30 Delicious Kid-Friendly Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Families

Transforming meals into effortless experiences, slow cookers are a culinary game-changer. By simply placing ingredients inside and cooking at a low temperature, you can yield fully cooked meals with minimal fuss. This convenience is particularly valuable for busy families, allowing you to set the cooker going in the morning and come home to a satisfying meal. But, what really gets our taste buds excited are the endless possibilities of kid-friendly recipes waiting to be discovered.

And that’s exactly what we’re here to explore – a comprehensive collection of 30 easy and delightful slow cooker recipes that will become family favorites. To top it off, we’ve also included a helpful FAQ section to address any lingering questions you may have. So, let’s dive in and unlock the secrets to cooking up a storm with your slow cooker!

Slow Cooked Pepper Steak

While traditional stir-fry methods can be quick and effective, there’s a way to make pepper steak just as delicious with minimal effort using a slow cooker. This recipe utilizes flank steak, kosher salt, red and green peppers, white onion, garlic, stock, and additional spices to create an artisanal meal that takes only 4 hours to cook. For a satisfying finish, consider serving the dish over rice – a pairing we highly recommend.

Slow Cooker Barbecue Ribs

The art of crafting tender and juicy ribs is a challenging one, as the ideal texture can be elusive. But fear not, with a few simple steps and the assistance of a slow cooker, you’ll be on your way to creating mouthwatering, fall-off-the-bone ribs that will impress even the most discerning palates. And to get you started, I highly recommend following this tried-and-true recipe to achieve authentic barbecue ribs that are sure to please.

Slow Cooker Ribs (Alternate Recipe)

For those seeking an ultra-convenient recipe, we’ve got just the thing. Our simplified pork rib recipe requires only six ingredients: pork ribs, BBQ sauce, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. To take it to the next level, a small amount of light brown sugar is added for caramelization. The best part? Prep time is incredibly brief, leaving you with ample time to focus on other tasks.

After a 4-hour cook time, you’ll be rewarded with a mouth-watering rack of ribs, perfectly cooked and ready to devour.

Slow Cooker Honey Buffalo Wings

For many kids, buffalo wings are the ultimate party food. If you’re seeking a quick and enjoyable treat to whip up, this classic recipe is an excellent choice. The honey glaze takes things to the next level when combined with slow-cooked meat, offering a delightful medley of rich flavors.

Slow Cooker Macaroni Cheese

Imagine indulging in a comforting bowl of Mac N Cheese on a cozy Sunday afternoon. The good news is that you can easily achieve this with minimal effort, thanks to the slow cooker’s ability to cook a creamy, cheesy dish with a meaty twist. This recipe combines cheddar, parmesan, and cream cheese for a rich texture, then takes it up a notch by adding crispy bacon rashers for an added depth of flavor. It’s the perfect solution for a relaxing Sunday afternoon spent in your favorite armchair.

Slow Cooker Cambodian Chicken Curry

Transforming curry-making into a hassle-free experience, slow cookers prove to be an exceptional ally in the kitchen. The simplicity of this Cambodian chicken recipe is particularly noteworthy, as it requires mere minutes of prep time and artfully combines light, aromatic herbs and spices to deliver a symphony of flavors. For an optimal dining experience, serve it generously over steamed rice, if possible.

Slow Cooked Lamb Curry

When it comes to lamb, slow cooking is the key to unlocking its tender and flavorful nature. While lamb is already a delicate meat, the gentle heat of a long cooking period can truly melt its texture in your mouth. This recipe may require a few more ingredients than some, but each component plays a crucial role in the 6-hour cooking process that culminates in a culinary masterpiece.

Thai Red Curry Chicken Slow Cooked

Thai red curry is renowned for its bold, savory flavor profile, which stems from the incorporation of red chilies into the curry paste. This distinctive quality pairs harmoniously with the inherent spiciness of the chilies, creating a rich and satisfying culinary experience.

This recipe features an eclectic mix of sweet potato, butternut squash, green beans, and mushrooms, offering a delightful contrast of textures and flavors.

As such, it makes for an excellent light curry that can be enjoyed at any time of the year, served over rice or accompanied by naan bread.

One of the standout qualities of this recipe is its accessibility to individuals who may not typically venture into spicy cuisine. The moderate level of heat ensures that even those with less adventurous palates can still appreciate the flavors and textures on offer, making it an excellent choice for families with children who are new to spicy food.

Slow Cooker Chicken Stew

Building on the success of our beef stew recipes, we’re now exploring the world of slow cooker chicken stews. This recipe takes chicken as its foundation, combining it with a medley of vegetables like potatoes, celery, and carrots, along with onions for added depth. The real magic happens when you add a blend of tomato paste, puree, and chicken broth, seasoned with an array of spices to create a rich tapestry of flavors.

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Our second chicken casserole recipe boasts an impressive array of ingredients that harmoniously blend to produce a truly exceptional dish. The incorporation of Spanish chorizo rings adds a satisfying, meaty texture that elevates the overall culinary experience.

Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew

Transforming white wine into an integral component of a rich and creamy stew sounds like a fascinating culinary endeavor! When paired with chicken, the outcome is nothing short of magical. This recipe offers another opportunity to create a comforting and satisfying meal that’s perfect for warming up on a chilly evening. While the ingredient list may appear daunting at first glance, the end result will be well worth the effort, leaving your family delighted and asking for seconds.

Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup

Indulge in the warm, comforting flavors of our slow cooker vegan butternut squash soup, a recipe that’s not only delicious but also effortlessly prepared. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cook time of 6 hours, this dish is perfect for a busy day. Serving up to six people, it’s an ideal option for meal prep or a cozy gathering with friends and family.

Slow Cooker Leg Of Lamb

When a special occasion arises and you’re tasked with creating an unforgettable family dinner, the possibilities are endless. And if you happen to have a big leg of lamb on hand, why not make it the star of the show? With a slow cooker, you can coax out its rich flavors and tender texture, resulting in a dish that’s sure to impress. Simply follow this easy recipe and let your slow cooker do the work, ensuring a meal that’s both juicy and perfectly cooked.

Slow Cooked Sausage And Onion Casserole For Kids

Indulge in the warmth of fall or winter with this uncomplicated yet satisfying recipe, featuring an harmonious blend of sausages, onions, flour, stock, chutney, and Worcestershire sauce. With a mere 10-minute prep time and a 5-hour cooking period, this dish is sure to become a staple in your repertoire.

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole With Onion And Mushrooms

In our next recipe, we take a creative departure by featuring mushrooms as the star of the dish. This variation also introduces a rich meaty flavor through the use of bacon lardons, which can easily be substituted with traditional bacon strips if you don’t have lardons on hand.

Slow Cooker Sausage Casserole

When it comes to pleasing kids’ palates, pasta is a tried-and-true winner. This recipe takes it up a notch by combining the humble dish with a hearty stew featuring a medley of ingredients like red onions, celery, carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and beef stock. While the preparation may be a tad more involved, the payoff is well worth the extra effort.

If you’d prefer to offer an alternative, pasta can easily be swapped out for crusty bread or a baked potato, providing a satisfying contrast in textures.

Easy Sausage Casserole

For our final sausage casserole recipe, we’re presenting a straightforward option that requires just 15 minutes of preparation time. This hearty dish is designed to serve up to six people, making it an ideal choice for casual gatherings or family dinners. The thick pork sausages used in this recipe provide generous portions and pair beautifully with the bold flavors of red pepper, garlic, mixed herbs, and beef stock.

Poor Man’s Stew

While the name may not do it justice, this slow cooker recipe is surprisingly appealing. What’s more, it’s incredibly easy to prepare and requires minimal investment – perfect for those on a budget or short on time. Simply combine ground beef with a selection of fresh veggies, your preferred spices, and beef broth, and let the magic happen in your slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken

Craving roast chicken without the hassle of lengthy oven preparation? Look no further! This recipe guides you through the simple process of slow-roasting a whole chicken, ensuring a delicious and safe culinary experience. By following each step carefully, you’ll be able to enjoy your mouthwatering roast chicken without the stress.

Slow Cooker Chicken Casserole

Transforming your slow cooker into a culinary masterpiece just got easier! By using chicken as the star ingredient, you can create a mouthwatering casserole. This delectable dish is comprised of succulent chicken pieces, crispy glazed bacon, and an assortment of tender and flavorful vegetables, all harmoniously combined to delight your taste buds.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

The versatility of a slow cooker is one of its greatest strengths. While it’s often associated with hearty, comforting dishes, the possibilities don’t stop there. In fact, you can also create deliciously light meals that are perfect for spring and summer. Case in point: this mouthwatering honey garlic chicken recipe. With its sweet and savory flavors, it’s a cinch to serve over fluffy rice or quinoa for a well-rounded meal.

Plus, the slow cooker does all the work, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Savoring the rich flavors of slow-cooked comfort food, we present our simple yet satisfying chicken cacciatore recipe. This hearty dish showcases skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs, elevated by a blend of kosher salt, ground black pepper, and aromatic spices. The star-studded cast also includes bell peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and a hint of additional herbs, all carefully combined to create a mouthwatering experience that’s perfect for a leisurely afternoon or evening gathering.

With a total cook time of approximately 6 hours and 15 minutes, this recipe is an ideal choice for those looking to indulge in a tender, juicy, and deeply satisfying meal.

Slow Cooker Silverside Beef

Indulge in a culinary delight by transforming your silverside beef into a mouth-watering masterpiece that’s sure to become a staple in your household, regardless of the season. This remarkably simple recipe is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Slow Cooker Beef Joint

For those seeking a stress-free and flavorful beef joint experience, we’ve got just the ticket. This 4-hour slow cooker recipe requires minimal effort yet yields a tender, succulent result. Simply add a few straightforward ingredients to your slow cooker, and let the magic happen as you’re treated to a rich, accompanying gravy.

Crock Pot Cube Steak

This slow cooker recipe may require some patience, but the end result is well worth the wait. Each ingredient plays a crucial role in infusing flavor into your cube steak, resulting in a tender and delicious dish that’s perfect for serving over noodles or pasta. Simply set it on low heat and let it cook for 9 hours while you’re out and about – when you return home, you’ll be greeted with the aroma of a perfectly cooked meal.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

In recent years, pulled pork has gained widespread popularity, and it’s easy to see why. With its tender texture and rich flavor profile, this delectable dish is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. If you’re looking for a straightforward recipe that yields maximum flavor with minimal fuss, then you’re in luck. This simple yet satisfying recipe requires just a few essential ingredients and cooking techniques, making it perfect for busy home cooks.

Plus, serving pulled pork on burger buns is guaranteed to delight kids (and adults!) alike.

Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew

There’s nothing quite like a hearty bowl of slow-cooked stew to banish the chill of winter. This recipe is a staple for cozying up on cold nights, and it features tender beef chuck as its star ingredient. The best part? It’s an affordable option that yields plenty of portions, making it perfect for feeding a crowd or stocking up for a busy week.

Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Looking to elevate your cooking game? Look no further than this hearty beef stew recipe. Despite featuring only a handful of ingredients, the abundance of aromatic herbs and spices – think paprika, caraway seeds, rosemary, and thyme – lends a depth of flavor that’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning palates.

Slow Cooker Old-Fashioned Beef Stew

Our final beef stew recipe boasts a lengthy cooking time, but the payoff is well worth it. By incorporating red potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery into the mix, we’ve created a richly flavored dish that’s sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites.

Final Thoughts

While our curated selection of 30 slow cooker recipes for kids has hopefully provided a diverse range of options for you to try today, we want to emphasize the importance of attention to detail in these dishes. A great slow cooker recipe is all about bold flavors and thorough preparation. Don’t rush the process – take your time to ensure you’re using the right ingredients and giving yourself enough time for the dish to cook slowly over a long period.