There is just so much to love about dinner that cooks away in the slow cooker while you bustle through the day. These 22 family-favorite slow cooker dinners are the recipes I make over and over when life is busy and everyone still expects to eat (the nerve!).

Each recipe is simple to throw together (the birria tacos take a bit more time to assemble, but wow, they are worth it!), hearty and filling, and made with simple ingredients.

These tried-and-true slow cooker faves have earned rave reviews from my family and thousands of readers over the years, so keep this list close for those busy weeknights when schedules are packed and a prep-ahead meal is just what you need to save your sanity!

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Top down view of a white bowl full of chicken tortilla soup topped with diced avocados, crushed chips, and chopped cilantro.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This tried-and-true chicken tortilla soup can be made on the stovetop, in the pressure cooker or in the slow cooker. It is simple and so delicious!
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Slow Cooker Lasagna

Perfect slow cooker lasagna without the fuss! The sauce cooks with all the creamy cheesy goodness and hearty noodles.
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White plate with cilantro lime rice, black beans, sweet pork and toppings.

Copycat Sweet Pork Recipe {Pressure Cooker or Slow Cooker}

Well, finally, here’s my go-to copycat Cafe Rio sweet pork recipe (could easily be called Costa Vida pork or any of the other sweet pork establishments!). It’s just as delicious as the real thing and so easy!
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white slow cooker filled with beef vegetable noodle soup

Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Noodle Soup

This delicious slow cooker beef vegetable noodle soup couldn’t be easier! Everything (including the pasta!) cooks right in the slow cooker.
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Tongs grabbing portion of salsa verde chicken on white tray.

Instant Pot Salsa Verde Chicken

This Instant Pot salsa verde chicken is made with every day ingredients and is so flavorful and delicious. Slow cooker instructions included!
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Slow cooker beef on crusty rolls with provolone cheese and one bite taken out; hand holding sandwich.

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

This slow cooker Italian beef calls for pantry-ready ingredients and requires almost zero hands-on time. The recipe notes include directions for cooking in the Instant Pot, as well.
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Three corn tortillas filled with beef and melty cheese topped with cilantro and onions on white platter.

Slow Cooker Birria Tacos

Make restaurant‑quality slow cooker birria tacos at home with this easy recipe. The beef is fall-apart tender and the broth is so rich and flavorful.
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Instant pot Mexican pork on white tray with rice and beans and sour cream, salsa, and fresh limes.

Instant Pot Mexican Pork {Slow Cooker Directions}

This Instant Pot Mexican Pork is so incredibly delicious and crazy easy! Tender, super flavorful pork perfect in burritos, enchiladas, on a salad or over rice!
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Two enchiladas on white plate with bite of enchilada on fork.

Slow Cooker Mexican Beef

This slow cooker shredded Mexican beef is incredible! Flavorful and tender, the beef is perfect for enchiladas, burritos, salads, and more.
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Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice with Chicken Sausage

If you want simple, tasty, homestyle comfort food, this slow cooker red beans and rice with chicken sausage is it!
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Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup

This slow cooker tomato basil soup has been a popular recipe in the food world and this particular recipe has a big cut in calories with stellar results!
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White shallow bowl with mashed potatoes, two pepperoncini, and shredded beef.

Mississippi Pot Roast {From-Scratch/Packet-Free}

This slow cooker Mississippi pot roast recipe uses simple pantry ingredients instead of packet mixes for delicious, flavorful, fall-apart tender beef.
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Floating Taco Bowls with Creamy Lime Dressing

These floating taco bowls hold all the goodness of tacos layered in a bowl and smothered with creamy lime dressing and tons of toppings! The flavorful meat and rice filling is so delicious!
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14
top down view of slow cooker posole in white bowl with shredded cabbage, sliced avocado, tortilla chips and lime wedge

Slow Cooker Posole

This hearty slow cooker posole is rich in flavor and simple in preparation! Pork, hominy and a few simple pantry ingredients make perfect posole!
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Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Tortellini

This slow cooker butternut squash tortellini is comforting, delicious, and so, so easy. The butternut squash makes the perfect creamy sauce!
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BBQ pork sandwich on bun on white plate

BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

The best BBQ pulled pork sandwiches EVER. The pork is so tender and flavorful and can be made in the slow cooker or instant pot!
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Slow Cooker Sweet Tomatillo Chipotle Pork

So versatile and so delicious, this slow cooker sweet pork is simple and flavorful. Serve over rice or use the tasty pork in burritos, enchiladas, or on a salad. The options are endless!
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smothered beef tips and mashed potatoes on white plate

Slow Cooker Smothered Beef Tips

This slow cooker smothered beef tips recipe is so delicious, so elegant, and so easy. Tender pieces of beef + a flavorful gravy – yum!
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Bowl of slow cooker beef stroganoff over spaetzle.

Ultimate Beef Stroganoff {Slow Cooker or Instant Pot}

If you are looking for the best slow cooker beef stroganoff recipe ever, look no further! So flavorful, so easy, this recipe is a keeper! Bonus: instant pot directions included as well.
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Slow Cooker Chicken Philly Sandwiches

A super simple and delicious recipe for flavorful chicken, peppers and onions made in the slow cooker and served on fresh bread with melted provolone. Yum!
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White bowl with handles with spoon lifting bite of white beans, carrots and ham.

Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup

This slow cooker ham and bean soup is incredibly flavorful and delicious! It is the perfect way to use up a leftover ham bone or ham hock.
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Sweet Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin {Slow Cooker + Instant Pot}

Tender and so delicious, this simple recipe for sweet balsamic glazed pork contains easy directions for the slow cooker OR Instant Pot!
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Slow Cooker Coconut Curry Pork

Curry in the slow cooker? Yes! This slow cooker coconut curry pork is simple and absolutely delicious. The flavors are bold and exciting!
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