Yes, you can make slow cooker meals the night before, or even several days, beforehand! These slow cooker recipes can be prepped the night before. Just store the insert in the fridge, then set and go

Prep Ahead Tips

  • The night before, assemble all the ingredients in the slow cooker insert. Cover the insert and refrigerate. The next day, place the insert back into the slow cooker base. Cover and cook according to recipe instructions.
  • If you don’t have room in you fridge for the slow cooker insert, simply prepare all the ingredients ahead, add to a zip-top bag or container, refrigerate, then add to the slow cooker and cook according to recipe instructions.
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5 stars (6 ratings)

Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup (with Rice)

Hearty stuffed pepper soup with ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomato broth. Easy slow cooker or stovetop dinner the whole family will love.
Ingredients: olive oil, onion, ground beef, salt, Italian seasoning, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, beef broth, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with green chilis, Worcestershire sauce, white rice.
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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs (5-Ingredients)

Five ingredients, five minutes of prep, and no pre-cooking, my crockpot honey garlic chicken comes out sweet, sticky, and full of flavor every time. Serve over rice for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients: soy sauce, honey, garlic, lime juice, boneless chicken thighs (or boneless skinless chicken breasts), cornstarch.
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Incredible Slow Cooker Drumsticks (4-Ingredients!)

Get delicious, fall-off-the-bone meat with this easy slow cooker drumsticks recipe that just uses 4 ingredients!
Ingredients: smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, chicken drumsticks, BBQ sauce.
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Overhead shot of shredded roast beef being served out of a slow cooker with a serving fork. Slow cooker is surrounded by a gravy boat, bowl of chopped parsley, sprigs of fresh parsley, and a bowl of mashed potatoes.
5 stars (20 ratings)

Mississippi Pot Roast (No Packets)

Mississippi pot roast made without ranch or au jus packets, just pantry spices, butter, pepperoncini, and beef. A fall-apart tender slow cooker dinner!
Ingredients: chuck roast, dried parsley, granulated garlic, onion powder, kosher salt, beef broth, pepperoncini, butter, cornstarch.
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Overhead shot of raw chicken tighs covered in an orange sauce in a slow cooker.
4.95 stars (20 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Satay Chicken (Coconut Milk)

Slow cooker satay chicken simmered low and slow in a creamy peanut butter, coconut milk, and Thai red curry paste sauce. An easy weeknight dinner!
Ingredients: chicken, salt, peanut butter, coconut milk, Thai red curry paste, brown sugar, lime juice, fish sauce.
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Overhead shot of bowls of creamy potato corn chowder with corn kernels and basil leaves. The bowl in the middle has a spoon in it.
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Slow Cooker Corn Chowder (Vegetarian)

This vegetarian slow cooker corn chowder is creamy without any dairy, loaded with potatoes and sweet corn, and ready with minimal prep.
Ingredients: russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broth, coconut milk, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar and other spices
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Crock Pot Zuppa Toscana (Easy)

Easy crock pot Zuppa Toscana made with sweet Italian sausage, kale, potatoes, and a lightened-up creamy broth. A hearty one-pot slow cooker dinner!
Ingredients: sweet Italian sausage, onion, garlic, russet potato, salt, chicken stock, kale, cream.
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Slow Cooker Italian Meatballs (in Marinara)

Slow cooker Italian meatballs in marinara made with ground beef, parmesan, and breadcrumbs. A dump-and-go weeknight dinner with no pre-browning!
Ingredients: ground beef, parmesan, onion, garlic, Italian breadcrumbs (gluten free or traditional), egg, salt, marinara sauce.
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A whole roasted chicken sits inside a black slow cooker, viewed from above, with browned skin and slightly crisped edges.
5 stars (3 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

Easy slow cooker whole chicken made with a 4-ingredient spice rub. The juiciest dump-and-go rotisserie-style chicken with just 5 minutes of prep.
Ingredients: whole chicken, spices, salt.
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4.94 stars (45 ratings)

Slow Cooker Flank Steak

Slow cooker flank steak made with a 5-ingredient spice rub. The most tender, fall-apart shredded flank steak for tacos, sandwiches, and rice bowls!
Ingredients: flank steak, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, brown sugar, olive oil and salt.
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Overhead shot of an oval baking dish with cooked chicken thighs. The baking dish is surrounded by a lime cut in half, fresh herbs, and containers with sauce, lime wedges, and peanuts.
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Slow Cooker Peanut Chicken Thighs + More Prep Ahead Slow Cooker Recipes

Developed and tested by A woman with long blonde hair, smiling, holds and pours a bottle of oil in a modern kitchen setting.Robyn Conley Downs
Servings: 6 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 3 hours
Total: 3 hours 5 minutes
Slow cooker peanut chicken thighs are flavorful, versatile, and can be prepped ahead. Plus 10 more prep ahead slow cooker recipes!
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Ingredients

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, or boneless skinless breasts
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt

For the Satay Sauce

  • ⅓ cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky
  • ⅓ cup canned coconut milk
  • 1-2 tablespoons Thai red curry paste
  • 1 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoons fish sauce, or tamari

Optional Serving Suggestions

  • Chopped roasted peanuts, fresh lime slices, fresh cilantro, steamed rice

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Add the chicken to a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle the salt evenly over the chicken to coat.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, coconut milk, curry paste, sugar, lime juice, and tamari until very smooth.
  • Pour ⅓ of the satay sauce over the chicken, tossing gently to coat. Set the remaining sauce aside. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours, or low for 4-4, or until the chicken is cooked through and very tender but not falling apart.
  • When the chicken is cooked, uncover and carefully drain the cooking liquid. Pour over half of the remaining satay sauce, tossing to coat.
  • Optional, but recommended: Place the cooked and sauce-coated chicken on a broiler safe pan or baking sheet. Place under a broiler for 3-5 minutes or until browned, then flip and broil 2-3 more minutes to brown the other side. Keep a close eye on the chicken, as the sugar in the sauce can brown very quickly.
  • Serve the sauce coated chicken with the remaining satay sauce on the side for dipping. Garnish with cilantro, fresh lime slices, and peanuts if desired.
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Thai

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 308kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 17g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 0.03g, Cholesterol: 144mg, Sodium: 528mg, Potassium: 501mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 432IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 2mg
Nutrition disclaimer
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