Find go-to slow cooker recipes for kids (and parents!) with this master list of almost 40 easy recipes. Included you’ll find kid-friendly chicken dishes, soups and stews, crockpot chili, easy vegetarian recipes for the slow cooker and much more…chosen with your picky eaters in mind!
Slow Cooker Recipes for Kids
The crock pot can be such a lifesaver when trying to feed a busy family with its whole set-it-and-forget-it capabilities. It’s such an amazing feeling to have dinner ready and waiting at the end of the day!
But, and this is often a big but, so many little kids don’t like foods all mixed together so cooking family meals in a slow cooker can feel impossible.
Which is where this list comes in! I can’t guarantee that your kids will eat everything on this list (I wish!), but I do hope that some of these meals will fly with your little people. I tried to cover a range of recipes to please your family, regardless of their preferences.
Here’s to easy cooking!
Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
Cooking chicken in the crockpot is one of the easiest ways to make tender, easy to chew chicken that kids and adults love. These are some of our go-to recipes for chicken in the slow cooker.
The combination of vegetables listed below delivers really nice flavor and consistency to the sauce, but if you want to simplify, you can just use 2 of the options. This recipe was updated in September 2019 to add an Instant Pot option.
You can double this recipe and use 2 pounds of chicken if desired. Just do your best to spread it into an even layer in the instant pot. (Note: The nutrition facts will vary based on the bbq sauce that you use.)
Healthy Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Easy recipe with 8 simple ingredients! Juicy chicken thighs or breasts in a sticky honey garlic sauce. Via Well Plated
This is a curry dish that benefits from a nice, long simmer anyway, so why not let that happen while you’re off doing other things? Via The Kitchn
This recipe for crockpot whole chicken is a wonderful recipe to make during the week or a weekend meal. It’s really easy to put together with spices along with vegetables. We have made this recipe over and over again! Better than roasting a chicken, this slow cooker whole chicken recipe is way easie…
Fresh, crispy, and saucy to boot! Serve with rice. Via The Kitchn
This Crockpot Chicken and Mushrooms is a delicious and healthy slow cooker meal. One of our best crock pot recipes for an easy weeknight dinner! Via Kristine’s Kitchen.
A little trick that changed my meal-prep game forever. Via Food52
Crockpot Chili
Whether for game day, a hearty meal on a chilly weekend, or just an easy weeknight supper, these slow cooker chili recipes are easy to make and serve up. I love to put out bowls of toppings so the kids can choose which ones they want.
Things like shredded cheese, diced avocado, sour cream, and diced tomatoes are great chili toppings.
When serving this to a little one, I like to drain off much of the broth. This makes it a little easier (and less messy) for them to eat. If your family likes spice, add in a dash or two of cayenne pepper.
The best creamy slow cooker white chicken chili on the block. This recipe is super easy to make, cooks by itself, and is a chili cook-off winner! Via Bless This Mess
Let the slow cooker take care of dinner with this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili recipe! Via One Lovely Life
TIP: You can make any chunky soup easier for kids to eat by draining off some of the liquid.
Slow Cooker Soups and Stews
I love using a slow cooker to make soups and stews since you don’t need to stand by the pot while the soup simmers and the flavors have plenty of time to meld and mix. These are some of the ones that my family loves, and hopefully yours will too.
Yes, it’s the easiest chili you’ll ever make, thanks to the power of lentils and a grocery-store shortcut — and the slow cooker, naturally. Via The Kitchn
Sometimes the easiest recipes are the best! This simple soup has the perfect blend of flavors. Via One Lovely Life
Serve small portions by the spoonful or in a reusable pouch to babies and toddlers.
I like our lentil soup with the veggies pretty blended in, which is why I chop them finely in a blender or food processor. You can also just chop them with a knife. (Recipe updated August 2020 to saute the veggies before simmering to ensure that there’s no raw onion flavor.)
TIP: Add a simple side of crackers, toast, or a muffin to round out the meal.
Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes for Kids
Transform inexpensive pantry staples like beans, pasta, and grains into simple family meals that will hit the spot come dinner time. I’ve also included a few sides here to help round things out!
With an almost fool proof method, these Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes mash up into silky smooth baby food or a side. You can also skip the mashing and serve them as you would baked potatoes if preferred.
This recipe makes enough for 2-3 meals depending on the size and appetites of your family. See below for storage information!
With just a few basic ingredients and fresh apples, your crock pot can do the rest of the work of making applesauce!
This recipe makes enough for 4-5 meals depending on the size and appetites of your family. I make one batch about every 4-6 weeks and freeze the beans in meal-size portions until we’re ready to enjoy them. You can also use just 1 pound of beans if desired and cook them as directed—just cut the seasoning in half as well.
This tomato sauce method is the easiest way to transform fresh tomatoes into delicious sauce. Scale the recipe up or down for a smaller or larger slow cooker. You don’t have to be precise! And the chopped tomatoes can be very roughly chopped.
A burrito bowl that pinch hits for Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, or, to be honest, any day. Via The Kitchn
This easy dump dinner is so easy. Try it with rice or naan. Via The Kitchn
If you can’t find garam masala, you can leave it out, though it adds authentic flavor that you’d expect if you’ve eaten Chana Masala in a restaurant. This will likely make enough for two meals—I like to freeze the second half for a future week.
TIP: I like to use the refried beans in easy taco roll ups for a quick lunch or dinner.
Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes for Kids
There’s nothing too inherently difficult about boiling water and making pasta…except if you have little kids running around underfoot and demanding your attention! These crock pot meals deliver on flavor, texture and ease of preparation.
The answer to your weeknight dinner woes. Via The Kitchn
Layered with sauce, these pockets of pasta and cheese cook while you work. Via The Kitchn
This recipe is sponsored by DeLallo I don’t mean to sound so happy about this, but how about this chilling-down-of-the-weather situation? Haaappy dance! Via Pinch of Yum
This Slow Cooker Baked Ziti is actually made completely in the crockpot u002du002d even the pasta! It is so much easier than the traditional version! Via The Recipe Rebel
Slow Cooker Turkey, Pork and Beef
Transform turkey, pork, and beef into the base of dinner with this super easy ideas. Each can be served with simple sides so you can customize them for the eaters at your table.
If you want to make these vegetarian, try using 2 cups rinsed and drained black beans or pinto beans instead of the ground beef.
Melt-in-your-mouth Slow Cooker Asian Pulled Pork Tacos. EASY, delicious pork tenderloin tacos that are perfect for a crowd and great leftover too! Via Well Plated
This slow cooker fajitas recipe is a busy parent’s best friend. Via Produce For Kids
These are the easiest crockpot carnitas and simple enough for anyone to make! Juicy, flavorful, and perfectly browned with a crispy crust. Via Pinch of Yum
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Pork Chops come together super fast and with minimal ingredients. Via Bless this Mess
Once you nail the classic recipe for sloppy joes, you can continue to customize it by adding flavor and swapping ingredients to make this weeknight staple just what your family wants. In this rendition of the sloppy joe, we used light and lean ground turkey in place of ground beef, and made a few in…
In a large bowl add ground turkey, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning; mix well by hand. Via Super Healthy Kids
You guys, I’m totally in love. With this yummy tomato-saucy braised BEEF ragu. As in beautifully browned and slow cooked meat. Via Pinch of Yum
This recipe takes pork and transforms it into a tender and flavorful roast that is perfect for Sunday dinners or an easy weeknight meal. Via My Diary of Us
Best Slow Cooker for Families
For years, I relied on my basic Hamilton Beach 6-Quart Slow Cooker. It was reliable and consistent and I totally recommend it—especially since it’s less than $40! Lately though, as I’ve been using my Instant Pot more, I’ve been using its slow cooker function which is just as great. I recommend both options!
You May Also Like
Do you have a favorite slow cooker for kids recipe that you love and I missed? Please add it in the comments—I’d love to know!
This post was first published October 2019.
