Slow Cooker Recipes to Warm Up Cold Winter Nights

By Lisa Cericola

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Colder temperatures call for a plate or bowl of something hearty, comforting, and delicious. Cozy up to these winter slow cooker recipes. We've got something for everyone—chilis, soups, stews, pot roast, red beans and rice, and more.

Start Slideshow

1 of 13

Braised Fennel, Cannellini Beans, and Italian Sausage

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Braised Fennel, Cannellini Beans, and Italian Sausage

A long, low simmer in a slow cooker makes a rich, aromatic broth and tender vegetables.

2 of 13

Meatloaf

Credit: Hannah Burkhalter

Recipe: Meatloaf

All it takes is a slow cooker and a few pantry staples (onion soup mix, Cheddar cheese, breadcrumbs, ketchup) to make a moist, flavorful meatloaf your family will love.

3 of 13

Beer-Braised Pot Roast

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Beer-Braised Pot Roast

Warm up on a cold night with tender, slow cooked pot roast served over creamy grits.

4 of 13

Stovetop Red Beans and Rice

Credit: Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Recipe: Stovetop Red Beans and Rice

This big-batch red beans and rice serves 10 people—perfect for cozy winter gatherings or family dinners with plenty of leftovers (leftover beans freeze well).

5 of 13

Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese

You’ll love this rich, sliceable mac and cheese, which bakes up right in your slow cooker. Serve it as a main dish with a salad or bring it to a potluck as a side dish.

6 of 13

Good Luck Greens and Peas with Ham

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Good Luck Greens and Peas with Ham

Black eyed peas and greens are said to bring good luck at the start of a new year, but they make a delicious, filling meal any time—especially in the winter.

7 of 13

Spiced Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

Credit: Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Spiced Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

Tender cubed sweet potatoes add color and flavor to this richly spiced beef stew.

8 of 13

Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

These soft and fluffy cornmeal dumplings bake up right in the slow cooker on top of an aromatic chicken stew.

9 of 13

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Credit: Melina Hammer

Recipe: Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Chuck roast, beer, and Italian dressing mix combine with a splash of oil in this unbelievably good pot roast recipe. Serve the meat over mashed potatoes or on crusty bread as sandwiches.