7 Grandma-Approved Slow Cooker Recipes

7 Grandma-Approved Slow Cooker Recipes to Make Right Now

From chili and soups to Swiss steak and stuffed cabbage, these cozy meals are from the best cooks there are.

Updated on October 19, 2023

top-down view of a plate with mashed potatoes, gravy, Grandma's Slow Cooker Swiss Steak, and mixed vegetables — Grandma's Slow Cooker Swiss Steak. Photo:
Barb

From the early days of hearth cooking, when dishes could be settled into the banked-down coals, hands-off slow cooking has been a godsend for people running busy households. So, it is no wonder that when the first electric slow cookers hit the market in the 1940s, our grandmothers were early adopters. Which means, when a grandma says a slow-cooker recipe is a great one, we sit up and take notice. Here are seven of our most grandma-approved slow cooker recipes to put into regular rotation at your house.

01 of 07

Grandma’s Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

If one dish is tailor-made for a slow cooker, it’s chili. (Not to mention that its spicy scent filling the house is one of the best aromas on the planet.) This version is vegetarian, with all the depth of flavor but no meat, making it a grandma-approved update for plant-forward times.

02 of 07

Grandma’s Slow Cooker Swiss Steak

Swiss steak is one of those old-school recipes that deserves a comeback. With inexpensive round steak cooked in a rich gravy to tender perfection, all you need is some potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles and a vegetable for a retro dinner that will satisfy modern appetites.

03 of 07

Grandma Maul’s Italian Beef

There is just something about a hunk of beef simmering in a slow cooker that is the ultimate in grandma fare. This Italian version is heady with anise seed, green pepper, and garlic, with extra nuttiness from sesame seeds. Shred the beef into sandwiches on crusty rolls, or serve over polenta or pasta.

04 of 07

Grandma Sony's Slow Cooker Black Beans

Any bean wins the day when cooked in a slow cooker, where there’s time for them to slowly absorb flavor and get super creamy without breaking down into mush. This versatile version is hearty enough to be a main course or serve as a side dish. Use as a filling for tacos or burritos, or serve over a bowl of rice. Swap out the chicken stock for vegetable stock to make it vegetarian.

05 of 07

Grandma's Slow Cooker Beef and Vegetable Soup

Busy days call for soup, from a bowlful at lunch to a mug for an after-school pick-me-up, to a comforting dinner with a salad and crusty bread for dunking. This beef and vegetable soup is easy to throw together in the morning, and can hang out all day in your slow cooker at the ready.

06 of 07

Grandma's Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage, Slow Cooker Version

close up on Grandma's Hungarian stuffed cabbage cut in half and placed in a bowl with sauce and fresh herbs — DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS

Many Eastern European grandmas have their version of a stuffed cabbage roll, one of the first dishes converted to slow cooking when the Crock-Pot was released. This Hungarian version (from the author’s great-grandmother!) blends ground beef and pork sausage with rice and cooks down in a sweet and sour tomato sauce. Serve with a dollop of sour cream for that extra special touch.

07 of 07

Grandma B's Bean Soup

There might be no better use for leftover ham than to become the backbone of a rich bean soup. This version uses navy beans and is bolstered with potatoes and carrots to make a complete meal in a bowl. A slow, long cook will mean creamier beans and even more flavor from the ham.

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