21 Dump-And-Go Recipes That Skip The Cleanup Drama

Need dinner to work without hovering over the stove? That’s where dump-and-go cooking shines. We rely on these recipes when the goal is bold flavor with minimal prep and no extra fuss. Each one is designed to cook evenly and come out tender with a deep, savory finish. Think flexible cuts, simple setups, and meat that turns juicy and golden while you move on with your night.

A bowl of creamy potato corn chowder topped with bacon and cheese, next to a wooden spoon, bread slices, and a green plant on a red checkered cloth. — Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder. Photo credit: Real Life of Lulu.

Simple Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage Chili

Smoked sausage chili slow cooked with beans and deep flavor. — Simple Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage Chili. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Smoked sausage adds deep, bold flavor as the chili simmers low and slow. Easy prep keeps the pot steady without stovetop watching.
Get the Recipe: Simple Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage Chili

Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Country style ribs pressure cooked tender and glazed in sauce. — Instant Pot Country Style Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Pressure cooking keeps these ribs juicy with a clean, tender bite. Fast, controlled timing replaces hours of traditional cooking.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Country Style Ribs

Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

Whole crock pot chicken cooked until tender with juices pooling at the bottom. — Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Even heat keeps the whole bird juicy with lightly golden skin. Ten-minute prep makes this a dependable, walk-away dinner solution.
Get the Recipe: Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot

Instant Pot Fish Soup

A blue bowl contains a soup with chunks of fish, carrots, and potatoes, garnished with fresh dill. The soup appears to have a clear broth base. — Instant Pot Fish Soup. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Gentle pressure cooking keeps fish tender in a clean, savory broth. Fast timing delivers dependable results without overcooking.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Fish Soup

Slow Cooker Loaded Veggie Beef Stew

Beef stew loaded with vegetables slow cooked until tender. — Slow Cooker Loaded Veggie Beef Stew. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow cooking softens beef while vegetables stay tender and savory. One-pot timing keeps prep simple and predictable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Loaded Veggie Beef Stew

Chicken Paprikash

Pressure cooking concentrates smoky paprika flavor into a thick, rich gravy. Fast timing delivers tender chicken without constant attention.
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Juicy slow cooker turkey breast sliced on a platter with herbs and pan juices pooling underneath. — Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Low, steady heat keeps this turkey breast juicy with almost no prep. Slow cooking locks in moisture and keeps timing stress-free on busy days.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Boneless Turkey Breast

Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Hearty slow-cooked beef and barley soup filled with tender short rib pieces in a deep bowl. — Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow cooking breaks short ribs down until they’re fall-apart tender and deeply beefy. One-pot timing makes this an easy win for hands-off evenings.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs

Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Zuppa Toscana made slow cooker style with kale, sausage, and creamy broth. — Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow simmering builds a creamy, savory broth with tender sausage bites. Hands-off cooking keeps flavor high without constant stirring.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana

Maple-Dijon Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes

A white plate containing a stew made of tender shredded meat and chunks of potatoes, garnished with sprigs of fresh thyme. A spoon rests on the side of the dish, placed on a marble surface. — Maple-Dijon Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pressure cooking delivers tender beef with a glossy, sweet-tangy sauce. One-pot timing keeps dinner efficient and predictable.
Get the Recipe: Maple-Dijon Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Turkey chili simmered slow with beans and spices. — Slow Cooker Turkey Chili. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Low simmering builds bold flavor while keeping turkey moist. Easy timing makes this a reliable weeknight chili swap.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Shredded beef slow cooked until tender with juices pooling beneath the pulled strands on a platter. — Slow Cooker Shredded Beef. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Extended slow cooking turns beef into juicy, pull-ready strands. Easy timing makes this reliable for tacos, bowls, or sandwiches.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Long, gentle simmering turns beef shanks silky and rich without hovering. The slow cooker delivers reliable tenderness while you handle everything else.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Shanks

Slow Cooker Birria

Chiles and spices bloom during a long slow cook for deep, rich flavor. Chuck roast turns tender and pull-apart with zero mid-day babysitting.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Birria

Quick Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast

Turkey breast pressure cooked quick with herbs and broth. — Quick Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

High-pressure heat locks in juicy meat with lightly golden edges. Short cook time replaces long roasting without sacrificing flavor.
Get the Recipe: Quick Pressure Cooker Turkey Breast

Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork cooked slow and shredded into tender pieces. — Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Long, gentle heat breaks pork down into tender, juicy shreds. Set-and-forget cooking delivers consistent results without a smoker.
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers

A plate of chicken stir-fry with sliced carrots, bell peppers, and mushrooms, garnished with cilantro and almond slices. A fork rests on the plate, and a yellow cloth is visible in the background. — Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers. Photo credit: Thermocookery.

Pressure cooking softens peppers and keeps chicken juicy in under 30 minutes. High-speed results fit tight schedules without flavor loss.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken and Peppers

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

Instant Pot pot roast with tender shredded beef, potatoes, and carrots in rich gravy. — Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Pressure cooking drives flavor deep while keeping the beef fork-tender. Fast timing replaces all-day roasting without losing juicy results.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew

Lamb stew simmered slow until vegetables and lamb break down into a hearty rich broth. — Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Slow simmering softens lamb into tender bites with rich, savory depth. Dump-and-go prep keeps this stew steady and predictable.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew

Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Short ribs slow cooked until tender with rich glossy sauce. — Slow Cooker Short Ribs. Photo credit: Girl Carnivore.

Low heat melts connective tissue for bold, fall-apart short ribs. This method delivers restaurant-level tenderness with zero hands-on effort.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Short Ribs

Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder

Slow heat keeps chicken tender while the chowder turns creamy and rich. Dump-and-go prep keeps the day running smoothly.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder