Slow Cooker Recipes to Warm Up Cold Winter Nights

Spiced Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Photo: 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.

01 of 12

Braised Fennel, Cannellini Beans, and Italian Sausage

Braised Fennel, Cannellini Beans, and Italian Sausage
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.​​​​​​​

02 of 12

Meatloaf

Meatloaf
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.

03 of 12

Beer-Braised Pot Roast

Beer-Braised Pot Roast
Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Beer-Braised Pot Roast

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

04 of 12

Stovetop Red Beans and Rice

Stovetop Red Beans and Rice
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).

05 of 12

Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese

Uncle Jack’s Mac-and-Cheese
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.

06 of 12

Spiced Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

Spiced Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes
Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Spiced Beef Stew with Sweet Potatoes

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

07 of 12

Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
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.​​​​​​​

08 of 12

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Four-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
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.​​​​​​​

09 of 12

Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes

Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes
Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes

A slow cooker makes inexpensive chicken thighs fall-off-the-bone tender.

10 of 12

Beef-and-Bean Chili

Beef-and-Bean Chili
Photo: Hector M. Sanchez

Recipe: Beef-and-Bean Chili

Chili is a wintertime staple, and this slow cooker version is excellent served on its on with cornbread or on top of hot dogs.​​​​​​​

11 of 12

Soulful Chicken Soup

Soulful Chicken Soup
Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Soulful Chicken Soup

This simple slow cooker soup will help you kick any winter cold—or just shake off the winter doldrums.

12 of 12

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce
Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

Serve these mini meatball sandwiches at your next game day get-together, or any night you want a simple and satisfying supper.

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