When the plan disappears and patience runs out, the kitchen has to meet you where you are. These 23 dinners keep things simple enough to survive tired evenings. We use meals like this when we do not want to think past the next hour. They hold the day together without asking much back.

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions in a red broth, garnished with herbs, with a spoon in the bowl.
Instant Pot Beef Stew with Tender Meat and Vegetables. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, and herbs in broth, served on a matching plate with a spoon.
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup cooks in about 6 hours with beef, barley, and vegetables. We let it carry the night.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings

A pile of seasoned chicken wings garnished with herbs served on parchment paper, accompanied by a bowl of creamy dipping sauce.
Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings finish in about 20 minutes with wings, butter, and parmesan. They feel like effort without effort.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Parmesan Wings

Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Grilled chicken drumsticks garnished with fresh chopped herbs and lemon slices on a white rectangular plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Chicken Legs are ready in about 22 minutes with drumsticks and seasoning. We use these when patience is gone.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Three slices of roasted turkey breast topped with gravy, served with mashed potatoes and a side of leafy greens on a white plate.
Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast cooks in about 4 hours with turkey and broth. It stays tender without hovering.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

A hand dipping a crispy, breaded chicken tender into a bowl of red sauce, with more tenders and fresh parsley visible in the background.
Quick and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Quick and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders finish in about 15 minutes with chicken strips and breadcrumbs. They rescue nights that feel done.
Get the Recipe: Quick and Easy Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

A black plate filled with crispy, breaded chicken tenders garnished with chopped herbs, set on a brown cloth with greens and dipping sauce in the background.
Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders cook in about 18 minutes with chicken and sweet heat. We make these when plain feels impossible.
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders

Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

A bowl of white rice and stir-fried chicken garnished with herbs, with black chopsticks resting on the side.
Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer is done in about 20 minutes with thighs, honey, and garlic. The flavor carries more than the effort.
Get the Recipe: Honey Garlic Chicken in the Air Fryer

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Yellow stuffed bell pepper with rice, vegetables, and cheese on a plate, with a red pepper in the background and a slice of bread beside it.
Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers cook in about 5 hours with peppers, beef, and marinara. We forget about them until dinner is ready.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Italian Stuffed Peppers

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Close-up of seasoned and cooked chicken pieces garnished with fresh herbs on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs finish in about 18 minutes with bone-in thighs. They work even when energy does not.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

A plate of shredded pork topped with cranberry sauce, served over mashed potatoes with a sprig of rosemary on the side.
Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin cooks in about 6 hours with pork and cranberry sauce. It tastes like you tried harder than you did.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Cranberry Pork Loin

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

A plate of braised beef with carrots, garnished with herbs. Knife and fork rest on the plate, placed on a textured burlap tablecloth with greenery alongside.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast simmers for about 8 hours with chuck roast and potatoes. We trust it to handle the day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

A hand holding a fork is about to pick up a piece of breaded chicken on a bed of lettuce with lemon wedges; a small bowl of dipping sauce is nearby.
Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp is ready in about 15 minutes with shrimp and chili sauce. It pulls dinner out of a slump.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Bang Bang Shrimp

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

A plate of creamy spaghetti topped with chopped herbs and freshly ground black pepper, with a fork resting on the side.
Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti cooks in about 4 hours with chicken, pasta, and cheese. We lean on this when nothing else sounds good.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

A table with a plate of seasoned ground meat, bowls of chopped red onion, shredded cheese, and lettuce, two chili peppers, a lime, a tomato, and yellow bell peppers.
Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos finish in about 4 hours with ground turkey and taco seasoning. They let everyone build dinner without work.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

A bowl of pasta topped with rich meat sauce and garnished with grated cheese and herbs, placed on a brown surface with a light gray cloth.
Slow Cooker Beef Shanks. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Beef Shanks cook in about 7 hours with beef and broth. The meat does the heavy lifting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp

Shrimp cooking in a skillet with fresh herbs and a foamy sauce.
Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp is done in about 12 minutes with shrimp and butter. We make this when the night feels too long.
Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Butter Shrimp

Air Fryer Pork Chops

Three seasoned, cooked pork chops garnished with chopped herbs are served next to a portion of steamed broccolini on a plate.
Air Fryer Pork Chops. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Pork Chops finish in about 15 minutes with boneless chops and spices. They feel like dinner without the drag.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Pork Chops

Air Fryer Orange Chicken

A bowl with steamed white rice, broccoli florets, orange slices, and sesame-topped glazed chicken, next to a glass of orange juice and a bowl of rice.
Air Fryer Orange Chicken. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Orange Chicken cooks in about 20 minutes with chicken and citrus sauce. It replaces takeout on tired nights.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

A pulled pork sandwich topped with coleslaw on a bun, served with a side of ridged potato chips on a white plate.
Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork cooks in about 6 hours with pork shoulder and sauce. We stretch it across several meals.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites

A black plate filled with cooked steak bites, some pieces showing a pink center, garnished with chopped herbs and coarse salt.
Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites are ready in about 10 minutes with sirloin and butter. They feel big for how little they ask.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Garlic Butter Steak Bites

Easy Pork Meatballs

A plate of spaghetti with meatballs, garnished with grated cheese and parsley, on a wooden table covered with crumpled paper. A fork and spoon are placed beside the plate.
Easy Pork Meatballs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Easy Pork Meatballs finish in about 25 minutes with ground pork and breadcrumbs. They save the night quietly.
Get the Recipe: Easy Pork Meatballs

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

A black bowl filled with creamy chicken noodle soup sits on a matching plate atop a textured beige cloth.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup cooks in about 6 hours with chicken, noodles, and cream. We let it hold things together.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Instant Pot Beef Stew with Tender Meat and Vegetables

A bowl of beef stew with chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and onions in a red broth, garnished with herbs, with a spoon in the bowl.
Instant Pot Beef Stew with Tender Meat and Vegetables. Photo credit: CopyKat Recipes.

Instant Pot Beef Stew with Tender Meat and Vegetables is ready in about 45 minutes with beef and vegetables. It feels like a full reset without extra steps.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Beef Stew with Tender Meat and Vegetables

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About the Author

Kita Roberts is the meat maven and award-winning recipe developer behind Girl Carnivore®, with 15+ years of grilling, smoking, and cooking experience. Her recipes are tested on everything from backyard grills to professional smokers – and always built for real home cooks.
As the lead creative force behind Girl Carnivore®, she is widely recognized as an authority on all things meat.

Learn more about GirlCarnivore

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