The clocks fell back, and now it’s dark before dinner even crosses your mind. That’s exactly when a slow cooker earns its counter space. You load it before you leave, and by the time you walk in, the whole house smells like somebody took care of you.
These are the 12 pots we lean on from now until spring: beefy soups with real meat in them, a couple of big chilis, a smoky lamb stew, and one curveball for the nose-to-tail crowd. Every one does the work while you’re out.
Slow Cooker Oxtail Soup
Oxtails get browned, then spend about eight hours with red wine, Creole seasoning and potatoes. All that bone gives the broth enough body to coat the spoon.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Oxtail Soup
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs
Bone-in short ribs cook until they fall apart, then the pearl barley goes in to soak up the broth. A splash of red wine vinegar at the end keeps every bowl from going heavy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup with Short Ribs
Crock Pot Beef Chili
Four pounds of ground chuck, browned in batches until the edges go dark, feeds a crowd of 12. Masa harina stirred in at the end gives it real chili body.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Beef Chili
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken thighs, mushrooms, fresh thyme and sage, and wide egg noodles. Cream cheese makes it silky, no roux required.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
Hot sausage, russet potatoes and kale, finished with evaporated milk for that creamy restaurant broth. Five minutes of prep, then four hours on low.
Get the Recipe: Copycat Slow Cooker Zuppa Toscana
Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew
Bone-in lamb shoulder and shank go low and slow with stout and smoked paprika. Potatoes and peas round it out into a full dinner.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Irish Lamb Stew
Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils
Chuck, green lentils, turnips and carrots in beef broth. The lentils thicken the pot on their own, and leftovers reheat without falling apart.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Stew with Lentils
Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Lean ground turkey, kidney beans, corn and two kinds of bell pepper, with ten minutes of hands-on time. Pile on the cheddar and crackers.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Turkey Chili
Thai Chicken Stew
Chicken thighs in coconut milk with lemongrass, ginger, jalapeño, lime and fish sauce. This is the bright one when you are tired of brown food.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Stew
Slow Cooker Loaded Veggie Beef Stew
Chuck roast with portobello caps, red potatoes, carrots, parsnips and kale. A little soy sauce in the broth pushes the beefy flavor further.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Loaded Veggie Beef Stew
Simple Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage Chili
Kielbasa and andouille with navy beans, chipotle in adobo and a touch of liquid smoke. All the smoke, no smoker.
Get the Recipe: Simple Slow Cooker Smoked Sausage Chili
Slow Cooker Beef Heart Stew
For the nose-to-tail crowd. Beef heart braises with sweet Hungarian paprika, bell peppers and tomatoes until it eats like a deep, paprika-red beef stew.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Heart Stew
