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  4. Sensational 3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Recipes

Sensational 3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Recipes

Mary Shannon Hodes, Associate Digital Editor at Southern Living
By Mary Shannon Wells
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Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs
Credit: Pinterest/ifoodreal

The slow cooker is a wonderful, helpful kitchen tool ( most of the time). Slow cookers ensure busy cooks that they, too, can get a delicious meal on the table on hectic days. On behalf of these three-ingredient slow-cooker recipes, I'm here to inform you that the world of slow-cooker recipes has improved. As you might imagine, three-ingredient recipes are as easy as dumping the ingredients into the slow cooker, and letting it take over. But the even more exciting news? These recipes are budget-friendly, too. When we say "budget-friendly," we're being modest—these recipes are downright cheap. But we have even more good news: our recipes go beyond dinner. Whether you need an afternoon snack, a party appetizer for a crowd, an inlaws-are-visiting dinner, or a kid-friendly dessert, there's a three-ingredient recipe ready for you. With these easy and creative ideas, you might actually have time (and money) to spend on yourself this week.  

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All You Need For These Simple Meals is a Few Ingredients and a Slow Cooker

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Slow-Cooker Grits

Slow-Cooker Grits
Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grits

Instead of sitting over the stovetop, let your slow cooker prep them for you. With a big batch of slow-cooker grits, you can have Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole for breakfast and Gulf Coast Shrimp and Grits for dinner.

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Slow-Cooker Ravioli

Slow-Cooker Ravioli
Credit: Pinterest/Kitchen Meets Girl

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Ravioli

You're three store-bought ingredients away from a kid-and budget-friendly weeknight meal.

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Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks

Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks
Credit: Pinterest/The Frugal Girls

Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks

We have plenty of wing recipes in our repertoire, but making drumsticks in the slow cooker is busy-chef approved.

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Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Credit: Pinterest/Lord Byron’s Kitchen

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Pot roast is a comforting meal made to serve a crowd that won't break the bank.

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Creamy Buffalo Chicken

Creamy Buffalo Chicken
Credit: Pinterest/Foodie with Family

Recipe: Creamy Buffalo Chicken

This versatile recipe can be used as a dip with chips or in sandwiches, wraps, and more. Plus, there are Instant Pot, slow cooker, and stovetop options for preparation.

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Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs
Credit: Pinterest/ifoodreal

Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs

This Thai-inspired dinner is a healthy and low-cost way to get varied flavors in your kids' diets.

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Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
Credit: Pinterest/Dinner, then Dessert

Recipe: Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

This slow-cooker recipe just made your Easter main dish prep a breeze. Now you can focus on perfecting that Pineapple Casserole for Mama.

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Creamy Baby Bella Chicken

Creamy Baby Bella Chicken
Credit: Pinterest/Cutefetti

Recipe: Creamy Creamy Baby Bella Chicken

This dinner has all the comfort and richness of a casserole with the ease of a dump-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker meal.

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3-Ingredient Pulled Pork

3-Ingredient Pulled Pork
Credit: Pinterest/Tablespoon

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Pulled Pork

If you're not a barbecue pitmaster, you can still make flavorful pulled pork in the slow cooker. Pair with one of our favorite barbecue side dishes, and you've got cookout-worthy meal.

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Easy Chili

Easy Chili
Credit: Pinterest/Yellow Bliss Road

Recipe: Easy Chili

This three-ingredient recipe, excluding toppings, gives a stovetop and slow-cooker option. A warm bowl of chili has never been easier to make.

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Three-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Three-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
Credit: Pinterest/Creme de la Crumb

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Cranberry Chicken

This juicy chicken dinner recipe is a pleasant switch-up from the ones you've been keeping in rotation for too long now.

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Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Slow Cooker Beef Tips
Credit: Pinterest/Life with the Crust Cut Off

Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

These three-ingredient beef tips are delicious served over egg noodles or rice, and the kids will love them.

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Slow-Cooker Ranch Mushrooms

Slow-Cooker Ranch Mushrooms
Credit: Pinterest/The Chunky Chef

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Ranch Mushrooms

These flavor-packed mushrooms would be delicious paired with a steak for a company-worthy main dish.

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Crockpot Caramelized Onions

Crockpot Caramelized Onions
Credit: Pinterest/The Spruce

Recipe: Crockpot Caramelized Onions

There is a way to get incredible caramelized onions without standing by the stovetop, and now you can top any dish with them, hassle-free.

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Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso

Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso
Credit: Pinterest/NeighborFood

Recipe: Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso

You can't really say you're serving party food unless there's a bowl of piping hot queso with tortilla chips.

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Grape Jelly Meatballs

Grape Jelly Meatballs
Credit: Pinterest/The Salty Marshmallow

Recipe: Grape Jelly Meatballs

With three store-bought ingredients and virtually no hands-on time, this meatball recipe is the absolute easiest party appetizer ever.

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Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Apple Butter

Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Apple Butter
Credit: Pinterest/Mama Loves Food

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Apple Butter

Not only would this slow-cooker apple butter recipe be delicious with biscuits, it would make an adorable gift for neighbors and friends.

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Slow Cooker Cherry Dump Cake

Slow Cooker Cherry Dump Cake
Credit: Pinterest/Cincy Shopper

Recipe: Slow Cooker Cherry Dump Cake

This cherry cake, served with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, is the easiest way to get a festive dessert on the table for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

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Slow Cooker Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Slow Cooker Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters
Credit: Pinterest/365 Days of Slow Cooking

Recipe: Slow Cooker Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Whether you need a no-fuss dessert, a recipe to curb an afternoon sweet tooth, or a treat to take to teachers or neighbors, look no further than this three-ingredient recipe.

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Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
Credit: Pinterest/Growing Up Gabel

Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

This classic summertime dessert has never been so simple to make than with three ingredients tossed in the slow cooker.

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Three-Ingredient Caramel Fondue

Three-Ingredient Caramel Fondue
Credit: Pinterest/Creme de la Crumb

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Caramel Fondue

This indulgent dip can be made in the microwave, but preparing it in the slow cooker will keep it warm throughout a gathering. Get creative with your dipping choices.

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3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake

3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake
Credit: Pinterest/Willow Bird Baking

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake

Okay, the slow-cooker version might not be the prettiest pumpkin cake you've ever seen, but it doesn't slack on any cozy fall flavor.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 23 All You Need For These Simple Meals is a Few Ingredients and a Slow Cooker
    2 of 23 Slow-Cooker Grits
    3 of 23 Slow-Cooker Ravioli
    4 of 23 Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks
    5 of 23 Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
    6 of 23 Creamy Buffalo Chicken
    7 of 23 Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs
    8 of 23 Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
    9 of 23 Creamy Baby Bella Chicken
    10 of 23 3-Ingredient Pulled Pork
    11 of 23 Easy Chili
    12 of 23 Three-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken
    13 of 23 Slow Cooker Beef Tips
    14 of 23 Slow-Cooker Ranch Mushrooms
    15 of 23 Crockpot Caramelized Onions
    16 of 23 Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso
    17 of 23 Grape Jelly Meatballs
    18 of 23 Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Apple Butter
    19 of 23 Slow Cooker Cherry Dump Cake
    20 of 23 Slow Cooker Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters
    21 of 23 Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler
    22 of 23 Three-Ingredient Caramel Fondue
    23 of 23 3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake

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