When it comes to tackling weeknight dinners, a dependable slow cooker is our tool of choice. Throw a few ingredients into the pot, set it on “low,” and go about your business. By dinnertime, you’ll have a fabulous meal ready to enjoy. Slow cookers are made for so much more than just soups and stews. Whether you’re looking for a simple, versatile way to use your slow cooker, or a way to make your favorite Southern comfort foods with less than half the hands-on cooking time, a slow cooker can save you time without sacrificing flavor. Juicy barbecue, tender brisket, slow cooker beans, creamy chicken, spicy chili, hearty potato soup, and so much more – your slow cooker can make cooking up a pot of Southern comfort food easier than you’d ever imagined. For a cold winter’s night, we recommend our crowd-pleasing, wine-braised slow cooker oxtail. Throw your ingredients in the pot and plug it in – within hours, your home will be filled with the savory, decadent flavor of Southern comfort food. You’ll never need to light another candle again.
Green Tomato Chile Verde
Recipe: Green Tomato Chile Verde
We like the tang and body that green tomatoes give this comforting stew.
Wine-Braised Oxtails
Recipe: Wine-Braised Oxtails
Slow cooking oxtails (beefy cuts from the tail of a cow) with red wine and aromatic vegetables releases their rich flavor, creating a hearty, fork-tender stew that’s guaranteed to take the chill off a cold winter’s evening.
Peppered Beef Soup
Recipe: Peppered Beef Soup
Freeze leftovers in an airtight container up to three months. Add a bit of canned broth when reheating to reach desired consistency. For a pretty finish, serve in Toasted Bread Bowls.
Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut
Recipe: Pork with Apples, Bacon, and Sauerkraut
Thinly sliced pancetta (unsmoked Italian bacon cured with salt and spices) and a few quick twists of kitchen string turn an inexpensive pork loin into a party-worthy dish.
King Ranch Chicken
Recipe: King Ranch Chicken
Fans of creamy, Southwestern flavored King Ranch Chicken Casserole will love this easy slow cooker version of the recipe.
Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters
Recipe: Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters
The key to this dinner-party-worthy dish is to brown the chicken before it goes into the slow cooker.
Cooking Video: How To Make Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters
Italian Pot Roast
Recipe: Italian Pot Roast
This hearty pot roast is perfect for a busy weeknight. Just put the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do all the work.
Slow-Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Smoked turkey sausage, bell peppers, and red beans come together in this classic, easy slow-cooker recipe. Serve over long-grain rice for an amazing meal.
Cooking Video: Quick-Fix Red Beans and Rice
Easy Brunswick Stew
Recipe: Easy Brunswick Stew
Nothing is more comforting than a big bowl of hearty Brunswick stew. Sop up every flavorful last bit with crusty bread or crispy cornbread crackers.
Creamy Slow-Cooker Chicken
Recipe: Creamy Slow-cooker Chicken
This versatile recipe can be used in lots of innovative ways. Shred the cooked chicken, and toss with hot cooked pasta. Create a casserole, or jump-start a filling for easy enchiladas or a fast pot pie.
Beef With Red Wine Sauce
Recipe: Beef With Red Wine Sauce
Make a simple one-dish dinner that's sure to wow your guests. This beef recipe, flavored with gravy and mushrooms, is a hearty, filling dish. Pair with a salad or bread, for sopping up the sauce, and you're ready to eat.
Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Barbecue Beef Sandwiches
Make your favorite creamy coleslaw to serve with or on this barbecue sandwich. Freeze any leftover meat for up to one month.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
This slow-cooker chili recipe is as easy as it is delicious. Browning the meat before adding it to the slow cooker brings out the rich flavor of the dish.
Step-by-Step Video: Easy Homemade Turkey Chili
Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket
Serve shredded brisket on top of tortillas with your choice of toppings for a creative taco night.
Hearty Potato Soup
Recipe: Hearty Potato Soup
Bread bowls are a sandwich shop favorite for a reason. Instead of venturing out into the cold night air, fill homemade Italian Bread Bowls with chunky potato soup featuring potatoes, onions, carrot, celery, and savory seasonings.
