3 Ridiculously Simple Slow Cooker Dinners

If you’ve got a slow cooker, you’re in luck. I’ve got 3 dinner ideas that are so simple it’s almost like not having to cook at all. These meals are perfect for busy fall nights and dropping temperatures. Plus, as you’ll see, you can mix and match ideas and sides in a variety of ways.

Slow Cooker Dinner Idea #1: Ultra Tender Baby Back Ribs

My ribs are legendary—everyone who's ever had them loves them. And (shhh, don't tell my friends) they're probably the easiest thing I make.

To Prepare:

Here’s the secret. Prepare a slab or two of baby back ribs by simply peeling off the thin membrane on the back side of the meat. Season them generously with salt and pepper and, if necessary, cut them to fit in your crockpot. Layer the slabs askew (in other words, off center layer by layer) and cook them on low for 8 hours.

When they're done cooking, baste them with your favorite barbecue sauce and sear them for about 5 minutes over medium heat on the grill just to get the sauce carmelized and the meat a bit crispy.

They'll be falling-off the bone tender and absolutely delicious.

To serve:

You can pair these with baked beans, oven fries, a hearty green salad, a late-summer tomato caprese salad, watermelon, or corn on the cob.

Slow Cooker Dinner Idea #2: Tender and Juicy Chicken

I love a good oven-roasted or beer-can chicken on the grill with crispy skin and robust flavors. This chicken isn’t exactly that. But it’s tender, juicy, and handy to have in your back pocket when your energy is low or you know you’ll have little hands-on time in the kitchen.

To Prepare:

Choose a 3-5 pound whole chicken, rub it with olive oil, and season generously with salt and pepper or everything-but-the-bagel seasoning. Place it your slow cooker (no water needed) and cook on low heat for 7 to 8 hours. The internal temperature in the thickest part of the breast meat should be 165 degrees when it’s finished cooking.

To serve:

Like the ribs, the chicken will be falling off the bone tender. You can serve it with some simple sides for a straight up meat, veggie, starch kind of meal (although you may want to make a dipping sauce to give it some oomph since it’s minimally seasoned).

I prefer to use this chicken for other simple dishes, however. For example, you can use it for quesadillas, fajitas, loaded nachos, or to top a hearty salad. I’m sure you’ll come up with other ideas too!

Consider rounding out the meal with a 3-bean or grain salad, some edamame, roasted veggies, roasted potatoes, or a caesar salad.

Slow Cooker Dinner Idea #3: Pulled Pork Sandwiches (and more)

Yes, I’m sharing two pork ideas but they’re easy and yummy, so why not?!

Also, by now you’re probably catching on that these are not fussy slow cooker meals with loads of ingredients or advance browning or sauteing required. I do have some slow cooker recipes that are more involved like that, and I love them. But to me, the whole point of a slow cooker is for it to be simple and fast, and these ideas fit that bill perfectly.

To Prepare:

Buy a pork shoulder that will fit in your slow cooker and suit how many you’re serving (I usually go with one that’s about 5-7 pounds). Trim the fat as much as you can. Season generously with salt and pepper and cook on low for 8 hours.

When it’s done cooking, baste it with your favorite barbecue sauce and sear it (rotating the meat to get all sides) for about 5-8 minutes over medium heat on the grill. The goal is to get the sauce carmelized and the meat a bit crispy. Pull it apart with a fork.

To Serve:

You can make barbecue pulled pork sandwiches (you’ll likely want to add some extra barbecue sauce), served on a brioche or soft whole grain bun.

For sides consider adding some roasted sweet potato wedges (or a whole sweet potato), a black bean and corn salad, a simple arugula or baby lettuce salad with pine nuts and parmesan cheese with a lemon viniagrette, or some raw crudites with dip such as carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or snap peas.

Typically, this makes way more meat than we can eat in one sitting, so we often make delicous Bahn mi sandwiches for another meal. Choose a crusty baguette type of bread, toast it, spread with mayonnaise, layer it with the pulled pork, and then top it with pickled carrots*, pickled onions and jalapeños, and cilantro.

*We buy the Veggie Confetti brand of pickled carrots, onions, and jalapeños so it’s ready in a flash.

Serve with a side of fruit or a salad.

May your fall be filled with easy and yummy dinners and lots of joy at the table!