40+ Budget Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes - Budget Bytes https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/slow-cooker/ Delicious Recipes Designed for Small Budgets Thu, 13 Feb 2025 09:27:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2 https://www.budgetbytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-cropped-favicon-32x32.png 40+ Budget Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes - Budget Bytes https://www.budgetbytes.com/category/recipes/slow-cooker/ 32 32 Mississippi Pot Roast https://www.budgetbytes.com/mississippi-pot-roast/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/mississippi-pot-roast/#comments Sat, 01 Feb 2025 14:30:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=110129 This easy recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast uses simple pantry ingredients, chuck roast, and a crock pot to create a delicious, budget-friendly meal!

The post Mississippi Pot Roast appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> If you’ve ever been nervous about cooking an entire chuck roast, this delicious crock pot Mississippi Pot Roast recipe is seriously fail-proof and perfect for beginners! I use 5 simple ingredients to create this meaty, fall-apart tender dish that’s loaded with a tangy, flavorful gravy. The hands-on prep time is minimal, and the slow cooker does most of the work, so I can set it and forget it until dinner time! Yes, pot roasts can get a bit pricey, but this recipe makes a LOT of meat and feeds my family for days (plus it freezes well, too!).

Overhead view of mississippi pot roast on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.

What is Mississippi Pot Roast?

Mississippi pot roast is a slow-cooked beef dinner made from chuck roast and simple pantry ingredients. While they use the same cut of meat, this recipe differs from a traditional pot roast as it’s flavored with ranch seasoning, tangy pepperoncini peppers, and brown gravy mix (I know it sounds odd, but this recipe is a sum of its parts, I promise!). It’s said to have been invented in the 1990s by Robin Chapman, a mom from Ripley, Mississippi, who was modifying her aunt’s pot roast recipe to make it less spicy for her kids. This recipe had a resurgence in recent years thanks to social media, and I’m so excited to share my take on it with you!

My coworker Marsha is my go-to when it comes to the honest truth about pot roasts because her family LOVES them, and I will tell y’all, this one is Marsha-approved! ;)

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make a Mississippi pot roast in a crock pot:

  • Boneless Beef Chuck Roast: My roast was 2.8 lbs, so I recommend you aim for a 2.5-3 lb. roast to keep the cooking time consistent with mine. It starts out as a tougher cut of meat but becomes buttery, tender, and shreddable when slow-cooked.
  • Pepperoncini Peppers & Juice: I add a few pepperoncini peppers and some of the juice they come packed in (it’s a mild pepper, so don’t be afraid! This is not a spicy dish). I think the peppers really bring the flavor and make this recipe shine. If they don’t normally find their way onto your grocery list, consider this a sign to give them a try.
  • Unsalted Butter: Be sure to use unsalted butter in this recipe. The pepperoncini juice and packet seasonings already contain more than enough salt.
  • Ranch Seasoning & Brown Gravy Mix: I use a packet of each in this recipe. They may seem like an unlikely duo, but they work together in perfect harmony! You can also use homemade ranch seasoning or a packet of au jus mix in place of the brown gravy mix.
  • Canola Oil: For searing the chuck roast before adding it to the crock pot. This step adds an extra layer of flavor and helps to lock in the juices.

Budget-Friendly Advice!

Check out the price differences on the seasoning packets, ya’ll! I spent $0.54 for the Walmart store brand “ranch seasoning” packet vs. $2.98 for the brand name Hidden Valley! Then, I only spent $0.34 for the store brand “brown gravy” mix versus $1.56 for “au jus.” Trust me; they end up tasting exactly the same (i.e., incredible in this Mississippi roast recipe! Trust me, I tried them both when testing.) Let me save you 3 bucks and some change! Go for the store brand…no need to spring for the name brands in this recipe.

Recipe Success Tips & Suggestions

  1. Cook until fork-tender. My 2.8 lb. roast fell apart easily after 8 hours in the crock pot. But if you use a larger roast or yours isn’t quite ready yet, let it cook for another 30 minutes before checking it again.
  2. Don’t add any more liquid! My recipe stays true to the original Mississippi pot roast recipe by only using the juice from the pepperoncini peppers and butter. You don’t need to add any more liquid than this. The roast will release its juices as it cooks, which mix with the pepperoncini juice and butter to create a simple gravy.
  3. Dab the roast with paper towels before searing. This is optional, but it helps the Maillard reaction (browning of the meat) occur more quickly and evenly.
  4. Don’t have a slow cooker? Don’t worry if you don’t have a crock pot or if your crock pot is too small for the roast. You can follow the directions in my pot roast recipe and use a Dutch oven instead!
  5. Add some veggies! My Dutch oven pot roast recipe has carrots and onions along for the ride, so I’m sure you could do the same with this Mississippi roast if you want to.

What to Serve with Mississippi Pot Roast

I usually serve this homemade Mississippi pot roast with mashed potatoes and green beans. But if you want to try something different, I recommend my mashed potato casserole or our colcannon recipe. They’re both starchy and soak up the gravy from this roast, but they’re a delicious step up from traditional mashed potatoes! Roasted carrots and an easy side salad would also make this a well-balanced meal.

How to Store and Reheat

There’s a good chance you’ll have some leftovers from this tasty roast—it makes a lot! To store, let it cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container. Keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for 2-3 months. I recommend letting it thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. You can either reheat this recipe in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a little water or beef broth if it’s looking a little dry during reheating.

Overhead view of mississippi pot roast in a crockpot.
Overhead view of mississippi pot roast on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans, with a fork taking some of the meat.
Print

Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe

This easy recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast uses simple pantry ingredients, chuck roast, and a crock pot to create a delicious, budget-friendly meal!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost ($19.68 recipe / $3.28 serving)
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 489kcal
Author Jess Rice

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients

  • ½ Tbsp canola oil $0.02
  • 2.8 lb. chuck roast $17.64
  • ¼ cup pepperoncini juice $0.00
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning (mine was 1 oz) $0.54
  • 1 packet brown gravy or au jus mix (mine was 0.87 oz) $0.34
  • ½ a stick of unsalted butter, cubed $0.49
  • 5 pepperoncini peppers $0.65

Instructions

  • Swirl canola oil in a sauté pan and heat over medium-high heat.
  • Once hot, sear each side of the roast for 3-4 minutes, resisting the urge to wiggle it around in the pan. Leave it be, that will make your sear perfect! Flipping with metal tongs is easiest because the roast is a bit heavy.
  • Transfer the chuck roast to your crock pot.
  • Using a whisk, deglaze the sauté pan with the pepperoncini juice. Remove the pan from the heat.
  • Sprinkle the roast with ranch and brown gravy seasoning (or au jus) packets.
  • Pour the pepperoncini juice from the sauté pan over the top of your chuck roast and dot it with butter. Add the pepperoncini on top.
  • Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Check the meat at the 8-hour mark with a fork. If it falls apart easily, it's done!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 489kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 574mg | Fiber: 0.5g

how to make Mississippi Pot Roast – step by step photos

Ingredients for Mississippi pot roast.

Swirl ½ Tbsp of canola oil in a sauté pan and heat it over medium-high heat. Make sure your sauté pan is big enough to fit your roast!

A chuck roast sauteing in a skillet.

Once the oil is hot, add the 2.8 lb chuck roast and sear each side for 3-4 minutes. Don’t wiggle the roast around in the pan; we want to leave it be! Leaving it to sear undisturbed will create the perfect sear on each side. I like to use metal tongs to flip my roast because it’s pretty heavy. When done, transfer the chuck roast to your crock pot.

Pepperoncini juice deglazing a skillet.

Using a whisk, deglaze the sauté pan you seared the roast in with ¼ cup pepperoncini juice (reserved from the jar of pepperoncini). Take the pan off the heat.

Ranch and brown gravy mix added to a crockpot with a chuck roast.

Sprinkle the roast with 1 packet of ranch seasoning and 1 packet of brown gravy seasoning (or au jus) mix.

Pepperoncini juice added to a crockpot with chuck roast and ranch seasonings.

Pour the pepperoncini juice from the sauté pan over the top of your chuck roast.

Cubed butter and pepperoncini added to a crockpot with chuck roast.

Dot the top of the roast with ½ a stick of cubed butter and place 5 pepperoncini peppers on top.

Finished Mississippi pot roast in a crockpot.

Add the crockpot lid and cook the roast on LOW for 8-10 hours. Don’t take the lid off the crockpot for at least 8 hours!

Two forks pulling the meat for Mississippi pot roast apart in a crockpot.

I like to check the meat at the 8-hour mark with a fork. If it falls apart easily, I know it’s done!

Overhead view of mississippi pot roast on a plate with mashed potatoes and green beans.

More Easy Crockpot Dinners

The post Mississippi Pot Roast appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/mississippi-pot-roast/feed/ 8 Crockpot Beef Stew https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew/#comments Sat, 25 Jan 2025 14:30:00 +0000 http://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=20697 Use your slow cooker to make this incredible Beef Stew full of aromatic rosemary and garlic, fork-tender beef, and colorful vegetables.

The post Crockpot Beef Stew appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> Whoa. Just, WHOA. I’ve never smelled anything as lovely and drool-inducing as this Crockpot Beef Stew. The incredible aroma had my mouth watering for hours as the tender chunks of beef and vegetables simmered away in the flavorful gravy. I couldn’t wait to lift the lid and take a quick taste. And when I finally did? INCREDIBLE. This crockpot beef stew recipe is one you’ll definitely want to make before winter is over!

Overhead view of a beef stew in the slow cooker.

“I have been making this recipe for 3 years now, and it never fails to be the best beef stew I have ever cooked or tasted! Thanks for sharing this recipe.”

Sandy

Crockpot beef stew, in its most basic form, is really simple. It’s just chunky pieces of beef, vegetables, broth, and some herbs and spices, all cooked down until it forms a delicious cozy gravy. But I took this recipe up a few notches with some extra special ingredients that add more umami and flavor to the stew gravy. The ingredient list may look long, but I promise it’s worth it.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need for the most incredible crockpot beef stew ever:

  • Beef Stew Meat: Stew meat, which is usually cubed chuck steak, tends to be a tougher cut, but it softens to an extremely tender texture when cooked low and slow (like in a crockpot).
  • All-Purpose Flour: Lightly coating the stew meat in flour and then searing it before it goes into the crockpot increases the Maillard reaction and deepens the flavor. The flour also helps thicken the stew’s gravy.
  • Vegetables: I use a hearty and flavorful mix of carrots, onions, celery, and potatoes to create a naturally flavorful gravy. The vegetables also help thicken the gravy as they break down into the broth.
  • Beef Broth: Broth acts as the base for the gravy and provides a nice moist environment for the meat to cook to tender perfection. Make sure to use a broth with great flavor. I like to use Better Than Bouillon to make my broth.
  • Seasonings: This is where we really take the flavor to the next level. For this recipe, I combined garlic, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rosemary, and thyme to make an over-the-top good gravy that is full of layered flavor and umami goodness.

What Else Can I add?

This slow cooker beef stew is pretty lush as is, but there are always options if you want to add more! Try adding 8 oz. mushrooms with the vegetables in the beginning (sliced in half) for more vegetable goodness. If you have some red wine on hand, deglaze the skillet used to brown the beef with the wine before proceeding with the gravy. Want it to look extra fancy? I’d sub 8 oz. pearl onions in place of the chopped onion in the recipe below.

How to Thicken Beef Stew

There are multiple ways to thicken a beef stew, but I prefer to allow the stew to thicken naturally as the vegetables cook and begin to break down into the broth. The stew may look a little watery when you first lift the lid, but once you begin to stir, the starches in the vegetables will begin to thicken the liquid into a gravy-like consistency.

Alternately, if you prefer a firmer vegetable, you can add them in the last hour of cooking and then use a cornstarch slurry (3 Tbsp cornstarch + 3 Tbsp water) to thicken your stew. Once the cornstarch is mixed into the broth and brought to a boil, it will thicken into a gravy. This method will result in a less flavorful gravy and a slightly glossy appearance.

Tips for the Best Crockpot Beef Stew

  1. Sear the meat first. Browning the beef gives it an extra deep flavor that can’t be achieved in the moist environment of the slow cooker alone.
  2. Add extra umami. Adding ingredients to the broth that contain a lot of umami, like Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, ramps up the flavor in the stew and makes the flavor extra “meaty”.
  3. Don’t rush it. Stew meat needs to cook low and slow for a long time in order for the tough connective tissues to break down and become tender. If your stew meat is tough, reduce the heat and cook it a little longer.
  4. Don’t skip the veggies. Including a variety of vegetables in your stew not only adds texture and color, but the vegetables also add a ton of extra flavor to the gravy, so you’ll get a delicious, multi-dimensional flavor in the final stew.

Serving Suggestions

This recipe is a pretty well-rounded meal on its own, but you’ll want to sop up every drop of that deliciously thick brown gravy. I suggest serving it with some bread on the side, like my focaccia rolls or garlic bread. A bowl of creamy polenta, warm rice, or egg noodles is also delicious. But whenever I want to stretch this recipe further to feed a bunch of people, I always serve it with a fresh veggie side, too! Some easy steamed green beans, oven roasted broccoli, canned corn, or sautéed Brussels sprouts are all super easy to prep and cook while the stew finishes up in the crockpot.

Variations to Try!

  • Swap out the meat. Don’t like stew beef? Why not try ground beef in this recipe?! I know, I know, it’s not quite the same, but my slow cooker hamburger stew recipe is a reader favorite, just like this one. ;)
  • Cook it in an Instant Pot: When I first posted this slow cooker beef stew, I got a ton of comments asking if it could be made in an Instant Pot. So, I created this instant pot beef stew recipe! It’s a bit quicker and is perfect for those days when you don’t have time to wait for the crockpot.
  • Use a different stock. I HIGHLY recommend sticking with the beef stock in this recipe for an ultra beefy, savory flavor. But you could use chicken or vegetable broth if that’s all you have. Or, use a combination of stocks like I do in my chicken stew recipe.
  • Add beans. If you want to add some extra protein and bulk up the stew, try adding a can of drained and rinsed beans during the last 30 minutes of cooking. I’d add white beans, just like we use in our shrimp and white bean stew, but any type will do!
Overhead view of a bowl of beef stew with a spoon.
Close up overhead view of beef stew in a bowl.
Print

Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

This Crockpot Beef Stew is the perfect cozy meal for a cold winter day with tender pieces of beef, vegetables, and a flavorful gravy.
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $16.20 recipe / $2.03 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8 1.25 cups each
Calories 269kcal
Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs. red potatoes $2.40
  • 1 yellow onion $0.37
  • 3 carrots $0.44
  • 4 stalks celery $0.44
  • 4 cloves garlic $0.32
  • 1.5 lbs. beef stew meat $11.24
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.03
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 2 Tbsp cooking oil $0.08
  • 2 cups beef broth $0.27
  • 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard $0.13
  • 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce $0.06
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce $0.06
  • 1.5 tsp brown sugar $0.02
  • 1.5 tsp dried rosemary $0.15
  • 1.5 tsp dried thyme $0.15

Instructions

  • Dice the onion and red potatoes. Slice the carrots and celery. Mince the garlic. Place the prepared vegetables in a four or five quart slow cooker.
  • Place the stew meat in a bowl and sprinkle the flour, salt, and pepper over top. Toss the meat until it's evenly coated in flour.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Once very hot, add the cooking oil and swirl to coat the surface of the skillet. Add the stew meat and cook, without stirring, until browned on the bottom. Stir and then allow the beef to brown on a second side. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
  • Turn the heat under the skillet down to medium-low. Add the broth, Dijon, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, rosemary, and thyme to the skillet. Stir and cook over medium-low until all the browned bits have dissolved off the bottom of the skillet.
  • Pour the broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker and everything a good stir.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours.
  • After cooking the meat and vegetables should both be tender. Stir the stew well to allow the potatoes to slightly break down and thicken the gravy. Taste the stew and adjust the salt or other seasonings to your liking. Serve hot!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.25cups | Calories: 269kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 8g | Sodium: 591mg | Fiber: 3g
Side view of beef stew in the slow cooker.

How to Make Crockpot Beef Stew – Step by Step Photos

Vegetables for beef stew on a cutting board.

Prepare the vegetables for the stew first. You’ll need to dice 2 lbs. red potatoes and one yellow onion, slice 4 stalks of celery and 3 carrots, and mince 4 cloves of garlic.

Vegetables in a slow cooker.

Place all of your chopped vegetables in a 4 or 5-quart slow cooker or crockpot. 

Stew meat in a bowl coated with flour, salt, and pepper.

Place 1.5 lbs. stew meat (beef chuck) in a bowl. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper over the meat. Toss the beef until it’s evenly coated in flour, salt, and pepper.

Browned beef in a skillet.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high. When it’s very hot, add 2 Tbsp cooking oil and swirl to coat the surface of the skillet. Add the stew meat and let it cook until browned on the bottom, then stir and allow it to brown on the second side again. Do not stir often, or the beef will not have a chance to brown. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.

Ingredients for the gravy added to the skillet.

Reduce the heat under the skillet to medium-low and add 2 cups beef broth, 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard, 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1.5 tsp brown sugar, 1.5 tsp dried rosemary, and 1.5 tsp thyme. Heat and stir the ingredients until all of the browned bits are dissolved off the bottom of the skillet.

Broth being poured over the ingredients in the slow cooker.

Pour the broth over the ingredients in the slow cooker. It’s okay if the broth does not fully cover the ingredients in the at this point.

Slow cooker being covered with a lid.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours.

Cooked beef stew in the slow cooker.

After four hours on high (or eight hours on low) the stew should look a little like this. The meat and vegetables should both be tender. The gravy may look a little thin at this point, but don’t worry…

Stirred beef stew in the slow cooker.

Give the stew a good stir and the potatoes will break down a bit and thicken the gravy into a nice rich consistency. Depending on the type of broth used, you may want to taste the stew and add salt to your liking (I did not add any).

Close up overhead view of beef stew in a bowl.

Serve your slow cooker beef stew as is or spooned over a bowl of hot rice or pasta. THIS will keep you warm and full on cold winter days!

More Crockpot Recipes

This Crockpot Beef Stew was originally published 10/14/2014. It was updated and republished 1/24/25.

The post Crockpot Beef Stew appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-beef-stew/feed/ 594 Crockpot Mac And Cheese https://www.budgetbytes.com/crockpot-mac-and-cheese/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/crockpot-mac-and-cheese/#comments Wed, 23 Oct 2024 13:30:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=101931 This Crockpot Mac and Cheese is a definite game-changer for those big holiday meals and family gatherings. It's creamy and delicious with minimal prep!

The post Crockpot Mac And Cheese appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> The easiest way to make a batch of creamy macaroni and cheese for your next family gathering or Sunday dinner is with this easy Crockpot Mac and Cheese. It only takes a couple minutes to prep and then everything gets added to a slow cooker for a simple side dish with minimal effort. It also frees up your time and oven to make some of your other favorite dishes. It’s a definite game-changer for those big holiday meals! ;)

Overhead view of crock pot mac and cheese with a large spoon lifting some out.

Love this recipe! So easy and good. Thanks so much

Christianne

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just want a no-fuss comfort food classic, this recipe is sure to be a hit every time. I love to make traditional Macaroni and Cheese, but when looking for a more hands off option that is totally fool-proof, this slow cooker version is always my go-to.

Recipe Tips!

  • Don’t overcook the pasta. You’ll want to just parboil the pasta for a few minutes, then quickly drain and rinse cool water. 
  • Use block cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese for the best texture and consistency.
  • Cook times may vary depending on the age and model of your slow cooker. Stir and check the mac and cheese after one hour and then again every 30 minutes until the noodles are perfectly cooked and not mushy, and the cheese is melted.
Overhead view of crock pot mac and cheese with a large spoon lifting some out.
Print

Crockpot Mac and Cheese

This Crockpot Mac and Cheese is a definite game-changer for those big holiday meals and family gatherings. It's creamy and delicious with minimal prep!
Course Dinner, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Total Cost $7.54 recipe / $1.26 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 (1 cup each)
Calories 534kcal
Author Marsha McDougal

Equipment

  • Grater

Ingredients

  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided $2.49
  • 1 cup shredded white sharp cheddar cheese $1.24
  • 2 cups elbow macaroni $0.67
  • 3 Tbsp butter, cut into small cubes $0.42
  • 1.5 cups half & half $1.23
  • 1 12oz. can evaporated milk $1.29
  • 3/4 tsp Tony chachere's* $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • non-stick cooking spray $0.06

Instructions

  • Start by shredding both blocks of sharp cheddar cheese and set the cheese to the side.
  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the macaroni for 4 minutes, then drain it in a colander. Briefly rinse the pasta with cool water to cool it off.
  • Spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add the al dente macaroni and butter. Stir the butter around with the macaroni to help it start melting. Now add the rest of the ingredients (1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar, shredded white sharp cheddar, half & half, evaporated milk, tony chachere’s seasoning, salt, and black pepper) to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, stirring after 1 hour.
  • During the last 15 minutes of cooking, remove the top and add the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cover and finish cooking the last 15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Video

Notes

*There are lots of ways to season your mac and cheese to add extra pops of flavor. I used one of our favorite seasoning blends in the budget bytes kitchen and that is Tony Chachere’s creole seasoning along with some salt and pepper. That’s it! But feel free to experiment with your favorite seasoning mix. I’ll share a few more flavor ideas below.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 534kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 33g | Sodium: 551mg | Fiber: 2g

How to Make CrockPot Mac And Cheese – Step by Step Photos

Blocks of cheese being shredded.

Start by shredding 2 cups sharp cheddar and 1 cup white sharp cheddar and set the cheese to the side.

Cooked elbow pasta noodles in a colander.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the macaroni for 4 minutes, then drain it in a colander. Briefly rinse the pasta with cool water to cool it off.

Mac and cheese ingredients added to slow cooker.

Spray the inside of the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray. Add the al dente macaroni and 3 Tbsp cubed butter. Stir the butter around with the macaroni to help it start melting. Now add the rest of the ingredients (1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar, 1 cup shredded white sharp cheddar, 1 1/2 cups half & half, 1-12oz. can evaporated milk, 3/4 tsp tony chachere’s seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper) to the slow cooker. Stir everything together until well combined.

Mac and cheese ingredients stirred together in a crock pot.

Cover and cook on low heat for 2 hours, stirring after 1 hour.

Adding shredded cheese on top of crockpot mac and cheese.

During the last 15 minutes of cooking, remove the top and add the remaining ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese on top. Cover and finish cooking for 15 more minutes until the cheese on top is melted.

Cooked crockpot mac and cheese.

Now all that’s left to do is enjoy this easy, cheesy, mac and cheese goodness!!

Overhead view of a bowl full of crockpot mac and cheese.

Variations

Looking to mix things up? Feel free to experiment with different cheeses and seasoning blends to really make this mac and cheese your own. Here are some more cheese options to choose from:

  • Gruyere
  • Gouda
  • Extra Sharp Cheddar
  • Parmesan
  • Pepper Jack
  • Cream Cheese
  • Velveeta

For seasoning try switching out the Creole seasoning for a different seasoning salt like Lawry’s. You can also create your own mix with a combination of spices like garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

The post Crockpot Mac And Cheese appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/crockpot-mac-and-cheese/feed/ 18 Slow Cooker Potato Soup https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-potato-soup/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-potato-soup/#comments Wed, 29 Nov 2023 16:06:56 +0000 http://www.budgetbytes.com/2011/12/01/slow-cooker-potato-soup-5-87-recipe-0-73-serving/ This creamy Slow Cooker Potato Soup is rich, comforting and hearty, plus the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you!

The post Slow Cooker Potato Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> I could literally eat a bowl of creamy potato soup every single day. There was a time when I would call my favorite lunch spots each week just to see if the “soup of the day” was potato soup! Yes, I was that hooked. But nothing, I mean absolutely nothing, beats the taste of homemade potato soup! Even better when the slow cooker does all the work for you. This Slow Cooker Potato Soup is rich, creamy, comforting, and absolutely delicious!

Overhead photo of slow cooker potato soup in a white bowl with sour cream, green onions, and shredded cheese on top.

If you don’t have a slow cooker you can still enjoy a warm bowl of potato soup by making our stovetop Loaded Potato Soup recipe.

“Sounded good, had all the ingredients, so I tried it tonight. What a hit. VERY flavorful. I blended it, so it was very thick. Comfort food in a bowl. Thanks for sharing this. Will definitely be my go to potato soup recipe.”

Dee
Overhead photo of slow cooker potato soup in a white bowl with sour cream, green onions, and shredded cheese on top.
Print

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

This creamy Slow Cooker Potato Soup is rich, comforting and hearty, plus the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting for you!
Course Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine American
Total Cost $8.10 recipe / $1.35 serving
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6 1.5 cups each
Calories 394kcal
Author Marsha McDougal

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Chef’s Knife
  • White Cutting Boards

Ingredients

  • 2 stalks celery $0.50
  • 2 carrots $0.30
  • 1 yellow onion $0.32
  • 3 cloves garlic $0.24
  • 3 lbs Yukon gold potatoes $3.29
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning $0.10
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.02
  • 3 cups chicken broth* $0.51
  • 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour $0.04
  • 2 Tbsp water $0.00
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream $0.68
  • 1/2 cup sour cream $0.53
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided $1.16
  • 3 green onions, sliced & divided $0.36

Instructions

  • Wash and dice the celery stalks, peel and dice the carrots, dice the onion, and mince the garlic. Wash, peel, and chop the potatoes into ½ – ¾ inch chunks.
  • Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and the garlic to a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker or crock pot. Then add the Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper to the slow cooker.
  • Pour the chicken broth over the vegetables and spices in the slow cooker. Stir all the ingredients together so that everything is evenly distributed. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours.
  • Once the potatoes are almost finished cooking, make a quick flour slurry by adding the flour and water to a small bowl and whisking together until smooth and there are no lumps.
  • After the potato soup has cooked for 3 hours, check to make sure the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. Now add the slurry, heavy cream, and sour cream to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine, replace the lid, and continue to cook on high for an additional 10 minutes.
  • During the last 10 minutes of cooking, while the slurry and heavy cream are thickening the soup, shred the cheddar cheese and slice the green onions.
  • Remove the slow cooker lid then use a potato masher to mash the potato chunks into smaller pieces. Add ½ cup of the shredded cheese and half of the sliced green onions. Stir until the cheese has melted into the soup.
  • Taste the soup and adjust the salt or black pepper to your liking. Use the remaining shredded cheese and green onions to garnish individual bowls. Serve hot and enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

  • Chicken Broth: Make sure to use a very flavorful chicken broth as a LOT of the soup flavor will come from the broth. We use Better than Bouillon to make our broth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 1086mg | Fiber: 6g
A spoonful of soup being lifted from the bowl.

How To Make Slow COoker Potato Soup – Step By Step PHotos

Diced carrots, diced onion, diced celery, and minced garlic on a cutting board.

Wash and dice 2 celery stalks, peel and dice 2 carrots, dice 1 onion, and mince 3 garlic cloves.

Yukon gold potatoes peeled and chopped on a cutting board.

Wash, peel, and chop 3 lbs. of Yukon gold potatoes into roughly ½ – ¾ inch chunks.

Diced vegetables, potatoes, seasoning and chicken broth added to a slow cooker.

Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and the garlic to a 5 or 6 quart slow cooker or crock pot. Then add 1 tsp of Italian seasoning, 1 1/4 tsp of salt, and 1/2 tsp of freshly cracked black pepper to the slow cooker. Next pour 3 cups of chicken broth over the vegetables and spices in the slow cooker.

Potato soup ingredients added to a slow cooker and mixed.

Stir all the ingredients together so that everything is evenly distributed. Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 3 hours. Once the potatoes are almost finished cooking, make a quick flour slurry by adding 2 Tbsp of flour and 2 Tbsp of water to a small bowl and whisking together until smooth and there are no lumps.

Heavy cream and sour cream added to potato soup in a slow cooker.

After the potato soup has cooked for 3 hours, check to make sure the potatoes are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. Now add the flour slurry, 1/2 cup of heavy cream, and 1/2 cup of sour cream to the slow cooker. Stir well to combine, replace the lid, and continue to cook on high for an additional 10 minutes. During the last 10 minutes of cooking, while the slurry and heavy cream are thickening the soup, shred the cheddar cheese and slice 3 green onions.

Potato soup ingredients being mashed with a potato masher in a slow cooker.

Remove the slow cooker lid then use a potato masher to mash the potato chunks into smaller pieces.

Shredded cheese and green onions being added to potato soup in a slow cooker.

Add ½ cup of the shredded cheese and half of the sliced green onions. Stir until the cheese has melted into the soup.

Potato soup in a slow cooker with shredded cheese, sliced green onions and a napkin on the side.

Taste the soup and adjust the salt or black pepper to your liking.

Overhead view of two bowls of slow cooker potato soup.

Use the remaining shredded cheese and green onions to garnish individual bowls. We also topped ours with a little soup cream and some freshly cracked black pepper. Simple, creamy, delicious, and SO GOOD!

Topping Options

There are several different toppings you can choose from to finish your creamy potato soup. Try any of these options: shredded cheddar cheese, sliced green onions or chives, sour cream, greek yogurt, chopped bacon, homemade croutons, or extra fresh cracked black pepper.

Serving Suggestions

Just like many soup recipes, this slow cooker potato soup pairs well with a simple side salad, a Caesar salad, or even a fresh pasta salad like our Broccoli Pasta Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette. Soups and sandwiches are also a great combination. Try serving this potato soup with a Chicken Caesar Wrap or a gourmet Spinach and Feta Grilled Cheese!

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover potato soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. We would not recommend freezing this potato soup recipe. All the dairy and anything thickened with flour or cornstarch tends to separate upon thawing.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

The post Slow Cooker Potato Soup appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-potato-soup/feed/ 209 Crock Pot Salsa Chicken https://www.budgetbytes.com/crock-pot-salsa-chicken/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/crock-pot-salsa-chicken/#comments Sat, 04 Nov 2023 13:35:35 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=87025 This delicious Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is an easy and versatile option for busy weeknight dinners, plus it's perfect for meal prep!

The post Crock Pot Salsa Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> Meal prepping is probably the only way I make it through the holidays (or any month of the year, TBH) without losing it. 😅 So here’s a really easy bulk meal prep protein that you can use for multiple meals throughout the week. This Crock Pot Salsa Chicken recipe is such a classic, it’s incredibly easy (no chopping!), and only takes a handful of ingredients to prepare. Plus, there are several ways you can customize salsa chicken if you want to change it up a bit! Bookmark this one, folks, because you’re going to want to make it again and again!

Close up overhead view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.

Crock pot salsa chicken has been around for ages. In fact, a fancier version of it has been a reader favorite on Budget Bytes since 2011, but you need to know that in its most basic form, it’s still amazing. It’s just too good and too easy to not share. Just wait until you see all the ways you can use this saucy, spicy, super-flavorful shredded chicken!

Ingredients for Salsa Chicken

When I say this salsa chicken recipe is simple, I mean it! Here are the only ingredients you’ll need to make Crock Pot Salsa Chicken:

  • Chicken Breast: I love the way white meat chicken breast shreds, but if you’re more of a thigh person you can definitely do this with thighs, too. Thighs are a bit more forgiving with the cooking time and the sauce will be extra rich!
  • Salsa: This is the main flavor component for this recipe, so make sure you use a really good salsa. I love to use a smoky salsa to add even more depth of flavor. I used Kroger’s Private Selection brand Taqueria Style Salsa, but you can use different salsa flavors to switch it up!
  • Chili Powder: A one-stop shop for flavor, basic chili powder brings a lot of bang for your buck and really deepens the flavor in the sauce.
  • Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: To add even more depth to the flavor, I added a little dose of onion and garlic powder for good measure. Using these two ingredients helps round out the flavor without having to chop a single vegetable!
A plate full of three salsa chicken tacos.

How to Use Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

One of the reasons I love this salsa chicken so much is that you can make one batch and then use it for multiple meals throughout the week. I love to use this shredded salsa chicken for tacos, bowl meals (with rice, cheese, beans, etc.), nachos, burritos, salads, in casseroles, to top a baked potato, or even as a base for a soup!

Salsa Chicken Add-Ins

The simplicity of Salsa Chicken makes it perfect for customizing with add-ins. Here are some other ingredients you can add to make it different every time:

  • Beans: Try adding a drained can of beans, like black beans, pinto beans, or even kidney beans.
  • Vegetables: Add more color and texture to the mix with diced onion, jalapeño, bell peppers, or corn.
  • Cream Cheese or Sour Cream: Give your salsa chicken a creamy finish by stirring in some cream cheese or sour cream after cooking.
  • Lime & Cilantro: Stir fresh lime juice and cilantro into the salsa chicken after cooking for a fresh finish.
  • Spices: Switch up the spices and add something smoky like chipotle chile powder, or your favorite taco seasoning mix.

And don’t forget, you can change the flavor of salsa chicken by using different kinds of salsa! Try a spicy mango salsa, salsa verde, or even a smoky peach salsa for fun!

How to Store Leftovers

This salsa chicken recipe is perfect for meal prep. It stays good in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, but it can also be frozen! To freeze, chill it completely in the refrigerator first, then transfer to the freezer and store for up to three months. I like to divide it into single portions before freezing so I can thaw only the amount I need each time. Thaw the salsa chicken overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat either in a sauce pan over medium, stirring frequently, or in the microwave.

Close up side view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.
Close overhead view of salsa chicken in the crock pot with tongs.
Print

Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

This delicious Crock Pot Salsa Chicken is an easy and versatile option for busy weeknight dinners, plus it's perfect for meal prep!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.60 recipe / $1.60 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings 6 (¾ cup each)
Calories 90kcal
Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs.)* $6.01
  • 2 tsp chili powder $0.20
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder $0.05
  • 16 oz. salsa $3.29

Instructions

  • Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle the chili powder, garlic powder, and onion powder over the chicken, then pour the salsa on top.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2.5 hrs or low for 5 hours.
  • Test the chicken to make sure it's tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If not, replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or one hour on low.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks and stir to combine with the salsa and liquid in the pot. Serve hot or refrigerate until ready to use. Add the salsa chicken to your favorite tacos, burritos, nachos, salads, and more!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Notes

*If using frozen chicken breast, be sure to thaw it completely before adding to the slow cooker.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 90kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 573mg | Fiber: 2g
A plate full of nachos made with salsa chicken.

How to Make Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

Chicken breasts in a crock pot with spices sprinkled over top.

Place three boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a crock pot and sprinkle 2 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, and ½ tsp onion powder over top.

A jar of salsa being poured over top of chicken in the slow cooker.

Pour 16oz. of your favorite salsa over the chicken in the crock pot. (I used Kroger’s Private Selection brand Taqueria Style Salsa).

Cooked salsa chicken in the slow cooker before shredding.

Place the lid on the crock pot and cook on high for 2.5 hours, or low for 5 hours. Test the chicken to make sure it’s tender enough to pull apart with a fork. If not, replace the lid and cook for an additional 30 minutes on high or one hour on low. After cooking it will look a little watery, but don’t worry! Once the chicken is shredded it turns into a nice sauce that coats everything.

Chicken being shredded in the slow cooker with two forks.

Use two forks to shred the chicken and stir it into the sauce in the slow cooker.

Finished shredded salsa chicken in the crock pot.

Once the chicken is shredded, give it a taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. And that’s it! The crock pot salsa chicken recipe is complete and you’re ready to eat!

A burrito bowl made with salsa chicken.

A bowl meal with rice, cheese, and any other fun toppings you have on hand is such a great budget-friendly meal!

More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes

The post Crock Pot Salsa Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/crock-pot-salsa-chicken/feed/ 13 Best Slow Cooker Recipes https://www.budgetbytes.com/best-slow-cooker-recipe/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/best-slow-cooker-recipe/#comments Fri, 03 Mar 2023 15:00:00 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=76201 Want to maximize your time AND money? Slow cookers to the rescue. These slow cooker recipes will keep your fridge stocked with little effort.

The post Best Slow Cooker Recipes appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> Want to maximize your time AND money? Slow cookers and Crockpots are your friends. They will help you make big batches of soups, stews, and meats to stash in your freezer or eat all week. These slow cooker recipes will keep your fridge stocked with little effort. Get chopping and put those ingredients in your slow cooker and walk away! It is that simple.

Collage of six recipe photos highlighting best slow cooker recipes

easy slow cooker recipes

Using a slow cooker is a great place to start for beginners. These recipes are easy but not short on flavor.  Let the slow cooker do all the work so you can take all the credit!

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

Pasta sauce in a slow cooker garnished with parsley
Let the slow cooker do all the work for you when you make this big batch of freezer-friendly homemade spaghetti sauce.
4.90 from 57 votes
$4.40 recipe / $0.63 per cup Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce – What more could you ask for than throwing some ingredients in the slow cooker, forgetting about it for 8 hours, and returning to a rich, delicious homemade sauce? This marinara sauce can be divided into portions, frozen, and you’ll have delicious homemade pasta sauce on hand for quick busy weeknight dinners.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Three pulled pork sandwiches with pickles on a wooden cutting board.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is an easy way to cook the most tender and juicy pork ever. It's great on tacos, sandwiches, burritos and more.
4.59 from 12 votes
$9.48 recipe / $1.19 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Something magical happens when you cook pork slowly. It turns into the most mouth-watering tender and juicy meat you’ve ever had. And meat this tender is good with everything, so if you make this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on Sunday, you’ll have meat to last you all week.

Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage

Close up overhead view of cabbage and sausage in the slow cooker
Slow cooker cabbage and sausage is an easy, hands-free way to make a delicious, filling, and cozy meal. Perfect for meal prep!
4.30 from 27 votes
$7.80 recipe / $1.30 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage – Cabbage and sausage cooked together in a slow cooker turns out tender and brothy (almost like a cabbage and sausage soup) and is delicious.

Slow Cooker Sesame Beef

This tender, rich, and flavorful Slow Cooker Sesame Beef is extremely versatile and only requires a few ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores. BudgetBytes.com
This tender, rich, and flavorful Slow Cooker Sesame Beef is extremely versatile and only requires a few ingredients that can be found at most grocery stores. 
4.70 from 46 votes
$10.27 recipe / $1.71 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Sesame Beef – This Slow Cooker Sesame Beef uses only a few ingredients. This beef is ultra flavorful, so use it sparingly and combine it with other less expensive filling ingredients for delicious, budget-friendly meals.

Slow Cooker Hot Buttered Apples

Slow Cooker Hot Buttered Apples are an easy and versatile dessert that is perfect for using up your glut of autumn apples! BudgetBytes.com
Slow Cooker Hot Buttered Apples are an easy and versatile dessert that is perfect for using up your glut of autumn apples! 
4.72 from 21 votes
$5.10 recipe / $0.85 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Hot Buttered Apples – These slow-cooked apples are a lot like the filling for an apple pie and are very versatile. Serve them a la mode, spoon them over your pancakes, waffles, or oats, use them as a filling for a dessert “quesadilla,” or even serve them alongside pork chops.

SLOW COOKER BEEF RECIPES

Forget about that chewy and dry pot roast from your childhood. These slow-cooked beef recipes will get your tastebuds dancing! Plus, these big-batch recipes allow you to cook once and eat great all week.

Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs

A plate with spaghetti, marinara, and a giant slow cooker meatball.
As easy as 1-2-3, these Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs are a fun, easy, and effortless answer to weeknight dinner. 
4.92 from 12 votes
$8.00 recipe / $2.00 serving Get the Recipe

Giant Slow Cooker Meatballs – These meatballs are a fun way to change up a simple spaghetti dinner. They simmer away in marinara, the flavors blending into each other, creating a luxe-rich sauce for the spaghetti.

Crockpot Beef Stew Recipe

Close up overhead view of beef stew in a bowl.
This Crockpot Beef Stew is the perfect cozy meal for a cold winter day with tender pieces of beef, vegetables, and a flavorful gravy.
4.83 from 188 votes
$14.08 recipe / $1.41 per cup Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Beef Stew – This slow cooker beef stew is indulgent in all the best ways. Browning the meat before it goes into the slow cooker caramelizes the proteins and adds depth to the flavor you can’t get just by letting it boil away in the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Meatball Subs

Side view of a meatball sub on a plate with the baking dish in the background.
These Slow Cooker Meatball Subs are extra tender and flavorful thanks to a low and slow simmer in marinara sauce.
5 from 15 votes
$19.43 recipe / $2.43 each Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Meatball Subs – These slow cooker meatball subs are incredibly tender, flavorful, and just all-around decadent, thanks to that low and slow simmer in marinara sauce. It’s magical!

Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew

Overhead view of a bowl full of slow cooker hamburger stew with bread and a spoon on the side
This super easy Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew is simple, comforting food at its best. And the leftovers are even better the next day!
4.47 from 45 votes
$9.88 recipe / $1.65 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Hamburger Stew – This hamburger stew is similar to traditional beef stew but made with ground beef instead of stew meat. Using ground beef is less expensive than stew meat, and you get a little beef in every bite!

SLOW COOKER SOUP RECIPES

Let the slow cooker create the slow simmer that gives soups depth and deliciousness. Unlike their stovetop counterparts, these classic soup recipes are entirely hands-off.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup offers a deep, comforting, smoky flavor with simple ingredients and minimal effort. BudgetBytes.com
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup offers a deep, comforting, smoky flavor with simple ingredients and minimal effort. 
4.84 from 59 votes
$9.79 recipe / $1.63 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup – Like most slow cooker recipes, this Chicken Tortilla Soup is ridiculously easy and very forgiving. It’s a great meal to prepare when you know you can’t give your full attention to the stove.

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Overhead view of a ladle lifting chicken noodle soup out of the slow cooker
Slow cooker chicken noodle soup is an incredibly easy and soothing winter recipe that will fill you up and warm you from the inside out!
4.52 from 29 votes
$9.22 recipe / $1.15 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup – Homemade chicken noodle soup from scratch is one of our absolute favorite comfort foods. Not only is it effortless, but even the smell of it simmering away is soothing and gives hygge vibes.

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

Packed with vegetables, flavor, protein, and fiber, this ultra-flavorful and low-calorie Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup is an all around winner! BudgetBytes.com
Packed with vegetables, flavor, protein, and fiber, this ultra-flavorful and low-calorie Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup is an all around winner!
4.70 from 135 votes
$4.81 recipe / $0.79 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup – This awesomely flavorful and easy slow cooker black bean soup practically makes itself. It’s vegan, super filling, high in fiber, protein, full of veggies, and costs nothing. Need we say more?

Easy Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Close up overhead view of a bowl full of slow cooker white chicken chili
The slow cooker does all the work with this easy, flavorful, and healthy white chicken chili. This "dump and go" dinner will become a family favorite!
4.80 from 159 votes
$10.23 recipe / $1.71 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili – This is the perfect example of why people love slow cookers. You dump everything in the slow cooker, stir it, turn it on, and walk away. When you return, you have this hearty white bean chicken chili ready for topping with cheese and diving in with tortilla chips.

VEGETARIAN slow cooker RECIPES

Are you looking for more options for your meatless meals? These vegetarian slow cooker recipes will gather all the vegetable goodness in one pot!

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili

This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili makes a huge batch, is packed with flavor and nutrients, and can be made for only about 5 dollars! Budgetbytes.com
This Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili makes a huge batch, is packed with flavor and nutrients, and can be made for only about 5 dollars! 
4.89 from 100 votes
$4.64 recipe / $0.77 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Lentil Chili – Make this chili your own with various toppings, and take advantage of this opportunity to use up some leftover vegetables from your fridge!

Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils

Close-up of coconut curry lentils in a bowl.
Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils are an easy, hands-off, fiber filled, freezer friendly vegan dinner. 
4.75 from 135 votes
$9.86 recipe / $0.99 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Lentils – Slow cookers are fantastic because they’re primarily hands-off, contain their heat well, and don’t cause dreaded ambient heat rise in the kitchen. So, while you can make these Coconut Curry Lentils on the stove top, save yourself some steam and sweat by cooking them in the slow cooker.

(Not) Refried Beans

Not refried beans dip in a bowl with chips.
Use your slow cooker to make these incredibly flavorful (not) refried beans with next to no effort. They’re versatile, delicious, and freezer friendly. 
4.79 from 71 votes
$2.51 recipe / $0.28 serving Get the Recipe

Not Refried Beans – These (not) refried beans have an incredibly complex flavor thanks to the jalapeño, chili, and other spices. The beans are so good and flavorful that you’ll be tempted to serve them as your main dish. Dress them up with roasted corn, crumbly cheese, and maybe some grilled zucchini, and you can make a bowl out of them!

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Close up of mashed potatoes in the slow cooker with melted butter and a wooden spoon
Slow cooker mashed potatoes are the perfect hands-off method for making rich and creamy mashed potatoes for the Holidays!
4.41 from 32 votes
$2.99 recipe / $0.50 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes – Using the slow cooker cuts out the “babysitting the boiling pot” step in making mashed potatoes, freeing you up to concentrate on the rest of your meal. It also eliminates boil overs, draining the potatoes, checking them with a fork to see if they’re tender, using multiple pots and dishes, and gives you another free burner on your stovetop.

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN RECIPES

Don’t let that extra uncooked chicken go to waste, and make one of these savory slow cooker chicken recipes. We’ve found that using chicken thighs is better for your budget, and the flavors, especially in the slow cooker, are better!

Taco Chicken Bowls

Taco chicken bowls with toppings above.
Slow Cooker Taco Chicken Bowls are the ultimate “set it and forget it” easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
4.88 from 194 votes
$10.31 recipe / $1.72 serving Get the Recipe

Taco Chicken Bowls – This taco chicken bowls recipe is definitely “slow-cooker 101”. The combination of tender pulled chicken, salsa, spices, and beans just can’t be beaten! Plus, it can be served in several ways so the leftovers will go far.

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Close up side view of shredded buffalo chicken in the slow cooker with tongs
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is tender, juicy, tangy, and rich all at the same time! Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, salads, pizza, and more.
4.91 from 22 votes
$12.65 recipe / $1.58 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken – The slow-cooked chicken is tender, spicy, tangy, and rich all at the same time, and there are a hundred different ways you can use it! Sandwiches, dips, salads, pizza, and more.

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Side view of Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken in the slow cooker with tongs.
Seasoned chicken breast and tangy BBQ sauce are slow cooked until tender and delicious. Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, pizza, and more.
4.67 from 12 votes
$8.34 recipe / $2.09 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken – You can have this tasty chicken in the slow cooker doing its own thing while enjoying a lazy summer day or any time of year! Plus, unlike a hot oven, the slow cooker won’t make your AC work overtime.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala boasts a rich and aromatic sauce, and tender juicy chicken. Make four servings for the price of one take out! Budgetbytes.com
This Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala boasts a rich and aromatic sauce, and tender juicy chicken. Make four servings for the price of one take out!
4.46 from 144 votes
$8.82 recipe / $2.21 serving Get the Recipe

Slow Cooker Tikka Masala – Tender chicken drenched in a rich tomato sauce full of aromatic spices makes this one of our all-time favorite slow cooker recipes! You don’t want to miss it!

Let us know which recipe you will try first, how you it turned out, and which was your favorite!

More Recipe Roundups

The post Best Slow Cooker Recipes appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/best-slow-cooker-recipe/feed/ 3 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2022 13:58:12 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=70358 Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is an easy way to cook the most tender and juicy pork ever. It's great on tacos, sandwiches, burritos and more.

The post Slow Cooker Pulled Pork appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> Something truly magical happens when you cook pork low and slow. It turns into the most mouth-watering tender and juicy meat you’ve ever had. And meat this tender is good with everything, so if you make this Slow Cooker Pulled Pork on Sunday, you’ll have meat to last you all week. Pile that slow cooker pork onto sandwiches, tacos, bowl meals, nachos, salads, and more for quick dinners the rest of the week!

Slow cooker pulled pork on a plate with tongs and sandwich fixings on the sides.

What Kind of Pork to Use for Pulled Pork

To get the juiciest and most tender pulled pork make sure to buy a pork butt or pork shoulder. These cuts are marbled with fat and connective tissue that slowly melt and gelatinize when cooked with slow, gentle heat, creating ultra moist and tender meat.

You can buy bone-in or boneless pork butt or pork shoulder. I prefer to use boneless and then cut the pork into large pieces so they cook a little faster, but you can leave the bone in and remove it when shredding the pork if preferred. Just keep in mind that cooking time may be longer if you leave the bone in during cooking.

How to Season Pulled Pork

I used a versatile yet flavorful spice rub on the pork before slow cooking, along with a little extra fresh garlic. This mix of paprika, garlic, onion, salt, pepper, and brown sugar enhances the pork’s flavor, but keeps it neutral enough to be paired with BBQ sauce or any other flavor profile you plan to pair with your pulled pork.

Three slow cooker pulled pork sandwiches on a wooden cutting board.

How to Serve Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork sandwiches are always a hit (brioche buns, BBQ sauce, pickles, and/or coleslaw), but this pulled pork is also great for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or nachos. I also love piling pulled pork onto bowl meals, salads, or even adding it to soup or ramen. You can seriously add it to anything!

Storage Instructions

Keep the pork in the juices when refrigerating to keep the meat as moist as possible upon reheating. After cooking, transfer the shredded pork and juices to an air-tight food storage container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. After completely chilling in the refrigerator, you can transfer the pork to the freezer for longer storage (about three months). To reheat the pork, simply heat in a sauce pot over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until hot.

Close up side view of a plate full of slow cooker pulled pork.
Three pulled pork sandwiches with pickles on a wooden cutting board.
Print

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork is an easy way to cook the most tender and juicy pork ever. It's great on tacos, sandwiches, burritos and more.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $9.48 recipe / $1.19 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 ½ cup each
Calories 247kcal
Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs. pork butt $8.07
  • 1 yellow onion, cut into chunks $0.37
  • 4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped $0.32

Spice Rub

  • 2 tsp paprika $0.20
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika $0.10
  • 2 Tbsp brown sugar $0.08
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.10
  • 1 tsp onion powder $0.10
  • 2 tsp salt $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked black pepper $0.04

Instructions

  • Combine the spices for the spice rub in a bowl.
  • Cut the pork butt into large chunks. If the pork butt has a bone you can either remove it before cooking or wait until you are shredding the cooked meat to remove it. Keep in mind the pork will require extra cooking time if cooking with the bone in.
  • Add the pork pieces to a large bowl and sprinkle the spice rub over top. Toss until the pork is evenly coated in spices.
  • Dice the yellow onion and add it to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the seasoned pork on top of the onion, then add the roughly chopped garlic on top.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours. Test the pork with a fork to make sure the meat is tender. It should shred easily with a fork. If not, cook for one hour longer. The total cooking time will depend on the size of your pork butt.
  • Once the pork is tender, use two forks to shred the meat.
  • If you prefer crispy edges on your pork, place some of the pork on a sheet pan and broil for a few minutes, or just until the edges are browned and crispy. Keep a close eye on the pork as it broils!
  • Serve the pulled pork on sandwiches, tacos, bowl meals, and more!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 694mg | Fiber: 0.5g
BBQ sauce being poured onto pulled pork sandwiches.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork – Step by Step Photos

Spices for pulled pork in a small wooden bowl.

To make the spice rub for the pulled pork, combine 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp paprika, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 2 tsp salt, and ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper.

Chunks of pork butt on a cutting board.

Cut a 3 lb. pork butt into large chunks. If your pork butt is bone-in, you can either remove the bone or cook with the bone in and remove it when shredding your meat. Keep in mind that if you leave the bone in, the pork will take slightly longer to cook.

Meat coated with spices in a bowl.

Place the pork in a bowl, sprinkle the spice rub over top, then toss until the pork is evenly coated in the rub.

Diced onion in the slow cooker.

Dice one yellow onion and place it on the bottom of the slow cooker.

Pork in slow cooker with chopped garlic,

Place the seasoned pork in the slow cooker and top with four roughly chopped cloves of garlic.

Cooked pork in the slow cooker.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours. If your pork butt is larger than 3 lbs. you may need to cook slightly longer. Check the tenderness of the meat after 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. It should pull apart easily. If it’s still tough, let it cook another hour then check again.

Shredded pork in the slow cooker, some being lifted with tongs.

Once the pork is tender, use two forks to shred the meat.

Broiled pulled pork on a baking sheet.

If you want crispy edges on your pulled pork (who doesn’t?!). Place some of the pulled pork on a baking sheet and place it under your oven’s broiler for a few minutes. The melted fat on the pork will fry the edges and make it beautifully crispy! Keep a close eye on the meat as it broils since broilers cook very quickly!

Three pulled pork sandwiches with pickles on a wooden cutting board.

Enjoy your pulled pork on sandwiches, tacos, bowl meals, quesadillas and more!

More Slow Cooker Recipes

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]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-pulled-pork/feed/ 21 Slow Cooker Meatball Subs https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-meatball-subs/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-meatball-subs/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:33:06 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=68933 These Slow Cooker Meatball Subs are extra tender and flavorful thanks to a low and slow simmer in marinara sauce.

The post Slow Cooker Meatball Subs appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> I think I just fell in love with my slow cooker again. These slow cooker meatball subs are so incredibly tender, flavorful, and just all-around decadent thanks to that low and slow simmer in marinara sauce. It’s magical! And the best part is that this recipe makes a pretty big batch, so you can freeze half for later (use them in subs or on pasta)! Cook once, eat twice. 🙌

Overhead view of slow cooker meatball subs lined up in a row.

A family favourite in our house! The kid commented on how it was so good and the meatballs were so soft and moist. I will definitely make again!

Gillian C.

While you don’t have to use a slow cooker to make these amazing homemade meatball subs, I’m telling you right now that you want to. That low and slow simmer in the sauce makes the most incredibly tender and flavorful meatballs you’ll ever eat. If you don’t have a slow cooker, follow the cooking instructions for my basic homemade meatballs, then pile them into your buns, top with cheese, and bake till the cheese is melted.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make meatball subs:

  • Breadcrumbs: Help keep the meatballs moist and tender. Any kind of breadcrumbs will work, including Italian or Panko.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds salty and umami flavor to the meat.
  • Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper enhance the savory flavor of the meatballs.
  • Eggs: Help bind the meatballs and keep them moist.
  • Milk: Adds extra moisture to the meatballs. Any kind will work, including plant-based milk (although I recommend unsweetened).
  • Meat: I like a combination of ground Italian sausage and 90%-lean ground beef. It keeps the meatballs from drying out.
  • Marinara Sauce: I tested this recipe with the most basic, inexpensive, generic marinara sauce I could find at the grocery store to make sure they were still totally delicious even if you can’t spring for an expensive sauce. But feel free to use your favorite store-bought or homemade marinara sauce for these meatballs. You’ll need 3 cups of sauce, in total.
  • Buns: Look for sub or hoagie rolls to fit all those juicy meatballs.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Melts on top and makes these subs extra cheesy and creamy.

Freeze Half for Later!

This recipe makes about 24 hefty meatballs so if you use three meatballs per sub you’ll get 8 sandwiches. If that’s a little too much for your household to eat within a few days, go ahead and freeze half of the meatballs and sauce to use on pasta or more subs later! You can reheat the frozen sauce and meatballs in the microwave or in a saucepot over low heat.

P.S. We reheated the assembled meatball subs from the photos in the air fryer the next day and they were BOMB! We air-fried at 350°F for about five minutes for the most delicious leftovers ever.

Recipe Tips

  1. Take care not to overmix the meatball mixture. Overmixing will cause the meatballs to turn out dry and tough.
  2. The easiest way to evenly divide the meat mixture into meatballs is to divide it in half, then each half into quarters, and each quarter into eighths. This will give you 24 meatballs.
  3. Make sure to layer the meatballs and sauce as described in the recipe to ensure they cook through evenly.
  4. All slow cookers work a little bit differently, so I advise checking early and often the first time you make this recipe so that the meat doesn’t get overcooked. The internal temperature should be 165°F.
  5. I like to toast the buns to help prevent them from turning soggy too quickly.

Serving Suggestions

These hearty meatball subs are a lot to tuck into, but if you’re wanting something healthy to go with them, I like to add a side of sauteed green beans, oven roasted broccoli, or baked zucchini fries.

Side view of a meatball sub on a plate with the baking dish in the background.
Side view of a meatball sub on a plate with the baking dish in the background.
Print

Slow Cooker Meatball Subs

These Slow Cooker Meatball Subs are extra tender and flavorful thanks to a low and slow simmer in marinara sauce.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $19.43 recipe / $2.43 each
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings 8 subs
Calories 526kcal
Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Ingredients

Meatballs

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs $0.32
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan $0.88
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder $0.05
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning $0.05
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/4 tsp pepper $0.02
  • 2 large eggs $0.39
  • 1/4 cup milk $0.05
  • 1 lb. Italian sausage $4.99
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef (90% lean or higher) $6.99
  • 1 24oz. jar marinara $1.50

Subs

  • 8 buns or rolls $3.50
  • 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella $0.62

Instructions

  • Lightly whisk two large eggs in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Add the Italian sausage and ground beef to a large bowl with the whisked egg, breadcrumb mixture, and milk Use your hands to mix the ingredients together. Avoid overmixing the meat.
  • Divide and shape the meat into 24 meatballs, about 3 Tbps each. The easiest way to do this is to first divide the meat mixture into four equal portions, then divide each of those in half to make eight equal portions. Finally, divide each of the 8 portions of meat into thirds and shape them into balls to make 24 meatballs.
  • Place half of the meatballs in the bottom of a slow cooker in a single layer and cover with half of the marinara sauce. Add the rest of the meatballs then top with the remaining sauce.
  • Cook the meatballs on high for three hours or low for six hours.
  • After cooking, use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs has reached 165°F. Give the meatballs and sauce a good stir to remix the sauce (there will be some fat pooling on the surface).
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the buns on a baking sheet or in a baking dish, then pile three meatballs into each bun. Spoon some of the extra sauce over each one. Top each sub with a little shredded cheese.
  • Bake the meatball subs in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the buns are toasty. Enjoy hot!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sub | Calories: 526kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 31g | Sodium: 1346mg | Fiber: 3g
Close up side view of slow cooker meatball subs lined up and garnished with parsley.

How to Make Slow Cooker Meatball Subs – Step by Step Photos

egg and breadcrumb mixture

Lightly whisk two large eggs in a small bowl. In a separate small bowl, combine ½ cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp Italian seasoning, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp pepper. Pre-mixing these ingredients helps them incorporate more evenly into the meat without having to overmix the meat.

Meatball ingredients in a bowl

Add the whisked egg, breadcrumb mixture, ¼ cup milk, 1 lb. Italian sausage, and 1 lb. ground beef to a bowl. Use your hands to mix the ingredients together.

Shaped meatballs one held in a hand.

Divide and shape the meat mixture into 24 meatballs. The easiest way to divide the mixture evenly is to first divide it into four equal portions. Divide each of those in half to make eight equal-sized pieces. Finally, divide each of the eight sections into three meatballs.

Sauce being poured over the meatballs in the slow cooker.

Add half of the meatballs to the slow cooker in a single layer, then cover with half of a 24oz. jar of marinara sauce. Add the rest of the meatballs in a second layer and pour the rest of the jar of sauce over top, making sure all the meatballs are covered in sauce.

Lid being placed on the slow cooker.

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for three hours or low for six hours.

Slow cooked meatballs in the slow cooker.

After cooking, use a meat thermometer to make sure the internal temperature of the meatballs has reached 165°F. You’ll see some fat pooling on the surface, but don’t worry, that deliciousness will be stirred right back into the sauce.

Finished slow cooker meatballs in the slow cooker.

Stir the meatballs in the sauce to make sure everything is evenly combined. These meatballs can now be used in subs or even on a plate of pasta!

Meatballs in subs in a baking dish.

To make the meatball subs, preheat the oven to 350°F. Place your buns on a baking sheet or in a baking dish. Fill each bun with three meatballs and spoon some of the sauce over top.

Shredded mozzarella on the meatball subs.

Top each sub with a little shredded mozzarella.

Baked meatball subs in the baking dish.

Bake the meatball subs in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the edges of the buns are toasty.

Overhead view of baked meatball subs garnished with parsley.

Enjoy the meatballs hot! I garnished with chopped parsley for some color, but the parsley isn’t needed for flavor. :)

Side view of a meatball sub on a plate with the baking dish in the back.

More Sandwiches to Try!

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]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-meatball-subs/feed/ 34 Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken/#comments Sat, 04 Jun 2022 13:48:03 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=66276 Seasoned chicken breast and tangy BBQ sauce are slow cooked until tender and delicious. Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, pizza, and more.

The post Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> This is the time of year when I start to avoid turning on the oven at all costs. So what’s for dinner when it’s too hot to cook? Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken! You can have this tasty chicken in the slow cooker doing its own thing while you’re enjoying a lazy summer day. Plus, unlike a hot oven, the slow cooker won’t make your AC work overtime. ;)

Overhead view of shredded BBQ chicken in a slow cooker with tongs.

This slow cooker BBQ chicken is almost too easy to be true. Just add some seasonings to boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cover them with your favorite BBQ sauce, and press go. A few hours later, the chicken is tender, tangy, so saucy, and delicious!

What Size Slow Cooker to Use

My slow cooker is about 5 quarts and it was only about ¼ full, so you could definitely use a smaller cooker if you want, but I wouldn’t go any larger. Some slow cookers need to be filled a minimum amount to avoid cracking, so make sure to check your owner’s manual first.

What Kind of BBQ Sauce to Use

You can literally use any type of BBQ sauce for this chicken. I tested the recipe using a very basic and inexpensive BBQ sauce just to make sure it was still delicious on a budget, but you could certainly ramp it up by using a fancier BBQ Sauce. You can also play around with different flavors of BBQ sauce, like smoky, honey, pineapple, spicy, etc.

Close up of tongs holding pulled BBQ Chicken.

How Do You Serve Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken?

The classic way to serve this chicken is on a bun, like a classic BBQ chicken sandwich. Make sure to add some coleslaw and pickles to make it extra delish! But you can also use this BBQ chicken for tacos, pizza, bowl meals, on a baked potato or sweet potato, on nachos, or even on a salad.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Whenever I make BBQ anything I always opt for the classic comfort food sides like potato salad, Coleslaw, mac and cheese, three bean salad, Fried Cabbage, or Cowboy Caviar.

Side view of a BBQ Chicken Sandwich.
Side view of Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken in the slow cooker with tongs.
Print

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken

Seasoned chicken breast and tangy BBQ sauce are slow cooked until tender and delicious. Perfect for sandwiches, nachos, pizza, and more.
Course Dinner, Lunch, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $8.34 recipe / $2.09 serving
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 40 minutes
Servings 4 1 cup each
Calories 393kcal
Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Tongs
  • Color Cutting Boards

Ingredients

  • 2 tsp smoked paprika $0.20
  • 1 tsp garlic powder $0.10
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp freshly cracked pepper $0.03
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs. total) $6.49
  • 18 oz. BBQ sauce $1.50

Instructions

  • Combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Sprinkle the seasoning over both sides of the chicken breasts.
  • Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, then pour the BBQ sauce over top making sure the chicken is fully covered.
  • Place a lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 2.5 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
  • After cooking, use two forks to shred the chicken. If the chicken does not easily pull apart with the forks, let it cook a little longer.
  • Serve the pulled BBQ chicken on a bun, on nachos, over a baked potato, on pizza, or with your favorite meal.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 1777mg | Fiber: 2g
Side view of Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken in the slow cooker with tongs.

How to Make Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken – Step by Step Photos

Seasoned chicken breasts on an orange cutting board.

Combine 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the seasoning mix over both sides of two boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs. total).

BBQ sauce being poured over chicken in the slow cooker.

Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker and pour one 18oz. bottle of BBQ sauce over the chicken, making sure it’s fully covered.

Cooked chicken in the slow cooker.

Place the lid on the slow cooker on cook on high for 2.5 hours or low for 4-5 hours.

Chicken being shredded with forks in the slow cooker.

Use two forks to shred the chicken. If the chicken doesn’t pull apart easily, you can let it cook a little longer.

Finished Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken in the slow cooker.

Give the chicken a good stir to make sure it’s all well coated in BBQ sauce, then it’s ready to serve!

Side view of shredded bbq chicken in a slow cooker.

Now I need a plate full of BBQ Chicken Nachos. 🤤

More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

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]]> https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-bbq-chicken/feed/ 39 Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-cabbage-and-sausage/ https://www.budgetbytes.com/slow-cooker-cabbage-and-sausage/#comments Mon, 24 Jan 2022 19:02:42 +0000 https://www.budgetbytes.com/?p=61556 Slow cooker cabbage and sausage is an easy, hands-free way to make a delicious, filling, and cozy meal. Perfect for meal prep!

The post Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage appeared first on Budget Bytes.

]]> Cabbage and sausage is one of the most delicious and satisfying combinations, IMHO. I’ve cooked cabbage and sausage together several ways in the past, but I wanted to test them out in the slow cooker to see if this easy, hands-off cooking method would work too. The verdict? It works! Cabbage and sausage cooked in a slow cooker turns out tender, brothy (almost like a cabbage and sausage soup), and totally delicious.

Cabbage, sausage, and potatoes in the slow cooker

What Kind of Sausage to Use

You’ll want to use a smoked sausage for this recipe. I suggest using something like kielbasa or andouille. This smoky flavor and spices in the sausage help flavor the entire pot during the long, slow simmer, which makes everything extra flavorful!

Potato Options

I used baby creamer potatoes because they’re easy and didn’t require me to do any chopping, but you could also use red potatoes or Yukon gold potatoes, chopped into 1 to 2-inch pieces. Russet potatoes would probably fall apart a little too much to be practical in this recipe.

How to Season Cabbage and Sausage

My goal for this recipe was to keep it as simple as possible, so I only added a couple of teaspoons of steak seasoning (a chunky mix of salt, pepper, garlic, and red pepper). You could also use something like Cajun seasoning, or you could do something simple like a little salt, pepper, paprika, and caraway seeds.

How to Serve Cabbage and Sausage

I spooned the cabbage, sausage, potatoes, and broth into a bowl and at it as sort of a brothy bowl (not quite a soup, but not quite dry), but you could use a slotted spoon to leave the broth behind if you prefer. Either way, some crusty bread and butter on the side really solidifies this as the ultimate comfort food. :)

slow cooker cabbage and sausage in a shallow bowl with a fork
Close up overhead view of cabbage and sausage in the slow cooker
Print

Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage

Slow cooker cabbage and sausage is an easy, hands-free way to make a delicious, filling, and cozy meal. Perfect for meal prep!
Course Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine American
Total Cost $7.80 recipe / $1.30 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 6 1.5 cups each
Calories 314kcal
Author Beth Moncel

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Chef’s Knife
  • Measuring Cups Spoons

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lb. baby potatoes $2.99
  • 1 yellow onion $0.32
  • 1/2 head chopped cabbage (5-6 cups) $1.14
  • 2 tsp steak seasoning $0.20
  • 14 oz. smoked sausage $2.79
  • 2 cups chicken broth $0.26
  • 1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional garnish) $0.10

Instructions

  • Chop the onion into 1-inch pieces. Place the baby potatoes and onions in the bottom of a 5 quart or larger slow cooker.
  • Chop the cabbage into 1-inch pieces. Add the cabbage and steak seasoning to the slow cooker.
  • Slice the sausage into ½-inch thick rounds. Add the sausage to the slow cooker along with the chicken broth. Stir slightly to nestle the sausage down into the cabbage. It's okay if the broth does not cover all the ingredients.
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
  • After 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low, stir to combine the ingredients. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. Top with chopped parsley, if desired, then serve hot.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1.5cups | Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 18g | Sodium: 866mg | Fiber: 4g

Got leftover cabbage? Make our Cabbage Soup Recipe!

Close up side view of a plate full of cabbage, sausage, and potatoes

How to Make Slow Cooker Cabbage and Sausage – Step by Step Photos

Onion and potatoes in the slow cooker

Chop one yellow onion into one-inch pieces. Place 1.5 lbs. baby potatoes and the chopped onion in the bottom of a 5 quart or larger slow cooker.

cabbage and steak seasoning added to the slow cooker

Chop ½ head of cabbage into one-inch pieces (about 5-6 cups once chopped). Add the chopped cabbage to the slow cooker along with 2 tsp steak seasoning.

sausage and broth added to the slow cooker

Slice 14oz. smoked sausage into ½-inch thick rounds. Add the sliced sausage to the slow cooker along with 2 cups chicken broth.

Stirred ingredients in the slow cooker

Slightly stir the ingredients in the slow cooker just so the sausage gets nestled down into the cabbage a bit.

Cooked cabbage, sausage, and potatoes

Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on high for four hours or low for eight hours. After cooking, it will look a little like this.

Stirred cabbage, sausage, and potatoes in the slow cooker

Stir everything together, top with chopped parsley (optional), and serve hot!

A shallow bowl full of slow cooker cabbage and sausage

Try These Other Cabbage and Sausage Recipes:

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