Is there anything cozier than coming home on a frosty evening to the smell of winter crockpot meals bubbling away? I don’t think so! A little chopping in the morning, and dinner basically makes itself.
This collection has something for everyone: hearty beef stews and short ribs, creamy chili, bright tortilla soup and a few healthy slow cooker recipes that won’t weigh you down. You’ll also find a vegetarian option and plenty of easy ideas that work as weeknight dinners for the whole family.
So dust off that slow cooker and grab a blanket. Let’s get cozy!
Winter Crockpot Meals – Table of Contents
Crockpot Beef Stew – Hearty Cold Weather Dinner
Joanna calls this her tried and true recipe, the one her mom taught her years ago. Floured, browned beef simmers with potatoes, carrots and green beans in a broth seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin and oregano.
It’s an easy crockpot beef stew recipe that rewards you with tender, fall-apart beef and a rich gravy. Make a batch to freeze for later, and serve it with warm bread, biscuits or dinner rolls.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast – Easy Sunday Family Dinner
Searing the chuck roast first builds a caramelized crust, then tomato paste, Worcestershire, thyme, rosemary and garlic do the rest. Potatoes, carrots and onions are piled on top and around the meat, so they steam gently and keep their shape.
If you want an easy pot roast in the crock pot that turns out meltingly tender, this is it. Leftovers are great shredded into tacos or pasta, or piled on hoagie rolls with provolone.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
Jenn calls this the perfect lazy meal because you simply dump everything into the slow cooker. Chicken, black beans, corn, tomatoes and green chiles cook together, then sour cream or Greek yogurt and lime juice make it creamy and bright.
It’s a simple slow cooker chicken tortilla soup you can tailor to your heat level by choosing mild or hot chiles. Top it with cilantro and tortilla chips, and enjoy the leftovers all week long!
Slow-Cooker Chicken and Dumplings
Boneless chicken thighs braise slowly with carrots, celery, garlic, thyme and rosemary, which intensifies the flavor of the broth. A squeeze of lemon and a spoonful of tomato paste add extra depth.
The fluffy drop dumplings are the star here. A touch of cornmeal gives them a sweet, earthy flavor, while buttermilk keeps them tender and tangy as they puff up on top of the stew during the last hour.
Healthy Crockpot White Chicken Chili (High-Protein!)
Lauren’s secret trick is blending about a third of the chili with an immersion blender, which makes it thick and creamy without heavy cream. A little reduced-fat cream cheese finishes it off.
Prep takes less than 15 minutes, and this healthy crockpot white chicken chili recipe is higher in protein than traditional versions. Lauren swears soups and chilis taste even better the next day, so it’s ideal for meal prep.
Homemade Minestrone Soup (Slow Cooker)
Marzia’s secret ingredient is sun-dried tomato pesto, which brings concentrated tomato flavor plus basil, parmesan and pine nuts. A parmesan rind simmers with the vegetables for even more depth.
This easy slow cooker minestrone soup recipe is loaded with zucchini, spinach, green beans and two kinds of beans. Her tip: if you make it for weekly lunches, cook the pasta separately and add it to each serving when reheating.
Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
This is a true dump-and-go recipe. Raw chicken, carrots, celery, a whole onion and a bundle of fresh rosemary go straight into the slow cooker with chicken stock, no sautéing required.
Whole wheat egg noodles keep this easy slow cooker chicken noodle soup wholesome, and the recipe suggests cooking them on the stove so they stay perfectly al dente. Pure comfort in a bowl!
Slow Cooker Chili Recipe
Beth’s thick beef chili is prepped and in the pot in less than twenty minutes. Rotel, fire-roasted tomatoes, kidney and pinto beans and a spice mix with smoked paprika and a little brown sugar give it real depth.
It’s a simple crockpot chili recipe that also works with ground turkey. Set up a chili bar with cheese, onions, jalapeños and cornbread, and freeze leftovers flat in bags for later.
Slow Cooker Beef and Barley Soup
Tender bites of beef, chewy pearl barley, carrots and mushrooms simmer all day in a mix of beef and chicken broth. The author shares that Greg ate three bowls in one night, and her kids liked it too, mushrooms and all!
Browning the beef and mushrooms first gives this easy crockpot beef and barley soup its deep, savory flavor. Serve it with some crusty bread, just as the recipe recommends.
Crockpot Loaded Potato Soup
This dump-and-go soup starts with a bag of frozen hash brown cubes and needs just a handful of ingredients. Chicken broth, cream of chicken soup and onion cook low and slow, then softened cream cheese makes it silky.
This crockpot loaded potato soup with frozen potatoes is perfect for busy days. Load it up with cheese, green onions, sour cream and bacon bits. Mel loves crumbling cornbread into hers and sometimes adds a little ranch seasoning.
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Dried split peas, carrots, celery and onion simmer with meaty ham shanks or smoked pork hocks until the peas are tender. The recipe author says it’s almost as easy as opening a can, and twice as yummy.
Pull the ham from the bones and stir it back in for an easy slow cooker split pea soup with ham that’s hearty enough for dinner. A loaf of crusty bread on the side is all you need.
Slow-Cooker Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs
This recipe uses a clever trick: the beef bones are browned in the microwave before going into the slow cooker. Onions, carrot, celery, tomato paste and thyme cook down with dry red wine and balsamic vinegar into a deeply flavored sauce.
Bone-in beef short ribs in the slow cooker turn fork-tender after 8 to 9 hours on low. The defatted sauce with fresh parsley is spooned over the top for an elegant winter dinner.
Crockpot Lasagna Soup
Hollie created this soup to switch up traditional lasagna, and it’s so much easier to make. Browned ground beef simmers for hours with diced tomatoes, tomato paste, V8 juice, basil and parsley.
Shell pasta goes in for the last 30 minutes, so it stays nicely tender. This simple crockpot lasagna soup recipe is great with garlic bread or French bread, which is how Hollie always serves it.
Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon: Whole30, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free
Bailey’s take on the French classic is Whole30, paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free. Instead of red wine, she uses pomegranate juice, which she says adds a richer taste and tenderizes the meat much like wine does.
Dijon, rosemary, mushrooms and pearled onions make this simple crockpot beef bourguignon recipe rich and cozy. Serve it over cauliflower mash or mashed potatoes, and freeze any extras for later.
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
Ann swaps cream for coconut milk for a lighter spin, and her husband, who isn’t a coconut fan, has yet to detect it. Garam masala brings warm complexity to the tomato sauce.
This crockpot chicken tikka masala with coconut milk takes minutes to prep, and the chicken thighs shred right into the sauce. Ann likes garnishing with mint and cucumber instead of cilantro for a fresh finish.
Healthy Slow Cooker Lentil and Vegetable Soup – Cozy Vegetarian Winter Dinner
Red lentils break down as they cook, giving this soup a thick, almost creamy texture without any cream or blending. Potatoes, carrots, peppers, celery and kale make it hearty enough for dinner.
This slow cooker lentil soup with potatoes takes about 10 minutes to prep and freezes beautifully. The author prefers cooking it on low for 8 hours and suggests a squeeze of lemon right before serving.
Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas
Christy says she can prep these carnitas in under a minute! Pork, salsa verde, Rotel, green chilies, onion and cumin simply go into the crockpot until the meat falls apart.
Serve these easy slow cooker pork carnitas buffet-style with tortillas, cheese, avocado and a squeeze of lime. She uses lean pork tenderloin, and the shredded pork is great on a salad for a lighter meal.
Conclusion
From rich short ribs and pot roast to bright tortilla soup and veggie-packed lentil soup, these winter crockpot meals cover every craving. Want something healthy? Try the white chicken chili, minestrone or lentil soup. Need a vegetarian option? The lentil soup is naturally meat-free.
My tip: pair one hearty beef dish with a lighter soup when you plan your week, and freeze leftovers for busy nights. Soups and chili also make great crockpot meals for skiing weekends, since dinner is ready when you come in from the cold. Looking for slow cooker meal ideas for winter that feed a crowd? The chili, carnitas and pot roast are made for family dinners.
So which one goes into your slow cooker first? Pick a recipe, plug in that crockpot and enjoy a cozy winter evening!