Get ready to enjoy the big game this weekend with these easy and delicious slow cooker recipes! Each of these game-day crockpot recipes takes less than 30 minutes of active prep or has no more than three steps, so you can toss your ingredients into the slow cooker and enjoy the pregame festivities. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just a small group, this mix of tacos, soups and dips are sure to please everyone. Options like our Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili or our Slow-Cooker Wings are healthy, customizable dishes that will help you get your game face on.
Slow-Cooker Three-Bean Chili Mac
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Chili meets mac and cheese in this fix-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker dinner. Hot tomato sauce, a Mexican canned tomato sauce that also includes spices and chiles for heat, kicks up the flavor.
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This hearty sweet potato and black bean chili has a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Swap out regular chili powder for chipotle and ancho chile powder, or try using reduced-sodium taco or fajita seasoning for a unique twist.
Slow-Cooker Spinach & Artichoke Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
If you love spinach and artichokes, this is the perfect soup for you. The creamy base is packed with veggies and shredded chicken, which soaks up the broth while adding a boost of protein.
Slow-Cooker Wings
Slow-cooker wings are a fuss-free way to prepare wings for game day. The wings are tender, and they brown nicely under the broiler. After broiling, they’re tossed in the tangy, sweet sauce they’re cooked in, with the remaining sauce served on the side for dipping.
Slow-Cooker Flank Steak au Jus Sandwiches
Juicy flank steak, beefy sauce and caramelized onions come together easily to create this delectable hoagie sandwich. The flank steak is tender, moist and flavor-packed.
Slow-Cooker Baked Beans
Typically made with bacon, these vegetarian slow-cooked beans are the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Molasses and brown sugar provide sweetness, while tomato, mustard and Worcestershire sauce add savoriness.
Pork & Pineapple Tacos
Plan ahead so you can use your slow cooker to prepare the pulled pork for these tacos. This recipe is a better-for-you twist on the classic tacos al pastor. Pork loin is a lean cut that’s a healthier option than traditional pork shoulder, which has more fat.
Slow-Cooker Chicken Chili
Jason Donnelly
This simple slow-cooker chili features plenty of veggies and shredded chicken breast simmered in a smoky broth of chipotle chiles and tomato. The chili is finished with shredded cheese, avocados and cilantro, but feel free to add your own favorite toppings to jazz it up!
Barbecue Grape-Jelly Meatballs
These barbecue grape-jelly meatballs are meatballs smothered in a sauce of sweet grape jelly, barbecue sauce, hot sauce and ketchup. They’re sweet, salty and incredibly tender after their long cook time in the slow cooker. You can serve them right from the slow cooker or stack them on toothpicks for easy finger food.
Slow-Cooker Barbecue Brisket Sliders
Serve these slow-cooker brisket sliders when company’s coming—perhaps to watch the big game—for an easy, crowd-pleasing dish. The crisp, tangy coleslaw is the perfect pairing for the tender, rich brisket. Serve with chips, crudités and cold beer to round out the meal.
Salsa Verde Slow-Cooker Chicken
Chicken breasts are transformed when they get slow-cooked in salsa verde. Shredding the chicken and returning it to the sauce ensures the end result is juicy and delicious. Serve the shredded meat over brown rice or use as a filling for tacos or enchiladas.
Sweet & Spicy Soy-Braised Short Ribs
The sticky sauce on these ribs, made with tamari (or soy sauce), gochujang, grated pear and honey, is inspired by bulgogi, a staple of Korean barbecue. Don’t skip the step of running them under the broiler before serving—it gives the ribs the crisp edges you’d get from grilling.
Slow-Cooker Chicken & Pinto Bean Enchilada Casserole
Layers of tortillas, cheese and sauce meld together into a cozy casserole inspired by the flavors in enchiladas. The top tortilla layer gets beautifully crispy in the slow cooker.
Easy Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil
Crystal Hughes
Tender red potatoes, corn, shrimp, smoky sausage and flavorful Old Bay seasoning give this crockpot seafood boil the classic flavors you love. Because it’s all made in the slow cooker, pulling this meal together is a breeze. It’s perfect for a party—just serve it with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce and bay leaves.
Slow-Cooker Honey Whole-Wheat Rolls
The slow cooker yields super-tender, pillowy whole-wheat rolls. If you prefer them crustier, arrange the finished rolls on a baking sheet, brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with flaky sea salt, if desired. Broil, watching carefully, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili
Ground turkey and canned kidney beans combine in this easy slow-cooker turkey chili. A tomato base, plus cumin and garlic powder, supplies plenty of flavor, while jalapeño and chili powder bring on the heat.
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Jason Donnelly
If you like Buffalo wings, you’ll love the flavors in this warm, hearty chili that comes together easily in the slow cooker. Sour cream helps cut the heat, but you could also use plain strained yogurt.
Slow-Cooker Cheesy Potatoes
What’s not to love about this easy dump-and-go slow cooker recipe? It has potatoes and ooey-gooey cheese, all combined with a can of condensed cream of chicken soup!
