19 warm and comforting slow cooker recipes (2024)

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Comfort food at its best. - by Eunice Oh

As the nights grow colder, it's time to dig out the slow cooker from the garage or the back of your cupboard and put it to good use.

WATCH:Harissa-crusted slow-cooked pork shoulder

It’s a great multi-use appliance that can be used to make starters, soups, mains and even dessert!Here's a link to our10 best slow cookers you need to buy now.

Slow cooker recipes

Think of tender lamb shanks with orange and cinnamon falling off the bone. You can even make your own fresh slow-cooked herb bread, perfect for dipping in extra virgin olive oil and balsamic whilst enjoying a glass of vino.

Want fresh tomato sauce? You can make that too, and serve it with a big bowl of pasta. Yum!

We've rounded up our top 19 best slow-cooker recipes to whip up in your cosy kitchen, Perfect for a quiet mid-week dinner at home or stress-free entertaining on the weekend.

1.Slow-cooked herb bread

If you've never cooked bread this way, give it a try!It's the perfect side to any slow-cooked meal.

2.Slow-cooked ribs

Coated in spices, then cooked for five hours in a tangy sauce. Slowing things down is the best way for these finger-licking faves.

3.Slow-cooked lamb shanks with orange and cinnamon

You’ll be rewarded with tender meat and a rich, aromatic sauce to remember.

4.Slow-cooked curried chicken drumsticks

Who doesn’t love drummies? These pleasers bathe in a gorgeous light korma sauce for three hours before legging it to a bed of steamed rice.

5.Slow-cooked tomato Napoletana sauce

A quality homemade sauce is the secret to absolutely mouth-watering tomato-based Italian meals.

6.Slow-cooked massaman beef

Simply saute and stir on the stovetop– using curry paste as a tasty shortcut– then pop the lot in the oven and walk away until it's ready.

7.Mexican pork with beans

Think aTex-Mex shredded porkthat you can pile high into a burger bun with slaw or serve in tortillas with guacamole.

8. Easy slow cooked lamb shanks with red wine sauce

Lamb shanks are made for slow cooking. No other recipe heralds the start of winter like melt-in-your-mouth lamb braised in a red wine sauce served upon a cloud ofmashed potato.

9.Slow-cooked hearty vegetable and lentil soup

Go bulky with celery, carrot, barley and lentils, then return home to a beautifully warm bowlful.

10.Slow-cooked mandarin and soy beef

Citrusy juice, tangy soy, sweet hoisin and cinnamon will be imparting their wonderful flavours into this Asian-style beef. Just boil egg noodles and brocollini to serve. So simple!

11.Slow-cooked tomato and green pepper beef

Andre Martin

Simmer and roast your way to your family's new fave casserole.

12.Slow cooked lamb shoulder with beetroot and feta cream

This fall-off-the-bonelamb is well worth the wait! Rub herb oil into the sides, then roast it long and slow with wedges of red onion. P.S. thefeta cream is divine.

13.Slow cooker chicken stew with rosemary and barley

The flavours of barley, rosemary, garlic and white wine combine to create a winning dinner. You won't regret jumping out of bed early to prepare this meal, because the smell you'll come home to is truly divine.

14.Harissa-crusted slow-cooked pork shoulder

A slow-cooked beauty that features gently spiced Moroccan flavours combined with aromatics and served with couscous and yoghurt. It’s so tender it will melt in your mouth.

15.Slow cooked beef 'barbacoa'

Sure it takes half a day, but slow-cooking buffalo brisket and vegies in a pit of hot coals makes it utterly tender and juicy. But you can make it in the oven too.

16.Vegetable risotto

Robust vegetables and a scattering of aromatic sage make this risotto wonderfully comforting and wholesome.

17. Slow cooker bolognese

A fresh take on every family’s favourite Italian dish using a slow cooker.

18.Lamb shank stroganoff

Stroganoff goes extra hearty with fall-apart lamb shanks adding even more richness to this winter staple, and making it fancy enough to serve up at your next dinner party. Shanks for the memories!

19.Lentil and eggplant ragu

Left to cook for just over six hours, this pasta sauce is easy to make. Just fry the veg then throw it all in your slow cooker to bubble away.

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10 best slow cookers for winter cooking

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19 warm and comforting slow cooker recipes (20)
Eunice Oh

Based in Sydney, Eunice Oh is a content producer, K-beauty expert and major foodie. Her work has appeared in That's Life, Woman's Day, Girlfriend Magazine, 7News and BEAUTYcrew.

19 warm and comforting slow cooker recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is good to cook in a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish. Bulk up with vegetables instead.

What is the difference between warm and low on a crockpot? ›

The low and high settings will peak at 215ºF. However, the low setting cycles on and off that temperature more frequently. Therefore, the high setting will cook the food in a shorter time than the low setting. On the warm setting, the Crock-Pot will be between 165 to 175ºF.

Can I 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!

Is there a slow cooker recipe book? ›

Your comfort cooking starts with these heartwarming recipes. From set-and-forget curries to falling-apart-at-the-bone stews and heavenly desserts, there are 100 inspiring and clever dishes to choose from.

What piece of meat is best for slow cooker? ›

The best cuts of meat for slow cooking
  • Chuck steak.
  • Round steak.
  • Blade steak.
  • Topside.
  • Silverside.
  • Skirt steak.
  • Shin (gravy) beef.
  • Sausages.

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.

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

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

How long can you leave a slow cooker on warm? ›

The 'Warm' setting is ONLY for keeping already-cooked food at the perfect serving temperature until mealtime. To prevent food from dipping into temperatures that aren't food-safe, you shouldn't use the 'Warm' setting for more than 4 hours.

Can I put my crockpot on warm instead of low? ›

Note: do NOT use the "Keep Warm or Hot" setting to cook, only use this setting if available after foods are completely cooked to safe internal temperatures , to keep hot ("hot holding"). See: Slow Cookers and Food Safety .

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

Who is the guy that cooks from old cookbooks? ›

cookbook recipes new life. You never know what B. Dylan Hollis might be cooking.

How long do slow cooker meals last? ›

If you refrigerate, 3-days is recommended (to have some flavor). Slow-cooked meals will last as long as the same ingredients cooked any other way.

What can you not put 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

What is a slow cooker good for? ›

You'll expand your recipe repertoire

You probably know they're great for stews, soups and casseroles, but they're also excellent for dishes such as dhal, jacket potatoes, porridge, desserts such as sticky date pudding, or even drinks such as hot chocolate (and a delicious mulled wine as mentioned above).

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