25 Unique Slow Cooker Recipes You Should Be Cooking This Fall (2024)

These fall slow cooker recipes will add new life to everything from your weeknight meals to your movie night snacks! Leaving out the typical soups or hearty stews, we found 25 unique fall recipes that will have you using this classic kitchen appliance even more often!

Slow cookers allow you to sort of “set it and forget it” and we can all use some more of that in our day. But they can also be used to create next-level meals that will have your family begging for more. You can put together make ahead meals that just get better over time. You can deconstruct classic dishes to make easier versions in casserole form. And you might not immediately think of using your slow cooker to make a savory snack or a delicious baked good, but why not? Scroll down to see the 25 delicious recipes you aren’t making this fall, but should be.

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SLOW COOKER SWEET STUFF

Maybe you’ve tried apple butter, but pear butter is a delicious alternative that should be added to your fall recipe rotation.

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If you have leftover cranberries from Thanksgiving, try this Cranberry Apple French Toast in your slow cooker. It’s the perfect way to use them up and make an easy breakfast that is sure to please the family!

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Not many people think about making drinks in their slow cooker, but this hot chocolate recipe will have you rethinking the way you can use this trusty appliance.

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SLOW COOKER MAKE AHEAD RECIPES

Need to update your family pasta night? Serve this short rib ragu over gnocchi and take your pasta dinner to another level!

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Snacks in the slow cooker? Yes, this fiesta ranch snack mix can be easily made and will provide snacks for family movie night or the busy week ahead.

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Using your crock pot to make Italian beef sandwich meat is a genius move. You won’t have to scramble to make your work from home lunch between all of those Zoom meetings, it will be ready to go.

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SLOW COOKER EASY DINNER IDEAS

This hearty and healthy slow cooker kofta recipe is fantastic with some rice or bread to soak up all that delicious sauce! Or you can eat it on its own to keep it paleo and whole 30.

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Most people don’t attempt to make pies in a crock pot, but they should try this chicken pot pie recipe! It’s so much easier for a weeknight dinner without the fuss of a perfect crust.

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Who is making an entire pork tenderloin recipe in their crock pot with only 5 ingredients? These ladies are! And bonus points because it’s also healthy.

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Want to make stuffed cabbage without trying to roll delicate cabbage leaves full of filling? Make a stuffed cabbage casserole in the crock pot that is effortless and just as tasty!

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Did you know that you can throw your uncooked pasta noodles in your slow cooker? Just add them in with your sauce and other ingredients for a delicious spaghetti dinner. Here is the easiest crockpot spaghetti recipe.

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Everyone needs a good meatloaf recipe, and this one will be ready as soon as you get home! Putting together this crockpot meatloaf recipe is even easier than normal because it uses dried stuffing mix in place of breadcrumbs, and your seasonings are already mixed in!

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MORE SLOW COOKER MEAL IDEAS

Ok, yes you have made chili in your crock pot. You’ve seen a million recipes. But you haven’t tasted anything quite like this autumn recipe for chicken apple cider chili. It’s the perfect fall addition to your slow cooker repertoire.

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The idea of cooking salmon in the slow cooker might surprise you, but it’s actually a great way to keep the moisture in your fish. You can throw in a bag of frozen stir fry veggies and your sauce, and you’ll have an easy and healthy salmon dinner! Check out this recipe for savory salmon with Asian vegetables.

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Have you made stuffing in your crockpot? Yes, we know it’s stuffing and is typically “stuffed” in a turkey or chicken, but there’s not enough room in the bird for the amount you’ll need to keep your family happy. Why not cook a large batch with this slow cooker stuffing recipe so you’ll have plenty of everyone’s favorite fall side dish.

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MAXIMIZE LEFTOVER FOODS

If you have leftover chicken and aren’t sure what to make, the tastiest option is these chicken enchiladas. Fill tortillas with cooked chicken and other ingredients you have on hand, place in your slow cooker, cover with sauce and enjoy in 60 minutes!

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So many fall recipes call for chicken or vegetable broth, so why not have your slow cooker make it for you! You can save some scraps from cooking a chicken or vegetables, and put together a healthy broth that you can freeze and use in your cooking throughout the season.

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SLOW COOKER DESSERTS

Can’t think about making dessert because your main dishes take too much time and attention? You can still have a sweet ending to your meal with these easy chocolate brownies with peanut butter chips. Just whisk together all your ingredients and add them to a parchment lined slow cooker for an easy, hands off dessert.

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Baking cheesecake in the slow cooker is actually a foolproof method that creates a smooth filing and helps to minimize cracks. Low and slow is the key! Try this pumpkin cheesecake recipe that will wow your guests or family this holiday!

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Creating your own chocolate candy is a fun holiday activity with the kids. Use your slow cooker to melt together chocolate and your other favorite ingredients for a delicious custom candy treat!

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SLOW COOKER BAKING

Fall is full of busy mornings and getting back to the grind, so why not cook breakfast while you sleep? This overnight crockpot breakfast casserole will be ready when you wake up – what a delicious way to save time in the morning!

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You can bake more than dessert in your crock pot! This recipe for slow cooker sweet potatoes is the perfect way to cook “baked” potatoes while your oven is working on another part of your meal.

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Once you bake bread in your slow cooker, you will want to make your own soft, fresh bread every week! Try this slow cooker bread recipe for fuss-free free bread baking.

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You don’t have to use an oven to make a pizza? That’s right. Here is a slow cooker pizza recipe that is fluffy and delicious. The only hard part about it will be if you have to share.

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SLOW COOKER SCENTS

Don’t feel like cooking at all, but want your house to smell like the foods of fall? Try making this fragrant fall recipe for cinnamon and orange potpourri in your crock pot.

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Contents

  • 1 SLOW COOKER SWEET STUFF
  • 2 SLOW COOKER MAKE AHEAD RECIPES
  • 3 SLOW COOKER EASY DINNER IDEAS
  • 4 MORE SLOW COOKER MEAL IDEAS
  • 5 MAXIMIZE LEFTOVER FOODS
  • 6 SLOW COOKER DESSERTS
  • 7 SLOW COOKER BAKING
  • 8 SLOW COOKER SCENTS

About Mamas Uncut

Mamas Uncut is THE online place for moms. We cover the latest about motherhood, parenting, and entertainment as well – all with a mom-focused twist. So if you're looking for parenting advice from real parents, we have plenty of it, all for moms from moms, and also experts. Because, at the end of the day, our mission is focused solely on empowering moms and moms-to-be with the knowledge and answers they’re looking for in one safe space.

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25 Unique Slow Cooker Recipes You Should Be Cooking This Fall (2024)

FAQs

What is good to cook in a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish. Bulk up with vegetables instead.

How do you mimic a slow cooker? ›

Opt for a heavy, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid, like a Staub or Le Creuset Dutch oven, to mimic the moisture retention of a slow cooker. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents excessive drying out. Slow cookers are designed to trap moisture, leading to a self-basting environment.

What makes a slow cooker special? ›

Slow cookers are less energy intensive than conventional electric ovens, and therefore more economical. They also offer a healthier, low-fat way of cooking and often preserve more nutrients than other methods like baking, boiling and frying. For inspiration, check out our collection of healthy slow cooker recipes.

Why do you put a tea towel under a slow cooker lid? ›

Soak up the condensation

Taste user Jenny says she puts a tea towel under her crockpot lid to catch water and stop it thinning too much. This technique is also a favourite with taste's food editor Miranda.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

What is the best meat to slow cook? ›

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

What can you not put in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

✔️ Instant Pots are multi-functional.

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

What is another name for a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker, also known as a crock-pot (after a trademark owned by Sunbeam Products but sometimes used generically in the English-speaking world), is a countertop electrical cooking appliance used to simmer at a lower temperature than other cooking methods, such as baking, boiling, and frying.

Can I use my stove as a slow cooker? ›

If you don't have a slow cooker, you can slow cook right on stovetop using a cooking pot that has a heavy build (like a Dutch oven) so it can disperse heat evenly to the food cooking inside. You should cover it well with a lid, keep the heat low and keep checking food in between so it does not run out of liquid.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

Food texture changes: Canned foods, such as vegetables, can become too mushy in a slow cooker. It's better to use them fresh or frozen. But, frozen veggies tend to make the texture of the dish more “watery”.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off? ›

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

"Raw meat is a slow-cooker staple, but you may need to add it to the pot before adding other ingredients like green vegetables," she shared. "Browning meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker has been a game-changer for my slow-cooker meals.

How not to use a slow cooker? ›

7 Slow Cooker Mistakes to Avoid, According to Chefs
  1. Adding Delicate Vegetables Too Early. ...
  2. Overfilling the Slow Cooker. ...
  3. Using a Slow Cooker to Reheat Food. ...
  4. Not Reducing Liquid for Soups and Stews. ...
  5. Not Searing Meat Before Putting It in a Slow Cooker. ...
  6. Putting Frozen Foods in a Slow Cooker. ...
  7. Adding Fresh Herbs Too Early.
Sep 15, 2023

Why does my slow cooker burn everything? ›

Editor: It sounds like the temperature might be too high on your slow cooker, or the dishes might be cooking too long.

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