30 Slow-Cooker Recipes for January

Day 1: Slow-Cooker Split Pea Soup

When I have leftover ham in the fridge, I like to make this slow-cooker split pea soup. Just throw the ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and dinner is done. —Pamela Chambers, West Columbia, South Carolina

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Day 2: Easy Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

I love this easy pot roast Crockpot recipe for a couple of reasons. First, it’s delicious. Second, it’s easy! I can’t describe the feeling of walking into my house after work and smelling this dish that’s been simmering in the slow cooker all day. There’s nothing better. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

Day 3: Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Bowls

You’ll love this easy version of a traditional Mexican favorite. Serve this al pastor bowl over rice or in tortillas with your favorite toppings. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Day 4: Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole

This Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole is an easy dinner for both you and the kids. Serve with carrot and celery sticks for a fuss-free feast. You can also stir in some spicy brown mustard if the adults want more zing. —Laura Wilhelm, West Hollywood, California

Slow-Cooker Salmon

I love this slow-cooker salmon recipe because it's healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

Day 6: Slow-Cooker Thai Peanut Noodles

I like to serve these Thai peanut noodles with green onion or cilantro for pops of color and fresh flavor. —Catherine Cebula, Littleton, Massachusetts

Day 7: Slow-Cooker Veggie Lasagna

This “veggie-licious“ alternative to traditional lasagna makes use of slow-cooker convenience. I suggest using chunky spaghetti sauce. —Laura Davister, Little Suamico, Wisconsin

Day 8: Orange-Chipotle Chicken

Big on flavor and easy on the cook’s time, this orange-chipotle chicken recipe is appealing. The sweet-yet-hot sauce gets its heat from the chipotle pepper. I serve this dish with a side of rice. —Cittie, Tasteofhome.com Community

Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken

I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet and slightly spicy taste of Carolina vinegar chicken. I make my version in the slow cooker. After the tempting aroma fills the house, your family is sure to be at the dinner table on time! —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia

Day 10: Weeknight Goulash

With this recipe, you can put in a full day’s work, run some errands and still get dinner on the table in hardly any time. Make it extra-special by serving the meat sauce over spaetzle. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

Day 11: Slow-Cooker Butter Chicken

I spent several years in Malaysia eating a variety of Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian food. This was one of my favorite dishes! There are many versions of butter chicken, but this is similar to the Middle Eastern version I had. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio

Day 12: Chili Mac

This chili mac has regularly appeared on my family menus for more than 40 years, and it’s never failed to please at potlucks and bring-a-dish gatherings. Sometimes I turn it into soup by adding a can of beef broth. —Marie Posavec, Berwyn, Illinois

Day 13: Slow-Cooker Meat Loaf

That old standby, meat loaf, gets some fun Mexican flair and a simple new preparation method in this recipe. The round loaf gets extra flavor when served with salsa. —Julie Sterchi, Jackson, Missouri

Day 14: Slow-Cooker Beef and Broccoli

I love introducing my kids to all kinds of flavors. This Asian-inspired slow-cooker meal is one of their favorites, so I serve it often. —Brandy Stansbury Edna, Texas

Day 15: Southwest Chicken Chili

Chicken thighs are a nice change-of-pace in this easy chili. I also add a smoked ham hock and fresh cilantro to add flavor and keep the dish interesting. —Phyllils Beatty, Chandler, Arizona

Day 16: Slow-Cooker Enchiladas

As a busy wife and mother of two young sons, I rely on this handy recipe. I layer enchilada ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and forget about it. With a bit of spice, these hearty enchiladas are especially nice during the colder months. —Mary Luebbert, Benton, Kansas

Day 17: Slow-Cooker Jambalaya Risotto

I love risotto, but I don’t always love the time and stirring it takes to get the creamy goodness. I found a slow-cooker risotto recipe and thought it was too good to be true. I decided to adapt a jambalaya recipe for this dish. —Angela Westra, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Day 18: Steak Stroganoff

This slow-cooker recipe makes a traditional dinner completely fuss-free. Tender sirloin steak with a flavorful gravy is served over noodles for a homestyle meal. Your whole family is sure to request it time and again. —Lisa VanEgmond, Annapolis, Illinois

Day 19: Slow-Cooked Pork Roast

Here’s a tasty meal. It is so flavorful and is sure to become a favorite. —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon

Day 20: Country Cassoulet

This bean stew is fantastic with fresh dinner rolls and your favorite green salad. It’s a hearty meal that’s perfect after a long day in the garden. —Suzanne McKinley, Lyons, Georgia

Day 21: Slow-Cooker German Bratwurst

I created this old-world favorite based on a dish I had during my travels. The flavorful entree is perfect for weeknights or special occasions. I like to serve this slow-cooker bratwurst with pasta. —Gerald Hetrick, Erie, Pennsylvania

Day 22: Slow-Cooked Curry Chicken

Our three children love the spicy flavors found in this Crock-Pot chicken curry. Add more or less curry depending on your taste preferences. —Helen Toulantis, Wantagh, New York

Day 23: Slow-Cooker Fajitas

I love fajitas like they serve in Mexican restaurants, but when I prepared them at home, the meat was always chewy. Then I made these slow cooker fajitas, and my husband and I savored every last bite. Fresh cilantro gives these fajitas the extra punch that makes them taste truly authentic. —Katie Urso, Seneca, Illinois

Day 24: Slow-Cooker Short Rib Ragu over Pappardelle

An irresistible sauce gives this beef another dimension of flavor. Nearly any starchy side, such as potatoes or polenta, will work in place of the pasta.
Short ribs are my crowd-pleaser weekend meal for all occasions. —Missy Raho, Morristown, New Jersey

Day 25: Asparagus Tuna Noodle Casserole

I updated a traditional tuna casserole using fresh asparagus and asparagus soup. This is so different and so delicious. Use frozen asparagus when fresh is not in season. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Day 26: Braciole

In our family braciole was served as a special treat for birthdays and holidays. It was Grandma’s specialty and the preparation was time-consuming. When the meat and sauce were fully cooked, Grandma called us into the kitchen to watch her lift the big braciole roll from the sauce to the cutting board to slice it. The pinwheels of meat, laid side by side on the platter, topped with Grandma’s delicious sauce, made a colorful picture. —Cookie Curci, San Jose, California

Day 27: Slow-Cooker Duck Breasts

My husband and son are duck hunters, and I am always trying to find new ways to cook the meat. I created this slow-cooker duck breast dish a couple of years ago, and it instantly became a family favorite. The flavors of the herbs really compliment the duck. —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Day 28: Slow-Cooker Pad Thai

I love pad thai, but I hate standing over a hot stir-fry. This slow-cooker version lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai, too. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

Day 29: Slow-Cooker Chipotle Pork Chops

I love the tender texture of pork chops made in the slow cooker! The flavor of this sauce is similar to barbecue, but with a little extra kick. The crispy onions on top add an extra, delectable crunch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Day 30: Mom’s Molasses Ham and Beans

This is a recipe my mom made frequently while I was growing up, but I tweaked it to include navy beans instead of lima beans. It’s perfect for a cold day when you don’t want to bother with lots of cooking. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada