Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Dinners

Looking for easy Instant Pot and slow cooker meals? This roundup includes cozy dinners, tips, and time-saving recipes perfect for busy nights.

There’s something special about sitting down to a warm, homemade meal—even on a weeknight. But let’s be real: when chores, kids, animals, and life are pulling you in twenty directions, getting dinner on the table can feel like a miracle. That’s why I lean heavily on two of my favorite kitchen tools: the slow cooker and the Instant Pot.

Whether you want to set it and forget it in the morning or throw something together at the last minute, this post has you covered with helpful tips and tried-and-true recipes. These meals are cozy, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for busy nights—any time of year.

Why I Love These Methods for Everyday Dinners

Homesteading life doesn’t leave much wiggle room in the evenings. That’s where slow cookers and Instant Pots shine—they give you back time without sacrificing the goodness of a homemade meal.

• Slow cookers are ideal for those days when you’re in and out. Load it up in the morning, and dinner’s ready when you are.
• Instant Pots are lifesavers when you didn’t plan ahead. They turn frozen meat into tender dinner in under an hour—and that’s no exaggeration.

Both options help me keep real food on the table even when time’s tight.

Slow Cooker Tips to Make Life Easier

A few small habits can make your slow cooker meals more flavorful and foolproof:

• Don’t lift the lid during cooking. Every peek drops the internal temp and can add 30+ minutes to your total cook time.
• Sear your meat if the recipe calls for it. That golden crust adds rich flavor you won’t get from slow cooking alone.
• Go skinless for poultry. Chicken skin tends to get rubbery in moist heat. Skinless cuts yield better texture.
• Use the right size cooker. Your food should fill about 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot. Overfilling or underfilling can affect cooking time and consistency.

Using a programmable slow cooker like this one—with a built-in timer and automatic keep-warm setting—makes it easier to come home to a perfectly cooked meal without babysitting the pot. If you’re cooking for one or two people, a compact slow cooker for smaller batches might be all you need—and it takes up less space on the counter, too.

Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

These are the meals I come back to again and again when I want something warm and comforting without standing over a stove.

Chinese 5-Spice Pork Ribs: Sweet, savory, and fall-apart tender. These ribs taste like takeout, but all you have to do is toss them in the slow cooker.

Garden Fresh Marinara Tomato Sauce: Perfect for preserving that summer garden goodness. I simmer mine all day in the crockpot and freeze it in batches.

Chicken Tacos: Three ingredients and zero effort. The chicken comes out perfectly shredded every time—great for tacos, bowls, or nachos.

French Dip Sandwiches: Slow cooked beef with rich au jus. Serve on crusty rolls with melty provolone for a diner-worthy meal.

2-for-1 Beef Roast + Bonus Bean Soup: Make a roast one day and turn the leftovers into soup the next. Budget-friendly and meal-prep approved.

Chicken Bone Broth: Not just a recipe—this is a staple. Slow cooking makes the richest, most flavorful broth.

How to Cook a Whole Chicken in a Crockpot: This is how I cook chicken when the oven’s full or I want to save energy. The result? Juicy, pull-apart chicken and ready-made broth.

Pulled Pork Shoulder: Set it, shred it, and serve it however you like. BBQ sandwiches, tacos, or just piled on a plate.

Spicy Chorizo Soup: Loaded with beans, veggies, and kicky chorizo. This is one of those “dump it in and walk away” meals.

Chicken Chile: Simple and hearty. This is a white chicken chili-style soup that works with pantry ingredients.

Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas: No skillet required. Toss everything in the slow cooker and serve with tortillas or rice.

Want to make the most of your holiday extras? Try these slow cooker recipes for Thanksgiving leftovers—they’re easy, comforting, and perfect for stretching your meals a little further.

Instant Pot Tips for Faster Dinners

Instant Pots take some getting used to, but once you’ve got the hang of them, they’re game-changers:

• Factor in pressurizing time. Even “quick” meals take 10–15 minutes to come up to pressure—and a few to release it.
• Frozen is fine. Most meats can be cooked from frozen (just check the recipe). Great for when you forget to thaw.
• Use the presets. Don’t be afraid to try the soup, rice, or bean buttons. They’re surprisingly accurate.

If you’re new to pressure cooking, the Instant Pot I use and love is beginner-friendly, reliable, and handles everything from soups to roasts like a champ. It’s a staple in my kitchen when time is tight.

Quick and Tasty Instant Pot Recipes

These are the go-to meals I make when it’s 5 p.m. and I haven’t even thought about dinner yet.

Easy Spanish Rice: Perfect as a side dish or taco bowl base. It’s fluffy, flavorful, and done in under 30 minutes.

Baby Back Pork Ribs: Tender like they’ve been cooking all day—but really just an hour. Finish under the broiler for a sticky glaze.

No-Soak Pinto Beans: From dry to done in about an hour. No soaking, no fuss—just perfectly soft, seasoned beans.

Better Than Takeout Beef & Broccoli: Tender steak, crisp-tender broccoli, and a savory-sweet sauce. Total weeknight winner.

Ham Hock & Black Eyed Pea Soup: Comfort food in a bowl. This Southern-inspired soup is hearty, smoky, and deeply satisfying.

Roasted Garlic & Tomato Soup: Rich and velvety with layers of flavor. Add a grilled cheese and call it a night.

Refried Pinto Beans: So much better than canned, and surprisingly simple. These are creamy, flavorful, and freezer-friendly.

Creamy Mac and Cheese: A one-pot wonder. Creamy, cheesy, and done in about 20 minutes.

Umami Pot Roast: Deep, savory flavor in a fraction of the time. This one’s a favorite for Sunday dinner—or any night you want something special.

Frequently Asked Questions About Slow Cooker & Instant Pot Meals

Still wondering how to make the most of these kitchen workhorses? Here are a few quick answers to common questions people have about Instant Pot and slow cooker recipes.

Whether you’re feeding a busy family or just want to simplify your evenings, save this post so you’ll always have dinner inspiration at your fingertips.

If soups are your go-to comfort food, don’t miss my top 10 winter soups—they’re nourishing, budget-friendly, and perfect for chilly nights.

Real food doesn’t have to be complicated. Whether you’re simmering soup all day or whipping up dinner in under an hour, these Instant Pot and slow cooker recipes make homemade meals totally doable.

So pull out your favorite appliance, pick a recipe, and enjoy the kind of dinner that brings everyone to the table.

Have a favorite easy meal I should try? Share it in the comments—I’m always looking for new ideas!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in December 2017 but has been completely updated and refreshed with new tips, seasonal relevance, and even more of my go-to Instant Pot and slow cooker recipes to make dinner easier than ever.