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Start the season off right with these easy spring crock-pot meals. Just add the ingredients to your slow cooker, let it work its magic and a delicious dinner will be ready with minimal prep or clean-up. Recipes like Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Slow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted Leeks are healthy, bright and perfect for the warmer weather.Slow cooking is a healthy and effortless way to cook, and it should give you great results. However, this kitchen tool requires following some basic rules and, of course, the recipe. Here are a few things to consider. Most slow-cooker recipes are created for 6-quart cookers. Your ingredients should fill your cooker at least halfway to three-quarters. A too-big cooker could dry out your ingredients; a too-small cooker could overcook it all and give you a pot of mush. Other things to avoid include:Skipping recipe steps.Not adding ingredients in the right order.Using frozen ingredients.Not searing meats or browning veggies.Using skin-on chicken when a recipe calls for skinless.Just follow our recipes, and you should be fine!
Start the season off right with these easy spring crock-pot meals. Just add the ingredients to your slow cooker, let it work its magic and a delicious dinner will be ready with minimal prep or clean-up. Recipes like Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado Salsa and Slow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted Leeks are healthy, bright and perfect for the warmer weather.
Slow cooking is a healthy and effortless way to cook, and it should give you great results. However, this kitchen tool requires following some basic rules and, of course, the recipe. Here are a few things to consider. Most slow-cooker recipes are created for 6-quart cookers. Your ingredients should fill your cooker at least halfway to three-quarters. A too-big cooker could dry out your ingredients; a too-small cooker could overcook it all and give you a pot of mush. Other things to avoid include:
Just follow our recipes, and you should be fine!
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Easy Slow-Cooker Potato-Leek Soup with Boursin
View Recipe
02of 15Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado SalsaView RecipeLoosely translated as “minced meat,” the traditional texture of carne picada ranges from finely chopped to ground. Here we start with brisket, which becomes nice and tender in the slow cooker, then shred and chop the meat before serving. The seasoning is flavorful but not too spicy. Blistered jalapeños added at the end will satisfy the heat-lovers in the family. Pile the brisket into warmed corn tortillas with lettuce, jalapeños, cheese and avocado salsa for a healthy dinner that’ll wake up your taco night routine.
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Slow-Cooker Carne Picada Tacos with Avocado Salsa
Loosely translated as “minced meat,” the traditional texture of carne picada ranges from finely chopped to ground. Here we start with brisket, which becomes nice and tender in the slow cooker, then shred and chop the meat before serving. The seasoning is flavorful but not too spicy. Blistered jalapeños added at the end will satisfy the heat-lovers in the family. Pile the brisket into warmed corn tortillas with lettuce, jalapeños, cheese and avocado salsa for a healthy dinner that’ll wake up your taco night routine.
03of 15Slow-Cooker Loaded Broccoli & Chicken SoupView RecipePhotographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell RoysterThis comforting soup is loaded with broccoli and chicken in a creamy, cheesy base and finished off with the classic toppings of bacon and scallions. Frozen onions and rice keep their integrity and texture to the soup, but chopped fresh onions and cooked brown rice (not frozen) can be used in their place.
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Slow-Cooker Loaded Broccoli & Chicken Soup
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
This comforting soup is loaded with broccoli and chicken in a creamy, cheesy base and finished off with the classic toppings of bacon and scallions. Frozen onions and rice keep their integrity and texture to the soup, but chopped fresh onions and cooked brown rice (not frozen) can be used in their place.
04of 15Slow-Cooker Vegetable LasagnaView RecipeThis vegetarian lasagna couldn’t be easier, thanks to jarred pasta sauce and no-boil lasagna noodles. Prep it in the morning and let your crock pot do the work.
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Slow-Cooker Vegetable Lasagna
This vegetarian lasagna couldn’t be easier, thanks to jarred pasta sauce and no-boil lasagna noodles. Prep it in the morning and let your crock pot do the work.
05of 15Slow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted LeeksView RecipeSlow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted LeeksWe’ve discovered the perfect pairing for this moist, lemony, slow-cooker salmon—slightly chewy leeks. Like other alliums, leeks become sweet and rich when roasted slowly for a long time. When cooked in the slow cooker they “melt,” becoming jam-like but still retaining pleasant chewiness. Garnish with fresh sage leaves and thyme sprigs, if desired.
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Slow-Cooker Citrus Salmon with Melted Leeks
We’ve discovered the perfect pairing for this moist, lemony, slow-cooker salmon—slightly chewy leeks. Like other alliums, leeks become sweet and rich when roasted slowly for a long time. When cooked in the slow cooker they “melt,” becoming jam-like but still retaining pleasant chewiness. Garnish with fresh sage leaves and thyme sprigs, if desired.
06of 15Slow-Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Soup with Asparagus & PeasView RecipeUse your crock pot all year with this healthy slow-cooker chicken soup recipe with fresh spring ingredients. Adding the asparagus and peas to the slow cooker for the last 20 minutes of cooking and leaving the lid off ensures that the vegetables stay bright green and are perfectly done without getting mushy.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Wild Rice Soup with Asparagus & Peas
Use your crock pot all year with this healthy slow-cooker chicken soup recipe with fresh spring ingredients. Adding the asparagus and peas to the slow cooker for the last 20 minutes of cooking and leaving the lid off ensures that the vegetables stay bright green and are perfectly done without getting mushy.
07of 15Slow-Cooked Lamb with Lemons & PomegranateView RecipeA long braise in the oven yields fork-tender results for a tough cut of lamb. Cinnamon, oregano, garlic and lemon infuse the lamb shoulder with Mediterranean aromas, while a final scattering of pomegranate arils provides a burst of color and crunch.
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Slow-Cooked Lamb with Lemons & Pomegranate
A long braise in the oven yields fork-tender results for a tough cut of lamb. Cinnamon, oregano, garlic and lemon infuse the lamb shoulder with Mediterranean aromas, while a final scattering of pomegranate arils provides a burst of color and crunch.
08of 15Cheesy Vegetable Pasta AlfredoView RecipeThis cheesy pasta recipe is made in a slow cooker but is relatively quick, taking just 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. It’s full of vegetables, whole-grain linguine and, of course, lots of cheese!
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Cheesy Vegetable Pasta Alfredo
This cheesy pasta recipe is made in a slow cooker but is relatively quick, taking just 2 1/2 hours from start to finish. It’s full of vegetables, whole-grain linguine and, of course, lots of cheese!
09of 15Slow-Cooker Lemongrass-Coconut Marinated ChickenView RecipeIn this slow-cooker chicken recipe, minimal effort produces big flavor, making it the perfect starter recipe for anyone learning to cook their own Thai-inspired food. If you can’t find wide rice noodles, any rice noodle can be substituted. For the quickest day-of meal prep, make the chicken and coconut broth a day in advance and refrigerate. When ready to eat, simply reheat them, cook the noodles and serve.
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Slow-Cooker Lemongrass-Coconut Marinated Chicken
In this slow-cooker chicken recipe, minimal effort produces big flavor, making it the perfect starter recipe for anyone learning to cook their own Thai-inspired food. If you can’t find wide rice noodles, any rice noodle can be substituted. For the quickest day-of meal prep, make the chicken and coconut broth a day in advance and refrigerate. When ready to eat, simply reheat them, cook the noodles and serve.
10of 15Easy Slow-Cooker Shrimp BoilView RecipeTender red potatoes, corn, shrimp, smoky sausage and flavorful Old Bay seasoning give this slow-cooker shrimp boil the classic flavors you love. Because it’s all made in the slow cooker, pulling this meal together is a breeze. It’s perfect for a party—just serve with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, bay leaves and ice-cold beer. If you can’t find turkey andouille, use chicken andouille instead.
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Easy Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil
Tender red potatoes, corn, shrimp, smoky sausage and flavorful Old Bay seasoning give this slow-cooker shrimp boil the classic flavors you love. Because it’s all made in the slow cooker, pulling this meal together is a breeze. It’s perfect for a party—just serve with lemon wedges, cocktail sauce, bay leaves and ice-cold beer. If you can’t find turkey andouille, use chicken andouille instead.
11of 15Slow-Cooker Chicken & Orzo with Tomatoes & OlivesView RecipePerk up basic chicken breast and whole-wheat orzo with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, like lemon and olives. This load-and-go recipe makes a complete and satisfying meal; just add a green salad.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Orzo with Tomatoes & Olives
Perk up basic chicken breast and whole-wheat orzo with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean, like lemon and olives. This load-and-go recipe makes a complete and satisfying meal; just add a green salad.
12of 15Crock-Pot Lemon Chicken with Tomatoes & Kalamata OlivesView RecipeLet your slow cooker do the bulk of the work and end up with a meal that fulfills all your Mediterranean-food cravings. The mix of onions, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, oregano and parsley adds pleasing acidity to the browned chicken, while toasted pine nuts lend interest to the orzo.
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Crock-Pot Lemon Chicken with Tomatoes & Kalamata Olives
Let your slow cooker do the bulk of the work and end up with a meal that fulfills all your Mediterranean-food cravings. The mix of onions, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, oregano and parsley adds pleasing acidity to the browned chicken, while toasted pine nuts lend interest to the orzo.
13of 15Slow-Cooker Edamame-Rice Bowl with Cherries & PecansView RecipeWith wild and brown rice, edamame, dried cherries and pecans, this dish boasts varied textures as well as an abundance of nutrients. Wild rice is rich in fiber and protein while brown rice is high in manganese, which helps the body digest fats. Cherries are packed with antioxidants, while pecans are loaded with healthy unsaturated fat.
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Slow-Cooker Edamame-Rice Bowl with Cherries & Pecans
With wild and brown rice, edamame, dried cherries and pecans, this dish boasts varied textures as well as an abundance of nutrients. Wild rice is rich in fiber and protein while brown rice is high in manganese, which helps the body digest fats. Cherries are packed with antioxidants, while pecans are loaded with healthy unsaturated fat.
14of 15Slow-Cooker Shrimp Noodle BowlsView RecipeThe aromatic vegetables in the broth create a light yet distinct flavor of classic noodle bowls. Adding the lime juice, fish sauce and shrimp at the end keeps them from overcooking and their flavors from becoming diluted. If you have it, drizzle toasted sesame oil on top of this slow-cooker shrimp dish for nutty flair. For the prettiest appearance, use whole basil and cilantro leaves, instead of chopping them. Look for packaged lemongrass stalks near the plastic clamshells of herbs in the produce section of your supermarket.
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Slow-Cooker Shrimp Noodle Bowls
The aromatic vegetables in the broth create a light yet distinct flavor of classic noodle bowls. Adding the lime juice, fish sauce and shrimp at the end keeps them from overcooking and their flavors from becoming diluted. If you have it, drizzle toasted sesame oil on top of this slow-cooker shrimp dish for nutty flair. For the prettiest appearance, use whole basil and cilantro leaves, instead of chopping them. Look for packaged lemongrass stalks near the plastic clamshells of herbs in the produce section of your supermarket.
15of 15Slow-Cooker Tuna Steaks with Escarole-Chickpea SaladView RecipeThis fish salad is a unique twist on traditional slow-cooker fare. The slow-cooker tuna steaks carry the bright lemon and rosemary flavors well, which result in an aromatic and fresh fish that perfectly complements the lettuce and chickpeas. Chill it for an easy work lunch the next day. Garnish with fresh rosemary leaves, if desired.
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Slow-Cooker Tuna Steaks with Escarole-Chickpea Salad
This fish salad is a unique twist on traditional slow-cooker fare. The slow-cooker tuna steaks carry the bright lemon and rosemary flavors well, which result in an aromatic and fresh fish that perfectly complements the lettuce and chickpeas. Chill it for an easy work lunch the next day. Garnish with fresh rosemary leaves, if desired.
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