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December 28, 2024

Celebrate National Slow Cooker Month with Easy Slow Cooker Meals

Celebrate National Slow Cooker Month with Frozen Foods

As January rolls around, it’s time to embrace National Slow Cooker Month! A celebration of the ultimate kitchen companion that transforms meal preparation into a stress-free experience. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent, or simply someone who loves delicious, hassle-free cooking, you can make all kinds of easy meals in a slow cooker such as appetizers, soups, and so much more.

Our guide features slow cooker recipes that are perfect for party food or family meals, showcasing the versatility of this incredible kitchen tool.

National Slow Cooker Month Food Traditions

Slow cooking is more than just a way to make food, it’s a culinary celebration typically observed throughout January. This annual event highlights the convenience of slow cookers, encouraging at-home chefs to explore a world of slow cooker recipes that make meal preparation a breeze. From warm winter dishes to crowd-pleasing party food, these versatile appliances have become a staple in kitchens across America.

Easy Slow Cooker Party Food Recipes

Making food for a crowd has never been easier! These appliances are perfect for creating easy meals in a slow cooker that save time, reduce kitchen mess, and allow you to spend more time with your guests. Whether you’re hosting a game day gathering or a family dinner, these slow cooker recipes will make your dish the star of any event.

Crockpot Appetizers for a Party

Slow cookers are a great way to create delicious slow cooker party food that can feed a crowd with minimal effort.

Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip

A crowd-favorite that combines classic flavors of Sargento Cheese and spicy buffalo in a creamy, shareable dip that’s perfect for your next slow-cooker potluck party.

Make the Recipe Shop Sargento

Crockpot Meatballs with Cranberry Sauce and Orange

Sweet, tangy, and absolutely irresistible, these meatballs made with Tropicana Orange Juice are sure to be a hit at all kinds of gatherings.

Make the Recipe Shop Tropicana

Quick and Easy Cheesy Spinach Dip

Cheesy Spinach Dip

A rich and creamy cheesy spinach dip made with velvety Daisy Sour Cream, perfect for party spreads or anytime snacking.

Make the Recipe Shop Daisy

Easy Slow Cooker Soups

Slow cooker dishes truly shine when it comes to soups! The long, slow cooking process allows flavors to deliciously develop, creating easy meals that warm both body and soul.

Easy Crock Pot Potato Soup

Potato Soup

A rich and creamy slow-cooked potato soup made with Lamb Weston potatoes, bringing warmth, comfort, and all the cozy flavors to slow cooking month.

Make the Recipe Shop Lamb Weston

Fiesta Party Soup

Spice up your life with Fiesta Party Soup! A bold, flavorful slow cooker favorite made with Tyson chicken for a crowd-pleasing addition to your recipe collection.

Make the Recipe Shop Tyson

Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup

A small silver spoon mixing a bowl of lasagna soup

Warm, hearty, and loaded with classic Italian flavor, this Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup made with Simek’s Lasagna has all the comfort of traditional lasagna in an easy, one-pot meal.

Make the Recipe Shop Simek’s

Easy Family Slow Cooker Meals

Easy family slow cooker meals are a game-changer for busy households! These recipes provide hearty, delicious meals with minimal effort.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Chipotle Pulled Pork Sliders

two pieces of bread, one wit pulled pork and onions on top and the other topped with lettuce

These Slow Cooker Cranberry Chipotle Pulled Pork Sliders combine sweet heat with the bold flavor of Cape Cod cranberries for a deliciously effortless slow-cooked meal.

Make the Recipe Shop Cape Cod

Crockpot Italian Sausage Ravioli

white bowl filled with raviolis

A comforting pasta dish made with savory Rosina sausage, this Italian Sausage Ravioli comes together effortlessly and is a great option for stress-free meal prep with a slow cooker.

Make the Recipe Shop Rosina

Easy Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew

Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew

Packed with hearty meat and vibrant Green Giant vegetables, this Slow Cooker Brunswick Stew serves up classic comfort food with effortless slow-cooked flavor.

Make the Recipe Shop Green Giant

Slow Cooker Beef Tamale Casserole

This Slow Cooker Beef Tamale Casserole is a savory, slow-cooked dish made with flavorful beef and melty Land O’ Lakes Cheese for a deliciously satisfying meal.

Make the Recipe Shop Land O’ Lakes

Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Paprikash

Slow-Cooker Creamy Chicken Paprikash

The Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Paprikash features tender chicken simmered in a rich, flavorful sauce made with creamy Daisy Sour Cream for a deliciously savory dish.

Make the Recipe Shop Daisy

Explore More Slow Cooker Meal Ideas

Simple Slow Cooker Dessert Recipes

Yes, you can even make desserts in a slow cooker! These sweet treats show just how incredible the range of slow cookers can be.

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

Golden, flaky Pillsbury™ Grands top a warm, slow-cooked peach cobbler for a sweet, fruit-filled dessert that’s effortlessly delicious.

Make the Recipe Shop Pillsbury

Slow Cooker Lemon Dessert Cake

Bright and zesty, this Slow Cooker Lemon Dessert Cake is made with rich Land O’ Lakes ingredients for a soft, citrusy treat that’s as easy as it is delicious.

Make the Recipe Shop Land O’ Lakes

Apple Crunch Cobbler

With warm spiced apples and a golden, buttery crumble, this Apple Crunch Cobbler is perfectly paired with a scoop of creamy So Delicious Ice Cream.

Make the Recipe Shop So Delicious

Hungry for more? Explore our other easy meals and recipe ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is National Slow Cooker Month?

National Slow Cooker Month is an annual celebration in January that highlights the convenience of slow cookers. It’s a time to explore new slow cooker recipes, discover cooking tips, and appreciate the versatile kitchen appliance.

When is National Slow Cooker Month?

National Slow Cooker Month is celebrated throughout January, providing the perfect opportunity to warm up with delicious, meals in the slow cooker during the coldest time of the year.

Why is National Slow Cooker Month celebrated?

This month celebrates the slow cooker’s ability to simplify mealtime and create delicious, homemade meals with minimal effort.

Can you put frozen food in a slow cooker?

It’s not generally recommended to put frozen food directly into a cold slow cooker. If using thawed ingredients, preheating the slow cooker can help get the cooking temperature up more quickly.

Frozen vegetables: You can add frozen vegetables directly to the slow cooker.
Frozen chicken: You can cook frozen chicken in a slow cooker, but you should make sure it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Frozen meals: If you’re using a commercially frozen slow cooker meal, you should follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Can I put frozen meat in a slow cooker?

It is not recommended to put frozen meat into a slow cooker for food safety reasons. Completely frozen meat takes longer to reach a safe cooking temperature in a slow cooker. In addition, slow cookers heat food slowly so the center of frozen meat may stay undercooked while the outside cooks.

Ensure a delicious and safe experience with your slow cooker by thawing the meat in the refrigerator overnight or using the defrost function on your microwave.

Are slow cookers energy efficient?

Yes, slow cookers are energy efficient, using only 50 to 300 watts per hour depending on the size and setting, which is significantly less than the 2,000 to 5,000 watts an oven consumes. Despite operating for several hours, their low, consistent heat and excellent insulation minimize overall energy usage and heat loss. This makes them a cost-effective option for cooking meals like stews, soups, and braised dishes while keeping your kitchen cooler and reducing reliance on multiple appliances.

Learn how using frozen foods helps you save money.

Are crock pots allowed in dorms?

Slow cookers are sometimes allowed in dorms, but it depends on the specific rules of your school. Many dorms have restrictions on cooking appliances with exposed heating elements, but since slow cookers typically have enclosed heating elements, they may be permitted. Check your school’s housing policies or contact residence life for clarification.

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Giveaways

ReDiscover Dairy & Frozen Giveaway

We’re bringing together the dairy and frozen aisles with our joint promotion to encourage you to ReDiscover the Dairy & Frozen aisles, retry the staples they might have forgotten, and explore all the new products, innovation, and breadth the aisles offer.

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Celebrate National Slow Cooker Month with Easy Slow Cooker Meals

National Slow Cooker Month Food Traditions