Crockpots make cooking easy. You can toss ingredients in, turn it on, and come back to a tasty meal hours later. Dump dinners take this simplicity even further. With these recipes, you just put everything in the pot at once.
Dump dinners for the crockpot save you time and effort in the kitchen. You don’t need to brown meat or cook veggies first. These meals are perfect for busy days when you want a home-cooked dinner without the fuss. From soups and stews to chicken and beef dishes, there are many options to try.
This easy crock pot meal combines tender chicken with creamy rice and melted cheese. Place chicken breasts, rice, cream cheese, and broth in your slow cooker. Add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for flavor.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The rice will absorb the liquid as it cooks. Shred the chicken when done.
Stir in shredded cheddar cheese at the end for extra cheesiness. You can also mix in some frozen peas or corn for added veggies. This comforting one-pot meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
Cook the chicken on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The meat will be tender and full of flavor when done. You can add veggies like carrots and potatoes to make it a complete meal.
This dish is great served over rice. The sweet and savory sauce coats the chicken perfectly. It’s an easy weeknight dinner that your family will love.
You can make a tasty creamy Italian chicken dish in your slow cooker. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the crock pot. Mix chicken broth, Italian dressing, and cream of chicken soup in a bowl.
Pour this mixture over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours. When done, shred the chicken with two forks.
Add cream cheese and stir until it melts into the sauce. This creates a rich, creamy texture. Serve your Italian chicken over pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a filling meal.
Teriyaki chicken and vegetables make a tasty, easy meal in your slow cooker. Add chicken thighs to the bottom of the pot. Mix soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger in a bowl.
Pour this sauce over the chicken. Cook on low for 4-6 hours until the meat is tender. Add your favorite veggies like broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers in the last hour of cooking.
When done, the chicken will be juicy and the veggies crisp-tender. Serve over rice for a complete meal. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or when you want a hands-off dinner option.
You can make tasty barbecue pulled pork in your crock pot with ease. Start by rubbing a pork shoulder with spices like chili powder, garlic powder, and paprika.
Place the seasoned pork in your slow cooker. Add some liquid like chicken broth or apple juice. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until the meat is tender.
Once done, remove the pork and shred it with forks. Mix in your favorite barbecue sauce. You can serve this on buns for sandwiches or use it in tacos, salads, or nachos.
This pulled pork freezes well, so you can make a big batch and save some for later meals.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The chicken will be tender and infused with rich curry flavor.
For extra thickness, mix cornstarch with water and stir it in near the end of cooking. Add some veggies like bell peppers or potatoes for a complete meal.
Serve your coconut curry chicken over rice to soak up the tasty sauce. It’s a comforting dinner that practically cooks itself.
Lemon herb chicken is a tasty and easy dump dinner for your slow cooker. You’ll love how simple it is to make this flavorful dish.
To start, add chicken and lemon herb sauce to your 6-quart crockpot. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 4-5 hours.
When the chicken is done, it will shred easily with a fork. Take it out, shred it, and put it back in the cooker. Stir to mix with the sauce.
This meal is perfect for busy days. The lemon and herb flavors make the chicken bright and fresh-tasting. Serve it over rice or with your favorite sides for a complete dinner.
Beef and barley stew is a hearty and filling dump dinner for your crock pot. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare this classic comfort food.
Start by browning beef chunks in a pan. This step adds extra flavor to your stew. Then dump the beef into your slow cooker.
Add chopped carrots, celery, onions, and garlic. Pour in beef broth and red wine for richness. Stir in tomato paste and pearl barley.
Season with thyme, salt, and pepper. Set your crock pot to low and let it cook for 7-8 hours. The result is tender beef and perfectly cooked barley in a flavorful broth.
Buffalo chicken dip is a tasty crowd-pleaser you can make in your crock pot. It combines the flavors of spicy buffalo sauce with creamy cheese and tender chicken.
To make it, add shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, hot sauce, and ranch dressing to your slow cooker. Stir the ingredients and cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
The dip is ready when everything is hot and melted together. Serve it with chips, crackers, or veggie sticks for dipping.
This easy recipe is perfect for parties or game day gatherings. You can adjust the spice level by using more or less hot sauce to suit your taste.
Sweet and sour meatballs are a tasty and easy dish for your crock pot. You’ll need frozen meatballs, pineapple, brown sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, and some veggies.
Mix the sauce ingredients in a bowl. Put the meatballs in your crock pot and pour the sauce over them. Add pineapple chunks and diced bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.
Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. The sauce will thicken as it cooks. Stir once or twice during cooking to make sure everything is coated evenly.
Serve your sweet and sour meatballs over rice or on their own as an appetizer. You can also add some extra veggies like onions or carrots if you like.
This easy dump dinner combines tender chicken with a rich tomato basil sauce. You’ll need chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasonings.
Add these ingredients to your slow cooker along with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. For extra creaminess, mix heavy cream with cornstarch and pour it in.
Cook the chicken on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 3 hours. The meat should reach 165°F when done.
The result is a flavorful, creamy dish that’s perfect over pasta or rice. You can also add some fresh basil at the end for extra flavor.
Garlic Parmesan potatoes are a tasty and easy side dish you can make in your slow cooker. You’ll love how simple it is to prepare this flavorful recipe.
Start by placing potato chunks in your Crock-Pot. Add olive oil, butter, minced garlic, and herbs like oregano and basil. Gently toss everything to coat the potatoes evenly.
Set your slow cooker to low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours. The potatoes will come out tender and infused with garlic flavor.
Before serving, sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top. This adds a delicious cheesy finish to your garlic potatoes.
Chicken and dumplings is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for your crock pot. You can easily make this dish by adding chicken, vegetables, and broth to your slow cooker.
Let it cook on low for 6-8 hours until the chicken is tender. In the last hour, add dumplings made from biscuit dough or a simple mix of flour, milk, and butter.
The dumplings will cook in the hot broth, soaking up flavors and becoming soft and fluffy. This meal is hearty, filling, and sure to please your family on a cold day.
You can customize it by adding your favorite herbs or vegetables. Serve it in bowls for a cozy dinner that practically makes itself.
This crock pot dump dinner is perfect for chilly days. You can toss all the ingredients into your slow cooker in the morning and come home to a hearty meal.
Start by adding sausage, beans, carrots, celery, and onions to your crock pot. Pour in chicken broth and seasonings like oregano and bay leaves.
Let it cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours. The sausage will become tender and flavorful, while the beans absorb the savory broth.
Before serving, stir in some fresh spinach for added nutrition and color. This easy soup is filling and tastes even better the next day.
Cajun chicken pasta is a tasty and simple meal you can make in your crock pot. Put chicken, cream, broth, and butter in the pot. Add garlic powder and Cajun seasoning for flavor.
Cook on low for 4-6 hours until the chicken is done. You can also add onions and bell peppers for extra taste and texture. Shred the chicken when it’s cooked.
Cook pasta separately and add it to the crock pot near the end. Stir in some cheese for a creamy finish. This dish gives you a mix of spicy and rich flavors that your family will love.
Ham and bean soup is a classic crockpot dish that’s easy to make. You can use leftover ham or a ham bone for extra flavor.
Canned beans work well and save time. Add carrots, celery, and onion for extra nutrition and taste.
Cover everything with water or chicken broth in your crockpot. A pinch of baking soda helps soften the beans.
Cook on high for 6-8 hours until the beans are tender. Remove the ham bone, shred the meat, and return it to the pot.
This hearty soup is perfect for cold days. It’s filling, nutritious, and requires minimal effort to prepare.
Benefits of Using a Crock Pot
Crock pots offer many advantages for home cooks. They make meal prep easier and produce delicious results with minimal effort.
Convenience and Time-Saving
Crock pots let you “set it and forget it.” You can add ingredients in the morning and come home to a ready meal. This saves time on busy days.
Many recipes need little prep. Just dump in the ingredients and turn it on. No need to watch or stir the pot while cooking.
Crock pots work well for batch cooking. Make big portions to eat throughout the week or freeze for later. This cuts down on daily cooking time.
Clean-up is simple too. Most crock pots have removable inserts you can wash easily. Some are even dishwasher-safe.
Enhanced Flavor Development
Slow cooking brings out rich flavors in food. Meat becomes tender and absorbs spices deeply. Vegetables release their natural sweetness.
The low, steady heat helps blend flavors. Ingredients have time to mingle and create complex tastes. This works great for stews, soups, and sauces.
Tough, cheap cuts of meat turn out juicy in a crock pot. The long cook time breaks down connective tissues. This makes budget-friendly meals taste luxurious.
Crock pots trap moisture during cooking. This keeps food from drying out. The result is moist, flavorful dishes every time.
How to Choose the Best Ingredients
Picking top-notch ingredients is key for tasty crock pot meals. Quality meats and veggies make a big difference in flavor and texture.
Quality of Meat and Poultry
Look for fresh, well-marbled cuts of meat. Avoid pieces with excess fat or gristle. For beef, choose cuts like chuck roast or brisket that become tender when cooked slowly.
Chicken thighs work great in crock pots. They stay moist and flavorful. Boneless, skinless breasts can dry out, so use them with care.
Check expiration dates on packages. Fresh meat should have a bright color with no strong odors. Buy from trusted sources when you can.
Trim visible fat before cooking to keep your meal from getting greasy. Pat meat dry with paper towels to help it brown better if you sear it first.
Optimal Vegetables for Crock Pot Dinners
Pick firm, fresh veggies that can stand up to long cooking times. Root vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions are perfect choices.
Avoid soft veggies like zucchini or tomatoes early in cooking. They can turn mushy. Add them in the last hour instead.
Frozen veggies work well too. They’re often cheaper and just as nutritious as fresh. Add them near the end of cooking time.
Cut veggies into large, even pieces. This helps them cook evenly and keeps them from falling apart. Aim for 1-2 inch chunks for most vegetables.
Onions and garlic add great flavor to crock pot meals. Use them generously to boost taste without extra work.
Crock Pot Cooking Tips and Techniques
Using your crock pot correctly can make a big difference in your meals. These tips will help you get the best results from your slow cooker.
Layering Ingredients Correctly
Put harder veggies like carrots and potatoes at the bottom of the pot. They need more heat to cook. Place meat in the middle layer. Add softer items like beans or peas on top.
Don’t overfill your crock pot. Fill it 1/2 to 2/3 full for best cooking. Too much food can lead to undercooked meals.
Cut foods into even-sized pieces. This helps everything cook at the same rate. Larger chunks work well for longer cook times.
Maintaining Proper Temperature
Keep the lid on while cooking. Each time you lift it, heat escapes. This can add 15-20 minutes to your cook time.
Start with thawed meat. Frozen meat may not reach a safe temp fast enough.
Use the right setting. Low is best for all-day cooking. High works for shorter times, about 4-6 hours.
Check the seal on your lid. A tight fit keeps heat and moisture in. Replace the lid if needed.
Test your crock pot’s temp. Fill it 2/3 with water. Cook on low for 8 hours. The water should be about 185°F.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
