16 Easy Crockpot Meals That Practically Cook Themselves

A collection of 16 super easy crockpot meals that are perfect for busy days! If your weeknight dinner routine could use a shortcut, these easy crockpot meals are about to become your new best friend. We’re talking minimal prep, maximum flavor, and the kind of set-it-and-forget-it comfort food that makes life just a little easier.

Some are true dump-and-go gems, while others require just a quick few extra steps like a sauté and a stir—either way, you’ll be rewarded with delicious, fuss-free dinners that practically cook themselves. Including classic slow cooked Monterey BBQ chicken, budget friendly chicken birria tacos, sticky and spicy Korean inspired gochujang wings, Dr. Pepper steak bites (trust me, they’re SO good!), and more, these are regular meals in my household and I hope you’ll love them too.

Perfect for busy families, hectic weeknights, or lazy weekends when the last thing you want to do is hover over a stove.

1. Crockpot Cheesy BBQ Monterey Chicken

Think of this as the easy weeknight answer to a loaded BBQ chicken dinner—no grill required. Juicy chicken breasts slow-cooked in a sweet and smoky BBQ-tomato sauce, finished with gooey melted cheese, crispy bacon, and scallions for good measure. It’s the kind of fuss-free, flavor-packed dinner that feels like a treat but takes minimal effort. I love it with mashed potatoes and green beans, but honestly, anything goes. One bite and you’ll see why this one’s made it into our regular dinner rotation.

2. Crockpot Chicken Birria Tacos

This one’s for the taco lovers who want maximum flavor with minimal effort. We’re taking the rich, bold goodness of traditional birria and giving it a budget-friendly spin by using chicken thighs instead of beef. The result is tender, juicy meat and a savory, spicy broth that’s absolutely made for dipping. Just let it all simmer in the slow cooker, then load up crispy tortillas with the shredded chicken, melty cheese, onions, and cilantro. It’s one of those meals that feels restaurant-level, but really couldn’t be easier.

3. Crockpot Korean Gochujang Wings

These sticky-sweet-spicy wings are pure magic with barely any effort. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, leaving you with ultra-tender chicken that’s coated in a bold blend of gochujang, garlic, soy, and honey. They take just five minutes to prep and are endlessly versatile—serve them as a crowd-pleasing party appetizer or throw together a midweek dinner that feels way more exciting than your usual. You’ve been warned: they’re finger-licking addictive.

4. Crockpot Dr. Pepper Steak Bites

If steak bites aren’t already on your slow cooker rotation, let this be the recipe that changes that. These are melt-in-your-mouth tender, thanks to a long, slow simmer in a sweet, garlicky, BBQ-boosted sauce made with honey and a splash of Dr. Pepper (trust me—it works). You end up with rich, juicy, flavor-packed bites that are equally at home piled over creamy mashed potatoes, spooned onto rice, or tucked into slider buns. Minimal effort, major payoff.

5. Crockpot Cherry Cola Pulled Chicken

This one’s a total winner for sweet-and-smoky lovers: juicy chicken slow-cooked in cherry cola and BBQ sauce until it practically shreds itself. The sauce is rich, sticky, and just a little unexpected—in the best way. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like comfort food but takes almost no effort to pull off. Serve it up on buns for an easy sandwich night, or switch things up by stuffing it into tacos, baked potatoes, or piling it over rice.

6. Crockpot Easy Ravioli Lasagna

This Crockpot ravioli lasagna is the ultimate shortcut dinner hero. All the saucy, cheesy goodness of classic lasagna—but without the fuss. Instead of wrestling with noodles and layers, we’re tossing in cheese-filled ravioli that do double duty as pasta and filling. A jar of marinara, some melty mozzarella, and a handful of pantry staples are all it takes.

7. Crockpot Lemonade Chicken

If you’re looking for a no-fuss dinner that feels fresh but still hits all the comfort food notes, this Crockpot Lemonade Chicken is the move. Boneless chicken breasts simmer away in a tangy-sweet sauce made with lemonade, brown sugar, mustard, and a few pantry spices. You get fork-tender chicken with a glaze that’s sticky, zesty, and just the right amount of sweet. It’s weeknight-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and perfect over mashed potatoes or your usual go-to sides.

8. Crockpot Wings in Dr. Pepper Sauce

These Crockpot wings are fall-off-the-bone tender and coated in the kind of sticky-sweet, smoky-spicy sauce that demands napkins—and maybe seconds (okay, definitely seconds). The Dr. Pepper adds a bold caramelized depth that balances perfectly with a hint of heat, and a final sprinkle of fresh parsley gives them a little something extra. Whether you’re serving them as a party appetizer or making them the star of a casual family dinner, these wings are guaranteed to be a hit. So easy and yet so good!

9. Crockpot Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings

Serves: 4–6

These slow-cooked lemon pepper wings are bold, buttery, and zesty in all the right ways. They simmer low and slow in lemon juice, butter, and paprika until they’re melt-in-your-mouth tender—then they’re broiled for that essential crispy finish. Perfect for game day, summer parties, or just because it’s a Wednesday and you’re craving wings.

Ingredients:

4 pounds chicken wings, fresh or thawed
2 large lemons, juiced
2 tablespoons lemon zest
4 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Lemon pepper seasoning, to add when basting
Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Serving Suggestions:
Lemon wedges, ranch, or lemon aioli for dipping.

Instructions:

Place the chicken wings into your slow cooker.
Add the lemon juice, zest, butter, salt, pepper, and paprika right on top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours, until the wings are tender and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Preheat your broiler and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
Transfer the cooked wings to the baking sheet, baste them with the lemony juices from the slow cooker, and sprinkle both sides generously with lemon pepper seasoning.
Broil for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisped to your liking.
Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

10. Crockpot Dr. Pepper Lil Smokies

Serves: 8

If you’re looking for the ultimate party appetizer that basically disappears the second it hits the table, this is it. These Dr. Pepper Lil Smokies are sweet, smoky, and tangy with just the right hint of spice. The slow cooker works its magic, bubbling everything into a sticky, irresistible glaze that clings to every bite-sized sausage. Ideal for game day, holiday spreads, or any casual get-together when you want something impressive but super easy.

Instructions:

2 (28 oz) packages of Lil Smokies
1½ cups BBQ sauce
¼ cup honey
¼ cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon mustard
1 (12 oz) can Dr. Pepper

Directions:

Add the Lil Smokies to the bottom of your slow cooker.
In a small bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, brown sugar, chili powder, mustard, and Dr. Pepper until smooth.
Pour the sauce mixture over the smokies and stir to coat.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, giving it a stir occasionally.
Serve hot and watch them vanish.

11. Crockpot Dr. Pepper Ribs

Serves: 4

These Crockpot Dr. Pepper Ribs are the no-fuss, maximum-flavor kind of dinner that make you wonder why you ever bothered turning the oven on. They’re fall-off-the-bone tender, thanks to hours of low-and-slow cooking in a sweet and savory blend of BBQ sauce, spices, and—you guessed it—Dr. Pepper.

Ingredients:

Around 3 pounds baby back ribs
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 cups BBQ sauce, divided
2 cups Dr. Pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons honey

Instructions:

Place the ribs in the slow cooker.
Sprinkle with garlic salt, black pepper, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper.
In a bowl, mix together 1 cup BBQ sauce, Dr. Pepper, brown sugar, and honey.
Pour half of this mixture over the ribs and reserve the other half.
Cover and cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 4 hours, until ribs are tender and falling off the bone.
Meanwhile, add the remaining Dr. Pepper mixture and 1 cup BBQ sauce to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes, until thickened and glazy.
Transfer the ribs to a foil-lined baking sheet.
Brush generously with the glaze, then broil for a few minutes until caramelized.
Serve hot with napkins on standby.

12. Crockpot Mongolian Beef

Serves: 4

This Crockpot Mongolian Beef is your answer to a takeout-style dinner that practically cooks itself. Tender pieces of flank steak are slow-cooked in a sweet, savory, garlicky sauce that thickens into a glossy glaze—all while you do absolutely nothing. It’s rich, flavorful, and perfect over rice with a scattering of scallions and sesame seeds. And bonus: no wok required.

Instructions:

1 lb flank steak, thinly sliced against the grain and diced
Salt and black pepper, to taste
¼ cup cornstarch
2 tbsp vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1-inch piece ginger, minced
½ cup reduced salt soy sauce
⅓ cup brown sugar
¼ cup water
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 scallion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

Place the sliced flank steak in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add cornstarch and toss until the beef is evenly coated.
Pour the vegetable oil into the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the coated beef.
Stir in the garlic, ginger, brown sugar, soy sauce, water, and sesame oil until well combined.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ hours or LOW for 4–5 hours, until the beef is tender and the sauce has thickened.
Once done, stir well and garnish with sliced scallions and sesame seeds.
Serve over hot rice for a restaurant-worthy dinner without the delivery fee.

13. Crockpot Rump Roast

Serves: 6–8

This Crockpot Rump Roast is the kind of hearty, one-pot comfort meal that’s made for cozy evenings and zero fuss. Tender beef, buttery baby potatoes, and sweet carrots soak up the rich beef broth and fragrant herbs as they slow cook to perfection. It’s a hands-off dinner classic that delivers every time—no oven, no stress.

Ingredients:

2.5 lbs rump roast
1.5 lbs yellow baby potatoes
1 lb baby carrots
3 cups beef broth
1 onion, peeled and quartered
1 sprig rosemary
3–4 sprigs thyme
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1 tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions:

Place the rump roast in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
Add the quartered onion, potatoes, carrots, beef broth, rosemary, and thyme.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
Once done, slice the beef and serve everything warm with a ladle of broth spooned over the top.

14. Crockpot Honey & Garlic Chicken

Serves: 6–8

Sweet, savory, and completely addictive—this Crockpot Honey & Garlic Chicken is everything you want from a weeknight dinner with none of the fuss. It’s a throw-it-in-and-let-it-cook kind of meal that ends with juicy, tender shredded chicken swimming in a sticky, garlicky sauce. Serve it over rice, sprinkle with scallions and sesame seeds, and consider dinner handled.

Ingredients:

2 lbs (4 pieces) chicken breast
1 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
½ cup honey
¼ cup hoisin sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
6–8 cloves garlic, grated
2 scallions, chopped
1 tsp sesame seeds
¼ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste

Instructions:

Add the chicken breasts to your slow cooker.
Stir in soy sauce, honey, hoisin sauce, grated garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–7 hours, flipping the chicken halfway through.
Once fully cooked, shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker. A hand mixer makes this extra easy.
Serve over rice and garnish with chopped scallions and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

15. Crockpot Meatball & Chicken Taco Soup

Serves: 6–8

Taco night meets soup night—with double the protein and none of the effort. This slow-cooked soup stars juicy homemade beef meatballs, tender shredded chicken, and a hearty broth seasoned with cumin, paprika, and garlic. Add in cabbage for extra texture, and pile it high with your favorite taco toppings. It’s cozy, comforting, and just a little bit unexpected.

Ingredients:

8 cups chicken stock
2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes, drained
1 lb chicken breasts
1 lb ground beef
½ head cabbage, thinly sliced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp black pepper, or to taste
1 tsp salt, or to taste

Toppings (optional but encouraged):

Avocado, sliced
Lime wedges
Fresh cilantro
Sour cream
Shredded Mexican cheese

Instructions:

Season the ground beef with half the salt and pepper, then shape into small meatballs (about 1 tablespoon each). Brown in a pan and set aside.
Cut the cabbage into thin strips.
In your slow cooker, add the chicken breasts, meatballs, diced tomatoes, sliced cabbage, remaining seasonings, and chicken stock.
Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the chicken is tender and the meatballs are cooked through.
Shred the chicken in the pot before serving.
Ladle into bowls and top with avocado, a squeeze of lime, chopped cilantro, a dollop of sour cream, and shredded cheese.

16. Crockpot Honey Garlic Spare Ribs

Serves: 2–3

These honey garlic spare ribs are sweet, sticky, tender, and utterly irresistible. A dry rub of warming spices gives them a flavorful base, while a soy-honey-garlic marinade infuses every bite with umami goodness. No oven, no grill—just fall-apart ribs straight from your slow cooker, brushed with extra glaze as they cook. Effortless and delicious.

Ingredients:

1 rack of baby back ribs
4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup dark soy sauce
¼ cup sweet soy sauce
¼ cup raw honey
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp paprika powder
½ tsp cumin

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix the onion powder, paprika powder, and cumin. Rub the spice mix all over the ribs.
In another bowl, combine minced garlic, dark soy sauce, sweet soy sauce, and honey. Stir well to create the marinade.
Brush the ribs generously with the marinade, reserving a little for later.
Cut the rack in half and place both halves in the slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, brushing with the reserved marinade every hour as they cook.
Serve the ribs hot, sticky, and tender.

And there you have it—16 easy crockpot dinners that do the work while you don’t. Whether you’re feeding a crowd, meal prepping for the week, or just trying to avoid another night of scrambled “what’s for dinner?” panic, these slow cooker recipes are here to save the day. Minimal effort, big flavor, and dinner is done. Let me know in the comments which ones you’ll be trying!