calories: 420kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 520mg | Potassium: 597mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1140IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

This slow cooker cheesesteak isn’t meant to be Philly cheesesteak. It’s nothing fancy. Oh you could add peppers or whatever if you want, and it’d be great. But for me, what I needed was something tasty, cheesy, meaty and done with minimal trouble. And that’s exactly what I got. This is a great sandwich any time of the year, but it really hit the spot after I had finished shoveling snow out of the driveway. I was hungry. It was slow cooker cheesesteak time.

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

You can use fresh ribeye, sliced super thin, if you want. For my slow cooker cheesesteaks I used the pre-sliced frozen ribeye I can find in my grocer’s freezer case. It’s right by the Steak Ums, but unlike them, the steak is nothing but sliced steak. It always comes out super tender and it’s actually very reasonably priced. And as an added bonus, I don’t have to slice steak into thin pieces. That can be a bit challenging.

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Cheesesteaks

You can use fresh ribeye, sliced super thin, if you want.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker, steak
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Servings 8
Calories 551kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lightly spray your slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • Add in the onion and steak and the jalapeno, if using. Season well with salt and pepper. Stir, cover and cook on high for 2 hours.
  • Add the Velveeta. Cover and cook on low for 1 more hour.
  • Stir. Serve on rolls.

Nutrition

Calories: 551kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 1270mg | Potassium: 641mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 575IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 400mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Kid’s Sloppy Joe

This slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe is the easiest recipe ever. The beef soaks up all that great seasoning after a few hours in the crockpot, making it better than the old skillet version in my opinion. I don’t know where it went, but summer up and left and it got cool, fast. I instantly went into hunker-down, comfort food mode. One of my all-time favorite cooler weather foods is a Sloppy Joe. Messy, beefy, tasty sandwiches. You can’t beat that.

Slow Cooker Kid's Sloppy Joe

I don’t put anything on my slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe. No cheese. No extra onions. And no jalapenos. Nothing. I keep it simple, like I remember as a kid. This isn’t the time for fru-fru, this is the time for good ole eats.

Now, I do have one sort of indulgence. I have to toast my buns. I just cannot stand soggy slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe buns. The longer that saucy sauce sits the more the buns soak it in and they get soggy and mushy. As a kid I would request (nicely of course) that my mom get my hamburger buns extra crispy. Not burned, just crispy.

Also try my grown-up Sloppy Joes and my crazy-good open-faced garlic toast Sloppy Joes. Or my even more grown-up mango jalapeno version!

Slow Cooker Kid's Sloppy Joe
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3 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Kid’s Sloppy Joe

I like to keep these simple, like I remember as a kid.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Servings 12
Calories 394kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
  • Add the bell pepper, ketchup, Sloppy Joe seasoning mix and mustard to a large slow cooker that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick spray.
  • Add the cooked beef and stir well.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over buns (toasted if desired).

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

On a bun. As a dip. In a wrap. On a cracker. It doesn’t matter how you serve this slow cooker creamy bacon chicken, you’re going to love it. Tender, moist chicken. Creamy cheese. Bacon. Ranch dressing flavors. Bacon. Oh, I said that already. I love bacon. There’s no reason that you couldn’t add a bit more bacon to the crockpot. Kinda slip an extra piece or two in for that extra bacon-y flavor.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

Slow cooker creamy bacon chicken is mighty darned good as it is. Now, you know me (or well, maybe you don’t) but I like a little kick to my food. I would not be afraid to use jalapeno cream cheese instead of the plain stuff. And I wouldn’t be afraid to add a few squirts of Sriracha or my favorite hot sauce, either. Heck, throw in some diced roasted jalapenos too. You can always make two versions. One nice and mellow and one nice and spicy.

If you want your chicken to have a bit more texture than the shredded version in the recipe, just cut into small cubes instead. Same great taste with a little bit different bite.

Also try my slow cooker teriyaki chicken.

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Creamy Bacon Chicken

On a bun. As a dip. It doesn’t matter how you serve this slow cooker creamy bacon chicken, you’re going to love it. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 332kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place chicken into your slow cooker.
  • Top with the cheese and dressing seasoning.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the chicken is tender.
  • Remove the chicken and shred with a fork.
  • Return the meat to the slow cooker. Stir in the bacon.
  • Serve as a dip or on buns with extra sharp cheddar cheese as sandwiches.

Nutrition

Calories: 332kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 452mg | Potassium: 635mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

I know my buddies on the grilling and smoker forums are going to give me grief over making slow cooker baby back ribs. But I am always up to trying something new (to me). Now, yes, I know these baby back ribs don’t sit in a smoker for 6 or so hours and get a beautiful smoke ring. But, they are tender, almost fall-off-the-bone tender, and with a little help, quite tasty. And hey, when it’s blowing 45 MPH winds outside with a wind chill well below 0, slow cooker baby back ribs will do just nicely.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Like with boiling ribs (ok, don’t hate me for boiling ribs!) before grilling them, you have to add something so that the ribs get some flavor to them. Last time I boiled ribs, I added Old Bay seafood boil seasoning. When I made these baby back ribs I added a drop or two of liquid smoke and a little smoky BBQ sauce to boot. Sure, it’s not the same as sitting over hickory smoke for a long time, but those smoky flavors do absorb into the meat as it cooks.

Also try my slow cooker Vietnamese ribs.

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Baby Back Ribs

Sure, it's not the same as sitting over hickory smoke for a long time, but those smoky flavors do absorb into the meat as it cooks.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, ribs, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 487kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Separate the ribs into sections, 2-3 bones each.
  • Season the ribs on both sides with plenty of salt and pepper. Don’t be shy.
  • Add the water to the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Stir in 1/4 cup of the BBQ sauce.
  • Add the ribs. Top with the onion and sprinkle with the garlic.
  • Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375 F.
  • Remove ribs, discarding the onion.
  • Coat ribs in BBQ sauce on all sides.
  • Place on a foil-lined baking sheet and bake for 10-15 minutes or until the sauce has set.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 148mg | Sodium: 190mg | Potassium: 552mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 47IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Wow, we were blown away with just how fantastic this slow cooker creamed corn was. Some of the credit goes to using the best sweet corn around, My Dad’s Sweet Corn. I put up a big batch of corn each summer for days just like today: cloudy, cold and dreary. The corn is creamy and sweet and smells, looks and tastes like summer.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Corn from cans can be used instead of fresh, just drain the cans before adding to the slow cooker. For a spicier version of slow cooker creamed corn, use only half a brick of cream cheese and add 1/2 cup of cubed pepper jack cheese instead. Or a bit of cayenne pepper, but not much. You don’t want to bury the tremendous sweetness of the corn.

Also try my southern creamed corn.

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Creamed Corn

Wow, we were blown away with just how fantastic this slow cooker creamed corn was. The corn is creamy and sweet and smells, looks and tastes like summer.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword corn, crockpot, slow cooker
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours
Servings 10 -12 servings
Calories 255kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 6 cups corn kernels 3 cans, drained, if using canned, or scraped from 8 ears if using fresh
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
  • Kosher salt
  • ground black pepper
  • 1 stick unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Place corn, milk, sugar and cream cheese into a slow cooker.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook on low for 5 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Add the stick of butter and cook another hour, stirring occasionally.
  • Check seasoning and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 267mg | Potassium: 201mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 670IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Beans ‘n Wieners

When I was a kid bean n’ wieners were one of my favorites. Here I am many years later and well, nothing much has changed because I still love them. I still eat most of the sauce first, saving the hot dogs for last. My grown-up version is slow cooker beans ‘n wieners. Cooked for hours so that that great sauce flavors the beans and hot dogs just perfectly. A big bowl can chase away the cold weather, and quick. I call it the perfect dish after shoveling the snow off the driveway! Heck, it’s perfect without going outside. Looking out the window on a cold winter’s day is enough to make me want a big bowl!

Slow Cooker Beans 'n Wieners

This recipe for slow cooker beans ‘n wieners is perfect as it is, but you can add a bit of heat if you want. Just add a small can of chopped roasted jalapenos in at the start and let that great heat get slow cooked into the rest of the ingredients. Starting with quality canned pork and beans gives you a better end result, but you can get by with your store’s generic too (I did)!

Also try my quick fix BBQ beans!

Slow Cooker Beans 'n Wieners
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Beans ‘n Wieners

When I was a kid bean n’ wieners were one of my favorites. Here I am many years later and well, nothing much has changed because I still love them. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beans, crockpot, hot dogs, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 193kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients into a slow cooker.
  • Stir and cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 26mg | Sodium: 544mg | Potassium: 302mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.