11 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes For Winter You’ll Love

When the temperature drops, my favorite way to stay warm and cozy is by cooking hearty meals with my slow-cooker. There's something magical about filling my home with the mouthwatering aroma of a delicious, slow-cooked meal.

Whether it's a busy weekday or a lazy weekend, slow-cooker recipes are a lifesaver. Not only are they simple to whip up, but they also bring out deep, rich flavors that comfort the soul. In this article, I’m sharing the "11 Best Slow-Cooker Recipes For Winter You’ll Love" – each one perfect for chilly days and nights.

From classic soups to savory stews, these recipes will keep you warm and satisfied all winter long.

1. Classic Beef Stew

A timeless comfort dish, beef stew is a winter staple that warms me up from the inside out.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cubed
• 4 carrots, sliced
• 4 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tsp dried thyme

Instructions:

1. Place beef, carrots, potatoes, onion, and garlic into the slow-cooker.
2. In a separate bowl, combine beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme.
3. Pour the mixture over the ingredients in the slow-cooker.
4. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the beef is tender.
5. Serve hot and enjoy!

2. Chicken Tortilla Soup

This zesty, flavorful soup brings a delicious southwestern twist to my winter menu.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla strips, avocado, and cheese for topping

Instructions:

1. Place chicken breasts, corn, black beans, tomatoes, onion, and garlic in the slow-cooker.
2. Add chicken broth, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
4. Shred the chicken with two forks and stir it back into the soup.
5. Serve with tortilla strips, avocado, and cheese on top.

3. Creamy Potato Soup

This velvety potato soup is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings.

Ingredients:

• 6 large potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Cooked and crumbled bacon for topping
• Chopped green onions for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place potatoes, onion, butter, and chicken broth in the slow-cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the potatoes are tender.
3. Puree the soup using an immersion blender until smooth.
4. Stir in heavy cream and cheese until melted and combined.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve garnished with bacon and green onions.

4. Turkey Chili

A hearty and healthy take on chili, this recipe is packed with lean protein and bold flavors.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Transfer the turkey to the slow-cooker and add onion, bell peppers, garlic, beans, tomatoes, and chicken broth.
3. Stir in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve hot, topped with your favorite chili toppings like cheese, sour cream, and green onions.

5. French Onion Soup

Rich and flavorful, this French onion soup is an elegant yet simple meal perfect for winter nights.

Ingredients:

• 6 large onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup dry sherry or white wine (optional)
• 4 tbsp butter
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted
• 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese

Instructions:

1. Place sliced onions in the slow-cooker with butter. Cook on low for 8 hours, stirring occasionally until onions are caramelized.
2. Add beef broth, water, sherry (or white wine), sugar, salt, and pepper.
3. Cook on low for an additional 4-6 hours.
4. Ladle soup into bowls, top each with a toasted baguette slice, and sprinkle with Gruyère cheese.
5. Place bowls under the broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Tender, juicy pulled pork makes for a mouthwatering sandwich that I can't resist.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups barbecue sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Coleslaw for topping
• Hamburger buns

Instructions:

1. Place pork shoulder and onion slices in the slow-cooker.
2. Pour barbecue sauce and chicken broth over the pork.
3. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
4. Remove pork from slow-cooker and shred with two forks.
5. Return shredded pork to the slow-cooker and mix with the sauce.
6. Serve on hamburger buns topped with coleslaw.

7. Vegetable Curry

This hearty vegetable curry is a flavor-packed and nutritious meal that's perfect for winter.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup green peas
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can coconut milk
• 1 cup vegetable broth
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, green peas, onion, and garlic in the slow-cooker.
2. Pour coconut milk and vegetable broth over the vegetables.
3. Stir in curry powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until vegetables are tender.
5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

8. Minestrone Soup

This classic Italian soup is loaded with vegetables, beans, and pasta, making it a filling and satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup pasta (small shapes like ditalini or elbow)
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place onion, carrots, celery, garlic, zucchini, tomatoes, and kidney beans in the slow-cooker.
2. Pour vegetable broth over the ingredients.
3. Stir in oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. 30 minutes before serving, add pasta and cook until tender.
6. Serve hot with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

9. Bolognese Sauce

This rich and savory Bolognese sauce is perfect for a cozy pasta night.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, finely chopped
• 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 cup red wine (optional)
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked pasta for serving

Instructions:

1. In a skillet, brown the ground beef and transfer to the slow-cooker.
2. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
3. Pour in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, red wine, and tomato paste.
4. Stir in oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
6. Serve over cooked pasta with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

10. Butternut Squash Soup

This creamy and sweet butternut squash soup is a delightful way to warm up on a cold day.

Ingredients:

• 1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place butternut squash, onion, and garlic in the slow-cooker.
2. Pour vegetable broth and apple cider over the ingredients.
3. Stir in ground cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until squash is tender.
5. Puree the soup using an immersion blender until smooth.
6. Stir in heavy cream.
7. Serve hot, garnished with fresh thyme.

11. Spicy Sausage and Bean Soup

This hearty and spicy sausage and bean soup is sure to keep you warm and satisfied.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casing removed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it into small pieces, then transfer to the slow-cooker.
2. Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
3. Pour in diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
4. Stir in cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
6. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Conclusion

These slow-cooker recipes are perfect for bringing warmth and comfort to your winter days. I hope you find as much joy and satisfaction in these dishes as I do!