25 Springtime Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

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25 Springtime Slow Cooker Recipes (1)

BySalam Fatayer

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Apr. 29, 2023

    Whether spring is just around the corner or fully upon us, arm yourself with these super tasty and refreshing spring recipes, from Asian rolls to chicken gyros.

    1/25

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos

    Our fun, simple slow-cooker chicken tacos are perfect for a relaxing dinner with friends. If we have any leftover filling, I toss it into a garden-fresh taco salad. —Tracy Gunter, Boise, Idaho

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    2/25

    Taste of Home

    Asian Wraps

    This recipe is just like any other Asian wrap but with more flavor, a healthy twist and the convenience of a slow cooker. Instead of ordering Chinese, try making these yourself. —Melissa Hansen, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

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    3/25

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Taco Salad

    We use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping to measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington

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    4/25

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Sweet 'n' Sour Pork

    Even though a co-worker gave me this recipe more than 20 years ago, my family still enjoys it today. -Martha Nickerson of Hanco*ck, Maine

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    5/25

    Italian Mushrooms

    Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that goes well with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, Fargo, North Dakota

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    6/25

    Taste of Home

    Shredded Chicken Gyros

    Our family always has such a wonderful time at the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival. One of my favorite parts is all the awesome food. This meal is a good way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah

    7/25

    Taste of Home

    Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes and Olives

    This squash is outstanding as a side dish, but you can also top it with canned tuna to create a simple, healthy main dish. It's easy and so tasty! I like to use my own canned tomatoes for the best flavor. —Carol Chase, Sioux City, Iowa

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    8/25

    Slow-Cooked Green Beans

    I spent hours in search of sides for a cooking demo to present to women from my church. These easy green beans became my star attraction. —Alice White, Willow Spring, North Carolina

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    9/25

    Taste of Home

    Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

    The spiced lamb in these stuffed pita pockets goes perfectly with cool cucumber and yogurt. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia

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    10/25

    Some amazingly fresh mushrooms I found at our local farmers market inspired this recipe. When you start with the best ingredients, you can't go wrong. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

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    11/25

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Frittata Provencal

    This recipe means that a delectable dinner is ready when I walk in the door from work. The meatless slow-cooker meal also makes an elegant brunch for lazy weekend mornings. —Connie Eaton, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

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    12/25

    Slow-Cooked Pork Tacos

    Sometimes I'll substitute Bibb lettuce leaves for the tortillas to make crunchy lettuce wraps instead of tacos. —Kathleen Wolf Naperville, Illinois

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    13/25

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Broccoli

    This family-favorite side dish is quick to fix and full of flavor. Because it simmers in a slow cooker, it frees up my oven for other things. That's a tremendous help when I'm prepping a big meal at home. —Connie Slocum, Antioch, Tennessee

    14/25

    Slow-Cooked Lemony Spring Veggies

    These spuds do a slow simmer with carrots and onion for a comfort side that bucks up any entree. Finish the dish with a sprinkle of chives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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    15/25

    Taste of Home

    Cheesy Spinach

    My daughter often serves this cheese and spinach blend at church suppers. Even people who don't usually eat spinach like this flavorful dish once they try it. There are never any leftovers. —Frances Moore, Decatur, Illinois

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    16/25

    Loaded Veggie Dip

    Packed with veggies and bursting with flavor, this chunky dip is sure to be a hit at your next party. Be sure to serve it with a thick cracker that can be used as a scoop. —Patrice Slaughter, Palm Bay, Florida

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    17/25

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooked Lemon Chicken

    Garlic, oregano and lemon juice give spark to this memorable main dish. It's easy to fix—just brown the chicken in a skillet, then let the slow cooker do the work. I like to serve this dish to company. —Walter Powell, Wilmington, Delaware

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    18/25

    Slow-Cooker Pizza

    Always a hit at our church dinners, this hearty casserole keeps folks coming back for more. —Julie Sterchi from Jackson, Missouri

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    19/25

    Stuffed Chicken Rolls

    Just thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida

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    20/25

    Taste of Home

    Creamy Italian Chicken

    Italian salad dressing mix is like a secret weapon for adding flavor to this creamy chicken dish. Served over rice or pasta, this Italian dressing chicken is rich, delicious and special enough for company. —Maura McGee, Tallahassee, Florida

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    21/25

    Taste of Home

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers

    Use up leftovers and clean out the fridge by making these super simple and tasty stuffed peppers! This is an ideal weekend meal that you can put together quickly and let cook while you run errands. —Katie Jasiewicz, Belle Isle, Florida

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    22/25

    Taste of Home

    I’m all about easy slow-cooker meals. Using more cheese than ever, I developed an addictive spin on this casserole favorite. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York

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    23/25

    Taste of Home

    This simple riff on Chinese chicken proves you can savor the takeout taste you crave while still eating right. —Connie Krupp, Racine, Wisconsin

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    24/25

    Sweet 'n' Tangy Chicken Wings

    I love the convenience of slow-cooker recipes for get-togethers. Start these sweet and sour chicken wings a few hours ahead of time and you'll have fantastic appetizers ready when your guests arrive. —Ida Tuey, South Lyon, Michigan

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    25/25

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Melts

    After tasting a similar recipe at a sandwich shop, I knew I had to try my own version at home. I like mine even more! I like to mix equal parts salsa and ranch dressing to make a tasty sauce for these sandwiches. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia

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    Originally Published: March 12, 2019

    Author

    Salam Fatayer

    When she's not writing, Salam spends her days making digital art or rewatching her favorite films. She's always ready for a passionate karaoke session, even if it's in the middle of her living room.

    25 Springtime Slow Cooker Recipes (26)

    25 Springtime Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

    FAQs

    What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
    1. Raw Meat.
    2. Seafood.
    3. Pasta.
    4. Rice.
    5. Delicate Vegetables.
    6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
    7. Dairy.
    8. Wine and Other Liquor.
    Jan 19, 2024

    Is 24 hours too long in a slow cooker? ›

    Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

    What's the longest you can leave a slow cooker on? ›

    As long as there is something inside cooking, preferably with liquid, and the top is on, your slow cooker could run for 24 hours or longer. Some liquid will slowly boil out, so the less liquid, the less time to leave it unattended.

    What size slow cooker do I need for 2 adults? ›

    Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people.

    What's the difference between slow cooker and Crockpot? ›

    A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

    Why can't you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

    Raw meat

    A crockpot's gentle heat means meat will never get a chance to brown, but it's the golden colour from frying that gives it depth of flavour. If you don't want your stew to taste bland, brown the meat first, then put it in the slow cooker.

    What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

    "Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

    Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

    Change cooking times depending on your schedule. One hour on HIGH generally equals two hours on LOW.

    What is the best meat to slow cook? ›

    Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

    Why is my crockpot burning my food? ›

    Editor: It sounds like the temperature might be too high on your slow cooker, or the dishes might be cooking too long. If you're not already cooking on low, switch to that instead and go for a shorter cook time, especially if you have a slow cooker that has a timer.

    Is it safe to leave a crockpot on warm overnight? ›

    Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

    Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

    Can I leave chicken in the slow cooker overnight? ›

    As long as the temperature remains above 140 F you can leave your chicken in the cooker all day but try to avoid more than 12 hours…

    Is a 6-quart slow cooker too big for one person? ›

    A general guideline is to allow one quart per person then round up a bit—keep in mind slow cookers should be one-half to two-thirds full for optimal cooking. So when choosing a slow cooker, you'll want to consider two things: (1) the type of food you plan to cook and (2) how many people you need to serve.

    Can I cook 2 different things in a slow cooker? ›

    With heavy-duty tinfoil, you can create a makeshift, slow cooker divider that acts like a wall in your device. This tinfoil wall splits your slow cooker into two chambers where you can cook two different dishes simultaneously.

    Is a 5-quart slow cooker big enough? ›

    Whether your household includes three or four people, or you're a couple who actually loves leftovers, a 5-quart slow cooker is an ideal size for you. The moderate size accommodates everything from soups and stews to and chilis and casseroles.

    Can you just throw everything into a slow cooker? ›

    Make everything from stews, curries and even desserts in an easy to use slow cooker. Just simply add your ingredients and let the machine do the work- perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

    Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›

    Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.

    What is the danger zone for a Crockpot? ›

    A safe slow cooker, cooks slow enough for unattended cooking, yet fast enough to keep food out of the bacterial danger zone. In the danger zone (above 40°F to below 140°F), bacteria grows very rapidly. Food left in the danger zone too long can cause food borne illness.

    Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

    Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

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