5-Ingredient (or Less) Slow Cooker Meal Ideas
You know that point in the week where you should probably go grocery shopping, but you weren’t planning to go until tomorrow, so you’ve gotta MacGyver some kind of dinner out of ramen noodles, ketchup, and leftover chicken? That’s today. I’m tired. And I still have to make dinner tonight. Sigh.
So I set out to find some slow cooker recipes that only have a few ingredients and come together quickly, in hopes that I can make all of our lives easier. Here’s what I came up with!
1. Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
This is my FAVORITE slow cooker dinner, hands down! This recipe requires just four ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and there’s virtually no prep work. We actually use pretzel buns from Costco, but any bread works great! Get the recipe here.
2. Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast
This Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast recipe sounds a little unconventional, but it comes with rave reviews. I LOVE finding new ways to spice up a standard pot roast! Get the recipe here.
3. Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork
Oh my heavens, this Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Pulled Pork is a juicy, incredible dish that makes me hungry just thinking about it! Plus, there are only four ingredients in this flavor-packed dish. Get the recipe here.
4. Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken
Our Easy Slow Cooker Creamy Italian Chicken comes together in just a couple minutes and turns out perfectly creamy every time. BONUS – kids love it! Get the recipe here.
5. Slow Cooker Coq au Vin
Slow Cooker Coq au Vin is a classic comfort food, made easy! This recipe needs a quick sear before going in the slow cooker, so it takes a few minutes to prep, but it’s worth it for the flavor payoff. Get the recipe here.
6. Slow Cooker Taco Chili
This Slow Cooker Taco Chili sounds like the mother of all comfort food! Perfect for tailgating, too! Yum! Get the recipe here.
7. Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Nothing says “Fall” like coming home to the amazing smell of pot roast that’s been slow-cooking all day. Our Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast is the perfect flavorful, classic pot roast for those chilly fall nights. Get the recipe here.
8. Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
This Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is an easy twist on a classic comfort food. Using almost entirely pre-packaged ingredients, this version comes together in minutes, and the dried thyme gives it a refreshing herbal note. Get the recipe here.
9. Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops
If you’re looking for a true “set it and forget it” slow cooker meal using just a few ingredients, try our Slow Cooker Smothered Pork Chops. Get the recipe here.
10. Slow Cooker Kalua Pig
Four ingredients. Sixteen hours. Dozens of comments raving about how flavorful and tender this Slow Cooker Kalua Pig is. Definitely adding this to my meal plan for the week! Get the recipe here.
By the way, if you’re looking for a slow cooker, I cannot recommend an Instant Pot enough. It’s a 7-In-1 multi-functional cooker (pressure cooker, sauté/browning, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, steamer & warmer). This magical contraption will CHANGE your life. You’re welcome.
These ALL sound delicious! Thank you, need some new dinners, especially crock pot meals!
You’re welcome! Enjoy! 😋
We love the creamy Italian chicken. It’s a staple in our house.
How do you prefer to serve it, over noodles or rice or something else??
Bowtie pasta we love it!
Sounds great!! My kids will love the bowtie noodles.
Glad to hear it! 😉
Mississippi Roast is the best roast you’ll ever eat. Sounds like odd ingredients but the end result is fantastic!
Aww, that’s awesome! Thanks for sharing Susie!
Thank you for sharing all of these great recipes!! I’m always looking for new easy recipes to try. I can’t wait to give the “crack chicken” a shot!
You bet! I hope you like many of them! 😊 Lina’s recipes are always a hit in our household.
Awesome! Love new crockpot ideas football halloween soon so excited!
I just have to say I love you used the term “McGuyver”.
That’s too funny…I’m a Heather also and my friends at work call me McGuyver. I was going to comment on that too 😊
My husband makes his pulled pork with Dr. Pepper and Sweet Baby Ray’s too. He doesn’t add seasoning and it still tastes great, especially with cole slaw.
YUM! Thanks for the feedback Wendy!
The instant pot is AWSOME!!! Frozen chicken to hot dinner in under an hour! Bam where do they do that? Anyone who has an InstantPot can ! 🤗🤗😋😋😋😋😋😋😋
Can I get your recommendations on which brand of slow cooker is good ???
I recommend you read the amazon reviewers. I bought Hamilton Beach and have been satisfied and see a lot of bloggers use that one as well. The key is the lid (IMO.) But even if you don’t buy on Amazon, the reviews are priceless.
Olivia, where do you find good recipes for your insta pot??
I bought the Instant Pot Cookbook by Madison Rose for my kindle for 99 cents. Great recipes in it that my family loves.
Thank you for an awesome post! I’m definitely going to try these… And I’ve done Lina’s creamy Italian chicken and it is delicious!!! Good round up and post Danielle! Super helpful for a busy working mom!
Creamy Italian chicken is very good! I first thought the ingredients were a little odd but it turned out to be delicious! I think I will make this tmrw for dinner! Thanks for posting this again as a reminder Collin!
You’re so welcome! Glad to hear how much you like that one!
We make a lot of meals in our crock put in the winter here in South Dakota. Always looking for new recipes thanks there were a few we haven’t had so gonna try them.