A Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day of February (2024)

Home Gear Appliances Slow Cooker

A Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day of February (1)

ByCaroline Stanko

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Feb. 15, 2024

    Put your favorite appliance to work this February with our handy slow-cooker recipes. From chicken dinners to bread pudding, these fun ideas will have you slow-cooking all month long.

    1/27

    Day 1: Slow-Cooker Enchiladas

    As a busy wife and mother of two young sons, I rely on this handy recipe for slow-cooker enchiladas. I layer enchilada ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and forget about it. With a bit of spice, these hearty enchiladas are especially nice during the colder months. —Mary Luebbert, Benton, Kansas

    Go to Recipe

    2/27

    Day 2: Slow-Cooker Chicken Stroganoff

    This recipe is creamy, warm, satisfying and fairly inexpensive—and it needs just a few ingredients! Who could ask for more on a cold winter evening? I will admit, though, that I have been known to make it during summer, too. —Jason Kretzer, Grants Pass, Oregon

    Go to Recipe

    3/27

    Day 3: Slow-Cooker Strawberry Soda Cake

    When you want a sweet cake without the heat of the oven, this slow-cooked strawberry spin on cola cake comes in handy. The topping smells divinely like chocolate-covered strawberries. (Remember this one for Valentine’s Day!) Delicious served with whipped cream or powdered sugar. —Laura Herbage, Covington, Louisiana

    Go to Recipe

    4/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 4: Mushroom Marsala with Barley

    This vegetarian recipe is a tasty mashup of chicken Marsala and mushroom barley soup. It's terrific as a main dish, but it can also be served, with or without the barley, as a side. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    5/27

    Day 6: Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    The only thing that beats the comforting flavor of this thick and hearty loaded baked potato soup is possibly the idea that it simmers on its own all day in a slow cooker. —Barbara Bleigh, Colonial Heights, Virginia

    Go to Recipe

    6/27

    Day 7: Saucy Ranch Pork and Potatoes

    Awhile back, my sister Elyse shared a tasty ranch pork roast recipe. I tweaked it so I could use what was already in my pantry, and this dish was born. —Kendra Adamson, Layton, Utah

    Go to Recipe

    7/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 8: Tender Beef Brisket

    A touch of sugar mellows the flavorful sauce that's drizzled over this brisket. The original recipe came to me from a friend. I revised it for the slow cooker. —Sondra Morrow, Mesa, Arizona.

    Go to Recipe

    8/27

    Day 9: Molten Mocha Cake

    When I first made my decadent slow-cooker chocolate cake, my husband's and daughter's expressions said it all. Now it's one of my daughter's favorites. Later, I gave one of these cakes to our next-door neighbors. Turns out their teenage son, who'd answered the door, ate the whole thing without telling anyone else about it! —Aimee Fortney, Fairview, Tennessee

    Go to Recipe

    9/27

    Day 10: Asian Shredded Pork Sandwiches

    10/27

    Day 11: Slow-Cooker Mushroom Beef Stroganoff

    I love to make this for my husband and myself to have on a cold night. It warms us right up! Greek yogurt can be substituted for the sour cream. —Meg Hilton, Atlanta, Georgia

    Go to Recipe

    11/27

    This heartwarming dish is something I threw together years ago for my oldest daughter. When she's having a rough day, I put on the slow cooker and prepare this special recipe. —Mary Morgan, Dallas, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    12/27

    Day 13: Spicy Kale and Herb Porchetta

    13/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 14: Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce

    There's nothing better than this comforting bread pudding recipe on a cold, wintry day. The bourbon sauce makes the dessert taste special, but it's so easy to prepare—the slow cooker does most of the work! —Hope Johnson, Youngwood, Pennsylvania

    Go to Recipe

    14/27

    Day 15: Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato Soup

    I love that I can top this creamy soup with anything my heart desires, which means I can eat it several days in a row without ever having to have it the same way twice. You can substitute fresh onions and celery in this recipe if you prefer, but using the dried version makes it easy to throw together on a weekday morning. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

    15/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 16: Pork Tacos with Mango Salsa

    I've made quite a few tacos in my day, but you can't beat the tender filling made in a slow cooker. These are by far the best pork tacos we've had—and we've tried plenty. Make the mango salsa from scratch if you have time! Yum. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    16/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 17: Creamy Onion Dip

    Here, caramelized onions are teamed up with Gruyere cheese for a rich appetizer fit for a classic co*cktail party. —Rebecca Taylor, Manteca, California

    Go to Recipe

    17/27

    I’m always looking for ways to serve my family healthy and delicious food, so after I started experimenting with my favorite veggies and ground beef. I came up with this favorite that my three kids actually request! This healthy take on sloppy joes reminds me of my own childhood. —Megan Niebuhr, Yakima Washington

    Go to Recipe

    18/27

    Day 19: Pork & Rice Noodle Soup

    19/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 20: Slow-Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches

    I have fond memories of my mother in the kitchen preparing her amazing beef dip sandwiches. They always made our house smell like an Old World Italian restaurant. And as good as the aroma was, somehow the taste was even better! Set out a jar of giardiniera for spooning on top. —Kira Vosk, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    Go to Recipe

    20/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 21: Slow-Cooked Short Ribs with Salt-Skin Potatoes

    I love short ribs, and they are best prepared low and slow in a flavorful sauce. I also love salt potatoes, so combined the two with an Italian twist. My family was wowed! —Devon Delaney, Westport, Connecticut

    Go to Recipe

    21/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 22: Tomato Balsamic Chicken

    I came up with this saucy chicken during a particularly busy holiday season. As new parents, my husband and I both appreciate having a go-to dinner that's easy, homemade and delicious. —Anne Colvin, Chicago, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    22/27

    Day 23: Chicken in Coconut Peanut Sauce

    My youngest son has been out of the country for several years teaching English. When he returned to the United States, I made this home-cooked meal for him that combined Asian and American cuisine. He loved it! —Sheila Suhan, Scottdale, Pennsylvania

    Go to Recipe

    23/27

    Taste of Home

    My husband and I love Mexican food and these tacos have become one of our favorite meals. Try setting out the toppings in different bowls on the table so dinner guests and kids can make their own tacos. —Laura Rodriguez, Willoughby, Ohio

    Go to Recipe

    24/27

    Day 25: Caribbean Curried Chicken

    Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, I've eaten my fair share of authentic curried chicken. This recipe hits the mark with big, bold flavors. It's delicious served over rice. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina

    Go to Recipe

    25/27

    Day 26: Easy Pork Posole

    Looking for a meal in a bowl? Sit down to a Mexican classic full of cubed pork, sliced sausage, hominy and more. It all goes into the slow cooker, so you can come home at night to a table-ready dinner. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas

    Go to Recipe

    26/27

    Day 27: Honey Buffalo Meatball Sliders

    These little sliders deliver big Buffalo chicken flavor without the messiness of wings. The spicy-sweet meatballs are a hit on game day with kids and adults alike. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

    Go to Recipe

    27/27

    Taste of Home

    Day 28: Tangerine Chicken Tagine

    My family and friends love foods from around the world, especially Moroccan entrees, so I created this flavorful dish. Cooking it in the slow cooker keeps each morsel moist and rich in flavor. —Brenda Watts, Gaffney, South Carolina

    Go to Recipe

    Originally Published: January 15, 2021

    Author

    Caroline Stanko

    As editor, Caroline researches, writes and edits all things food and beverage and helps produce videos for Taste of Home. With seven years at TOH under her belt, Caroline has worked on the print, SIP and digital teams. When she’s not at her desk, you can probably find Caroline mixing up a killer co*cktail, reading a dog-eared library book or cooki...

    Read More

    A Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day of February (26)

    A Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day of February (2024)

    FAQs

    Is it OK to leave slow cooker on all day? ›

    Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

    What's the longest you can leave a slow cooker on? ›

    As long as there is something inside cooking, preferably with liquid, and the top is on, your slow cooker could run for 24 hours or longer. Some liquid will slowly boil out, so the less liquid, the less time to leave it unattended. They key is that something is always absorbing heat from the cooker.

    Can you overdo a slow cooker? ›

    “Keeping the slow-cooker on the high setting for that long may result in overcooked, dried-out food.”

    How long do crockpot meals last? ›

    The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm. After this, it needs to be cooled and transferred into the refrigerator.

    Is it safe to put a towel under a crockpot? ›

    The best place to use a crockpot is on the kitchen counter. However, any heat-safe, flat surface will also suffice. Avoid setting your slow cooker on an uneven surface, and never place it near loose fabrics, including curtains, kitchen towels, or napkins.

    Is it expensive to have a slow cooker on all day? ›

    Even if you leave your slow cooker on for eight hours while you're at work, you're only looking at a 20p hike in your energy bill per day, based on a slow cooker with a low wattage.

    What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
    1. Raw Meat.
    2. Seafood.
    3. Pasta.
    4. Rice.
    5. Delicate Vegetables.
    6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
    7. Dairy.
    8. Wine and Other Liquor.
    Jan 19, 2024

    Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

    The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

    Is it safe to put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

    Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker.

    Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in the crockpot? ›

    Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results. I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry and tough, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.

    What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

    "Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

    Is it okay to put raw chicken in a slow cooker? ›

    Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

    Is it OK to leave meat in crockpot overnight? ›

    Yes, you can leave your slow cooker on all day or overnight. However, if you are planning to leave your slow cooker on overnight, make sure it's on a low heat.

    Can you leave food in crockpot on warm all day? ›

    Given how close that temperature is to the Danger Zone, Crock Pot recommends that you only keep food on the warm setting in your slow cooker for up four hours.

    How long can food sit in crockpot before cooking? ›

    For safe and successful cooking

    Never let food sit more than two hours before turning on the crock pot. Keep the lid on.

    How long can a slow cooker stay on warm? ›

    The 'Warm' setting is ONLY for keeping already-cooked food at the perfect serving temperature until mealtime. To prevent food from dipping into temperatures that aren't food-safe, you shouldn't use the 'Warm' setting for more than 4 hours.

    Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

    A general rule of thumb from Luis Sanchez, senior category manager for the appliance manufacturer Breville: To go from "High" to "Low" (or vice versa), multiply (or divide) the original time by 1.5 to 2.5 hours. And as with the cooking times for specific ingredients, these times are approximate.

    How long can you leave chili in a crockpot on low? ›

    The tomatoes contain sugar, which caramelizes in the slow cooker, and will eventually burn if it cookes for too long. Anything longer than 10 hours on low is risky.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Article information

    Author: Otha Schamberger

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5635

    Rating: 4.4 / 5 (75 voted)

    Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Otha Schamberger

    Birthday: 1999-08-15

    Address: Suite 490 606 Hammes Ferry, Carterhaven, IL 62290

    Phone: +8557035444877

    Job: Forward IT Agent

    Hobby: Fishing, Flying, Jewelry making, Digital arts, Sand art, Parkour, tabletop games

    Introduction: My name is Otha Schamberger, I am a vast, good, healthy, cheerful, energetic, gorgeous, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.