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

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    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 a crockpot the same as a slow cooker? ›

    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.

    Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

    It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

    How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

    Avoid overcrowding: For the best results, fill a slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. Go ahead and cook big roasts and whole chickens; just make sure you use a large crock and that the lid fits snugly on top. Trim fat: For silky sauces and gravies, take a minute or two and cut the excess fat from the meat.

    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.

    Can I put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

    Yes, you most certainly can cook raw meat in the slow cooker! You put it in “cold”, with whatever liquid your recipe calls for, turn it on either “low” or “high” depending on your recipe (I usually start it on “high” for a couple hours, then turn it to “low”), and in 6–7–8 hours, it's now COOKED meat!

    Why do they call it crack chicken? ›

    While the name of this casserole might seem like a simple description of the crispy, crackling crust on top, crack chicken casserole is more about how weirdly addictive it is.

    How long does it take to cook 2 pounds of chicken in a crockpot? ›

    Place 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts and 1 cup stock, broth, or water in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and registers an internal temperature of 165°F, 4 to 5 hours on the LOW setting, or 2 to 3 hours on the HIGH setting.

    When should you not use frozen chicken? ›

    A whole chicken or turkey can be kept in the freezer for up to one year. Chicken or turkey in pieces can be kept in the freezer for up to nine months. Ground chicken or turkey is best consumed within three to four months if frozen from the date of purchase.

    Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

    Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

    Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

    Change cooking times depending on your schedule. One hour on HIGH generally equals two hours on LOW. Add pasta at the end of the cooking process or it may become mushy. You may want to cook pasta seperatly and add it just before serving.

    What's better than a slow cooker? ›

    For many home cooks, an Instant Pot Pro will be more versatile—capable of producing stews, rich sauces, thick and creamy soups, and hearty stocks. However, if you're set on investing in a slower cooker, one of the best ones comes from KitchenAid. People love their slow cookers. I mean, they love them.

    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.

    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!

    Can you cook everything in a slow cooker? ›

    Most people use a slow cooker for meat, poultry and vegetables, although fruits, desserts, stuffing and oatmeal can also be prepared. All ingredients placed in a slow cooker should be thawed. Choose to make foods with high moisture content such as chili, soup, stew or spaghetti sauce.

    Can you cook raw pasta in a slow cooker? ›

    You can use slow cookers to make pasta as long as you don't mix the pasta in with the sauce and leave it sitting in the slow cooker for an extended period of time. Doing so will result in pasta that is mushy, soggy and unappetizing. For best results, keep the pasta separate until serving.

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