This is some of the best pulled pork I've had in a long time (I've been working on perfecting this recipe for months!), and it also doesn't include any highly processed ingredients like refined sugar, corn syrup, or ketchup. My husband says it is so good that no BBQ sauce is necessary. Now, you know it’s good pulled pork when that happens. He would…
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The Best Whole Chicken in a Crock Pot
I've tried a ridiculous amount of crock pot recipes, and this is by far the best (and easiest) way to slow cook a whole chicken until it is falling-off-the bone delicious.
Easy Slow Cooker Refried Beans
I think I might be a little late getting on this bandwagon, but refried beans with melted cheese on a warm homemade whole-wheat tortilla is the bomb! Oh and don’t forget to top it with a little sour cream. I seriously cannot believe I am just figuring out how good this combination is. The reason …
Slow Cooker Flank Steak Fajitas
Based on the popularity of my other crock pot “real food” recipes I think you guys will love this one, too. Slow cookers are great for entertaining because you can easily get all the work done in advance and have your house smelling amazing when guests arrive (we use this basic, inexpensive slow cooker). I …
Overnight Chicken Stock in the Crock Pot
I’ve shared this recipe on the blog before, but to be honest it’s kind of buried in the intro paragraph of another recipe, which basically means it’s hard to find. And now that I’ve realized how incredibly popular this slow cooker “overnight chicken stock” recipe is I’ve decided it deserves a page all of its …
Easy Slow Cooker Steak Chili
I recently shared a Red & Green Chili recipe that was also for the slow cooker, but it did require a little bit of stove cooking first. I know it's only one extra step (and worth it in the end), but some days just one less thing to do can make all the difference! With this Steak Chili recipe, my goal was to make…
Easy Homemade Ketchup in the Slow Cooker + DIY in the Kitchen
By making your own homemade ketchup in the slow cooker you can control how much salt to add and skip the processed sugar altogether by using honey as the sweetener. This is a guest post by Melanie Zook, MA, RD, LDN.
Easy Homemade Ketchup in the Slow Cooker + DIY in the KitchenContinue Reading →
Slow Cooker Baked Beans
These baked beans would be the perfect addition to any summer BBQ, cookout, or picnic, AND they are just as delicious leftover.
From Your Freezer to Your Slow Cooker
A couple months ago I shared a fellow blogger's From Your Freezer To Your Family: Slow Cooker Freezer Recipes eCookbook and I am not going to lie...many of you went a little crazy over this book! In reality, the concept behind this e-cookbook really is a great idea. You spend one afternoon chopping, assembling and freezing "meal packs," and then on any given day…
5 Home Cooked Meals Cheaper than McDonald’s
Mark Bittman said he researched it and found that it is actually cheaper for families to cook at home than it is for them to buy dinner at McDonald's. I decided to put his theory to the test, and I have findings below to support his theory.
5 Home Cooked Meals Cheaper than McDonald’sContinue Reading →
Weeknight Beef Bourguignon
I'm so excited to share one of my family's favorite recipes today - Beef Bourguignon! I took a recipe and combined and cut out a few steps (my favorite thing to do with recipes!) to make it an easy weeknight meal that is now a go-to for my family.
How to Host a Soup Swap
Heard of this fantastic newish way for foodies (and those just looking to get together with the gals - or guys!) to connect? It's called a Soup Swap.
Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce (that will feed a crowd!)
This Sunday sauce is a hearty, delicious crowd pleaser. There is just no other way to describe it! I was first introduced to this style of spaghetti sauce by our old babysitter, Kim, long ago when we lived in Florida and I was working full time for corporate America. While the baby (who is now 8 going on 9!) was napping, and I was…
Slow Cooker Sunday Sauce (that will feed a crowd!)Continue Reading →
Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Apple Soup
What’s not to love about an easy slow cooker soup featuring fall flavors and easy leftovers? This is one of the many soups I like to make and then freeze in individual portions for school (or work!) lunches. And we all know how soups can be even better leftover. The suggested sage topping is definitely an extra step in this recipe, but oh-so-worth it.…
Slow Cooker Asian Short Ribs
For the first time ever I decided to experiment with 5-spice powder in this Asian short ribs recipe. And what better way to incorporate this flavor than in the crock pot! In case you haven't heard me say it before - I LOVE making everything from soups to stocks to beans to dinners in my crock pot. Preparing a delicious and nutritious meal in…
Slow Cooker Red and Green Chili
I have clearly been on a slow cooker recipe kick lately! I just love those evenings when dinner is done (and even cleaned up minus the plates - or bowls in this case!). Whether you are busy entertaining guests from out of town or just have a hectic afternoon or evening planned, your slow cooker is the only thing between you and a wholesome…
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
This Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken dinner is another super easy one that will have your house smelling amazing by the end of the day. And there's nothing wrong with getting out of your dinner rut with these tasty Moroccan flavors.
Slow Cooker Sunday Roast (from the new Deliciously Organic cookbook!)
Carrie says she loves to pair this roast with a side of Greens with Onion and Bacon and Creamed Cauliflower (both also in her book and pictured below) for a complete meal.
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Chicken and Wild Rice Slow Cooker Soup
Oh, how I love hearty real food slow cooker recipes that don't require any advance cooking! So here's another one to add to your repertoire. And my kids especially loved it when I packed this chicken and wild rice soup in their school lunch, so be sure to freeze the leftovers in individual portions, making it easy for you to do the same. Also,…
Easy and Easier: Slow Cooker Mexican Lasagna
Now that I have three kids, I have less time to cook than ever before. That's why this Slow Cooker Mexican Lasagna was born! Clean up is a snap, too.
Easy and Easier: Slow Cooker Mexican LasagnaContinue Reading →
4th of July Real Food Recipe Roundup!
It's hard to believe that Independence Day is almost upon us! And since most big holidays are all about the FOOD, I've got a bunch of real food recipe ideas for you today. The point here is that celebrations can still be fun even with real food as the focus.
Why I Don’t Like the Instant Pot (+ Curried Lentil & Sweet Potato Stew)
I have to say, I might be the minority here, but I don't like the Instant Pot! I honestly went into this with an open mind and have used it several times for all different types of recipes to really get a good feel for what it can do.
Why I Don’t Like the Instant Pot (+ Curried Lentil & Sweet Potato Stew)Continue Reading →
Slow Cooker Recipe from Cook Smarts (+ special deal on meal plans!)
It's no surprise we are fans of meal planning services. One of the biggest challenges of eating real food is being prepared and planning ahead - so why not have someone else do the planning work for you? Cook Smarts Prep Cooking Guide from 100 Days of #RealFoodHaving a set "real food" meal plan for the week along with a coordinating (printable) shopping list…
Slow Cooker Recipe from Cook Smarts (+ special deal on meal plans!)Continue Reading →
Slow Cooker Green Salsa Chicken
No pre-cooking? No chopping? You know you want to make this easy-peasy slow cooker green salsa chicken for your family tonight! (Double it for leftovers!)
Slow Cooker Chicken Banh Mi
After some experimenting, I'm excited to share my own super easy version of this Asian-inspired dish made in one of my all-time favorite kitchen appliances, my slow cooker!
10 Real Food Recipes Every Cook Should Know!
This is great list of real food recipes to start cooking through if you are new to cutting out processed food.
10 Real Food Recipes Every Cook Should Know!Continue Reading →
Warm Cheesy Broccoli Dip (to share!)
I've got a great potluck dish that will be a hit at your next holiday party. The recipe for this melted cheesy (and healthy - hello broccoli!) goodness couldn't be any easier, so get ready to enjoy.
Braised Short Ribs (in your slow cooker!)
One of my favorite things to do is take a recipe (that looks awesome!) and make it as easy to cook as possible. So I was excited to see a Braised Short Rib recipe in Food and Wine Magazine that I knew I could turn into a slow cooker recipe.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Tacos
I've got a super easy new recipe to share with you today ... Vegetarian Slow Cooker Black Bean Tacos! This simple and tasty dish is from my friend Gina's new Skinnytaste Fast and Slow cookbook.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tagine (+our trip to Morocco!)
Just got back from the trip of a lifetime to Morocco, and I've got "tagine" recipe for your slow cooker to share since we absolutely loved the food abroad!
Slow Cooker Chicken Tagine (+our trip to Morocco!)Continue Reading →
Super Bowl Food!
It's time for some Super Bowl Food! Here's a variety of made-from-scratch dishes that would be perfect for your party this weekend. Enjoy. :)
Easy Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts
This Southern roadside treasure is super easy to make at home in your slow cooker and would be a fun one to introduce to family and friends.
Instant Pot Steel Cut Oatmeal + What Cooks Well in the Electric Pressure Cooker
So you have a new electric pressure cooker (or Instant Pot)? And it's still sitting in the box? Or you've only tried 1 meal so far? You're not alone. But I want to help you get it out of the box and try new meals. Because, oh my word...this little appliance is such a sanity saver.
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Bolognese Sauce (in the Crock-Pot® Express Crock Multi-Cooker)
I tried my bolognese sauce recipe in the new Express Crock Programmable Multi-Cooker to see if I could save time and create fewer dirty dishes.
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Slow Cooker Braised Short Ribs
Slow cooker short ribs are the ultimate comfort food! If you've never made short ribs at home before, this is a perfect first-timer's way to try it.