10 Time-saving Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Professionals
Hassle-free cooking
In today's fast-paced world, finding time to cook wholesome meals can be a challenge, especially for busy professionals. However, with the help of a slow cooker, you can enjoy delicious and nutritious meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Slow cookers, also known as crockpots, are a lifesaver for those who want to save time and effort in the kitchen. These versatile appliances allow you to prepare meals in advance, so you can come home to a hot and delicious dinner after a long day at work. In this blog post, we will share 10 time-saving slow cooker recipes that are perfect for busy professionals.
Time-saving meals
With a slow cooker, you can prepare meals in advance and let them cook slowly throughout the day. This means that you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time focusing on other important tasks. Whether you're a working professional, a busy parent, or someone who just wants to simplify their cooking routine, these time-saving slow cooker recipes will be a game-changer for you.
Crockpot recipes
The following are 10 delicious and hassle-free slow cooker recipes that are perfect for busy professionals:
1. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 packet of taco seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- Taco shells or tortillas
- Assorted toppings: shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sour cream, etc.
Instructions:
1. Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker.
2. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the chicken.
3. Pour the chicken broth into the slow cooker.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours.
5. Shred the chicken using two forks.
6. Serve the shredded chicken in taco shells or tortillas with your favorite toppings.
2. Slow Cooker Beef Stew
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
- 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (10.5 oz) beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Place the beef stew meat, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic, diced tomatoes, beef broth, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
2. Stir well to combine.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours.
4. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting bowl of beef stew.
3. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs pork shoulder
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Place the pork shoulder in the slow cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the sauce over the pork shoulder, covering it completely.
4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours.
5. Shred the pork using two forks.
6. Serve the pulled pork on buns or rolls with coleslaw, pickles, or your favorite toppings.
4. Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry
Ingredients:
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 sweet potato, peeled and cubed
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 zucchini, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In the slow cooker, combine the coconut milk, vegetable broth, onion, garlic, curry powder, turmeric, cumin, coriander, red pepper flakes (if using), sweet potato, carrots, bell pepper, zucchini, salt, and pepper.
2. Stir well to combine.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Serve the vegetable curry over cooked rice or with naan bread.
5. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (14.5 oz) chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the rice, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, onion, garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the rice mixture over the chicken thighs.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve the chicken and rice together for a satisfying and filling meal.
6. Slow Cooker Chili
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a skillet, cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until the beef is browned and the onion is softened.
2. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
3. Transfer the beef mixture to the slow cooker.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, kidney beans, pinto beans, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
5. Stir well to combine.
6. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
7. Serve the chili hot with shredded cheese, diced onions, and sour cream.
7. Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs pork tenderloin
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Place the pork tenderloin in the slow cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the balsamic vinegar, honey, soy sauce, garlic, dried rosemary, dried thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the glaze over the pork tenderloin, covering it completely.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve the pork tenderloin sliced, drizzled with the glaze.
8. Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 4 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 4 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 oz egg noodles
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Place the chicken breasts, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, chicken broth, dried thyme, dried rosemary, bay leaf, salt, and pepper in the slow cooker.
2. Stir well to combine.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred them using two forks.
5. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker.
6. Add the egg noodles to the slow cooker and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
7. Serve the chicken noodle soup hot and enjoy a comforting and nourishing meal.
9. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (15 oz) pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In the slow cooker, combine the kidney beans, black beans, pinto beans, diced tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
2. Stir well to combine.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Serve the vegetarian chili hot with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, sour cream, or avocado.
