This page may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, The Routine Revised earns from qualifying purchases.
Simple Crock Pot Dinners for Busy Days
Some days are busy enough without having to figure out what’s for dinner.
That’s where a slow cooker can help. A few minutes of prep in the morning can mean dinner is ready when everyone gets home. These simple crock pot meals are family-friendly, easy to prepare, and perfect for busy days.
Helpful Tools Worth Having
My Go-To Crock Pot Recipes
These are the simple slow cooker meals I come back to again and again. They’re easy to prepare, use everyday ingredients, and help make busy days a little easier.
Beef Stew
Beef stew is one of those classic comfort meals that never seems to go out of style.
Brown the stew meat in a skillet before transferring it to the slow cooker.
Add stew meat, potatoes, carrots, sautéed onions, and desired seasonings to the slow cooker. In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups boiling water and 1 packet dry onion soup mix, then pour over the ingredients.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or until the beef is tender.
To thicken the stew, whisk together ¼ cup warm water and 2 tablespoons flour until smooth. Stir into the stew and cook uncovered for about 15 minutes.
Serve with a simple salad and crusty bread for dipping.
Mongolian Beef
This slow cooker version delivers tender beef in a rich, flavorful sauce.
Toss thinly sliced flank steak with ¼ cup cornstarch. Add to the slow cooker along with 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon minced garlic, 1 teaspoon minced ginger, ½ cup soy sauce, ⅓ cup brown sugar, and ½ cup water.
Stir to coat the beef in the sauce.
Cover and cook on high for 2–3 hours or low for 4–5 hours.
Stir in ½ cup sliced green onions before serving.
Serve over steamed rice.
Beef Short Ribs
For a meal that feels special but requires very little effort, beef short ribs are hard to beat.
Brown the short ribs in a skillet before transferring them to the slow cooker.
Whisk together 3 cups beef broth, ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder. Pour over the ribs.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours until the meat is fork tender.
Serve with mashed potatoes, a side salad, and crusty bread.
Shredded BBQ Chicken
This recipe works equally well for sandwiches, wraps, baked potatoes, or tacos.
Add boneless skinless chicken breasts to the slow cooker. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons chicken bouillon and your favorite seasonings. Add enough water to mostly cover the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 4–5 hours until the chicken shreds easily.
Remove the chicken and shred it. Return it to the slow cooker and stir in your favorite barbecue sauce.
Heat through before serving.
Serve on buns, in wraps, or as BBQ chicken tacos.
Mississippi Chicken
Mississippi Chicken has become popular for good reason. It’s simple, flavorful, and works well over mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles. It also works with beef and pork.
Place boneless skinless chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix and 1 packet au jus gravy mix.
Add ½ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, and a splash of pepperoncini juice.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
Shred the chicken and stir it back into the cooking juices before serving.
Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
Chicken and Gravy
This is an easy comfort food meal that pairs well with simple side dishes.
Add 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts to the slow cooker.
In a bowl, whisk together 1 can cream of chicken soup, 2 envelopes chicken gravy mix, and ½ cup water.
Pour over the chicken.
Cover and cook on low for 4–6 hours until the chicken is tender.
Serve over steamed rice with green beans and warm biscuits.
Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Pulled pork is one of the easiest slow cooker meals and often provides leftovers for another day.
Brown a pork shoulder or pork roast in a skillet before placing it in the slow cooker.
Add sliced onions, garlic, and your favorite seasonings. Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours until the pork pulls apart easily.
Shred the pork and mix with barbecue sauce.
Serve on sandwich buns with coleslaw if desired.
Pork Carnitas
Carnitas are perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, and meal prep.
Brown a pork shoulder before placing it in the slow cooker.
Add garlic, cumin, orange juice, lime juice, and a little chicken broth.
Cover and cook on low for 8–10 hours until tender.
Shred the pork and serve in tacos, burrito bowls, or over rice.
Pork Roast and Vegetables
When you want a complete meal in one pot, pork roast and vegetables is a simple option.
Brown a pork roast before placing it in the slow cooker.
Add potatoes, carrots, onions, broth, and your favorite seasonings.
Cover and cook on low for 6–8 hours until the vegetables are tender and the pork is cooked through.
Serve directly from the slow cooker for an easy family dinner.
Freezer Prep Tips
Many crock pot meals can be assembled ahead of time and frozen for busy weeks.
Combine ingredients in freezer containers or freezer bags, label them clearly, and freeze.
When you’re ready to cook, thaw the meal overnight in the refrigerator and transfer it to the slow cooker in the morning.
Preparing a few meals at once can make weeknight dinners much easier.
Helpful Tools: Freezer Meal Containers, Freezer Labels, Vacuum Sealer
Common Crock Pot Mistakes
One of the most common mistakes is lifting the lid too often. Every time the lid is removed, heat escapes and cooking time increases.
Overfilling the slow cooker can also affect cooking performance. Most slow cookers work best when filled between one-half and three-quarters full.
Adding dairy products too early can sometimes cause curdling. If possible, add cream, milk, or cheese near the end of cooking.
Following manufacturer recommendations for meat preparation and safe cooking temperatures is always a good idea.
Related Posts
If you enjoy practical kitchen and meal preparation tips, you may also enjoy:
Inexpensive Kitchen Game Changers
Simple Signature Cocktail and Mocktail Ideas
Home Bar Accessories Worth Having
Gigi Says
One of my favorite things about crock pot dinners is that they remove one decision from a busy day. Knowing dinner is already cooking can make an evening feel a little less rushed and a little more manageable. Sometimes the simplest routines are the ones that help the most.