I still remember when my mom got a Crock Pot. Such a clever 1970′s invention.
For our 1986 wedding, Todd & I got one too from the owners of the flower shop where I worked in college. Later, we “bumped up” to one that had a new-fangled twist——removable stoneware. 
After 25 years of marriage, I’ve burned through a lot of Crock Pots. We currently own two, both about 10 years old.
They’ve been transported to graduation open houses, sick church members and family get-togethers; they’ve been there to celebrate at wedding showers and silently serve at funeral dinners. They return often with food crusted on the outside or nicks in the stoneware.
Loving others means sometimes your stuff gets bumped.
Last month, we attended the regional wrestling match for our 8th graders team. Man, did these wrestling moms have it going on in the Crock Pot arena!
There were ones that switched automatically to “Keep Warm’ when the dish was done.
There were ones that were huge—-7 quart models.
One was camouflage—-my hunters would love that!
One even had little pre-made, removable metal tags that told what was in the Crock Pot—–meatballs, mac & cheese, etc…
I was having me a severe case of “Crock Pot Envy”
So, I had to snap myself back to reality and embrace my beat-up beauties.
Though not state-of-the-art, they still function.
Though they’ve been bumped and bruised, they’ve spread a lot of love.
I will embrace my chipped, dented slow cookers and continue to let them serve.
Here are two favorite crock pot meals. One is a little involved; one easy.
Will you share yours?
Mexican Chicken
5 boneless chicken breasts, cubed
1 can black beans
1 can corn, drained
Mix the above and place in a slow cooker. Then, over the top pour:
1 (15 ounce) jar chunky salsa ( I use Ortega medium)
Sprinkle with:
one small lime–zested & juiced and 1 tsp. minced garlic
Cover and cook on high for four hours. Then add:
1 (8 block) package cream cheese, cubed
Lightly stir and re-cover. Cook for 30 minutes more.
Serve over brown rice and top with crushed tortilla chips.
Pulled Pork
Place one or two boneless pork loins in a crock pot. Cover and cook 8-10 hours on low.
Drain off juices. Shred meat. Pour Sweet Baby Rays barbeque sauce over. Stir and serve on soft kaiser rolls with some crunchy cole slaw.
Any other good crock pot dishes out there?
I use the pulled pork but found if I cook it in root beer, drain, shred meat and then add the Sweet Baby Rays bbq sauce, it is fabulous. I also do the same with chicken breasts.
same for me – yummy!
Darlene– I am SO trying that! Thanks!
ya’ll are making me hungry.
I *think* I’ve got all the ingredients for that Mexican chicken. If so, I know what we’re having for dinner tonight!
I often make Turkey Dinner in the crock pot… easy, quick, and good.
Make up one box of stuffing mix with 1 1/2 c. water, and whatever margarine or butter it says on the box. Put in crock pot. Place 1 package 12 oz,. turkey lunch meat on top, pour one jar turkey gravy over the meat, pour 1 bag small frozen peas (or green beans) on top and cook for 5-6 hours. Goes great with a salad and some muffins.
I understand crockpot envy. We had a “thing” at work one day and a co-worker brought in her Hamilton Beach crockpot with a lid that clamped shut to make taking it somewhere so easy because it wouldn’t/couldn’t leak out. I liked it so well that I went out on my lunch break to Walmart and bought their DISPLAY model (because it was all they had in stock and I just couldn’t wait to have one of my own!)
Karen, the crockpot story was delightful. You have a wonderful writing style! And thanks for the recipes.
One of my easiest recipes doesn’t have a name: I cut up a round steak into serving-sized portions and remove any fat. I place the meat in a crockpot, add a can of cream of mushroom soup and a half of a can of water (or beef broth if I have it on hand). Cover and set on low and cook about six to seven hours. Cooking time can be reduced if you are at home and set the crockpot on high. I serve the meat and the soup gravy over noodles. For side dishes, a salad or any kind of vegetable works well.
I do almost the same, but I buy country style steak. Sometimes I like to flour and brown it before putting it in the crockpot, but you don’t have to. I serve it over rice. Yummy!
One of our favorites: cook a beef roast on low for several hours. Shred the meat, pour a packet of dry Italian dressing mix over the meat and stir. Keep the meat warm on low until you’re ready to eat. Serve on sandwich buns. YUM!
Thanks so much! Love those recipes. They are currently on sticky notes attached to the front of my daytimer, so that they will make it home & enjoy much use:)
A new crockpot tip I recently learned was to use a crockpot liner bag. I use them most when using the crockpot to keep things hot for serving~especially mashed potatoes as it makes clean up soooo easy~
LOVE crockpot liners!!! I use them any time I use my crockpot.
Ok how do you make mashed potatoes in the crockpot?
Make the mashed potatoes as you normally would but add a bit more liquid…put in the crockpot and they will stay hot for a few hours…I do this for Thanksgiving…usually about 3 hours or so…add more liquid if they dry out too much.
I’m German so my father taught me a very easy German recipe. I do not like sourkraut but, in this, you can’t even taste it!
You take boneless ribs, 1 can (undrained) sourkraut, and a container if poppy seeds.
In your crockpot, put a layer of sourkraut, then a layer of ribs, then sprinkle with poppy seeds. Repeat this process until all ingradients are used. Cook on low for 6 hours. Serve with mashed potatos. ENJOY!!
Oh and the soukraut, it adds a lot of juciness to it. So, even though you cannot taste it, it does have a purpose!
Loved the article and the recipes…Thanks! One of our favorites it boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 1/2 pounds) place in the crockpot then mix a can of cream of chicken soup (we like the country herb one) and 8oz of sour cream and pour over the top. Cook on low for six hours serve over noodles or rice or sometimes we just make mashed potatoes and use the sauce as a gravy. Great for Sunday dinner.
Might use a quote from your article today as part of my FB status……good stuff!
New England Clam Chowder
2 cans clam chowder soup
2 cans cream of potato soup
1 qt. 1/2 and 1/2
1 stick butter
1 can minced clams
Put all ing. in crock pot and cook on high for 2 hours. Just like Red Lobster
You can adjust cooking time because you’re really just heating the ingredients and blending flavors a little. I only make this a couple of times a winter because it is so high in fat, but it is my family’s favorite thing that comes out of my crock pot!
I make beef barbecue using two chuck roasts instead of pork. I must try cooking them in the root beer though. Sounds delicious.
The chicken recipe is a stand-by in our house. I have three crocks. Only one is new and that’s the little dip one
The others are secondhand. One is 7 qt which I LOVE but it was a dented sale item that a friend gave us. And the other one I bought at a thrift store. No need really to purchase new. I got it for under $5 and it serves us well. One of my favorite crockpot tips is to make a crockpot breakfast Saturday night so that a hot breakfast is ready and waiting Sunday morning making getting ready for church SO much easier! I’m throwing a pork tenderloin in the big crockpot today.
Blessings,
Mel
Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God
What is your crockpot breakfast? Sounds like agreat idea. I would like to try it. What do you do?
I was wondering the Sam thing, please do share!!
Crock pot meatloaf….make your favorite meatloaf recipe, put in a glass loaf plan (check first to make sure it fits in the crock) and cook on low 6-8 hours or high 4 hours. This will be the most moist meatloaf that you’ve ever made. You will have dinner ready when you come home from work and your home will smell so good!
( I do Paula Deen’s meatloaf recipe….mmmm, it’s the best. Something about the ketchup, brown sugar and dijon mustard glaze, so great!)
Karen.. love this! when my sis got married she got like 6 crock pots so she gave me one.. then i gave it away because i moved to nepal as a missionary. Then came back and my new roomie had incredible fancy crock pot.. then she got married.. and guess what she was kind enough to let me keep the crock pot. She got the husband.. i got the crock pot
My favorite thing to cook in it is pop in a whole chicken (they are cheap ) put some fresh pinapple slices, onions and fresh garlic around the whole chicken and inside , cook it overnight.. yummy fall off the bone and great chicken broth!
I use the chicken recipe above without the lime and garlic, but when I first made it, I thought there was too much chicken. Now I only add one (frozen) chicken breast, and some extra water, and we eat it as a soup. It’s my two year old’s favorite. It’s also good without the cream cheese.
The crock-pot liner bags are the best invention ever!
We like to make beef & noodles – 1 pkg (~1 to 1 1/2 lbs) stew meat, 1 envelope onion soup mix, water to cover, worscheshire sauce to taste. Cook all day on low. Add one package egg noodles or farfalle (16 oz) and cook for another 1/2 hour or so.
Crockpot Lasagna
Ingredients
1 lb. Ground beef
29 oz can tomato sauce
8 oz pkg lasagna noodles, uncooked
4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1.5 cups cottage cheese
Directions
1. Spray the inside of the crockpot with cooking spray. I use crockpot liners but I did spray my liner.
2. Brown the ground beef
3. Stir the tomato sauce in with the beef
4. Spread ¼ of the meat sauce on the bottom of the crockpot
5. Arrange 1/3 of the uncooked noodles over the sauce (I usually break them up so they fit better)
6. Combine the cheeses in a bowl. Spoon 1/3 of the cheeses over the noodles
7. Repeat these layers twice
8. Top with remaining sauce
9. Cover and cook on low for 4 hrs
10. Let the lasagna stand in the crockpot with the lid off for at least 10 minutes
Variations
*Add chopped onion and garlic to the ground beef in step 2
*Use Italian sausage in place of ground beef or with ground beef
*Add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese to the cheese mixture. Replace cottage cheese with Ricotta
*Add ½ cup additional shredded mozzarella cheese to the top of lasagna 5 minutes before serving
I used to make the lasagna when out homeschool group went skiing. A friend would sit with the crocks and we’d have a warm lunch. Miss those days. Great recipe thanks for sharing,
The Crockin Girls website has alot of great crockpot recipes. I really like their Chicken & Dumplings recipe.
I like Crockin’ Girls stuff too – I have “liked” them on facebook and get all sorts of ideas from there!
Cabbage Roll Casserole
1 small cabbage, chopped
1 LB Hamburg
1/2 cup green pepper chopped
1/2 cup onion, chopped
to taste garlic, salt and pepper
1 cup raw instant rice
1 large can (family size) of tomato soup
Brown Hamburg. Combine cabbage, onions and peppers into a large bowl. Add seasonings and browned hamburger. Mix in tomato Soup. Add rice.. You might have to add just a bit of water if you think it looks dry. Transferr to the crockpot. Cook on high for an hour and then turn down to low for 4-5 hours.
Here is another favorite
Slow Cooker Pork Chops or Chicken
3/4 cup flour
2 1/4 tsp. ground mustard
3/4 tsp. garlic salt
3/4 tsp. pepper
8 boneless pork chops
2 T. Canola oil
3 can condensed chicken and rice soup (Undiluted)
1 medium onion chopped
1 T.. dried parsley flakes
Combine flour, ground mustard, garlic salt and pepper. Add pork to coat. In a large skillet, brown chops in oil on each side. Put one can of soup on bottom of crockpot. Add 4 pork chops Top with another can of soup, onion and parsley. Layer again with chops, top with remaining soup. Cover and bake on low for 5-6 hours or until pork is tender.
TACO SOUP: be sure to pour in the liquid from the beans & corn too
1 pound ground beef
1 can corn
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can diced tomatoes w/green chilies and onion
1 package taco seasoning
1 package Ranch dressing
Brown ground beef on the stone, and then put it in crock pot with all other ingredients, including juice from the beans/corn. If it looks too dry, I sometimes add a little water or even broth if you have some, but you normally don’t need much more liquid unless you are reheating it the next day.
Top with sour cream, shredded cheese, crispy tortilla strips, etc.
Sometimes I will brown a LOT of groundbeef all at one time and freeze some & then just thaw it to use in crockpot with this recipe at later time.
Also check out Crockin’ Girls as they have TONS of daily recipes using crockpots and are just now coming out with a new cookbook for them.
Just received my first newsletter thank you and I’m loving all the great crock pot recipes!
What a beautiful gift. I’m going to try your recipe for the pulled pork today
My favorite recipe for the crockpot is Meat Loaf! Just use your favorite meat loaf recipe smothered in your favorite jar of pasta sauce and simmer all day. I love coming home to dinner prepared and that smell that welcomes me!
Smiles,
Teree
Loved your article! I use my crock pots all the time and understand the envy you experienced. I have 3: a “regular” one that we got for our wedding from by best friend almost 20 years ago, (I melted the feet on it, but it still works!), a large one, and a mini one, but I drool over the new ones that have split crocks, automatic timers, and especially the one that has 3 crocks in one, like for a buffet service!!! With the crazy schedules of my kids’, I do a lot of crock pot cooking throughout the year, so everyone can eat as they have time! The recipes you shared are 2 of our favorites – I just picked-up the ingredients for the chicken, it’s on the menu for next week! And it’s the best way to make pork & saurkraut. I also use mine to reheat BBQ from the freezer (I usually make a big batch and freeze several meals worth) and for homemade soups! Mulled cider & wine are great in the fall and winter
At picnics we use them to keep hot dogs warm and in another we keep cooked hamburgers in a sauce.
A favorite to make or take for buffets meals is meatballs, sometimes italian with spaghetti sauce and sometimes cocktail meatballs: a jar of chili sauce and a jar of grape jam mixed well. Add meatballs and heat!
Karen, we wrestling moms really have it going on, don’t we. LOL! I am loving all the recipes. My crockpots are well used. Have never used the liners but I think I will pick up some today. I teach and leave home each morning at 7:00; then have to pick up from some sports practice every afternoon. When we return home, usually around 6pm and everyone is famished, it is nice to have dinner ready and waiting.
I have three, or make that four, crockpots, if I include the mini for cheese dip! I’ve had the timer kind that turns off to “warm” when it’s finished cooking, but the lid broke on that one. So for Christmas I got a new one, but hated parting with the other, so I kept it. Just in case! Then there is the old one I’ve had for years, but is really bigger than the other two oblong ones I have. I actually am using it today to finish off the ham bone from Easter – in a pot full of pinto beans! I love how dinners are finished or at least almost finished when I get home! I promised my hubby fried potatoes and cornbread tonight along with the beans! He’ll be in “hog” heaven!!! And me, I’ll have fewer dishes to clean up!
I’m hungry… so many great recipes and I love to cook! I’m from Puerto Rico, so crock pots aren’t popular here. But after this article and the stream of recipes, I’m gonna go buy me one!!! Any suggestions on what’s the best to start with? I bet my mom’s yellow rice with pigeon peas and smoked ham would taste fabulous using a crock pot!
This is a really easy way to make fresh chicken stock/broth and turn it into chicken/veggie soup
http://www.heathersblog-o-rama.blogspot.com/2012/01/slow-cooker-chicken-and-vegetable-soup.html
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of Californira, Heather
p.s. I’ve lost quite a bit of weight since those photos were taken, all by eating real food like what I write about in this post
Hello, Karen,
I know I’m a bit behind in my reading, but I was hoping for a reply regarding your piece for Proverbs 31 from April 10th. You mentioned the “Be sure your sins will find you out” speech you always give your son. Would you share it?
Thanks,
Beth
i second this request! i’m very curious to hear the “be sure your sins will find you out” speech you give your kids… please share!
You ladies make me smile.
That is the lecture: “Be sure your sins will find you out.”
That’s’ all. My mama used to say it to me & I say it to my kids OFTEN. True for kids & adults!
wow – so many recipes, so little time! thanks so much! i cannot wait to start trying some of these.
thanks Karen, for relating the crock pot to our human condition. no matter how “dinged up” we are – God can still use us!
Great recipes! My whole family, incl. my 2 young kids, loves this BBQ Bacon Chicken. I love it b/c it is so delicious & easy to make!! Your house will smell amazing!
6 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
26 oz. BBQ Sauce (I like Jack Daniels Original #7)
6 slices bacon, halved and crisply cooked
6 slices Provelone or Swiss cheese
Place chicken in crock pot; cover with BBQ sauce. Cover and cook on low 8-9 hours. Arrange 2 strips halved bacon over each piece of chicken; top w/cheese. Cover and cook on high until cheese melts 10-15 mins. Makes 6 servings.
Mix together 1/2 BBQ sauce & 1/2 A1 Steak sauce and cover over any steak.
Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours.
-Colleen G.
I simple LOVE my crockpot…it is my life saver! I have two and have been known to use both at the same time! One of our favorites is Sweet and Sour Chicken (or Pork)…really simple….
1 1/2 pounds of bonless chicken breast or 1 1/2 boneless pork loin, cut either into 1″ pieces
1 onion, chopped
3/4 cup barbecue sauce (I use Sweet Baby Ray’s)
1 can (14oz.) of chicken broth
1 8oz. can of pineapple chunks in juice, drained (I use a fresh one and it taste just as good)
1 green pepper (or red pepper as my family prefers)
2 cups instant white rice, uncooked
Place meat in slow cooker; top with onions. Add bbq sauce and broth; cover with lid. Cook on low for 6-7 hours (or high for 4 hours). Stir in remaining ingredients. Cook, covered, on low for 30 minutes or until rice is tender.
I just love all these recipes….thank you for sharing. May you all be blessed tonight!
Smiles and Blessings,
Robin
This article had perfect timing! Needed a tried & true recipe to take a friend recovering from surgery…now i have lots of choices!
The mexican chicken sounds delicious. My easiest crockpot recipe is Italian Sausage Hoagies: Place one or two packages Italian Sausages( I use one pkg mild and one pkg hot) cover with marinara sauce. Simmer for 4 hours on low or until sausage is cooked through. Place link in a hoagie roll, ladle on some sauce, and add grated parmesan cheese.
Put the pork shoulder in (or chicken thighs) add one large can of green enchilada sauce, chopped onion and anything else like bell peppers, garlic, hot jalepenos. Low for 8 or so hours…Shred and use in tacos or burritos…..leftovers can be used for enchiladas later in the week.
Thanks for all the wonderful ideas!!
)
I too love my crockpot, but mine is actually a slow cooker (metal pan and a heating element) but I have found some at auctions and yardsales for less than $10 and they work great!!! I have 1 that I only use when it is leaving the house affectionately called “the funeral crockpot” Anyhow, my family loves for me to make hamburgers in the crockpot. We raise our own beef, so burgers are made when the freezer is filled. I often unwrap the burgers and drop them into the crockpot frozen. Add a little bit of water, onions and peppers and turn on! They also like meatballs made for meatball subs. I can use the meatballs that I make at home or store bought ones, but drop them in the pan with sauce and put them on low. The sauce cooks into the meatballs – YUM!!!
Here’s one for Crockpot Chicken Teriyaki- I got it from A Year in Slow Cooking- she has so many fabulous recipes!
Chicken pieces (use whatever you have-wings, drumettes, or I have done a 3lb bag of chix breast)
Teriyaki sauce- 3/4 cup
I didn’t have this so I made my own by:
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 T brown sugar
3 cloves smashed and chopped garlic. (When I don’t have this I use garlic powder and garlic salt- just eyeball the amount)
Directions- put chicken in crockpot, mix the sauce and cover chicken with the sauce. So EASY! Cook on high 4-5 hrs or low 6-8. Frozen will take a little longer. When done, shred chicken and serve over cooked rice.
Crock Pot Rice Pudding (never burns, always good!)
2 quarts milk, one cup long cooking rice; cook on low 4-6 hours, stir occasionally.
when milk is absorbed and rice is cooked, stir in 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla.
Allow to cool in a large bowl or the crock pot , stir in 8 ounces of cool whip. For Christmas I garnish this with cherry pie filling
Every year I cook my St Patrick’s Day Corned Beef in my crock pot. I just cover the beef with water, add the little spice packet that often comes with it and simmer all day while I’m at work. In the evening once I come home I remove the beef, add carrots and potatoes and turn the crock pot to high. I slice the beef while the veggies are cooking. Just before serving I add my cabbage and cook long enough for it to get crisp-tender. Always a big hit.
I have 4 crockpot cookbooks, and 3 crockpots – from mini to the fancy timer 6 qt. one (my reward for using a hand-me-down original Crockpot until it died in faithful service). I use them all often, with kids, work, sports, etc we’d starve without them! Or live on fastfood ehwwww. The ultimate crockpot trick-just back from spring break at the beach and I TOOK MY CROCKPOT with me! the kids are young enough that I know the end of the day isn’t always going to be fun if we have to dine out…so there is nothing more relaxing to me than a day out at the beach knowing DINNER IS DONE!!! I even have some great recipes that you make ahead, put in the freezer, then dump the whole bag in the crockpot and cook it.
My family picks on me about my crockpots.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE MINE!!!
grease the crock pot..
put a package of scalloped potatoes
sear porkchops, dont cook all the way though
put on scaolloped potatoes add frozen veggie
cook on low.. dinner is ready when get home
Ill also sear a pork loin wrap in foil,
butter and salt potaotes place on top of wrapped pork loin
place a bowl of frozen veggies in side the crock cook on low and dinner is ready
@Kathleen Mills
I take my crockpot to the beach too. (And I have grown kids) it is easy to throw in the car for vacation and I cook easy things like bbq chicken, plain baked chicken or cooked spaghetti sauce. I cook the noodles during showers and add a bagged salad. voila…dinner. We are late day beach people and it is great to come in at sunset and have an almost complete meal ready.
I was wondering what we would have for dinner tonight, was hoping for something quick and easy, this Mexican chicken fit the bill perfectly! Thank you!!
Regards for this marvellous post, I am glad I found this web site on yahoo.