Category: From the Slow Cooker

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.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

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.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

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.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

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
Author Based on a recipe from Kelsey Nixon

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.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Version 2.0

I’m a big fan of taco night. Granted, it’s not real Mexican taco night, but it’ll do. Well-seasoned ground beef, cooked slow all day, soaking up flavor after flavor. Deep, rich flavor in a sauce that is so delicious! Nothing fancy. No fine dining here. Just tasty tacos or taco salads. Perfect on a cold night. Heck, perfect on a hot night too! And nothing could possibly be easier to make than this slow cooker taco meat version 2.0. Why version 2.0? Well, because I knew I could make the original recipe better!

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Version 2.0

I prefer to use my homemade taco seasoning instead of the packets you get in the store when you make this slow cooker taco meat version 2.0. I like to be able to control the amount of salt and making it myself gives me that chance. Also, what do you do if you use up a packet and want more seasoning? Go to the store for a little ole packet?

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

We’re both big fans of Mrs. Renfro’s salsas, and in particular the peach-flavored salsa. It adds a nice mellow sweetness to this slow cooker taco meat. For a nice kick, try Mrs. Renfro’s Mango Habanero salsa. It’ll wake you up!

Also try my slow cooker cheeseburgers.

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Version 2.0
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Taco Meat Version 2.0

I’m a big fan of taco night. Granted, it’s not real Mexican taco night, but it’ll do. Well-seasoned ground beef, cooked slow all day, soaking up flavor after flavor. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, slow cooker, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 25 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 254kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown the ground beef in a large skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain and transfer to a slow cooker.
  • Stir in the remaining ingredients.
  • Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition

Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 528mg | Potassium: 370mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

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)!

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

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.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Cajun Slow Cooker Pot Roast

When I make Cajun slow cooker pot roast I have only one goal in mind: making the perfect pot roast po boy sandwich. Yeah, I could slice it and serve it with mashed potatoes. Or something else. But for me, chop it up fine, pile it up on a crusty roll with some creamy horseradish sauce, chopped lettuce, onion, and tomato and I’m not just sort of happy, I’m in heaven! I like having something crunchy to offset the tenderness of the beef. So, I like to add plenty of lettuce and onion to my sandwiches!

Cajun Slow Cooker Pot Roast

As simple as it is to make, this Cajun slow cooker pot roast is crazy full of flavor. And it’s so tender. And juicy. Oh, that juicy goodness. My mouth is watering just thinking back to my po boy. That sure was a mighty good sandwich. And messy. I’ve always said that the messier the sandwich, the better it’s going to be.

I use a nice French bread roll for my sandwiches. The outside has just right crunch, and the inside is nice and pillow-y soft. Not quite as good as the fantastic po boy bread you can find in New Orleans, but it’ll do in a bind!

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my slow cooker jalapeno pot roast.

Cajun Slow Cooker Pot Roast
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5 from 1 vote

Cajun Slow Cooker Pot Roast

When I make Cajun slow cooker pot roast I have only one goal in mind: making the perfect pot roast po boy sandwich.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Cajun, crockpot, pot roast, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Servings 8 servings
Calories 396kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound chuck roast remove any extra fat
  • 3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • ¼ cup vegetable oil divided
  • ½ cup carrots diced
  • ½ cup celery sliced
  • 1 cup onion chopped
  • 4 cloved garlic minced
  • ¼ cup red wine optional, can just add more broth or use water
  • 2 cups beef broth

Instructions

  • Rub the seasoning over the roast. Don't be shy with it.
  • Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat in a large pan or Dutch oven.
  • Add the carrots, celery and onion and saute until they just start to caramelize..
  • Add the garlic and saute another minute, stirring.
  • Remove the vegetables from the pan and place in a slow cooker set to low. Add the remaining oil.
  • Add the chuck roast and sear well on all sides. Remove to the slow cooker.
  • De-glaze the pan with the red wine, scrapping up any bits that are stuck to the bottom.
  • Add the beef broth and reduce by 1/4th. Pour over meat and vegetables.
  • Cover and cook for 8-10 hours or until tender.
  • Carefully remove the meat and chop or slice as desired. I prefer to return the chopped or sliced meat to the slow cooker until I'm ready to use it.

Nutrition

Calories: 396kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 117mg | Sodium: 375mg | Potassium: 740mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 2680IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 50mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Slow Cooker Garlic Ranch Potatoes

I’m pretty much a meat-and-potatoes guy so these slow cooker garlic Ranch potatoes didn’t last long after I made a batch. I’m a huge fan of baby potatoes because they’re minimal fuss. I don’t cut them in half, though I could. I like them whole. No matter how you cut them, these slow cooker garlic Ranch potatoes are packed with flavor and then some.

Slow Cooker Garlic Ranch Potatoes

The potatoes soak up great Ranch and garlic flavors and get perfectly tender. It’s so much better than boiling potatoes, which can get beat up pretty bad if you don’t watch what you’re doing. Not so in the slow cooker. Just add and cook.

As I mentioned, I do not cut my potatoes in half. Doing so does increase the surface area, and normally that would mean more flavor but these potatoes cook low-and-slow allowing the flavors to be slowly absorbed all the way through. No cutting in half required*

* Unless the potatoes are really big! Then I cut then in half so that they cook in a reasonable time!

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my slow cooker Tennessee-style potatoes.

This recipe is based on a recipe from The Salty Marshmallow.

Slow Cooker Garlic Ranch Potatoes
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Garlic Ranch Potatoes

I’m pretty much a meat-and-potatoes guy so these slow cooker garlic Ranch potatoes didn’t last long after I made a batch.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, garlic, potatoes, Ranch, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 278kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from The Salty Marshmallow

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lightly grease your slow cooker.
  • Add the potatoes.
  • Whisk together the butter, oil, Ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Pour over potatoes.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or until the potatoes are tender (I poke mine with a bamboo skewer).
  • Serve hot garnished with chopped chives, green onions, or parsley.

Nutrition

Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 580mg | Potassium: 976mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 302IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds, with nothing but empty bowls between rounds. That same great flavor as a traditional pot roast, completely amped up with BBQ flavors. This is surprisingly different and really a treat to eat!

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I used a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce when I made this slow cooker BBQ pot roast. You want something with a smoky flavor, and maybe even a bit of a spicy kick. After all, this isn’t your normal pot roast. I wouldn’t go with something that’s over-the-top sweet but a little bit is ok. Just like with the heat. A little heat is a good thing.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

The broth in this pot roast screams ‘dip something in me’. So I made some Italian breadsticks on the side. I saved as much of the broth as I could for the end, at which point I got to soppin’ with my breadsticks!

Also try my slow cooker Mississippi pot roast.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, pot roast, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 627kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Lauren Greutman

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place everything into your slow cooker, starting with the meat first.
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender, stirring every hour after the first 4 hours. Add more water as you go if the pot roast is thicker than you prefer.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 1481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

I have been a huge fan of anything Sloppy Joe since I was a kid. Back then I thought there was only one way to make Sloppy Joes: open a can, warm the sauce, slop it on a bun. Well, times have changed and so has my Sloppy Joes. This slow cooker Sloppy Joes puts that canned stuff to shame. Rich flavorful tomato sauce with a little kick. I loved the combination of ground beef with breakfast sausage. Different. Perfect. And all so easy to make using a slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

I topped my slow cooker Sloppy Joes with a tangy vinegar-based Delta coleslaw. I liked the crunchy contrast. The vinegar in the slaw complimented the vinegar in the meat sauce. I think a creamy coleslaw would have made the sandwiches too creamy. I never thought I’d say that but like I said, my Sloppy Joe game has risen to a whole new level now.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Also try my delicious Bayou version of these sandwiches and my kid’s version, too!

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

This slow cooker Sloppy Joes puts that canned stuff to shame.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sloppy Joes, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 8 servings
Calories 585kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the beef and sausage into a Dutch oven over medium-high heat and cook until just starting to brown.
  • Add the onion and bell pepper and continue cooking until the meats are done. Drain any excess fat.
  • Transfer meat mixture to a slow cooker on low heat.
  • Stir in all of the remaining ingredients except for the buns.
  • Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Add more water, a little at a time, if the mixture gets too thin.
  • Serve over toasted buns.

Nutrition

Calories: 585kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 101mg | Sodium: 1146mg | Potassium: 649mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 571IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 5mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

For years now I’ve been browning ground beef in my homemade taco seasoning to make tacos. On a whim I decided to make slow cooker taco meat. Boy, am I ever glad that I did. Hours in the slow cooker makes browned beef even better. Tender, juicy and tasty. Perfect for taco night!

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

I used a very lean ground beef when I made this taco meat. You don’t want to deal with a bunch of fat floating around the top of your slow cooker. Ewwwww. No, use at least a 90/10 (that’s 90% meat, 10% fat) mix and crumble it well when frying it.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Any extra taco meat freezes very well so don’t be afraid to double the recipe if your slow cooker can handle it.

You’ll want to serve my delicious Mexican rice on the side.

This recipe is based on a recipe from The Prairie Homestead.

Slow Cooker Taco Meat
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Taco Meat

On a whim I decided to make slow cooker taco meat. Boy, am I ever glad that I did. Hours in the slow cooker makes browned beef even better. Tender, juicy and tasty. Perfect for taco night!
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, crockpot, slow cooker, taco
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 20 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 110kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Prairie Homestead

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Crumble the ground beef into a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Cook until just about done.
  • Add the onion and stir. Cook until the beef is cooked through.
  • Transfer meat and onions and all remaining ingredients to a slow cooker.
  • Stir and cook on low 4-6 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 290mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 137IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings

Visit my other site, For The Wing, for all things chicken-wing!

I usually cook wings on my Char-Broil Big Easy or on my charcoal grill using the Vortex. I have to admit, I was pretty pessimistic about the idea of cooking wings in a slow cooker. Would I like the texture? Would they taste as great as wings off the grill?

One thing’s for sure, making Buffalo Ranch wings in a slow cooker really couldn’t get any easier. It was the perfect recipe for my working-from-home lunch. Toss everything in first thing in the morning and at lunch, enjoy some wings!

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings

So how were they? Well, mighty tasty for starters. In fact, I loved the flavor. Big time. Texture-wise, they got barely crispy but the meat was oh-so-tender and juicy. For truly crispy skin you’ll have to leave them under the broiler for a good bit of time, but keep an eye on them. I found the skin to be melt-in-my-mouth tender and I didn’t actually miss not having super-crunchy wings. In fact, it was a nice change. I loved them!

Although not traditional Buffalo wings to a purist, I still enjoyed these slow cooker Buffalo Ranch wings more than I actually thought I would. No mess, no fuss and very tasty. Certainly much easier than firing up a grill or even deep fryer to make a batch of the wings you normally expect.

Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR)

Meijer makes a fantastic Buffalo wild sauce that is great for this recipe. My BBQ Ranch wings are also absolutely yummy!

I absolutely love chicken wings, cooked any way, with any sauce (or without). I love them so much that I created a free eCookbook that is full of my favorite wing recipes.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings
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4.50 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Buffalo Ranch Wings

One thing’s for sure, making Buffalo Ranch wings in a slow cooker really couldn’t get any easier. It was the perfect recipe for my working-from-home lunch. Toss everything in first thing in the morning and at lunch, enjoy some wings!
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Buffalo wings, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 291kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the wings into the bottom of your slow cooker.
  • Combine the wing sauce, Ranch dressing mix and salt and pepper and pour over the wings.
  • Cover and cook on high for 2 1/2 hours – 3 hours until the meat is starting to pull back from the bones.
  • Carefully transfer the wings to a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with non-stick spray. Place under the broiler and broil until just starting to crisp.
  • Let cool slightly then serve with Ranch dressing for dipping.

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 614mg | Potassium: 191mg | Vitamin A: 180IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
VYAJI Silicone Slow Cooker Divider Liners, Fit for Crockpot & Hamilton Beach 6-8QT, Food-Grade Material, Easy Cleanup, Reusable, Eco-Friendly, Replace Disposable Liners That Tend To Leak
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count
Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners, Regular (Fits 3-8 Quarts), 6 Count