45 Slow Cooker Recipes to Make for Memorial Day

Sauerkraut gives these beer-simmered brats a big flavor boost, but it’s the special chili sauce and melted cheese that put them over the top. Top your favorite burger with some of the chili sauce; you won't be sorry. —Alana Simmons, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Even after seven years, my family still asks for this tasty potato and bacon dish. Try it once and I'll bet your family will be hooked, too. —Lynn Ireland, Lebanon, Wisconsin

After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Restaurant, I was inspired to create a slow-cooked version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor the ribs would get from grilling over hot coals. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin

I count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you’re not into root beer. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

I’m always looking for ways to serve my family healthy and delicious food, so I started experimenting with my favorite veggies and ground beef. I came up with this favorite that my three kids actually request! This healthy take on sloppy joes reminds me of my own childhood. —Megan Niebuhr, Yakima Washington

With this creamy dip, I can get my daughters to eat spinach and artichokes. We serve it with chips, toasted pita bread or fresh veggies. —Jennifer Stowell, Montezuma, Iowa

I've enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, Minnesota

We use this super duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love helping measure seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington

This Italian eggplant dip preps quickly and actually gets better as it stands. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Try adding a little leftover caponata to scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

What could be more comforting (or easy!) than a slow cooker mac and cheese? Nothing! This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish, and I've never met anyone who didn't ask for second helpings of the cheesy dish. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina

My husband craves a good ribs recipe, so we cook them multiple ways. This low and slow method with a tangy sauce is the best we’ve found. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina

When I make this tasty chicken lasagna at home, I use a whole bottle of Buffalo wing sauce because my family likes it nice and spicy. Increase the pasta sauce and use less wing sauce if you prefer. —Heidi Pepin, Sykesville, Maryland

It never occurred to me that I could bake a cobbler in my slow cooker until I saw some recipes and decided to try my favorite fruity dessert recipe. It took a bit of experimenting, but the tasty results are "berry" well worth it. —Martha Creveling, Orlando, Florida

For big parties, I make glazed meatballs and deliver them in the slow cooker. That way they’re spicy, sweet and ready to eat. —Gail Borczyk, Boca Raton, Florida

Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this is my favorite. If you like your barbecue sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington

This sweet and tangy side dish uses lots of convenient canned goods, so it’s a snap to throw together. The recipe was sent to me by a friend and it’s nice to serve at a group picnic. —Barbara Gordon, Roswell, Georgia

One batch of this slow-cooker appetizer isn't enough for my family so I often double the recipe. Bits of sweet onion give the creamy dip a bit of crunch.—Terri Perrier, Simonton, Texas

Cheesecake from a slow cooker? It's true! I experimented a few times to turn this iconic dessert into a slow-cooker classic. Give it a try. You'll be amazed at the results! —Krista Lanphier, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

On cool-weather weeknights, the slow cooker is our friend. The plums might surprise in these juicy pork sandwiches, but they add a little sweetness and make the meat extra tender. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey

I look forward to going on our beach vacation every year, but I don't always relish the time spent cooking for everybody. This slow-cooker dessert (or breakfast!) gives me more time to lie in the sun and enjoy the waves. Melty ice cream is a must. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

We shared these flavor-packed tacos with friends from church who came over to help us move. They're so good, I put them on my blog, manilaspoon.com! The slow cooker makes this recipe extra easy, and I love that whenever I make it, I'm reminded of the wonderful people back in Michigan. —Abigail Raines, Hamden, Connecticut

When hosting big meals, I would sometimes run out of burners. Then I realized my slow cooker could help by simmering corn and green chilies with pickled jalapenos. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina

Perfect for a weekday dinner or cozy weekend meal, this recipe makes fall-off-the-bone tender meat with delicious flavor. —Margaret Luchsinger, Jupiter, Florida

I clipped this easy peanut butter cake recipe from a newspaper years ago. The house smells fantastic while it's slow cooking. My husband and son enjoy the cake with ice cream and nuts on top. —Bonnie Evans, Norcross, Georgia

A sweet, rich sauce makes this BBQ ribs recipe so tender that the meat literally falls off the bones. And the aroma is wonderful. Yum! —Tanya Reid, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

My husband and I are both graduate students right now, so we don't have a lot of time to cook dinner. Our family loves coming home to this incredible nacho platter, and I love how easy it is to prepare. —Faith Stokes, Chickamauga, Georgia

These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions and tailgates. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon

Fresh veggies and crackers will disappear quickly when they're next to this cheesy slow-cooked dip. With smoked Gouda, it has an extra level of flavor that keeps everyone guessing. —Katie Stanczak, Hoover, Alabama

We go to the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival for the awesome food. This chicken with lemon and spices is a great way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans! —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah

When my husband's not manning the grill, I count on my slow cooker. These mouthwatering meatballs are just one reason why. They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser when I serve them as party appetizers…or spooned over crusty rolls and topped with cheese for irresistible sandwiches. —Peggy Rios, Mechanicsville, Virginia

Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a hands-down winner over store versions. As a treat, I give my co-workers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio

Warm pork and cool, crisp lettuce are a combination born in culinary heaven. My spin on a lettuce wrap is chock-full of scrumptious flavor and spice. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

Since we live in a rural area where there aren’t any restaurants to speak of, I thought it would be fun to make this classic sandwich at home. For an extra flavor boost, add a splash of steak sauce. —Lenette Bennett, Como, Colorado

Only four ingredients create a rich and flavorful side dish that we love to eat with beef and mashed potatoes. —Kim Reichert, St. Paul, Minnesota

As the stew of the South, jambalaya is a definite staple. For ages, home cooks have been making their own tweaks on the traditional recipe. This rendition is my favorite. —Judy Batson, Tampa, Florida

I have fond memories of eating these big, messy sandwiches at a neighbor's house when I was growing up. Freeze extras and save for another meal, too! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

As soon as the spring Vidalia onions hit the market, this is one of the first recipes I make. I use it on hot dogs, bruschetta, cream cheese and crackers. It is so versatile. —Pat Hockett, Ocala, Florida

When a chocolate craving hits, I whip up this cake my aunt inspired. It’s gooey and saucy but not crazy sweet. It’s also potluck-perfect. —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

I think the slow cooker was invented with brisket in mind. This sweet and savory version is perfection itself, because it melts in your mouth. It's very important to buy "first-cut" or "flat-cut" brisket, which has far less fat than other cuts.—Lana Gryga, Glen Flora, Wisconsin

Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Frihauf, Fort Morgan, Colorado

This Italian sandwich started as pork chops and sausage over angel hair pasta. Now we have a handy new slow-cooked version of a beloved family recipe. —Debra Goforth, Newport, Tennessee

Recipes that are leaner in fat and calories—like the one for these burritos—helped me lose 30 pounds! The meat is so tender and delicious. —Shirley Davidson, Thornton, Colorado

Pork and fruit go so nicely together and when you add fresh herbs, you get this fresh, light and bright main dish that everyone loves. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Guests will go crazy when you serve this cheesy nacho casserole with tender chunks of slow-cooked pork. The recipe makes two heaping pans, and you don’t need to worry about filling the chip bowl—the tortilla chips are conveniently baked right in the dish! —Kelly Byler, Goshen, Indiana

Tortilla chips and a side salad turn this casserole into a fun meal with very little effort. —Denise Waller, Omaha, Nebraska