This beef ranchero is easy to whip up in a crockpot with onion, cheddar cheese, and tomato with green chiles.
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Crock Pot Cooking
Don't overlook the slow cooker as being just as valuable a kitchen tool as your stove or oven. While it's long been recognized as an ideal way to cook roasts and stews, it can do so much more - and we'll show you how.
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Pro Tip:
The crock pot should be filled 2/3rds full when cooking for best results. Scale recipes up or down to fit your size crock pot.
Crock Pot 101
A properly working crock pot uses as about as much electricity and resources as a light bulb - making it more economical than using your stove! Also, it won't heat up your kitchen in the summer months.
crock pot cooking time conversion chart
| Crockpot | ||
| Oven Or Stovetop | High Temp 300F | Low Temp 200F |
| 15-30 minutes | 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours | 4 - 8 hours |
| 35-45 minutes | 3 - 4 hours | 6 - 10 hours |
| 50 minutes - 3 hours | 4 - 6 hours | 8 - 16 hours |
Cooking Times
Times listed with the recipes are guidelines - actual cooking times may vary based on the brand of crock pot, size, amount of liquid or food, how full your crock pot is, how dense the ingredients are, and the temperature of the foods when you add them.
Beef Ranchero
Kielbasa Stew
Plenty of veggies in this kielbasa stew ensures that it's filling and hearty, and it's simple to throw in a pinch or two of cayenne to turn up the heat.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Zesty Dr. Pepper Ribs
Wouldn't you like to be a pepper too? Ribs cooked low and slow in the crockpot with Dr. Pepper are the tenderest and tastiest you'll ever try.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Herbed Mushrooms
Mushrooms soak up the flavors that they cook in so slow cooking them in a herby, buttery mixture results in a delicious mushroom side dish!
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Shrimp Newburg
A creamy and flavorful shrimp dish served over rice.
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
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Cheddar Cheese Fondue
The perfect party dish. This simple cheesy fondue is easy to make and can be kept warm in your slow cooker, making it ideal for entertaining. Your guests will love it!
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Japanese Lamb
This Japanese lamb recipe features a savory marinade that complements the meat's rich flavor while it cooks slowly in the crock pot. Ideal for easy dinners or meal prepping for the week...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Hearty Chuck Wagon Soup
Made with ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, cabbage, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, beef bouillon or stock
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Spanish Beer And Olive Chicken
Made with olives, boneless skinless chicken, salt and pepper, tomato paste, beer
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Ropa Vieja
A classic Cuban dish, made easy thanks to your crockpot. Slow cooked, well-seasoned skirt steak brings some Cuban flair to your kitchen.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Poached Eggs
An easy way to make perfectly cooked poached eggs in your crock pot.
Method: crock pot
Time: 30-60 minutes
All-Day Chicken With Mushroom Gravy
Chicken is slow cooked all day in a mushroom and white wine sauce
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Hoppin' John
Hoppin' John: the answer to the age-old question, "How do you make black-eyed peas exciting?" Hint: add ham, a slow cooker, and a little Southern swagger.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Pulled Pork With Black-Eyed Peas
Balance smoky and savory with this pulled pork paired with black-eyed peas. Both comforting and rich, this recipe delivers classic southern flavors in a slow cooked...
Method: crock pot, oven
Time: over 5 hours
Italian Sausage Pasta Sauce with Spaghetti
Made with Italian sausage, onions, crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and herbs and seasonings. The slow cooker allows the flavors to develop into a delicious...
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Peach Butter
This easy-to-follow recipe combines pureed fresh peaches, sugar, and aromatic spices, slow-cooked in a crock pot to a perfect buttery consistency.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Chicken Ratatouille Stew
Easiest ever veggie-packed, slow cooked chicken dish! Throw eggplant, tomato, and zucchini along with chicken and pasta sauce in the crockpot and sit back while it does all the...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Fiesta Sausage With Pineapple
Grab a fork and get ready to enjoy a burst of flavor in every bite with this unique twist on dinner that blends savory sausage and sweet pineapple beautifully.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Sweet Potato Lentil Stew
This slow cooked sweet potato lentil stew is a flavorful and nutritious dish packed with protein and veggies. Use vegetable broth to make it vegan-friendly.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Apple Cider Turkey Breast
Crockpot turkey breast with a sweet, holiday-flavored twist. A bit of apple cider slow cooked with the turkey adds plenty of flavor while keeping the recipe low-effort as can...
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
A Really Delicious Way to Cook Eggplant
Fear the eggplant no more! Crock pot eggplant cooked with mushrooms, red wine, and tomatoes makes a really delicious topping for hot, cooked penne pasta.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Country-Style Green Beans With Bacon, Onions And Balsamic Vinegar
Slightly tangy, slightly sweet. These green beans will become your new favorite recipe!
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Basic Chicken And Noodles With Vegetables
It's borderline impossible to mess up a soup in the slow cooker, and easy is your friend when you're not feeling well. Plenty of veggies make the broth nice...
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Spicy Southwestern Chili
A spicy chili made with ground beef, onion, crushed red pepper, cayenne, black pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, garlic, tomatoes with green chiles, and salsa.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Sausage and Cheddar Breakfast Casserole
Do you dream of waking up to a hot breakfast without having to lift a finger? That dream can be reality with the combo of a slow cooker and some smart timing.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Easter Ham
Not overly sweet, not overly salty, this crock pot ham recipe is ideal for Easter or any time. Bonus: clean up is a breeze!
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Seafood Fondue
Creamy seafood fondue with lobster, shrimp, crab, and scallops. Melted cheese, savory spices, and crusty bread come together in this easy, one-pot wonder. Perfect for sharing (or not).
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Easy Beer And Ketchup Meatballs
Simply seasoned meatballs are simmered in a beer and ketchup sauce in the crock pot until tender and saucy.
Method: crock pot, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Venison Chili
Corn and beans stew with the venison in a tangy tomato sauce for a hearty bowl on a cold day. Garnish with sour cream and scallions for presentation points.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Pot-Roasted Rabbit
Try a rabbit pot roast for an extra rich alternative to the usual pot roast. Onions and rabbit go in the slow cooker along with some seasonings.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
The 24-Hour French Onion Soup
Discover a delicious 24-hour French onion soup recipe, filled with sweet caramelized onions, rich beef broth, and gooey melted cheese. Easy steps for an amazing homemade...
Method: crock pot, oven
Time: over 5 hours
Easy White Chicken Chili
An array of spices keep this recipe just as flavorful as beefier chilies, and you can top it the same way, too. Cheese and tortilla chips never fail.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Meat-And-Potato Lovers' Simple Beef Stew
Meat and potatoes, anyone? This easy beef stew is a one-pot wonder that brings family together for a delicious meal without the hassle.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Round Steak Chili
It can be tough to stand out amongst other chili recipes, but using round steak instead of ground beef is a good way to do it.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Venison Sloppy Joes
Sloppy Joes may be simple, but that doesn't mean they need to be boring. This slow-cooker venison recipe has an arsenal of flavors like dijon, cumin, and chili powder for some...
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Slow cooked pork in a homemade barbecue sauce topped with creamy slaw on a soft roll. Perfect for serving a hungry crowd while you stay stress-free.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Chicken Cajun Smoked Sausage Stew
This is a serious Cajun stew. Smoked sausage and diced chicken join carrots, celery, and onions in a Cajun-spiked tomato broth that simmers away in the crockpot until...
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Make-Ahead Egg Casserole
Wake up to a delicious breakfast with this simple and versatile crock pot egg casserole.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Pepper Steak
This slow cooker pepper steak is the perfect weeknight meal Tender beef is simmered in a savory sauce with peppers, all in the slow cooker.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Garden Cabbage Soup
This tomato-based slow cooker soup is full of garden fresh vegetables like cabbage, zucchini, spinach, and carrots.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Sausage Chili
Double the meat, double the flavor. Beef and sausage slow-cooked with kidney beans, tomatoes, and onion is a great way to beat the cold weather. Want to spice it up? Use chorizo instead...
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Turkey Tenderloin And Wild Rice
Sliced turkey tenderloin on top of a seasoned mixture of wild rice and veggies slow-cooked with chicken broth and sherry. Delicious!
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Rosemary And Garlic Leg Of Lamb
This recipe combines the wonderful flavors of rosemary and garlic with succulent lamb for a mouthwatering slow cooker dish that is incredibly easy to make.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
White Chicken Chili
Sauteing the chicken first in this chili recipe helps give it a good texture and speeds up the cooking time. The recipe calls for navy beans but great northern beans will work just...
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Navajo Beef & Chile Stew
Made with ground red pepper, salt, cumin, beef stew meat, onion, garlic, tomatoes, green chiles, corn, dried oregano
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Irish Oatmeal
Sweet add-ins like cranberries and figs make these Irish oats better still, and making them overnight in the crockpot is best of all.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Short Rib Tomato Sauce
Meaty short ribs sauteed with garlic and onions, deglazed with red wine, and slow cooked with tomato and basil make a mouthwateringly savory sauce for some very lucky pasta.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Sausage And Egg Casserole
A great breakfast for house guests or holidays. Fix it the night before and in the morning breakfast is served!
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Pork Tenderloin with Apples
This recipe just gets everything right. Tenderloin is the perfect cut of pork for a long simmer in the crockpot, and the fruity combination of apples and balsamic adds a...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
40 Clove Garlic Vampire Chicken
Made with French bread, garlic, fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, Italian parsley, black pepper, roasting or fryer chicken, celery
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
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