RECIPES: Five dump it and forget it crockpot – slow cooker meals

A crockpot/slow cooker is a great thing for those of us who want to eat healthy but have no energy. Many crockpot recipes can be made in minutes with little preparation. Sounds like a plan to me! I picked five recipes that are truly easy to throw together. Let’s get started!

 

HONEY MUSTARD CHICKEN

honey-mustard-chicken-in-crockpot-done-1024x680

Recipe courtesy of Eat At Home

Serves 6-8 (leftovers if you have a small family – yay!)

Ingredients
  • whole chicken, cut up (or the equivalent in chicken pieces)
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup dijon mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Mix the honey, mustard, salt and pepper together in a small bowl.
  2. Put the chicken in the crockpot and pour the mixture over the top.
  3. Cook on high for 6-8 hours.

 

SLOW COOKER FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES

slow-cooker-french-dip-sandwiches-7

Recipe courtesy of Carl’s Bad Cravings

Ingredients

  • 3 lb beef chuck roast trimmed of excess fat*
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 6 French rolls or hoagie buns
  • 12 slices provolone cheese
Slow Cooker
  • 1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1 cup Coke NOT diet
  • 2 10.5 oz. cans beef consommé, or sub with beef broth
  • 1/4 cup dry minced onions
  • 1 tablespoon beef bouillon
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large nonstick skillet. Using two forks or tongs to hold roast, sear on all sides until lightly browned. Add to slow cooker and top with all remaining Slow Cooker ingredients. (NOTE: It’s not a tragedy if you don’t brown the roast.)
  2. Cook on LOW for 4 hours then remove roast to a cutting board. Thinly slice roast across the grain. Place sliced meat back in slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for 1-2 additional hours.
  3. When ready to serve, remove roast and strain fat from broth for dipping.
  4. Split rolls and line the bottoms on a baking tray. Top each half with beef followed by 2 slices cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F or until cheese is melted. Serve with reserved au jus.

BONELESS COUNTRY STYLE BBQ RIBS

bbq-ribs

Recipe courtesy of Happy Money Saver

Ingredients

2-3 lbs. boneless pork country-style ribs
1/2 large onion, thinly sliced (I buy pre-diced onion for stuff like this)
3 cloves garlic, minced (I use jarred minced garlic)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup apple sauce
1 1/2 cups barbecue sauce (totally acceptable to use a store-bought sauce)
salt and pepper

Instructions

Lightly salt and pepper your boneless pork ribs on both sides. Add all ingredients to your slow cooker. Gently mix it all up. Cook on low for 5-6 hours. Remove meat from slow cooker. Discard juices. Top with 1/2 cup fresh bbq sauce. Serve.

 

RANCH PORK CHOPS

Recipe courtesy of Happy Money Saver

Ingredients

  • 4-6 uncooked pork chops
  • 1 envelope of dry Ranch dressing mix
  • 2 cans (approx. 10 or 11 oz. each) Cream of Chicken soup (I don’t add any water)

Instructions

Put all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours.

 

BEEF WITH BROCCOLI

crock-pot-broccoli-beef-recipe-from-thefrugalgirls-com_

Recipe courtesy of The Frugal Girls

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds of flank steak, trimmed of fat
  • 1 bag frozen broccoli florets {14 oz.}
  • 1 Lee Kum Kee Sauce for Broccoli Beef Sauce packet {8 oz.} NOTE: This is, admittedly, expensive, so feel free to substitute something else
  • ¼ cup water

Instructions

  1. Cut half-inch long thin strips against the grain of your steak (the grain usually runs visibly along the length of the steak).
  2. Then cut long strips into 2″ – 3″ pieces.
  3. Add steak strips to crockpot, spreading out evenly across the bottom.
  4. Pour ¼ cup water over steak pieces.
  5. Cook on LOW for 1.5 – 2 hours, or until meat is tender.
  6. After 1.5 – 2 hours, drain juices from crockpot, then pour Lee Kum Kee sauce over steak and stir.
  7. Cook on LOW for 20 more minutes.
  8. Just before meat is done, cook broccoli per instructions on the bag.
  9. Stir in cooked broccoli right before serving.
  10. Serve over rice and ENJOY!

Do you have favorite go-to recipes for when your energy is low? Tell me in the comments!

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