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Our Best Slow Cooker Recipes For Easy Dinners

Stave off the chill with recipes designed to warm you up from the inside out.
split pea and ham soup with chives on the side

(Produced by Aimee Nishitoba; Photography by Christie Vuong; Food styling by Eshun Mott; Prop styling by Christine Hanlon)

Warm up this week with slow cooker recipes that are as easy as setting it and forgetting it. These delicious dinner recipes let your slow cooker or Instant Pot do all the heavy lifting so you can sit back and relax.

Moroccan Vegetable Stew

Hearty, warming and easy. Just 15 minutes to prep, pop it in the slow cooker before work and voila! Get this Moroccan vegetable stew recipe.

Slow Cooker Chana Masala

This simple chickpea curry assembles quickly and results in a flavourful, inexpensive meal that provides a complete protein. Get our slow cooker chana masala recipe.

Bowl of chana masala with naan on purple and orange background for an easy slow cooker chana masala recipe(Photo: Erik Putz)

Slow-Cooker Split Pea and Ham Soup

This classic French-Canadian split pea and ham soup is comfort in a bowl, and absolutely perfect for cold nights. Get this slow cooker split pea and ham soup recipe.

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split pea and ham soup in a bowl on top of a round wooden board surrounded by toasted bread slices, chopped parsely, and a spoonPhoto, Erik Putz.

Slow Cooker Hearty Vegetarian Chili

Cozy up with a warm bowl of chili topped with cheese, avocado and whatever else you have on hand. Get this slow cooker vegetarian chili recipe.

Two black bowls filled with slow cooker vegetarian chili.

Slow-Cooker French Onion Soup

This is one of our favourite comfort foods, and preparing it in the slow cooker makes it that much easier. Get this slow cooker French onion soup recipe.

A blue bowl with slow cooker French onion soup, topped with toasted bread and melted cheese and thyme, on a serving plate next to a bowl of thyme on a blue table(Photo: Roberto Caruso; prop styling: Catherine Doherty; Food styling: Michael Elliott)

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Barley Risotto

This risotto doesn’t require any supervision. Fragrant, with nutty sweetness from the butternut squash, it’s an elegant fall and winter side dish. Get this slow cooker barley squash risotto recipe.

Three bowls of butternut squash barley slow cooker risotto topped with fried sage leaves next to a bowl of fresh sage leaves for a post on the best butternut squash barley risotto slow cooker recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Rum And Coke Pulled Pork Sliders

Inspired by the ubiquitous mixed drink, this dish is sweet, spicy and perfectly sandwich-worthy (all you need is buns and coleslaw to put it together). Get this rum and coke pulled pork sandwich recipe.

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A plate of rum and coke pulled pork sandwiches topped with wood toothpicks with shredded carrot and red cabbage peeking out the side; next to it is a bowl of gherkins and a mug of beerRum and coke pulled pork. (Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Gingery Chicken Slow Cooker Congee

This simple but delicious rice porridge is a classic Asian breakfast and a test-kitchen staff favourite. It’s especially good for anyone who prefers savoury over sweet on a wintry morning. (It’s great in a thermal container on a ski trip, too!) Get this gingery chicken congee recipe.

rice congee served in a grey ceramic bowl garnished with scallions and crispy fried shallots.Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Beef Bourguignon

Add some gourmet style to dinner (without spending hours in the kitchen), with our slow-cooked version of the traditional French dish. Get this beef bourguignon recipe.

A plate of beef bourguignon.(Photography: Christie Vuong. Produced by Stephanie Han Kim. Food styling: Ashley Denton. Prop styling: Cailen Speers.)

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Use dried mushrooms to add a ton of flavour to this slow cooker beef stew recipe.

Our Best Slow Cooker Recipes For Easy Dinners

Chicken Mulligatawny Soup

Make dinner an event this week with a creamy, curry-flavoured chicken soup. Get this chicken mulligatawny soup recipe.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Mulligatawny Soup in two bowls next to slices of lime; the soup is made of skinless, boneless chicken thighs; long-grain rice; garlic; madras curry powder; minced fresh ginger; saffron; saffron; cinnamon sticks; apple juice; coconut milk; green onion; cilantro for a post on an easy, delicious Slow Cooker Chicken Mulligatawny Soup recipe and also for a post on the difference between braising and slow cooking(Photo: John Cullen)

Homemade Slow Cooker Chicken Broth

Done overnight, this flavourful broth yields 9 cups, and is the perfect base for a classic chicken soup. Add a gourmet grilled cheese to the menu, and you have a meal that may just make the cold weather worth it. Get this easy slow cooker chicken broth recipe.

Three bowls of chicken soup; one classic chicken noodle soup with egg noodles; one a bowl of chicken soup with dumplings and dill, for a post on how to make an easy homemade chicken broth recipe(Photo: Sian Richards)

Classic Baked Beans

Throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker, give it a quick stir and walk away for 10 hours. The result: warm, incredibly flavourful baked beans you can’t wait to dig into. Get this slow cooker baked beans recipe.

slow-cooker baked beans in a bowlPhoto, John Cullen

Juicy Pork Carnitas

Make dinner a feast for the senses with bright colours and flavours, starring a little south-of-the-border cooking: saucy pork, green-herbed rice, Mexican crema and chunks of avocado. Get this juicy pork carnitas recipe.

Slow Cooker Juicy Pork Carnitas served with green herbs rice and sliced avocado and cilantro on a plate next to a table setting with chrysanthemums(Photo: Angus Fergusson)

Pulled Pork with Ginger-Bourbon Sauce

This easy (and tasty) dish requires hardly any prep work—just by pop the ingredients into the slow cooker, and you’re all set.  Get this pulled pork with ginger-bourbon sauce recipe.

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Pulled Pork with Ginger Bourbon Sauce(Photography: John Cullen)

Eggs In Purgatory

As our friend Nigella Lawson puts it, “Eggs in purgatory is absolute heaven when you’re feeling like hell.” Sounds like a great way to start the day. Hold the eggs very close over the tomato mixture before cracking them in. Get this eggs in purgatory recipe.

Slow cooker eggs in purgatory served on toast in a white bowl on a wood table next to a pink napkin and another bowl of the same dish and utensils(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onion Pasta Carbonara

Your slow cooker does all the work caramelizing the onions for this satisfying pasta carbonara. Get our slow cooker caramelized onion pasta carbonara recipe.

Slow cooker carbonara pasta on white plate.Photo, Erik Putz.

Slow Cooker Glazed Ginger-Garlic Ribs

You’ll want to lick the sauce off your fingers after devouring these ribs. Get this glazed ginger-garlic ribs recipe.

Glazed Ginger-Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs on a platter. The ribs are made of baby back pork ribs; five-spice powder; brown sugar; hoisin; soy sauce; sriracha; garlic; ginger and sesame seeds for a post on an easy Glazed Ginger-Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Slow Cooker Brisket With Caramelized Onions

A bed of prunes and herbs (thyme and bay leaves) along with some some white wine and sugar creates the tenderest beef. Get our slow cooker brisket with caramelized onions recipe.

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Slow Cooker Brisket With Caramelized Onions on a platter next to sliced radishes, mayo and a bottle of beer; the brisket is made with prunes; beef brisket; thyme; bay leaves; white wine; garlic; flour; Dijon; sugar; salt; olive oil and onions, for a post on an easy, delicious Slow Cooker Brisket With Caramelized Onions recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Slow Cooker Potato And Chorizo Tortilla

Typical all over Spain as a tapa, this is also just right for breakfast, thanks to eggs and cured sausage. We like Yukon Gold potatoes for this recipe. Get our slow cooker potato and chorizo tortilla recipe.

a slice of Slow Cooker Potato And Chorizo Tortilla on a plate next to a frisée salad for a post on an easy Slow Cooker Potato And Chorizo Tortilla recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Slow Cooker Jerk Chicken With Mango Slaw

This Jamaican staple will make busy weeknight a billion times better. Get this jerk chicken with mango slaw recipe.

A hearty bun topped with slow cooker jerk chicken and mango slaw—chicken legs slow cooked in ginger beer with jalapeños, onions, lime juice and slices—for a post on an easy slow cooker jerk chicken with mango slaw recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Slow Cooker Saucy Beef Roast

This slow cooked roast beef will warm up your Sunday. Try it with our slow cooker Sunday sauce now! Get this slow cooker saucy beef roast recipe.

Slow Cooker Saucy Beef Roast: beef roast on two plates with crusty bread or rigatoni made with beef roast; diced pancetta; onion; celery; carrot; sliced cremini mushrooms; garlic; tomato paste; canned tomatoes and dry white wine for a post on an easy saucy slow cooker beef roast recipe(Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Slow Cooker French Country Chicken Soup

This makes a big batch of comforting chicken soup. Enjoy a bowl now, then tuck the rest in the freezer for a soothing homemade supper down the road. Get our slow cooker French country chicken soup recipe.

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Slow Cooker French Country Chicken Soup(Produced by Aimee Nishitoba; Photography by Christie Vuong; Food styling by Ashley Denton; Prop styling by Cailen Speers; Glasses, HomeSense)

Saucy Short Ribs

Make a meal out of these short ribs and serve them over noodles, along with roasted veggies. Get this saucy short ribs recipe.

Blue plate with short ribs over noodles.Photo, Andrew Grinton.

Slow Cooker Poached Salmon With Fennel And Orange

Yes, you can use your slow cooker to make dinner party-worthy recipes. Impress with this poached salmon, topped with a creamy sauce. Get our slow cooker poached salmon with fennel and orange recipe.

White plate top with poached salmon and steamed broccoli for a post on an easy slow cooker salmon recipePhoto, Andrew Grinton.

Slow Cooker Cheeseburger Meatloaf

Two classic dinners come together in this easy slow cooker recipe. Get our slow cooker cheeseburger meatloaf recipe.

Meatloaf and broccoli salad on black plate.Photo, Maya Visnyei

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup With Apples

This slow cooker soup is filled with fall flavours. Get our slow cooker sweet potato soup with apples recipe.

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Slow cooker sweet potato soup with apples in a white bowl.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

Put your slow cooker to good use this weekend: This slow cooker lasagna recipe is a no-fuss, low-mess way to whip up a batch of your favourite casserole. Get our slow cooker lasagna recipe.

Easy slow cooker lasagna in a slow cookerPhoto, Roberto Caruso.

Slow Cooker Herb And Spice Chicken With Potatoes And Carrots

Sweet and spicy work together to create this satisfying one-pot slow cooker meal. Get our slow cooker herb and spice chicken with potatoes and carrots recipe.

Slow Cooker Herb And Spice Chicken With Potatoes And Carrots on a white platter for a post on an easy slow cooker chicken legs recipe(Photo: Maya Visnyei)

Slow Cooker Pineapple Chicken

Serve with recipe and a green salad for an easy chicken dinner. Get our slow cooker pineapple chicken recipe.

White plate topped with sliced chicken breast and salad.Photo, Erik Putz.

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