Lifestyle

50 Crock-Pot Dinners to Combat Cold Winter Days

LifestylePublished Feb 1, 2018
By Kathleen Wong
beef stewLiliya Kandrashevich/Shutterstock

For those who live in places where there are changing seasons, winter can be pretty rough. The days get darker faster, and they get pretty dang cold too. While the first snowfall might be full of whimsy, magic, and fun, the fifth snowfall gets kind of old. We might begin to reminisce about the sunny, carefree days of the summer. So what's the best thing to come home to after a long day of trudging through the wind, ice, and snow? A warm meal that's been slowly cooking all day in a Crock-Pot. 

Crock-Pots really shine in the dreary winter because they're masters at brewing up the comfiest of the comfort foods. We're talking meats so tender they just fall off the bone (and warm our bones while we eat them) to gooey cheese and steaming hot soup. After a long and cold day outside, snuggling up to a warm and hearty Crock-Pot meal is the remedy. All we need to really top off the mood is a roaring fire in the fireplace, a fuzzy blanket, and maybe some spiked hot cocoa. 

Not only are Crock-Pot meals all cozy and delish, but they're also incredibly easy to make! All we have to do is throw all the ingredients into it and hit the button. Then we can go about our wintry day, whether that means playing in the snow or finally taking down all those holiday decorations.

For some serious winter grub inspiration, read ahead. 

More from CafeMom: The 7 Best Soups to Help Get Over Colds & Flu

timages/Shutterstock
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1. Tortilla Soup-placeholder
1. Tortilla Soup
Heather Likes Food

1. Tortilla Soup

For something a bit more spicy but kid-friendly during a chilly winter day, check out this chicken tortilla soup recipe by Heather Likes Food.

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2. Pho-placeholder
2. Pho
4kodiak/iStock.com

2. Pho

This Vietnamese beef noodle soup may have a longer process and need some special ingredients, but it's worth it. Check out the recipe at Steamy Kitchen.

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3. Vegetarian Chili
fotogal/iStock.com

3. Vegetarian Chili

The sweet potatoes in this recipe by Real Simple put a fun spin on the old standby of vegetarian chili.

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4. Mac and Cheese
Debbi Smirnoff/iStock.com

4. Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese is the ooey and gooey goodness that warms our stomachs and hearts. Find a recipe at CafeMom!

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5. Boeuf Bourguignon
JoeGough/iStock.com

5. Boeuf Bourguignon

This classic French beef stew will give anyone's home a delicious aroma. The Crock-Pot recipe by The Kitchn great because it makes cooking a tender brisket a total breeze.

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6. Cuban Chicken
staciepeterson/iStock.com

6. Cuban Chicken

This flavorful chicken recipe by Slow Cooker Gourmet will transport anyone to the warm island of Cuba, even in the dead of winter.

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7. Chicken Pot Pie
Lauri Patterson/iStock.com

7. Chicken Pot Pie

This creamy and savory recipe by Better Homes & Gardens is sure to make anybody's winter blues a little brighter.

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8. Lasagna-placeholder
8. Lasagna
lostinyonkers/iStock.com

8. Lasagna

Lasagna made in the oven is old news. Whip up this hearty and cheesy meal in a Crock-Pot with this recipe by The Crockin' Girls

More from CafeMom: Why You Should Stop Drinking Hot Cocoa in the Winter

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9. Chicken Parmesan
sbossert/iStock.com

9. Chicken Parmesan

Full Bellies, Happy Kids has a classic chicken parm recipe that we are dying to whip up.

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10. Chile Colorado Burritos
Food-Pusher.com

10. Chile Colorado Burritos

This recipe for savory and flavorful burritos by Food Pusher is sure to warm anyone's stomach -- and day.

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11. Brownies
Seanicer/iStock.com

11. Brownies

Comfort also comes in the form of triple chocolate brownies, duh! Check out this Crock-Pot version by Martha Stewart.

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12. S'mores Fondue
jonathandowney/iStock.com

12. S'mores Fondue

Winter equals fire, and fire equals s'mores, right? Well, if lighting up a fire is too much work, we can make a warm and delicious s'mores recipe with our Crock-Pots this winter! Check out this recipe from Better Homes & Gardens.

More from CafeMom: 10 Things to Do Now to Save Money This Winter

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13. Butternut Squash Soup-placeholder
13. Butternut Squash Soup
Pumps & Iron

13. Butternut Squash Soup

Vegans and vegetarians, rejoice for this warm and comforting soup by Pumps & Iron.

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14. Summer Beef Stew-placeholder
14. Summer Beef Stew
Running to the Kitchen

14. Summer Beef Stew

Just because it's not summer doesn't mean we can't enjoy this summer beef stew recipy by Running to the Kitchen. The stew is brightened up with zucchini and peppers, but it's hearty enough to be eaten even in the dead of winter.

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15. Chicken Noodle Soup
Cooking Classy

15. Chicken Noodle Soup

Combat cold and flu season with a classic bowl of chicken noodle soup from Cooking Classy.

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16. Chicken Tikka Masala
Spicy Southern Kitchen

16. Chicken Tikka Masala

The herbs and spices of this classic Indian dish will warm up anyone who is frozen from outside! Check out the recipe by Spicy Southern Kitchen.

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17. Chicken Burrito Bowl
No. 2 Pencil

17. Chicken Burrito Bowl

Forget Chipotle. Let's whip up our own healthy but still hearty chicken burrito bowl with the help of this recipe by No. 2 Pencil.

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18. Garlic Parmesan Risotto
Kleinworth & Co.

18. Garlic Parmesan Risotto

We know, we know. Risotto isn't always the easiest dish to make. But a slow cooker sure does make it a heck of a lot easier. Check out Kleinworth & Co. for a simple recipe!

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19. Sausage, Spinach and White Bean Soup-placeholder
19. Sausage, Spinach and White Bean Soup
Damn Delicious

19. Sausage, Spinach and White Bean Soup

This recipe by Damn Delicious requires minimal prep but has maximum flavor and texture, thanks to the sausage, beans, and greens!

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20. Turkey Meatballs
Well Plated

20. Turkey Meatballs

These turkey meatballs are a healthier alternative but don't skimp on flavor or juiciness. Check out the recipe from Well Plated.

More from CafeMom: 10 Simple Steps for Fighting Off That Winter Funk

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21. Ham and Cheese Cauliflower Soup-placeholder
21. Ham and Cheese Cauliflower Soup
Lauren Kelly Nutrition/All Day I Dream About Food

21. Ham and Cheese Cauliflower Soup

Leftover ham now serves a great purpose with this creamy ham and cheese cauliflower soup by All Day I Dream About Soup and Lauren Kelly Nutrition.

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22. Chicken Gnocchi Soup-placeholder
22. Chicken Gnocchi Soup
Pinch of Yum

22. Chicken Gnocchi Soup

Bacon? Yes, please. This chicken gnocchi soup by Pinch of Yum is velvety and savory with hints of bacon.

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23. Easy Orange Chicken-placeholder
23. Easy Orange Chicken
Nellie Bellie

23. Easy Orange Chicken

Sometimes it's too cold to get take-out. Thanks to our Crock-Pot and this recipe by Nellie Bellie, we can cook up some delish and easy orange chicken.

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24. Beef Stew
Brent Hofacker/shutterstock

24. Beef Stew

Ah, the classic slow cooker recipe is by far beef stew. It's a winter staple and for good reason. We like this recipe by Real Simple. 

More from CafeMom: 10 No-Fail Ways to Silence Your Dry Winter Cough

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25. Black Bean Soup
ginauf/iStock.com

25. Black Bean Soup

Black bean soup, like this recipe on My Recipes, takes a long time -- i.e., eight hours of soaking and 10 hours in the slow cooker -- but has almost no prep otherwise. Fair trade!

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26. Curried Coconut Chicken Soup
Phonlawat_778/shutterstock

26. Curried Coconut Chicken Soup

Even kids can handle this flavorful soup, which will amp up anyone's otherwise dull winter day. Find the recipe at My Sequined Life.

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27. Hot and Sour Soup-placeholder
27. Hot and Sour Soup
fishwork/iStock.com

27. Hot and Sour Soup

Hot, sour, and soup are three great words when it comes to surviving a bitter winter day. We like this recipe from A Sweet Pea Chef.

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28. Leek and Potato Soup-placeholder
28. Leek and Potato Soup
HandmadePictures/shutterstock

28. Leek and Potato Soup

This recipe for leek and potato soup by *Not Your Mother's Cookbooks *only requires salt, butter, leeks, potatoes, and a Crock-Pot. Sign us up. 

More from CafeMom: 14 Crock-Pot Dinners Kids Can Serve Themselves

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29. Lentil Stew
Elena M. Tarasova/shutterstock

29. Lentil Stew

This lentil stew is a great choice for veggie-eaters, and so incredibly filling. It's also super easy to freeze and reheat when necessary! Find the recipe at Slender Kitchen.

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30. Loaded Baked Potato Soup
PickStock/iStock.com

30. Loaded Baked Potato Soup

One word: nom. This loaded backed potato soup is comforting and what we want to unwind with after a long and windy day. Get the recipe at CDKitchen.

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31. Matzo Ball Soup
Jeff Wasserman/shutterstock

31. Matzo Ball Soup

This traditional Jewish soup by A Tasty Mess is light but still comforting at the same time.

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32. Minestrone
Simone Voigt/shutterstock

32. Minestrone

Olive Garden ain't got nothing on this minestrone soup recipe by Cooking Classy.

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33. Mulligatawny Soup-placeholder
33. Mulligatawny Soup
Martin Turzak/shutterstock

33. Mulligatawny Soup

Mulligatawny soup tastes delicious, thanks to the apples and curry in it, but it's also super easy to make, requiring almost zilch prep time. Get the recipe at Epicurious.

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34. Navy Bean Soup
MarenWischnewski/ iStock.com

34. Navy Bean Soup

This recipe by Mom What's for Dinner? is healthy but still warm and inviting. Oh, and it's gluten-free!

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35. Posole
jmalov/iStock.com

35. Posole

This southwestern soup originates from Mexican and Native American traditions, and it's perfect for anyone looking for a warm and spicy meal. Get the recipe at Something Edible.

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36. Pumpkin Soup-placeholder
36. Pumpkin Soup
bocaminus/iStock.com

36. Pumpkin Soup

Halloween may be long gone, but this pumpkin soup can stay all winter long. Find the recipe at Moms with Crockpots

More from CafeMom: 16 Yummy Overnight Slow Cooker Breakfasts Kids Can Serve Themselves

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37. Split Pea Soup-placeholder
37. Split Pea Soup
MSPhotographic/shutterstock

37. Split Pea Soup

Soft, creamy, and delicious? Split pea soup is a classic winter go-to. Find the recipe at Taste of Home.

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38. Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup
Susan Schmitz/shutterstock

38. Sweet Potato and Lentil Soup

Cumin, ginger, and garlic make this vegetarian-friendly soup a must. Find the recipe at Taste of Home.

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39. Tomato Soup-placeholder
39. Tomato Soup
MSPhotographic/shutterstock

39. Tomato Soup

With this recipe by Damn Delicious, all we need is a gooey grilled cheese. Both kids and adults will be pleased.

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40. Italian Wedding Soup-placeholder
40. Italian Wedding Soup
sbossert/iStock.com

40. Italian Wedding Soup

Italian wedding soup, with its hearty meatballs and comforting noodles, is exactly what we want to eat when it's snowing outside. Get the recipe from The Seasoned Mom

More from CafeMom: 35 Best Burger Toppings to Add Sizzle to Your BBQ

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41. Honey Garlic Chicken
wood_black/Instagram

41. Honey Garlic Chicken

Throw some chicken into a Crock-Pot with this sweet and tangy Asian-inspired sauce, and dinner is served. Get the recipe from Chef Savvy.

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42. Pot Roast
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

42. Pot Roast

This pot roast recipe by Dinner, Then Dessert is perfect for when we have a busy tomorrow. We just have to throw all the ingredients into the slow cooker the night before or the morning of.

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43. Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Brent Hofacker/Shutterstock

43. Chicken Wild Rice Soup

This rustic soup is incredibly easy to make, thanks to a recipe by Pinch of Yum.

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44. Pasta e Fagioli
Petroos/Shutterstock

44. Pasta e Fagioli

This classic Italian soup has everything: meat, pasta, and veggies -- plus a warm, savory broth. Check out the recipe by Chelsea Messy Apron

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45. Green Chili Shredded Pork
tacososcuros/Instagram

45. Green Chili Shredded Pork

This recipe by The Stay at Home Chef  makes tender, pull-apart pork covered in a flavorful green chili sauce.

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46. Beef Ragu-placeholder
46. Beef Ragu
timages/Shutterstock

46. Beef Ragu

We're going to have to savor each bite of this slow cooker beef ragu by Pinch of Yum.

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47. Jambalaya-placeholder
47. Jambalaya
Ivana Lalicki/Shutterstock

47. Jambalaya

It doesn't have to be Mardi Gras for us to enjoy this slow cooker jambalaya recipe by Spicy Southern Kitchen.

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48. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
dessert_lover/Instagram

48. Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake

This recipe by Spicy Southern Chicken is essentially the most indulgent version of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup out there! It's so easy to make since it's in a slow cooker.

More from CafeMom: 14 Foods Kids Love That Are Secretly Filled With Fake Sugar

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49. Bread Pudding-placeholder
49. Bread Pudding
bostonphotoguy/Instagram

49. Bread Pudding

Sweet and soft bread pudding is made incredibly easy with this Crock-Pot recipe by Slow Cooker Gourmet. Don't forget to make the salted caramel sauce too!

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50. Ribs-placeholder
50. Ribs
Ingrid Balabanova/Shutterstock

50. Ribs

No need to start up the grill -- which is probably impossible in winter, anyway -- because we've got this slow cooker recipe for ribs by Lauren Greutman.

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