Our Favorite 5-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Recipes

Potato Chowder

One of the ladies in our church quilting group brought this savory potato soup to a meeting, and everyone loved how the cream cheese and bacon made it so rich. It’s easy to assemble in the morning so it can simmer on its own all day. —Anna Mayer, Fort Branch, Indiana

Go to Recipe

Slow-Cooked Smokies

I like to include these little smokies smothered in barbecue sauce on all my appetizer buffets since they're popular with both children and adults. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

Soy-Garlic Chicken

Because I’m a full-time mom and help my husband on our ranch, I’m always looking for simple yet hearty meals for the slow cooker. My family really likes this one. —Colleen Faber, Buffalo, Montana

Onion Meat Loaf

My husband and I really enjoy this delicious meat loaf made with onion soup mix. You only need five ingredients to assemble this easy entree before popping it in the slow cooker. —Rhonda Cowden, Quincy, Illinois

Hot Cocoa for a Crowd

This is a simple, delicious and comforting hot cocoa with a hint of cinnamon. It has just the right amount of sweetness.—Deborah Canaday, Manhattan, Kansas

Shredded Buffalo Chicken

Hot wings meets pulled chicken in this easy Crock-pot chicken recipe. Your favorite buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing and chicken breasts are slow-cooked for a mouthwatering shredded Buffalo chicken recipe that can be made as spicy (or not) as you like and served in a myriad of ways.

Apple-Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Carrots seem so simple, but this recipe is something special. Sweet and buttery, it was a favorite my mother always used to serve around the holidays. —Darlis Wilfer, West Bend, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooked Salsa

I love the fresh taste of homemade salsa, but as a working mother, I don’t have much time to make it. So I came up with this slow-cooked version that practically makes itself! —Toni Menard, Lompoc, California

Buffet Meatballs

I need only five ingredients to fix these easy appetizers. My grape jelly and ketchup meatballs make an appearance at almost every potluck and party. —Janet Anderson, Carson City, Nevada

Saucy Raspberry Chicken

I first had this as a teenage babysitter, when the children’s mom prepared it for us to eat while she was out. The kids loved it, and so did I! Now I make it for my own kids.

Mulled Grape Cider

I came up with this recipe one year when I tried to make grape jelly and ended up with 30 jars of delicious grape syrup instead. I simmered the syrup with spices to make a lovely autumn drink. —Sharon Harmon, Orange, Massachusetts

Slow-Cooker Baked Potatoes

These slow-cooker baked potatoes are so easy—just add your favorite toppings. Save any extra potatoes to make baked potato soup the next day. —Teresa Emrick, Tipp City, Ohio

Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken Sandwiches

My kids often ask for chicken sloppy joes, and this version has a bonus of sweet pineapple. It is a perfect recipe to double for a potluck. Try topping the sandwiches with smoked Gouda cheese. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Root Beer Pulled Pork Nachos

I count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you’re not into root beer. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Slow-Cooked Mesquite Ribs

When we're missing the grill during winter, these tangy ribs give us that same smoky barbecue taste we love. They're so simple, and fall-off-the-bone delicious too! —Sue Evans, Marquette, Michigan

Slow-Cooker Cheese Dip

I brought this slightly spicy cheese dip to a gathering with friends and it was a huge hit. The spicy pork sausage gives the dip plenty of zip! —Marion Bartone, Conneaut, Ohio

Flavorful Pot Roast

On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top. —Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah

Buffalo Chicken Sliders

Our easy buffalo chicken sliders are made in a slow cooker with minimal ingredients. It's a perfect recipe for gatherings and game-day celebrations.

Apple Butter

Homemade apple butter could not be easier to make—it just takes a little patience! The result is a sweet, aromatic and versatile condiment you will want to spread on everything this fall.

Tomato Hamburger Soup

As a full-time teacher, I only have time to cook from scratch a few nights each week. This slow-cooker soup recipe makes a big enough batch to feed my family for two nights. —Julie Kruger, St. Cloud, Minnesota

Slow-Cooker Dressing

Here’s an easy dressing that’s perfect for Thanksgiving get-togethers. Once it’s in the slow cooker, you’re free to turn your attention to the other dishes. —Rita Nodland, Bismarck, North Dakota

“Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ Ribs

A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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

Slow-Cooker Swiss Steak

Hearty, filling and totally hands-off, this easy slow-cooker Swiss steak recipe will satisfy the whole family.

Creamy Corn

Out of all my corn recipes, this is my favorite. You need just a few ingredients and a slow cooker to make this delicious side dish. Because it cooks on its own, you'll have extra time to prepare the main course. —Judy McCarthy, Derby, Kansas

Easy Chili Verde

I love chili verde. I order it whenever I can at restaurants, and figured out how to make an easy, tasty version at home. People have the option to eat the chili verde with a fork or in tortillas with a variety of toppings such as cheese, cilantro, minced onions or lime wedges. There are never leftovers at my house. —Julie Rowland, Salt Lake City, Utah

Garlic-Apple Pork Roast

This is the meal I have become famous for, and it is so simple. The garlic and apple flavors really complement the pork. It's especially good with steamed fresh asparagus and roasted red potatoes. —Jennifer Loos, Washington Boro, Pennsylvania

Minister's Delight

A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri

How to Cook a Crockpot Ham

Overwhelmed by all the holiday recipes taking up your oven real estate? Here’s how to heat up a precooked ham in a slow cooker for a tender, flavorful feast.

Creamed Corn

Five ingredients are all you'll need for my popular creamed corn recipe. It's wonderful no matter what the occasion is. Try it on a barbecue buffet or holiday menu. —Barbara Brizendine, Harrisonville, Missouri

Italian Beef Hoagies

You'll need just five ingredients to feed a crowd these tender and tangy Italian beef sandwiches. On weekends, I start the roast the night before, so I can shred it in the morning. —Lori Piatt, Danville, Illinois

Saucy Ranch Pork and Potatoes

Awhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah

Slow-Cooker Pear Butter

This is a tasty spread for toast, muffins, biscuits or any of your favorite breads. It is easy to make and has a rich pear flavor with hints of cinnamon, star anise and lemon. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Super Easy Country-Style Ribs

I'm a die-hard rib fan. When we were growing up, our mom made these for us all the time, and we still can’t get enough of them. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

Creamy Hash Brown Potatoes

Convenient frozen hash browns are the secret behind the cheesy slow-cooker potatoes I cook up for potlucks and big group gatherings. —Julianne Henson, Streamwood, Illinois

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

Crunchy Candy Clusters

These cereal and marshmallow clusters are so simple that I make them for the holidays each year, as my family looks forward to them. —Faye O'Bryan, Owensboro, Kentucky

Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken

I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet and slightly spicy taste of Carolina vinegar chicken. I make my version in the slow cooker. After the tempting aroma fills the house, your family is sure to be at the dinner table on time! —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia

Slow-Cooked Enchilada Casserole

Tortilla chips and a side salad turn this savory casserole into a fun and festive meal with very little effort. —Denise Waller, Omaha, Nebraska

Baked Ham with Pineapple

I first learned the technique for baked ham with pineapple for a themed dinner my husband and I hosted. Since it is widely known as the symbol of hospitality, pineapple was the star ingredient on our menu and on this lovely baked ham. —JoAnn Fox, Johnson City, Tennessee

Slow-Cooked Cherry Pork Chops

I mixed and matched several recipes to come up with this one. I'm always happy to adapt recipes for my slow cooker. It's so easy to prepare a meal that way. —Mildred Sherrer, Fort Worth, Texas

Sausage Pepper Sandwiches

Peppers and onions add fresh flavor to this sausage filling for sandwiches. It's simple to assemble, and it's always gobbled up quickly. —Suzette Gessel, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Warm Feta Cheese Dip

We’re big on appetizers, so this dip is a mashup of our favorite tastes, like cream cheese, feta, basil and sweet peppers. Serve with bread or chips. —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Applesauce Sweet Potatoes

During the holidays, using a slow cooker not only frees up oven space, but time, too! Sweet potatoes are a must on our family menu, and this no-fuss version will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen. —Pamela Allen, Marysville, Ohio

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

“Foolproof” is a perfect way to describe my barbecue pork recipe. With just four ingredients and a slow cooker, you can make these fabulous sandwiches with very little effort. —Sarah Johnson, Chicago, Illinois

Slow-Cooked Golden Mashed Potatoes

Making a grand meal can be a little daunting, even for the most experienced cook. The convenience of the slow cooker for these classic spuds makes your task one step easier and allows you to spend more time with family. —Samantha Six, Fredricksburg, Indiana

Slow Cooker Fruit Compote

I use canned goods and my slow cooker to whip up an old-fashioned treat that’s loaded with sweet fruits. It makes a cozy dessert or even a change-of-pace side dish for large parties. —Mary Ann Jonns, Midlothian, Illinois

Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions

I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as its ease of preparation with my slow cooker. Everyone always enjoys roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese. —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida

Butterscotch Fruit Dip

If you like the sweetness of butterscotch chips, you'll enjoy this warm rum-flavored fruit dip. I serve it with apple and pear wedges. It holds up for up to two hours in the slow cooker. —Jeaune Hadl Van Meter, Lexington, Kentucky