Crock Pot Meals That Don't Suck

As I said before, I fought buying a crock-pot for years for 3 reasons:
1. I had never eaten anything yummy from a crock-pot
2. I didn't want to give in to any Mormon housewife stereotypes
3. My kids won't anything that resembles soup or stew.

I finally gave in a few months ago and have been trying out several recipes and thought I'd report back. I'm putting them in order from our least successful to the most successful.

Slow Cooker Hoisin Shredded chicken with Asian slaw by Cooking Canuck.  

The chicken was way too salty and the slaw was tasteless.  I did leave out the cilantro (because it's nasty), so maybe that was the problem.

Six Sisters Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken

super salty.

Six Sisters 8 Slow Cooker Meals

We tried the ribs (greasy), chicken cacciatore (mushy and bland), and the broccoli Alfredo (mushy, watery, and bland)-my son lovingly referred to these meals as "crap in a bag". My kids hate taco soup and stew so I didn't try those.  The maple Dijon chicken looks like it may be ok.  If I try it, I will let you know.

Balsamic Chicken by the Crock Pot Exchange
Pretty good, although a little watery.  If I made it again, I would drain the tomatoes (at least one can). My father-in-law really like it, although he added BBQ to his serving- weird?


Crock-pot sandwiches are perfect for those nights that we all don't eat at the same time. I just make everything up ahead of time and people assemble a sandwich when ready to eat.

Meatball Subs-just throw some frozen meatballs and a jar of pasta sauce.  Cook for a few hours and then throw on a roll and top with cheese. Nothing fancy, but easy and cheap.  I can feed all 5 of us for $5. 
If we are all eating at the same time, I just heat it up in the microwave, but the crock-pot is just a way for me to have it hot for everyone, no matter what time they come home.

Pulled Pork and Coleslaw

Yummy and works with chicken too.

Buffalo Chicken with Bleu Cheese Slaw

I pretty much make this once a week. These would be great for tail-gating.

Buffalo Bleu Grilled Cheese

I had some chicken leftover, but ran out of buns. Most amazing grilled cheese ever!

C &C Marriage Factory's Balsalmic Glazed Pork Loin

Downright yummy.  I forgot to put in the soy sauce (I don't know if that made a difference).

Here's some more recipes that you could easily make in a crock pot:

Rouladen
This is my very favorite German dish!

Sauerbraten
This is pretty much everyone else's favorite German dish.  It's a tangy roast that just falls apart.  Mahlzeit!


There you have it.  I will come back and add to the post and let you know about my future fails and triumphs with my crock-pot.


To see where I link up or to add your party, please click here.