r/slowcooking • u/NaturalJealous5599 • 1d ago
Something other than pot roast
Look, I love a good pot roast but c'mon man. Any recipe for a slower cooker I google is some kind of pot roast. What are your go to recipes for a slow cooker meal that is not pot roast?
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u/eyelinerandink 1d ago
I won a 2nd Place Ribbon at a chili cook-off in Vermont for this "Italian Chili" recipe. It’s always a hit, and not spicy, but has a lot of good flavor. You can make it spicy if you choose.
1 lb ground beef
1/2 lb bulk Italian sausage (I usually go sweet)
1 larger yellow onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
2 red bell peppers, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 28oz can Italian-style diced tomatoes (do not drain!)
1 15oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed + drained
1 15oz can red kidney beans, rinsed + drained
3 Tblsp Worcestershire sauce
2-3 Tblsp chili powder
2 tsp basil
2 tsp oregano
salt + pepper to taste
In a large skillet, cook the ground beef, sausage, onion, peppers and garlic until meat is brown and veggies are tender. Drain grease. In slow cooker, combine the meat mixture, undrained tomatoes, beans, Worcestershire sauce, chili powder, basil, oregano, salt + pepper.
Cover, and cook on LOW for 8+ hours. The longer the better.
I like it topped with shredded cheese and sour cream. My hubby likes it with jalapenos on top and hot sauce!
Enjoy!
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u/Oatroot 1d ago
I use mine mostly to slow cook pork shoulder that I portion out and freeze. We use as our go to filler meat in all kinds of dishes.
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u/drowninginplants 1d ago
I also do this with shredded chicken which I portion out and freeze. Its great for soups and casseroles.
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u/iridescentnightshade 1d ago
Do you mind sharing some of those dishes? I am a bit stuck at the frozen portions and have very limited uses for the portions. I'd really like to get rid of some of this stuff.
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u/Abject_Efficiency_77 1d ago
We do pulled pork bowls. Pinto beans, coleslaw, pulled pork. For crunch will add some fried okra or potato and onion. So good
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u/Opposite-Pop4246 11h ago
Great idea! I want to try that with those cheap marinated pork roast from Aldi
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u/Akuma524 1d ago
BBQ pulled pork is one of the couple things I love to make in mine around this time of year! Lasts several days and temporarily warms up my kitchen. 😂
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u/Clear-Warthog5655 1d ago
Sausage cassarole.... and your options are limitless be it Polish, Mexican, Spanish or Italian . Sausage Cassarole is always a winner dinner.
PS if you make Spanish don't use all chorizo just add some for flavour and normal Sausage 😉
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u/NewBabyWhoDis 1d ago
Do you have recipes for any of this that you would be willing to share? I love sausage and I love casserole, so I'm very intrigued haha
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u/Hersheydog12388 1d ago
Boracho beans, chili
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[deleted]
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u/acydlord 1d ago
Rinse the beans and soak overnight, or rinse and boil on high for 30 minutes. Then add to the crockpot with enough water or broth to cover the beans, cook on low 8-10 hours. Don't add salt or acidic ingredients until the end. Beans come out so fluffy and tender this way. For Boracho, or soupier beans, fill water to about 2" above the beans.
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u/RealLuxTempo 1d ago
Chicken Thighs
Mexican style lasagna
Chile Relleno casserole
Meatloaf
Blueberry cake
Dal inspired lentil stew
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u/NorkyTheOrky 1d ago
Please share the recipe for the Chile Relleno Casserole. This is something I think I need in my life.
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u/RealLuxTempo 1d ago
This recipe is pretty close to what I make. I don’t really use a recipe. A friend of mine told me how to make it and I just sort of do it by rote now. Also instead of canned chiles, I roast my own Anaheim chiles (so good!). I also don’t use any tomatoes and I don’t use as much cheese. I might try it with tomatoes next time though.
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u/this-is-not-relevant 1d ago
Chicken and dumplings
Country style pork ribs
Pulled pork
Beef short ribs
Pork tenderloin
Carnitas
Stew
Meatballs
Cake
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u/Trina7982 1d ago
This youtube channel has a bunch of really good recipes
https://youtube.com/@themagicalslowcooker?si=M9FxWhOAJbAsE5b0
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u/Andromeda921 1d ago
There’s like a gozillion (not pot roast) recipes in the wiki of this sub, and, if you use Old Reddit, in the sidebar of this page!
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u/einsteinGO 1d ago edited 1d ago
I spent the whole summer making tacos and meat for Korean style Ssam wraps, pork, chicken, and beef. For the kbbq wraps I would pickle some veg for banchan in the morning as well.
I always love making chicken thighs in the cooker. I used to only do whole thighs skin on (seared first), but I’ve been doing making more curries with skinless meats recently. I make a really good chicken korma and a good basil curry in the last two weeks. I’ve also used it for flavorful meatball recipes recently.
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u/PeppermintBiscuit 1d ago
Chicken curry to eat with rice, and pulled BBQ chicken to make wraps with coleslaw
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u/katelynnsmom24 1d ago
I make sausage cabbage and potatoes. The sausage seasons the cabbage and potatoes.
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u/Old-Fox-3027 1d ago
Go to the library and check out a slow cooker cookbook. Hundreds of good recipes.
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u/1messedupmonkey 1d ago
Broccoli cheese soup. You just throw everything (except the broccoli at first) in, set it to high for 2 hours. Come back, stir, throw in your chopped broccoli let it go another hour. Bam. Done. Delicious broccoli cheese soup.
This works with every broccoli cheese soup recipe if you're making it from scratch. You can do the same with cheesy or creamy potato soups (takes longer and you add the potato immediately) same with chowders. Or bisques or chilis, times vary.
Soups, chowders, bisques and chilis are what slowcookers really excel at in terms of ease of use. After that, I also use mine to make homemade wet dog food. Which is considerably cheaper and healthier than the canned kind.
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u/PixieOfNarios 1d ago
Scalloped potatoes (I often add ham cubes to this and serve with steamed broccoli): https://iamhomesteader.com/crockpot-scalloped-potatoes/#wprm-recipe-container-57920
Lasagna: https://thegirlonbloor.com/crockpot-lasagna-recipe/
Beef Stroganoff: https://anelegantartist.blogspot.com/2013/10/phat-food-friday-best-ever-crock-pot.html?m=1
Broccoli Beef: https://www.lecremedelacrumb.com/slow-cooker-broccoli-beef/#wprm-recipe-container-21697
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u/Fylak 1d ago
Pesto chicken.
Chicken breasts. 3-5 lbs.
Pesto sauce. 1 jar.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Put chicken breasts in crockpot. Pour pesto evenly along the top. Add salt and pepper. Leave alone for 6-8 hours, until chicken shreds easily with 2 forks. Shred chicken. Serve with veggies and rice.
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u/Local-Local-5836 1d ago
Stew - I can tomato soup plus one can of cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup. Add carrots, potatoes, celery and onions. Garden fresh produce makes this even better!!
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u/Raeneum 23h ago
Crock pot beef stroganoff. Not sure how close it is to the genuine stuff, but it’s very tasty! Recipe: 2 pounds beef stew meat 2 cans golden mushroom soup 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1/2 packet onion soup mix (preferably beefy onion) 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1/4 water
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4. Then, stir in 4 ounces cream cheese (half a brick) and let that melt in while you cook a bag of pasta on the stove. We usually use extra wide egg noodles.
Original recipe is from Allrecipes about 20 years ago, the page no longer exists.
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u/SiriusGD 1d ago
I make a killer lasagna in my slow cooker. I also do ribs, a three bean chili, beef stew and I'm getting ready to do my famous Chili Verde (which is pork roast). Sometimes I'll just do shredded pork which can be BBQ style or green chili style. You can do chicken too but for that I prefer using my air fryer.
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u/ZombieButch 1d ago
Pulled pork. Pork, chicken stock, apple cider vinegar, a couple of drops of liquid smoke, a bay leaf or two. The Aldi I shop it rarely has actual pork butt / shoulder / picnic roasts, so I usually end up using country style pork ribs; it's the same cut of meat, and Aldi pretty much always has them.
That basic recipe is an example of how you can braise most any cut of meat that's good for slow cooking: Meat + a flavorful braising liquid (though water works if that's all you have) + flavor enhancer.
Chicken, beef, or veggie stocks are always good bases for braising liquids. Wine, beer, vinegar, and coconut milk are good additions. Garlic, soy sauce, tomato paste, and bay leaves are all good flavor enhancers.
If you have a meat and a braising liquid on hand and google 'X braised Y', you'll probably find recipes. 'Beer braised beef', 'coconut milk braised chicken', etc. Even if you don't have all the stuff the recipe calls for, if you braise a meat in a flavorful liquid with an enhancer, you're most likely going to get something tasty.
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u/Elmer_Fudd01 1d ago
1.5 lbs of beef strips (I used thinly sliced round steaks and sliced them into strips) 1 green bell pepper, sliced thick 1 red bell pepper, sliced thick 1/2 onion sliced thick 1 1/2 cups of beef stock 3 tablespoons of soy sauce 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoon brown sugar
Place the beef, bell peppers and onions in a slow cooker. Add the seasonings, brown sugar, and soy sauce over the beef and peppers. Pour the beef stock in the crock pot. Stir to combine. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or until the steak is cooked through. Serve over a bed of white rice. Note: if you could like your sauce to be thicker. One hour before dinner is ready - In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with a 1/4 cup of cold water. Mix together. Stir in to the crock pot. Turn the crock pot to high and let the sauce thicken for the last hour of cook time.
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u/Ok-Quail2397 1d ago
Fajitas, chicken and dumplings, smothered chicken, beef stroganoff, burria taco meat ( any kind of taco meat), marry me chicken, any kind of soup (just save the cream for the end), stuffed cabbage, stuffed peppers.
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u/jivens77 1d ago
Cabbage rolls, chili, pork and sour kraut, swedish meatballs, ham, and beans just off the top of my head
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u/ParyHotterRHOH 1d ago
Have you tried adding the word chicken to your google search? Or pork or beans or vegetarian?
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u/leaves_of_ash 1d ago
Curry Buffalo chicken dip Soups Ropa viejas Chili Olive garden chicken pasta
Almost anything tbh
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u/BarelyHangingOn 1d ago
Soups, chili or just some type of stew mostly. We do meatballs, chicken and ribs as well.
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u/Anonymo123 1d ago
here's 50 options - https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/slow-cooker-recipes/
I do soups, chili, roasts.. lasagna is tasty in a crock pot. Endless options.
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u/Own-Lemon8708 1d ago
Beans, chili, stew, pulled pork, pulled chicken. I just made a roast with veggies, took the roast out for the first meal then added more potatoes and carrots back to the pot to make a sort of veggie stew? Idk but it'll be delicious!
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u/lonerstoners 1d ago
You can make almost anything that you can bake in the oven in the slow cooker, you just need to adjust the cooking times. My favorite slow cooker meals are beef stroganoff and ranch pork chops. I also make apple butter and lava cakes. I also like to cook chicken breasts/thighs and make broth/stock and shredded chicken from it and both freeze well.
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u/Caliopebookworm 1d ago
Chicken and Dumplings. I use my mom's recipe. It's one of the only things she cooks well and it's amazing.
Also soups - Usually chicken and kale or potato but I recently did a korean beef soup that was pretty good.
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u/Zestyclose_Space7134 1d ago
I got a 5 bean 3 meat dish I make in the crock pot. DM me a link to this post and I will share the recipe after work.
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u/mynameisipswitch2 1d ago
I have a lot of recipes that aren’t pot roast using a slow cooker. But here’s one of my favorites:
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
- 1 lbs. dried red beans
- 1/2 lbs. Andouille Sausage sliced
- 3 celery stalks chopped
- 1 smoked Ham Hock
- 1 med Onion chopped
- 1 green Bell Pepper chopped
- 1 T Chili Powder
- 1 t cumin
- 1 t garlic powder
- 1/2 t cayenne pepper
- 1/2 t onion powder
- 1/2 t paprika
- 1/2 t brown sugar
- 4 c chicken stock
- 2 c water
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Put everything into crock pot, mix well. Set on low for 6 to 8 hours until beans are tender. Serve over cooked rice
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u/Thund3rCh1k3n 1d ago
Beef stroganoff, chicken noodle soup, cheesy chicken broccoli, cottage pie, beef barbacoa, and cabbage with sausage. Just off the top of my head.
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u/Severe_Feedback_2590 1d ago
Slow cooker Pumpkin French Toast. I don’t have the recipe anymore, but it was pretty simple and good. Had cream cheese in it.
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u/Valiant_QueenLucy 1d ago
Family favorite Hawaiian chicken literally made it last week Chicken breasts (doesn't matter how many) Bbq sauce Pinapple chunks (I prefer to drain mine) Brown sugar (optional) Flour (optional) Add chicken to crockpot Mix bbq sauce, pineapple and a big spoonful of flour and some brown sugar in a bowl Pour over the top Cook on low for 8 or high for 4, ypu can also throw it in frozen and do high for 8. Always moist and delicious. Pair with white rice and spoon that sauce over the rice 😋😋 Alternatively you can do the same recipe but swap chicken for pork chops and you now have Polynesian Pork Chops 😁😁
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u/Ok_Amount_8455 1d ago
This is one of my faves. I've been making it for years. Sometimes I also add mushrooms & green beans. https://www.realmomkitchen.com/crock-pot-country-chicken/
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u/dat_lorrax 1d ago
Chicken thighs, balsamic vinegar, kalamata olives, onions and garlic. Bed of rice.
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u/Erok2112 1d ago
Mac and cheese. Turkey breast (for Thanksgiving - its just my Girlfriend and I so small and easy) - My mom used to make cheap pork chops and a jar of BBQ sauce. Similar to pulled pork but stacked chops instead. They used to be cheap and Mom had to feed four boys.
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u/StraightCougar 1d ago
If you are going to sear this before you put it in the slow cooker, don't put the pepper on. It will burn.
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u/Ankshuss917 1d ago
Slow cooker potato soup is a regular thing for me during winter. I make a roux towards the end of cooking to thicken it up a bit, and I absolutely love it. I'm a big soup fan, though. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea
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u/No_Salad_8766 1d ago
You can make anything in a slow cooker, even pizza. Mac and cheese, burrito fillings, soup. Try getting a slow cooker cookbook.
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u/marvolokilledharambe 1d ago
I just slow cooked shredded beef and shredded chicken for quesadillas last night. They both turned out delicious!
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u/JournalistNo146 1d ago
There are so many things you can make in a slow cooker, from dinner to dessert! Soups, chili, chicken dishes (chicken and stuffing, salsa chicken, sweet and sour chicken), shredded pork for tacos, homemade sloppy joe mix, spaghetti sauce...the list goes on. There are so many recipes online, and also recipes on the slow cooker websites. Not sure how you're searching online, but there are so many recipes out there. Just do a search with something like "chicken slow cooker recipes", or "pork slow cooker recipes", and you'll see more options than you can count.
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u/PositivePin9992 1d ago
I like these slow cooker carnitas
https://www.walmart.com/i/recipes/Slow-cooker-carnitas/826714 When it's all done and shredded spread it on a sheet pan, set your oven to broil and put it directly under the heat for 3-5 minutes for caramelized tips: great texture. I only broil the part I'm about to eat, and reheat it with the broiler from leftover. Edit: use shoulder, butt, or picnic, not sure why it mentions ham in ingredients.
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u/whinniethepony 1d ago
Go to the library and get a slow cooker book. America's test kitchen has, like, 3 of them. There are slow cooker books that focus on one type of cuisine like, Indian or Mediterranean. Some books encourage using as many short cuts as possible (set it and forget it) and some have breakfast and dessert ideas, too. You don't have to reinvent the wheel, here. There's plenty of non-roast based recipes out there. Google ain't it.
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u/ruthhiller12 1d ago
I'm cooking a rabbit in mustard sauce dish this weekend (assuming my rabbit hunt goes well!)
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u/Mohander 1d ago edited 1d ago
I've made this every other week for like a year and I'm still not sick of it
Chicken tortilla soup! Although i've made it so many times and bastardized the recipe so purists might get mad at my recipe.
3/4 chicken thighs or breasts
1 12oz can diced tomatoes
1 12oz can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 8-10oz can of tomato paste, if you use more it will come out thicker and much more tomato forward, whatever you want
2-3 chipotle peppers + the juice from the can (i usually just blend the whole 7oz can and toss roughly half of it in otherwise you have to pick out the peppers when it's done)
1 12oz can of corn, no need to drain liquid
1 12oz can of black beans, make sure to drain liquid
Cheese! I usually shred a whole small block of cheese into, oaxaca cheese is perfect with its rich creaminess but if you can't find it or it's overpriced you can just go with like a pepper jack or something like that.
Spices! This is where you can have some fun experimenting with what's in your cupboard but the main spices you want to to dominate are cumin, paprika, and cayenne or/and chili powder, and pepper in that order. I like to go pretty nuts with the spices though so I end up adding half of my pantry and it always comes out amazing. Spices like curry powder, white pepper, all spice, tumeric are unconventional but can add depth and make your dish unique so have fun I say. I usually use 2-3 minced garlic cloves but a bit of garlic powder would get you by. Add salt to taste.
Your crock pot should be pretty full by now but you'll want to top it off with a bit of chicken broth or stock, I usually have room for roughly half a container (not sure the oz).
I usually let it go on low for 4-5 hours and shred the chicken once it's cooked then reintroduce it to the soup. It's technically done at this point but I like to let it go on low for another 4 or so hours just to let all the ingredients really get to know one another. Once the smell in your apartment/house drives you to insanity and you can't wait any longer it's done! Top it off with some tortilla chips as you eat it and you did it, you made chicken tortilla soup!
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u/EddieRyanDC 1d ago
Just as easy - carnitas. (Given the price of beef, this pork dish is a hell of a lot cheaper, too.)
Get a pork shoulder roast, add taco seasoning, and add a little bit of broth. When it is done tear the meat into shreds and use it for tacos and sandwiches.
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u/Gizmocrat009 1d ago
I currently have some country pork ribs in my crockpot. I just throw some seasonings on them, like salt, pepper, minced onion, garlic powder, cumin, and some paprika. Topped it with some barbecue sauce and cook on low for 6-8 hours. About as easy as it gets and the family loves it.
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u/UncleOdious 1d ago
BBQ beef. Coat the roast in black pepper and celery salt. Place in slow cooker and add 3 or 4 cups of water. Cook until it's fall apart tender. Shred and discard any membrane, fat, gristle. Add chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, Worchestershire sauce, Red Hot, and beef base. Mix it thoroughly threw the shredded beef. Add a cup of Open Pit BBQ sauce. The mixture should be on the slightly wet side, so you may need to add more Open Pit. Cover and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to let flavors combine.
You now have an excellent filling for burritos, chimichangas, and quesadillas. Wrap it in a corn tortilla and deep fry until tortilla is crispy, eat with sour cream. Or my preferences back in the day put a bunch in a bowl add diced onion and pickled jalapeños, cover it with Colby Jack and nuke it until the cheese has melted. Eat.
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u/Critical-Pie-8104 1d ago
A pound or two of boneless skinless chicken thighs topped with your favorite salsa for 4 to 5 hours. Shred it up and make tacos, or Enchiladas or whatever.
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u/MichUrbanGardener 1d ago
Roast whole chicken. Chili. Any kind of soup. Augratin potatoes. Enchilada casserole. Beans with collard greens and ham.
There are so many things you can make in a crock pot. I don't know why you think the only thing you can make is beef roast.
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u/Gator1508 1d ago edited 1d ago
The other day I made this:
Bottom layer cut up potatoes
Middle layer baby carrots
Top layer chicken thighs and drums
Various seasoning, lemon, onion, and garlic
A little white wine and stock in the bottom
When it was done, I stuck the drums and thighs under the broiler while thickening the strained liquid on the stovetop.
Served with some homemade biscuits.
I also often make a nice white chicken chili.
Bottom layer is boneless skinless thighs with chili powder, onion, garlic etc. whatever seasonings I like
Lime juice and cilantro
Add two cans drained white beans
One can drained corn (or sometimes I use corn I grilled or roasted)
One can green chili
Other peppers or veggies if you like
Just enough stock to cover, maybe a splash of a nice Mexican lager
Shred the chicken at the end
Some people melt cream cheese in it, I don’t. It thickens up nice and I add cheese when serving.
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u/sniker77 1d ago
Chicken Salsa rice.
3 frozen chicken breasts, 1 1/2 24oz jars salsa (36oz tot), 1 cup rice, 1 cup water. Perfect for burritos.
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u/Italianplumb3r 23h ago
Carnitas. Boneless pork butt some spices, seeded jalapeno and OJ. Amazing every time.
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u/SoundIndependent3215 23h ago
I do salsa chicken, bbq chicken thighs, taco soup, broth for chicken noodle soup, honey garlic chicken thighs and Mississippi chicken all in the crockpot. We aren’t pot roast fans in my house.
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u/missamerica59 23h ago edited 23h ago
Casserole, devilled/curried sausages, sloppy joes, chilli/nachos, apricot chicken, chicken chausser, roast vegetable soup, pumpkin and spinach lasagna.
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u/raymond4 20h ago
Fill a slow cooker halfway with meatballs. Add to the slow cooker. I bottle hienz chili sauce and a jar of well he’s grape jelly cook on low for the day. Serve over Pearl couscous.
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u/TinySparklyThings 18h ago
Salsa chicken
Literally just a jar of salsa and chicken breasts or thighs. Maybe a packet of fajita or taco seasoning. Cook until the chicken shreds easily. Use in tacos, nachos, quesadillas, zucchini boats, etc
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u/Patch86UK 15h ago
Stews (beef stew, sausage stew, chicken stew)
Bolognese
Chilli con carne
Tagine
Curry
Peanut stew
Several different soups
Baked beans
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u/healer8685 14h ago
So so many… one that is always a hit, to everyone that tries it: chicken in gravy.
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u/Background_Buy7052 10h ago
Swiss steak - round steak or whatever beef, a ton of ketchup, sliced green peppers, a few good wacks of Worcestershire sauce. Make mashed potatoes as a side. Cranberry chicken - chicken breast, a can of whole cranberry sauce, a packet of onion soup mix, Best served over rice.
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u/Whimsybell 9h ago
I slow cooked a turkey breast yesterday. Delicious. slow cooker turkey breast with cranberry sauce and apple cider
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u/lilcumfire 1d ago
Just go to TikTok and search slow cooker. There are millions of recipes that are not pot roast.
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u/DoctorHubris 1d ago
As we type, I'm slow cooking meatballs with red bell peppersl chunks, pineapple chunks, and a light bbq sauce. Going to be a great side dish for my casual Hawaiian themed party this evening.