• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Butter & Baggage logo
  • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Breads & Biscuits
    • Breakfast
      • Muffins
    • Casseroles
    • Desserts
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Cakes & Cupcakes
      • Cookies
      • Fruit Desserts
      • Pies, Cobblers & Crisps
    • Main Dishes
      • Beef
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Seafood
    • Pasta
      • Mac and Cheese
    • Salads
    • Sauces & Dips
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Soups & Chilis
  • Shop
  • My Favorites
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • About
    • Editorial Policies
    • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Search
  • Recipe Index
  • Kitchen Hacks
  • Portfolio
  • About
  • Editorial Policies
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » MSN Slideshows

    Forget What You Know—These 18 Slow Cooker Recipes Will Surprise You

    Published: Jun 8, 2025 by Barbara Curry

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    Slow cooker recipes aren’t just for soups and stews anymore—they’ve seriously leveled up. I found a bunch that totally changed how I think about my slow cooker, and honestly, they’re kind of genius. From unexpected flavor combos to dishes you’d never guess came out of a crockpot, these recipes are full of surprises. Let’s just say, your dinner game is about to get way more interesting.

    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

    Barbecue ribs with a bowl of sacue.
    Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.


     

    Crock pot dinners is all about convenience, and this recipe is the perfect example. Ribs have never been this easy to eat!
    Get the Recipe: Fall-Off-The Bone Slow Cooker Baby Back Pork Ribs

    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    A serving of coq au vin
    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Warm Up Your Winter: Southern Classics!

    FREE EMAIL BONUS: Southern staples made simply & cozy

    Coq Au Vin in the slow cooker gives you comfort food without having to heat up your kitchen. A French chicken stew with layers of flavor that would make Julia Child proud and is sure to be a family favorite.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    Crispy pork carnitas in a skillet with a spatula.
    Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow Cooker Carnitas start in the slow cooker and finish in a skillet. Learn the secret to juicy carnitas that finish crispy.
    Get the Recipe: Crispy Slow Cooker Carnitas Recipe

    Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker

    Two beef tacos on a platter.
    Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    With only 15 minutes of prep time, beef carnitas are full of flavor all by themselves but even better with pineapple mango salsa.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Beef Carnitas In A Slow Cooker

    Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs

    A plate of grilled barbecue ribs with a tantalizing glaze is displayed on a white dish. A black fork is positioned near the ribs, and a partial view of a bowl containing watermelon slices is visible in the background. The surface is light-colored.
    Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    These Coca-Cola Ribs are marinated overnight in your favorite soda for a super tender and juicy crockpot recipe.
    Get the Recipe: Tender And Juicy Coca-Cola Marinated Ribs

    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Juicy and tender pork tenderloin is paired with sweet potatoes and cooked for hours in a slow cooker for an easy and decadent meal.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin Recipe With Roasted Sweet Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This fall apart, melt-in-your-mouth slow cooker pot roast recipe is complete with veggies and gravy. Classic recipe for weeknights or Sunday supper.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Carrots And Potatoes

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken

    A platter of rolls next to pulled chicken.
    Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    Slow Cooker Bourbon Pulled Chicken isn’t just for Game Night, it’s great for any time you’re feeding a crowd. It makes the best sliders.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bourbon Bbq Pulled Chicken

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

    A plate of slow cooker pot roast with gravy, garnished with carrots, mushrooms, and potato chunks. A small dish of extra gravy lies in the background on a gray napkin. The meal is served on a white plate against a light blue surface.
    Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This Slow Cooker Pot Roast is made with chuck roast and veggies simmered in a thick broth, and topped with homemade mushroom gravy.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Homemade Mushroom Gravy

    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    Mushroom soup and rice with a slow cooker pork chop on a plate.
    Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This recipe produces the most tender and moist bone-in pork chops! Cooked slowly in a crockpot, the marinade is a scrumptious homemade mushroom soup.
    Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Chops In Mushroom Soup

    Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy

    Pork chops on a plate covered with ranch gravy.
    Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy. Photo credit: Butter and Baggage.

    This ranch pork chops recipe is made in the slow cooker with just a few ingredients. Perfect golden brown pork chops in a thick and flavorful gravy.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Ranch Pork Chops With Gravy

    Old Fashioned German Goulash (Slow Cooker Recipe)

    Old Fashioned German Goulash (Slow Cooker Recipe). Photo credit: Intentional Hospitality.

    This hearty Slow Cooker German Goulash recipe is full of tender beef and vegetables cooked to perfection in a rich red wine and paprika sauce.
    Get the Recipe: Old Fashioned German Goulash (Slow Cooker Recipe)

    Slow Cooker Beef Bolognese Recipe

    Slow Cooker Beef Bolognese Recipe. Photo credit: Talking Meals.

    This Slow Cooker Beef Bolognese Recipe is a kicked up version of the traditional Italian Meat Sauce made EASY in the slow cooker!
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Bolognese Recipe

    Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Beef

    Slow cooker pulled pork.
    Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Beef. Photo credit: Peel with Zeal.

    The BEST slow cooker BBQ beef recipe, perfect for lazy weeknights. Tender beef with tangy BBQ sauce that’s completely customizable.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bbq Pulled Beef

    Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Lasagna. Photo credit: Lauren’s Latest.

    This Slow Cooker Lasagna recipe features a meaty sauce, three cheeses and lasagna pasta sheets that are cooked low and slow.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Lasagna

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya

    A bowl of jambalaya featuring rice, sausage, chicken, tomatoes, peppers, and onions, garnished with chopped green onions and parsley.
    Slow Cooker Jambalaya. Photo credit: Spicy Southern Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Jambalaya, with chucks of chicken and andouille sausage and lots of shrimp, is a super flavorful one dish meal.
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Jambalaya

    Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

    A plate of white rice topped with beef and broccoli in a savory sauce, garnished with sesame seeds and green onions, with a lime wedge on the side and chopsticks nearby.
    Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli. Photo credit: Inquiring Chef.

    Beef and Broccoli isn’t just for the stovetop. Try this slow cooker version with tender pieces of beef in a sweet and savory sauce
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken. Photo credit: Pip and Ebby.

    Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken is the perfect, no-fail dinner recipe for dinner any night. Tender, spicy, slow-cooked chicken is the best!
    Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken

    Explore Recipes

    MSN Slideshows
    « Bring One of These 27 Potluck Ready Sheetcakes and You’ll Be Everyone’s Favorite Guest
    21 Crowd-Pleasing Appetizers You Can Make Ahead — See Which One’s Easiest! »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Barbara holds a tote bag filled with flowers, baguettes, and fresh produce at an indoor market.

    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

    More about me →

    Subscribe

    Spring Sides

    • A wooden spoon with a serving of macaroni salad.
      Creamy Southern Macaroni Salad with Cheese
    • A plate of green bean salad with potatoes next to salmon.
      Green Beans and New Potato Salad with Honey Vinaigrette
    • A basket of yeast dinner rolls.
      Old-Fashioned Yeast Rolls with a Modern, Foolproof Method
    • Cornbread corn pudding with a serving spoon in a casserole dish.
      Custardy Cornbread Pudding Casserole

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Our All-Star Recipes

    • A round baking dish of mac and cheese with a serving spoon.
      Southern Old Fashioned Macaroni and Cheese
    • A skillet of charred corn with a wooden spoon.
      Skillet Charred Corn with Bacon and Cream
    • A serving spoon of ground beef potato casserole.
      Hamburger Potato Casserole Without Canned Soup
    • A serving spoon of baked beans with hamburger.
      Southern Baked Beans with Ground Beef
    • A baked chicken tamale pie.
      Baked Chicken Tamale Pie Casserole with A Cornbread Crust
    • Square biscuits in a bowl with coffee cups.
      Square Buttermilk Biscuits (Tall & Flaky)

    COPYRIGHT © 2026 BUTTER & BAGGAGE | PRIVACY POLICY | WEB STORIES
    BRANDING & CUSTOMIZATION BY GRACE + VINE STUDIOS

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required