easy winter crockpot dinner recipes

17 Easy Winter Crockpot Dinner Recipes

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Easy winter crockpot dinner recipes have literally saved my sanity during the cold months, and I’m not even exaggerating. You know that moment when it’s freezing outside, it’s dark at like 4 PM, and the last thing you want to do is stand in the kitchen cooking for an hour? Yeah, that’s basically November through March for me. The first time I discovered the magic of easy winter crockpot dinner recipes, I was desperate. It was January, I had three hungry people to feed, and I’d already worn my “emergency pizza night” card too many times that month. So I threw some stuff in my crockpot, went to work, and came home to dinner that actually smelled amazing. Life-changing moment right there.

Here’s the thing about easy winter crockpot dinner recipes—they need to be actually easy, not “blogger easy” where you still have to sear meat and sauté vegetables and do seventeen steps before the crockpot even turns on. These need to be genuinely dump-and-go situations. The first few times I tried crockpot cooking, I followed recipes that required so much prep work I might as well have just cooked on the stove. My husband walked into the kitchen, saw me frantically chopping vegetables at 7 AM, and said, “Isn’t the crockpot supposed to make things easier?” He had a point. So I simplified everything, and now these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes actually live up to the “easy” part.

Now, I’m gonna be honest with you. Some of these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes are my own creations born from desperation and whatever was in my fridge. Some are variations of classics that I’ve streamlined. But they all work. They all taste good. And most importantly, they all involve minimal effort while producing maximum comfort food. My 8-year-old refuses to eat anything green, but somehow she’ll eat vegetables if they’ve been slow-cooked in a crockpot all day. I don’t question it. I just accept the win and keep making these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Also check : 20 Easy Christmas Dinner Ideas That Won’t Stress You Out

1. Classic Beef Stew

Okay, so classic beef stew is probably the most essential of all easy winter crockpot dinner recipes. This is comfort in a bowl.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into chunks
  • 4 large potatoes, cut into chunks
  • 4 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water (optional, for thickening)

Instructions:

  1. Dump everything except the cornstarch mixture into your crockpot. Seriously, just dump it all in. These easy winter crockpot dinner recipes don’t require fancy techniques.
  2. Stir to combine. Make sure the beef is mostly submerged in liquid.
  3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.
  4. About 30 minutes before serving, if you want it thicker, stir in the cornstarch mixture.
  5. Remove bay leaves before serving.

This is way better than standing over a pot on the stove for hours. Set timer for 8 hours, then inevitably check it at 7.5 because you’re paranoid, but it’s always perfect with these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

2. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Look, chicken tortilla soup is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that tastes like you worked way harder than you did.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained
  • 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 packet taco seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For serving:

  • Tortilla chips
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Avocado
  • Cilantro
  • Lime wedges

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your crockpot.
  2. Add beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, and onion on top.
  3. Pour in chicken broth. Sprinkle taco seasoning, cumin, salt, and pepper over everything.
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Remove chicken, shred with two forks, return to pot. Stir well.
  6. Serve with all the toppings. The toppings make these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes special.

Kids eat this without complaint, which makes it one of my favorite easy winter crockpot dinner recipes for family dinners.

3. Pot Roast with Vegetables

This pot roast is classic easy winter crockpot dinner recipes territory. It’s what Sunday dinners are made of.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 pound chuck roast
  • 6 medium potatoes, quartered
  • 4 large carrots, cut into chunks
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 packet onion soup mix (or make your own)
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions:

  1. Place potatoes, carrots, and onions in the bottom of the crockpot.
  2. Season roast generously with salt and pepper. Place on top of vegetables.
  3. Sprinkle onion soup mix over roast. Add garlic cloves around it.
  4. Pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything. Add bay leaves and thyme.
  5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until meat is fall-apart tender.
  6. Remove bay leaves. The meat should be so tender it shreds with a fork.

Found out by accident that the longer you cook this, the better it gets. These easy winter crockpot dinner recipes are forgiving with timing.

4. White Chicken Chili

Okay, so white chicken chili is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s different from regular chili but just as comforting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
  • 3 cans (15 oz each) white beans (Great Northern or cannellini), drained
  • 1 can (4 oz) diced green chiles
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup sour cream (stir in at the end)
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in crockpot.
  2. Add beans, green chiles, onion, and garlic.
  3. Pour in chicken broth. Add all spices.
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Remove chicken, shred, return to pot.
  6. Stir in sour cream and cheese until melted.
  7. Serve with tortilla chips, more cheese, cilantro, and lime.

This is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that gets requested constantly at my house.

5. Pulled Pork

Look, pulled pork is probably the easiest of all easy winter crockpot dinner recipes because it’s literally two ingredients if you want it to be.

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 pound pork shoulder (also called pork butt)
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce (plus more for serving)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper
  • Hamburger buns for serving
  • Coleslaw (optional but recommended)

Instructions:

  1. Rub pork shoulder all over with brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Place in crockpot. Pour BBQ sauce and vinegar over it.
  3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until pork shreds easily.
  4. Remove pork, shred with two forks, discard any large fat pieces.
  5. Return shredded pork to crockpot, stir to coat in sauce.
  6. Serve on buns with coleslaw.

Everyone keeps asking for this recipe, so I guess I did something right with these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

6. Beef and Broccoli

This beef and broccoli is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that tastes like takeout but is way cheaper.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds beef chuck or flank steak, sliced thin
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos)
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar (or honey)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • Cooked rice for serving
  • Sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Place sliced beef in crockpot.
  2. Whisk together broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. Pour over beef.
  3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
  4. In the last 30 minutes, add broccoli on top (don’t stir it in yet).
  5. Mix cornstarch with water, stir into the crockpot.
  6. Let cook another 30 minutes until sauce thickens and broccoli is tender-crisp.
  7. Serve over rice with sesame seeds.

It’ll look weird at first when the broccoli is just sitting on top, but that’s normal for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes. It steams perfectly.

7. Chicken and Dumplings

Okay, so chicken and dumplings are comfort food perfection in easy winter crockpot dinner recipes form.

Ingredients:

For the chicken:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 3 carrots, sliced
  • 3 celery stalks, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper

For the dumplings:

  • 2 cups all-purpose baking mix (like Bisquick)
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken, broth, vegetables, garlic, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper in crockpot.
  2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Remove chicken, shred, return to pot.
  4. In the last hour, mix together baking mix, milk, and melted butter.
  5. Drop spoonfuls of dumpling batter on top of the chicken mixture.
  6. Cover and cook on high for 45-60 minutes until dumplings are cooked through.
  7. Remove bay leaves before serving.

The dumplings cook right on top of the stew in these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes. It’s like magic.

8. Chili (Classic Beef)

This chili is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s perfect for game day or cold nights.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds ground beef
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) kidney beans, drained
  • 2 cans (15 oz each) black beans, drained
  • 2 cans (14 oz each) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Toppings:

  • Shredded cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Green onions
  • Cornbread

Instructions:

  1. Brown ground beef in a skillet, drain fat. (This is the one prep step I actually do for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes because raw ground beef in the crockpot is weird.)
  2. Add browned beef and all other ingredients to crockpot. Stir well.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  4. Taste and adjust seasonings.
  5. Serve with all the toppings.

Some recipes online are just wrong about chili. I don’t care what anyone says, beans belong in chili. Fight me. These easy winter crockpot dinner recipes are inclusive.

9. Moroccan Chicken

This Moroccan chicken is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that makes you feel fancy with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained
  • 1 large sweet potato, cubed
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Couscous for serving

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in crockpot.
  2. Add chickpeas, sweet potato, tomatoes, onion, and garlic.
  3. Pour in broth. Add all spices and raisins if using.
  4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Serve over couscous, garnished with cilantro.

The spices make these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes smell amazing. Your house will smell like a Moroccan restaurant.

10. Sausage and White Bean Stew

Look, sausage and white bean stew is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s hearty and rustic and perfect.

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 pounds Italian sausage (remove from casings or use pre-ground)
  • 3 cans (15 oz each) white beans, drained
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 bunch kale, chopped (or 2 cups frozen)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 carrots, diced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • Red pepper flakes to taste
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions:

  1. Brown sausage in a skillet if desired (or just crumble it into the crockpot raw—these are easy winter crockpot dinner recipes, we’re not fussy).
  2. Add all ingredients except kale to crockpot.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  4. Add kale in the last 30 minutes.
  5. Remove bay leaves. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

Good luck eating just one bowl of this. These easy winter crockpot dinner recipes are dangerously delicious.

11. Beef Stroganoff

This beef stroganoff is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that tastes like you went to culinary school.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds beef stew meat or sirloin, cut into strips
  • 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • Egg noodles for serving
  • Fresh parsley

Instructions:

  1. Place beef, mushrooms, onion, and garlic in crockpot.
  2. Add broth, Worcestershire sauce, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  4. In the last 30 minutes, stir in cornstarch mixture to thicken.
  5. Right before serving, stir in sour cream. Don’t add it early or it’ll curdle in these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.
  6. Serve over egg noodles with fresh parsley.

Set timer for 7 hours, then inevitably check at 6.5 because you’re paranoid about overcooking beef in these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

12. Tuscan White Bean Soup

This Tuscan soup is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s vegetarian-friendly and still super satisfying.

Ingredients:

  • 3 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, drained
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 bunch kale, chopped
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 4 carrots, diced
  • 4 celery stalks, diced
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper
  • Parmesan rind (if you have it)
  • Crusty bread for serving

Instructions:

  1. Add everything except kale to crockpot. If you have a Parmesan rind, throw it in—it adds amazing flavor to these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Add kale in the last 30 minutes.
  4. Remove bay leaves and Parmesan rind.
  5. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.

I think I got this recipe from my aunt… or maybe it was Pinterest? Honestly can’t remember. But it’s one of my favorite easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

13. Mississippi Pot Roast

Okay, Mississippi pot roast sounds weird but it’s one of the most popular easy winter crockpot dinner recipes on the internet for a reason.

Ingredients:

  • 3-4 pound chuck roast
  • 1 packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 packet au jus gravy mix
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
  • 5-6 pepperoncini peppers
  • 1/2 cup pepperoncini juice from the jar
  • Mashed potatoes or rice for serving

Instructions:

  1. Place roast in crockpot.
  2. Sprinkle both seasoning packets over the roast.
  3. Place butter on top. Add pepperoncini and juice.
  4. Cook on low for 8 hours until meat falls apart.
  5. Shred meat and stir into the juices.
  6. Serve over mashed potatoes or rice.

This is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that looks questionable but tastes incredible. Trust the process.

14. Butternut Squash Soup

This butternut squash soup is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s elegant enough for company.

Ingredients:

  • 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
  • 2 apples, peeled and diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 cup coconut milk or heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ginger
  • Salt and pepper
  • Roasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Add squash, apples, onion, and garlic to crockpot.
  2. Pour in broth. Add spices, salt, and pepper.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until squash is very soft.
  4. Use an immersion blender to puree until smooth. (Or transfer to a regular blender in batches—careful, it’s hot!)
  5. Stir in coconut milk or cream.
  6. Serve garnished with roasted pumpkin seeds.

It’ll look weird when you first blend it, kinda like orange baby food, but that’s normal for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes. It tastes way better than it looks.

15. Carnitas (Mexican Pulled Pork)

These carnitas are one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that make you feel like you’re at a real taqueria.

Ingredients:

  • 4-5 pound pork shoulder
  • 1 orange, juiced
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • Tortillas, cilantro, onions, lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

  1. Cut pork into large chunks. Place in crockpot.
  2. Add orange juice, lime juice, garlic, and all spices.
  3. Pour in chicken broth.
  4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours until pork shreds easily.
  5. Remove pork, shred, discard excess fat.
  6. Optional: Spread shredded pork on a baking sheet, broil for 5 minutes for crispy edges.
  7. Serve in tortillas with cilantro, onions, and lime.

Found out by accident that broiling at the end gives you crispy bits. Game-changer for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

16. French Onion Soup

This French onion soup is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s surprisingly doable at home.

Ingredients:

  • 6 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 6 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup dry white wine (or more broth)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt and pepper
  • Baguette slices, toasted
  • Gruyere cheese, shredded
  • Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Melt butter in a skillet, sauté onions for 10 minutes until starting to brown. (This is the one step I actually do for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes because caramelized onions make it special.)
  2. Transfer onions to crockpot.
  3. Add broth, wine, bay leaves, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  4. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
  5. To serve: Ladle soup into oven-safe bowls, top with toasted baguette slice and cheese, broil until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Remove bay leaves and garnish with fresh thyme.

Everyone keeps asking if this is from a restaurant. Nope, just easy winter crockpot dinner recipes magic.

17. Thai Peanut Chicken

This Thai peanut chicken is one of those easy winter crockpot dinner recipes that’s different but still comforting.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup peanut butter (creamy)
  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup rice vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
  • 1 teaspoon sriracha (or more if you like heat)
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • Cooked rice for serving
  • Chopped peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges for serving

Instructions:

  1. Place chicken in crockpot.
  2. Whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, honey, vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
  3. Pour sauce over chicken. Add bell pepper and carrots on top.
  4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
  5. Remove chicken, shred, return to pot. Stir well.
  6. Serve over rice with peanuts, cilantro, and lime.

Kids eat this, by the way. My daughter who refuses to eat anything green somehow loves this. I don’t question it—I just make these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes and accept the win.

Tips for Success with Easy Winter Crockpot Dinner Recipes

Look, I’ve made probably every variation of easy winter crockpot dinner recipes imaginable, and I’ve learned some things:

Layer properly: Dense vegetables on the bottom (they take longer to cook), meat on top. This matters for easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Don’t lift the lid: Every time you peek, you add 15-20 minutes to cooking time. Trust the process with these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Low and slow is better: If you have time, always choose low over high. The flavors develop better in easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Brown meat when it matters: Ground beef should be browned. Roasts can go in raw. This applies to most easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Don’t add dairy early: Sour cream, cream, cheese—add these in the last 30 minutes or they’ll curdle in easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Prep the night before: Chop everything, put it in the crockpot insert, refrigerate overnight. In the morning, just turn it on. Meal prep makes easy winter crockpot dinner recipes even easier.

Use liners: Crockpot liners make cleanup SO much easier for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes. Game-changer.

Adjust seasonings at the end: Long cooking can dull flavors. Taste and adjust before serving your easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Real Talk About Easy Winter Crockpot Dinner Recipes

Anyway, these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes have saved me countless times. Some recipes online are just wrong about crockpot cooking. I don’t care what anyone says, you don’t need to sauté everything first. These are supposed to be easy winter crockpot dinner recipes, not regular recipes that happen to finish in a crockpot.

Oh, and another thing—people always ask if they can convert regular recipes to crockpot versions. Usually yes, but liquids don’t evaporate in a crockpot like they do on the stove. Use less liquid when adapting recipes to easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Wait, I almost forgot—sizing matters. These recipes are for a 6-quart crockpot, which is standard. If you have a smaller or larger one, adjust amounts accordingly for these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes.

Let me know how yours turn out! Seriously, try these easy winter crockpot dinner recipes and tell me which ones are your favorites. Anyone else living that crockpot life during winter? I’m always looking for new recipes because apparently I’ve become one of those people who uses their crockpot three times a week. When did this happen?

Happy slow cooking! (and may your house always smell amazing) 🍲❄️

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