Forget about the grill. We're using our trusty slow cooker instead! Dig into top-rated Memorial Day recipes, like creamed corn, BBQ chicken and sloppy joes. This no-stress, all-American party food will steal the show.
37 Slow Cooker Recipes to Make for Memorial Day
1/37
Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats
Total Time
7 hours 45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 733 calories, 50g fat (16g saturated fat), 94mg cholesterol, 1643mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein.
2/37
Slow-Cooked Ranch Potatoes
Total Time
7 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 230 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 545mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
3/37
Slow-Cooker Memphis-Style Ribs
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Restaurant in Memphis, I was inspired to create a slow-cooked version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor that the ribs would get from being grilled over hot coals. —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 509 calories, 35g fat (13g saturated fat), 136mg cholesterol, 1137mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 2g fiber), 38g protein.
4/37
Root Beer Pulled Pork Nachos
Total Time
8 hours 50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 391 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
5/37
Sloppy Joe Recipe
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You’ll love this quick, easy and economical dish. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, both for traditional sandwiches on buns or as a down-home topping for rice, biscuits or baked potatoes. —Laurie Hauser, Rochester, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 439 calories, 16g fat (6g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 1360mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
6/37
Fabulous Fajitas
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 fajita: 220 calories, 9g fat (3g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 337mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
7/37
Chicken Taco Salad
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We use this super-duper chicken across several meals, including it in tacos, sandwiches, omelets and enchiladas. My little guys love to help measure the seasonings. —Karie Houghton, Lynnwood, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups lettuce with 3 ounces cooked chicken: 143 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 516mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
8/37
Slow-Cooker Caponata
Total Time
5 hours 20 min
Servings
6 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 34 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 189mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
9/37
Crockpot Mac and Cheese
Total Time
4 hours
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This classic casserole is a rich and cheesy meatless main dish. I've never met anyone who didn't ask for a second helping. —Bernice Glascoe, Roxboro, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 502 calories, 28g fat (18g saturated fat), 131mg cholesterol, 638mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
10/37
Crazy Delicious Baby Back Ribs
Total Time
5 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 420 calories, 33g fat (9g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 1082mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 24g protein.
11/37
Berry Cobbler
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined several recipes to come up with this one. It's very versatile. Sometimes I use other fruits depending on what is available or on hand. —Edna Woodard, Fredericksburg, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 234 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 196mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein.
12/37
13/37
Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this is my most treasured. If you enjoy your barbecue sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 179 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 392mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 13g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 lean meat, 1 starch, 1 fat.
14/37
Ranch-Style Beans
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This ranch-style beans recipe is served at all of our barbecues. It seems most people who live here like spicy, flavorful food, and this fits the bill just right. —Wilma Ruth James, Ranger, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 226 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 345mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 10g fiber), 14g protein.
15/37
Slow Cooker Hot Crab Dip
Total Time
2 hours 10 min
Servings
2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup (calculated without crackers): 190 calories, 16g fat (7g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
16/37
Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake
Total Time
2 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cheesecake in 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. I promise you'll be absolutely amazed by the results! —Krista Lanphier Milwaukee, WI
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 515 calories, 37g fat (21g saturated fat), 171mg cholesterol, 404mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (32g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
17/37
Peach Crumble
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We save our forks after dinner so we can enjoy this yummy old-fashioned peach crumble dessert. It’s delicious, so easy to make and wonderful with ice cream. —Nancy Horsburgh, Everett, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 237 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 38mg cholesterol, 167mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
18/37
Slow-Cooker Carnitas
Total Time
8 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
2 tacos: 393 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 757mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 4g fiber), 32g protein.
19/37
Green Chile Creamed Corn
Total Time
3 hours 10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When hosting big meals, I would sometimes run out of burners. Then I realized my slow cooker could help by simmering corn and green chiles with pickled jalapenos. —Pat Dazis, Charlotte, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 258 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 296mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein.
20/37
Country Rib Sandwiches
Total Time
6 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 405 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 713mg sodium, 45g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein.
21/37
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The combination of mocha and peanut butter will satisfy every sweet tooth at your table. The garnish is a little extra work, but what are special occasions for? —Tammy Bollman, Minatare, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice (calculated without chocolate curls): 883 calories, 60g fat (23g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 670mg sodium, 83g carbohydrate (60g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.
22/37
“Secret’s in the Sauce” BBQ Ribs
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 921 calories, 58g fat (21g saturated fat), 220mg cholesterol, 1402mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (45g sugars, 2g fiber), 48g protein.
23/37
Hearty Pork & Black Bean Nachos
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup meat mixture (calculated without chips and toppings): 469 calories, 24g fat (9g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 1055mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 7g fiber), 33g protein.
24/37
Bandito Chili Dogs
Total Time
4 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 chili dog: 450 calories, 23g fat (10g saturated fat), 53mg cholesterol, 1442mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 3g fiber), 19g protein.
25/37
Shredded Chicken Gyros
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Our family always has such a wonderful time at the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival. One of my favorite parts is all the awesome food. This meal is a good way to mix up our Memorial Day menu, and my kids are big fans. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 gyro (calculated without toppings): 337 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 418mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
26/37
Contest-Winning Bavarian Meatball Hoagies
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
12 sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
When my husband is not manning the grill, I count on my slow cooker. These meatballs are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser when I serve them as a party appetizer or spooned over crusty rolls and topped with cheese for irresistible sandwiches. —Peggy Rios, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 643 calories, 36g fat (18g saturated fat), 95mg cholesterol, 1302mg sodium, 49g carbohydrate (13g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein.
27/37
Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa
Total Time
3 hours 20 min
Servings
11 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a winner over store-bought versions. I give my co-workers several jars throughout the year as a special treat. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 28 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 59mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch.
28/37
Philly Cheesesteak
Total Time
20 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This cheesesteak, an iconic sandwich in Philly, is a bestseller at Pat's King of Steaks restaurant. Patrons praise its thinly cut beef and crusty Italian rolls. —Frank Olivieri, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich (calculated without optional ingredeints or cheese): 714 calories, 49g fat (12g saturated fat), 101mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 36g protein.
29/37
Italian Mushrooms
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 99 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 281mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
30/37
Gulf Coast Jambalaya Rice
Total Time
3 hours 35 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 395 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 138mg cholesterol, 861mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
31/37
Chicago-Style Beef Rolls
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I have fond memories of eating these big, messy sandwiches at a neighbor's house when I was growing up. Freeze any extras and save for another meal! —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich (calculated without optional toppings): 418 calories, 16g fat (5g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 771mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
32/37
Crock-Pot Lava Cake
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Everyone who tries this dessert falls in love with it. Using a slow cooker liner makes cleanup a breeze. —Latona Dwyer, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 215 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 28mg cholesterol, 254mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 3g protein.
33/37
Black-Eyed Peas
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I find that pork is the secret to a good black-eyed peas recipe. A double dose of ham for flavor and slow, gentle cooking creates this perfect side dish. —Emory Doty, Jasper, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 359 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 788mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 14g fiber), 20g protein.
34/37
Green Chile Beef Burritos
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Recipes that are leaner in fat and calories—like this one for beef burritos—helped me lose 30 pounds! The meat is so tender and delicious. —Shirley Davidson, Thornton, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 burrito: 262 calories, 5g fat (2g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 376mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 2g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
35/37
Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops
Total Time
3 hours 15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving (calculated without crystallized ginger): 572 calories, 13g fat (4g saturated fat), 69mg cholesterol, 326mg sodium, 91g carbohydrate (86g sugars, 3g fiber), 24g protein.
36/37
Southwestern Nachos
Total Time
7 hours 55 min
Servings
30 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
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
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 288 calories, 12g fat (4g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 548mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
37/37
Slow-Cooker Enchilada Casserole
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Tortilla chips and a side salad turn this savory casserole into a fun and festive meal with very little effort. —Denise Waller, Omaha, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 568 calories, 35g fat (16g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 1610mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 3g fiber), 31g protein.
