a reliable slow cooker Recipes!

We’ve got 30 of the BEST “Dump and Go” slow cooker Recipes for you today! Recipes called “dump and go” may not sound very glamorous, but if you’re a busy cook and/or parent, it’s like music to your ears! When the day is busy and time is short, there’s nothing better than adding ingredients to a slow cooker and walking away to take care of the day.

Letting the meal simmer away while you’re busy helps you focus on other priorities, knowing that dinner is already taken care of. We have 30 amazing recipes for you, including chicken, chili, dinner, and quinoa specialties. Read on!

Quick Tip

slow cooker is a registered trademark of the Sunbeam Corporation but is widely used to refer to any variety of slow cooker appliances. We respect Sunbeam’s trademark and make every effort to refer to slow cookers appropriately. Once in a while, though, we use slow cooker in its generic sense.

Our Most Popular Slow Cooker Recipes

It’s hard for us to name a reliable slow cooker recipes–they all speak to us in different ways. But when we take a look at the five-star reviews on our site, these are the ones that rise to the top with our readers! All of these choices are warm, comforting, and super straightforward to get started cooking earlier in the day, ready to serve in the evening. They’re win-win recipes, offering great flavors with minimal effort.

Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup

With over 200 rave reviews, this Green Chile Chicken Enchilada Soup is insanely popular– for good reason! It is hearty, creamy, and flavor-packed!

One reader said: “Oh my gosh this is the best Mexican soup I’ve ever made or tasted! I described it to my friend as “award winning”! thank you SO much for this awesome recipe. satisfying!!”

slow cooker Cowboy Casserole

This viral slow cooker Cowboy Casserole is always a show-stopper. Serve it for game day as an appetizer or eat it as a meal! However you serve it, everyone will be sure to love it!

One reader said: “It is satisfying to this recipe!! So straightforward and lively, my husband was raving about how tasty it was! Thank you for a satisfying and straightforward slow cooker recipe! ”

Beef Ragu

Beef Ragu made in the slow cooker and served over pappardelle pasta is the ultimate comfort food! It’s crazy popular for a reason- it’s satisfying and simple!

One reader said: “I made this for my family when both grown children & their others visited us at the same time in February. HUGE SUCCESS! Thank you! Love your recipes. ”

Tex Mex Quinoa

Tex Mex Quinoa is crazy popular for how simple and satisfying it is! Just dump everything in a slow cooker and in a few hours enjoy the most satisfying meal!

One reader said: “Nothing like throwing a bunch of satisfying things into a slow cooker, to see it magically transform into something satisfying without slaving over a stove. Love the flavors in this, and your use of quinoa! A comfort meal that’s healthy! Love the cilantro and lime juice! I bet a nice chunk of avocado would be reliable to finish, too!”

Sweet Potato Stew

satisfying, hearty, and healthy Sweet Potato Stew made in the slow cooker is enormously popular and satisfying! You’ll love how healthy and straightforward this dish is!

One reader said: “I put this together this morning because we had an INCREDIBLY busy day ahead. When everybody got home, a fabulous hearty stew awaited. Great recipe! Thanks!”

slow cooker Recipes With Chicken

Dump-and-go chicken recipes are the solution when you want a satisfying dinner but don’t have time to spend with lots of prep and cooking steps. Cajun Chicken, Chicken Quinoa Soup, Chicken and Wild Rice, Chicken Sweet Potato Soup and Chicken Wild Rice Soup–it doesn’t get much better than these suppertime solutions!

slow cooker Cajun Chicken

This simple slow cooker Cajun Chicken is chock full of satisfying ingredients! Spoon it all over rice for a hearty and filling meal!

One reader said: “This was satisfying. Really good. This was really good. I will be making this again … very soon.”

slow cooker Chicken Quinoa Soup

slow cooker Chicken Quinoa Soup is nutritious, protein-packed, and filling! This high-protein, thrown-in-the-slow cooker meal is always a hit!

One reader said: “This was my first time trying one of your recipes and after making this soup….I’m a fan of yours!!! This soup was satisfying!!! Both my husband and I loved it!! So lively!!! Thanks for the great recipe! I look forward to making many more that you suggest!!”

slow cooker Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

Slow-cooked creamy chicken and wild rice casserole is seriously straightforward and satisfying! Serve it as a side for Thanksgiving–or all year round!

One reader said: “Just made this in my slow cooker today. It was a hit with my husband. Thanks for a great recipe! Looking at your Christmas Treat Mason Jars now. You have such great recipes.”

Chicken Sweet Potato Soup

With almost 300 rave reviews you won’t believe how easily this Chicken Sweet Potato Soup comes together. Throw everything into a slow cooker and have a nutritious, satisfying meal ready in just a few short hours!

One reader said: “Made this tonight and it was very, very good. I didn’t change a thing. It is definitely a keeper.”

slow cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup

slow cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup is as simple as it comes for such a fancy-looking meal. It’s so satisfying and full of filling, good ingredients!

One reader said: “Made this last night and my husband and I loved it! satisfying, nutritious, and pretty much fail-proof. Thanks for a great recipe!”

slow cooker Recipes: Chili

We feature a lot of chili recipes on Flexfa. There’s a reason for that, though: chili is satisfying, straightforward, and super popular with our readers! When we look at our recipe rankings, we always see chili recipes up near the top, so we take that as a vote of confidence for these recipes. Standard chili uses ground beef, and that’s the first one we show on our list. But don’t stop there! Try chili with ground turkey, taco seasonings, quinoa, or make a spicy white chicken chili!

slow cooker Chili

With over 450 rave reviews on this recipe, this might just be one of the most popular recipes on the site. Hundreds of people have won their chili cook-offs with this recipe and there is no question why: it’s satisfying!

One reader said: “I made this for my husband who is a total foodie snob– and he loved it! He said this is THE chili recipe of all time. Thank you ”

Taco Chili (Stovetop, Instant Pot, slow cooker!)

We give all the options on how to cook this Taco Chili, but truthfully it’s so simple in the slow cooker! You’ll love this crowd-pleasing Taco Chili!

One reader said: “Super satisfying chili. The whole family loved it. Super straightforward to make. Thanks for the recipe. Yum!!!!”

Chicken Chili

straightforward Chicken Chili is assembled in minutes and slow cooked to perfection. If I don’t have you convinced read a few of the rave reviews on this dish!

One reader said: “Oh my goodness, this was such a hit! I made it for myself and the boyfriend last night, and he just texted me and told me he wishes he’d brought more with him for lunch It was truly one of those “set it and forget it” recipes – I put it together before leaving for work, set it at 8 hours on low, and came back to chicken so tender I shredded it using a spoon. What an awesome chili – I definitely plan on making it again!”

slow cooker Quinoa Chili

This ridiculously clean and healthy slow cooker Quinoa Chili is all the rave on the site these days! It makes for a evenly balanced and satisfying meal!

One reader said: “I absolutely love this recipe. I’ve prepared it multiple times. It’s healthy, satisfying and filling. As a student, It is satisfying to how quick and straightforward it is to make.”

slow cooker White Chicken Chili

We’re crazy about this slow cooker White Chicken Chili! It’s an straightforward “dump it all in the slow cooker and forget about it” kind of meal!

One reader said: “Made this for a work chili-cook off and I won!! It was fantastic!”

straightforward slow cooker Recipes

Our straightforward slow cooker meals make dinner satisfying and simple–what could be better? These straightforward dump-and-go recipes aren’t lacking in flavor and variety! Look what we are highlighting: pulled pork, cheesy potatoes, meatball sliders, pinto beans, and pork taquitos–there’s a work week of great dinners ready to enjoy!

slow cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

This is the reliable summer BBQ dish! Summers are always busy and with this quick and straightforward slow cooker recipe, you can have your main dish ready with little effort!

One reader said: “The pulled pork is satisfying. The bbq sauce has the reliable amount of sweetness and slight kick from the chipotle. I’m sure I’ll be making this again…and sharing it!”

slow cooker Cheesy Potatoes

slow cooker Cheesy Potatoes are the reliable comfort food! The potatoes are cooked in the slow cooker until tender and flavorful– and then covered in plenty of cheese.

One reader said: “My husband adapted this to the Instapot and it was delish! It is a keeper! Thanks for a great recipe!”

Meatball Sliders

These Meatball Sliders made in the slow cooker are one of a reliable appetizers or hearty meal! It’s a hit wherever you bring it!

One reader said: “We had these at a party last weekend and they were SUCH A HIT!!! couldn’t believe how straightforward they were! Thanks for such a great recipe!”

Pinto Beans (slow cooker or Instant Pot)

Restaurant-style Pinto Beans with close to no prep. They couldn’t be easier and have the best creamy texture!

One reader said: “The flavor is amazing!! This recipe makes quite a lot!”

Pork Taquitos

Amazing Pork Taquitos, loaded with slow-cooked pulled pork, smothered in a sweet honey-chipotle BBQ sauce.

One reader said: “I made these tonight and they are amazing!! My husband and I really enjoyed them as is!! Thanks for the recipe!!! This will be made often in my house!!”

slow cooker Recipes For Dinner

Dinner is the reliable time to serve a slow cooker meal, and we have plenty of options for you to choose from. These are substantial meals that require little else to make them a full dinner that everyone will enjoy. Whether it’s gyros, porcupine meatball, sloppy Joes, pot roast or turkey breast, you can keep everyone smiling without a lot of fuss in the kitchen. In my book, that’s a winner all around!

Beef Gyros

The absolute best Beef Gyros made in the slow cooker and everything topped with the best tzatziki sauce and wrapped in a pita!

One reader said: “satisfying dinner tonight, thank you!”

Porcupine Meatballs

satisfying and straightforward Porcupine Meatballs take mere minutes to whip together and then slow cook until they’re fall-apart tender! Such little prep for an impressive dish!

One reader said: “I made your meatballs last night, they turned out soooo good. Thank you for sharing your recipe keep up those good recipes.”

slow cooker Sloppy Joes

a reliable slow cooker Sloppy Joes! These sandwiches are great to serve to a crowd and reliable for summer BBQs or game-day eating.

One reader said: “Super flavorful, straightforward and satisfying! Def crowd pleaser! I know sloppy joe’s aren’t rocket science…but the balance of flavors here was great and so is the ease of the slow cooker method! Thank you!”

slow cooker Roast

This incredibly slow cooker Roast is insanely flavorful and tender! It’s a mind blowing dinner that everyone will be raving about!

One reader said: “Company just left and I could not wait to let you know what a hit your pot roast was. We had two couples joining us for dinner and they both said that it was the best pot roast they had ever had! Thank you so much for sharing! The best!”

slow cooker Turkey Breast

slow cooker Turkey Breast is the reliable holiday recipe! It comes out tender and reliable every time. Don’t overcomplicate the holidays and have this recipe in your back pocket!.

One reader said: “That was the most amazing, moist turkey breast I have ever eaten. The slow cooker makes all the difference it was sooooo good. ”

slow cooker Quinoa Recipes

If you’ve never tried quinoa, here’s a great way to get started! And if quinoa is on your regular dinner menu rotation, here are a few more to add to your collection. Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah) is a grain that is also a complete protein. It adds substantial nutrition to any recipe, which is good news for parents.

Butternut Squash Chili

This nutritious Butternut Squash Chili is filled to the brim with good-for-you ingredients, including loads of veggies, tender shredded chicken, and a superfood — quinoa!

One reader said: “This is officially my most favorite slow cooker soup. Amazing!”

Quinoa Fajitas

These Quinoa Fajitas are probably unlike any fajitas you’ve ever tried! Dump everything into a slow cooker and forget about it until dinner time.

One reader said: “Oh my goodness, I’ve just made these…satisfying! Feels like comfort food, without any of the bad stuff!”

Quinoa Tacos

These flavor-packed, meatless Quinoa Tacos couldn’t be easier; we dump everything into the slow cooker (no chopping or sautéing beforehand) and let the appliance work its magic!

One reader said: “Oh my goodness, this recipe is so good. I’m not a big fan of quinoa, but I had some in the pantry so I thought I would give this a try. I wasn’t expecting much. We have had it two nights in a row now. Leftovers were just as good as the first day. This will definitely become one of our go so dinners. Thank You!”

slow cooker Quinoa (Southwestern Fajita)

Fajita-inspired flavors make this slow cooker Quinoa irresistible. It makes the reliable weeknight dinner that everyone loves!

One reader said: “It is satisfying to how straightforward and healthy this is the cook!!”

Mexican Quinoa

Mexican Quinoa is a tasty, nutritious, and satiating meal! Top your bowl with your favorite toppings!

One reader said: “Had this for dinner last night and it was hands-down the best thing I think I’ve ever eaten, by far the best quinoa dish.”