Slow-Cooker Inspiration

A humble and beloved kitchen standby, slow cookers have been in American kitchens for decades. A device called the “Naxon Beanery,” patented by Irving Naxon in 1940, was the predecessor to the countertop appliance. In 1972, the Beanery was purchased by a large manufacturer, and the modern-day slow cooker was born. From soups and sandwiches to sides and dips, all-day, low-maintenance cooking is the perfect solution for easy, versatile family-friendly meals. Here are some of our favorites:

chicken paprikash:

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chicken broth, chopped garlic, chopped green pepper, chopped onion, paprika, salt, pepper and ground cayenne pepper, with sour cream and chopped tomatoes stirred in near the end, then served over cooked egg noodles

turkey chili:

Browned ground turkey, chili powder, ground cayenne pepper, ground cumin, salt, leftover or precooked turkey meat, canned crushed tomatoes, chopped garlic, chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped green pepper and fresh cilantro, canned chili beans and great Northern beans, and chicken broth served topped with shredded Cheddar cheese and sour cream

cheesy chicken tortilla soup:

Cubed boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chicken broth, canned tomato purée, canned diced tomatoes with green chiles, minced garlic, chopped onion, frozen corn, fresh lime juice, ground cayenne pepper, ground cumin, chili powder, salt, served topped with crispy tortilla strips and shredded Mexican cheese blend

sloppy joes:

Browned ground beef and chopped onion, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, garlic powder, canned pork and beans, diced green pepper served on buns

mexicali dip:

A cheesy dip for tortilla chips with Velveeta® cheese, chunky salsa, canned chili, sour cream, cream cheese and taco seasoning served topped with sliced green onions

whole chicken:

Whole chicken rubbed with softened butter, chicken seasoning rub, and chopped fresh rosemary, then set atop chopped carrots, onions, celery and garlic cloves

pulled pork:

Seasoned, bone-in pork shoulder, sliced onions, lager beer and your favorite barbeque sauce, served on buns with prepared coleslaw mix

slow cooker black beans with rice:

Partially cooked dried black beans, canned diced mild green chiles, chicken broth, taco seasoning mix, crushed garlic and chopped red onion, served over cooked white rice sprinkled with chopped fresh cilantro

stuffed apples:

Cored apples stuffed with a mixture of chopped walnuts, raisins, brown sugar, ground cinnamon and allspice, cooked in a mixture of apple cider and brown sugar