15 Of Grandpa's Favorite Slow-Cooker Recipes
Smells like Sunday supper!
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
The slow cooker has long been a must-have tool in Southern kitchens for many reasons. It’s so easy to use that even if Grandpa isn’t the resident chef of the family, he can toss the ingredients in and turn it on. Plus, it makes plenty of food, whether for him and Grandma to eat all week or for a big family meal. And with slow-cooker liners, cleanup is a breeze. One of the best things about the slow cooker, though, is the delicious dishes it produces. Some of Grandpa’s go-to comfort food recipes come straight from the slow cooker.
Related: Hearty Slow-Cooker Beef Recipes
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
When you picture Sunday supper at Grandma and Grandpa’s house, we have a feeling that pot roast might be one of the first images that comes to mind. Serve the tender meat and veggies with a scoop of homemade mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfy meal.
Related: get the recipe
Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is a legendary Southern comfort food dish, and we’re willing to guess Grandpa loves it. This version, which is topped with drop dumplings, comes together easier than ever in the slow cooker.
Easy Chili
Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox
“This is our recipe for Easy Chili, and when I say Easy Chili, it really does not get any easier than this,” says Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom. Whether the temperature has just dipped below 60 or it’s gameday, no grandfather I know ever turns down a comforting bowl of chili. My grandmother always prepared it with mini cheese toasts on the side for dipping.
Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak
"Pure nostalgia, grandma's house, ‘home,’ whatever descriptor you use, it all comes back to one thing: This dish takes you back, and in the best way," said one Test Kitchen Pro who tested this recipe firsthand. The fact that you can make it in your slow cooker just adds to the allure of this recipe.
Slow-Cooker Collard Greens with Ham Hocks
There are some side dish recipes that Southerners admittedly “cook to death,” and that’s the only way we want to enjoy our collard greens. Instead of checking on them and stirring on the stovetop, simply add all the ingredients to the slow cooker and let it do its job.
Classic Slow-Cooker Beef Stew
Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Karen Rankin; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
If Grandpa isn’t feeling his best or it’s an extra chilly day, a warm bowl of homemade beef stew will always do the trick. This easy recipe gets to cook low and slow for at least six hours (if not a full eight), so the flavors are full and hearty.
Georgia-Style Boiled Peanuts
If it’s been a while since Grandpa got to go on a road trip, bring his favorite gas station snack to him with this two-ingredient recipe. To make them Cajun-style, add a package of boil-in-bag shrimp-and-crab boil and Grandpa’s favorite hot sauce to the slow cooker before cooking.
Slow Cooker Goulash
Egg noodles are the ideal vessel to soak up all the goodness of this meat-and-veggie stew. “Delicious. My company polished this off and left me with no leftovers,” wrote one five-star reviewer.
Slow-Cooker Ham
Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Kelsey Moylan; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke
Tell Grandpa there’s no need to pick up the honey-baked ham this holiday season. Our new slow-cooker recipe is too easy to add to the menu instead. He’ll enjoy creative ham leftovers for days.
Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
You need just five ingredients to make Grandpa this versatile pulled pork recipe in the slow cooker. Whether with barbecue sauce on a sandwich, with a side of veggies, over nachos, or atop a spud, he can enjoy it countless ways throughout the week.
Slow-Cooker Grape Jelly Meatballs
Grandpa has been enjoying this Southern-favorite appetizer through decades of parties. One sweet-and-savory bite will take him right back. “It is a dump and stir recipe in the slow cooker,” says Test Kitchen Pro Ivy Odom. “And most recipes in the slow cooker take forever, but these only take two and a half hours, and you can keep them warm at your party. It’s just a win-win situation.”
Black-Eyed Pea Soup With Ham Hocks
Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Audrey Davis
With smoked ham hocks, black-eyed peas, and collard greens, this slow-cooker soup has everything Grandpa needs to start the New Year off on a lucky note. Don’t forget a side of fresh cornbread from the skillet.
Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice
Red beans and rice is a timeless New Orleans dish that exudes comfort in every bowl. This simple version is as easy as putting the ingredients in the slow cooker and pressing “start.”
Slow-Cooker Pork Roast
This slow-cooker supper is much more budget-friendly than a beef tenderloin recipe, and it’s easier, too. Don’t you dare throw out those juices from the slow cooker! They’re liquid gold.
Uncle Jack's Mac-and-Cheese
Macaroni and cheese is a staple side dish of Southern meat ’n three restaurants, and we’d bet it’s part of Grandpa’s go-to order. You probably never thought to make it in your slow cooker, but trust us (and all the five-star reviewers) on this!
For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Southern Living.
