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Sensational 3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Recipes

By Mary Shannon Wells
Pinterest/Willow Bird Baking

The slow cooker is a wonderful, helpful kitchen tool (most of the time). Slow cookers ensure busy cooks that they, too, can get a delicious meal on the table on hectic days. On behalf of these three-ingredient slow-cooker recipes, I’m here to inform you that the world of slow-cooker recipes has improved. As you might imagine, three-ingredient recipes are as easy as dumping the ingredients into the slow cooker, and letting it take over. But the even more exciting news? These recipes are budget-friendly, too. When we say “budget-friendly,” we’re being modest—these recipes are downright cheap. But we have even more good news: our recipes go beyond dinner. Whether you need an afternoon snack, a party appetizer for a crowd, an inlaws-are-visiting dinner, or a kid-friendly dessert, there’s a three-ingredient recipe ready for you. With these easy and creative ideas, you might actually have time (and money) to spend on yourself this week.  

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All You Need For These Simple Meals is a Few Ingredients and a Slow Cooker

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Slow-Cooker Grits

Southern Living

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grits

Instead of sitting over the stovetop, let your slow cooker prep them for you. With a big batch of slow-cooker grits, you can have Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole for breakfast and Gulf Coast Shrimp and Grits for dinner.

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Slow-Cooker Ravioli

Pinterest/Kitchen Meets Girl

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Ravioli

You’re three store-bought ingredients away from a kid-and budget-friendly weeknight meal.

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Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks

Pinterest/The Frugal Girls

Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Drumsticks

We have plenty of wing recipes in our repertoire, but making drumsticks in the slow cooker is busy-chef approved.

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Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Pinterest/Lord Byron’s Kitchen

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pot Roast

Pot roast is a comforting meal made to serve a crowd that won’t break the bank.

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Creamy Buffalo Chicken

Pinterest/Foodie with Family

Recipe: Creamy Buffalo Chicken

This versatile recipe can be used as a dip with chips or in sandwiches, wraps, and more. Plus, there are Instant Pot, slow cooker, and stovetop options for preparation.

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Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs

Pinterest/ifoodreal

Recipe: Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Thighs

This Thai-inspired dinner is a healthy and low-cost way to get varied flavors in your kids’ diets.

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Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

Pinterest/Dinner, then Dessert

Recipe: Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham

This slow-cooker recipe just made your Easter main dish prep a breeze. Now you can focus on perfecting that Pineapple Casserole for Mama.

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Creamy Baby Bella Chicken

Pinterest/Cutefetti

Recipe: Creamy Creamy Baby Bella Chicken

This dinner has all the comfort and richness of a casserole with the ease of a dump-it-and-forget-it slow-cooker meal.

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3-Ingredient Pulled Pork

Pinterest/Tablespoon

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Pulled Pork

If you’re not a barbecue pitmaster, you can still make flavorful pulled pork in the slow cooker. Pair with one of our favorite barbecue side dishes, and you’ve got cookout-worthy meal.

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Easy Chili

Pinterest/Yellow Bliss Road

Recipe: Easy Chili

This three-ingredient recipe, excluding toppings, gives a stovetop and slow-cooker option. A warm bowl of chili has never been easier to make.

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Three-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cranberry Chicken

Pinterest/Creme de la Crumb

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Cranberry Chicken

This juicy chicken dinner recipe is a pleasant switch-up from the ones you’ve been keeping in rotation for too long now.

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Slow Cooker Beef Tips

Pinterest/Life with the Crust Cut Off

Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef Tips

These three-ingredient beef tips are delicious served over egg noodles or rice, and the kids will love them.

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Slow-Cooker Ranch Mushrooms

Pinterest/The Chunky Chef

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Ranch Mushrooms

These flavor-packed mushrooms would be delicious paired with a steak for a company-worthy main dish.

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Crockpot Caramelized Onions

Pinterest/The Spruce

Recipe: Crockpot Caramelized Onions

There is a way to get incredible caramelized onions without standing by the stovetop, and now you can top any dish with them, hassle-free.

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Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso

Pinterest/NeighborFood

Recipe: Three Ingredient Slow Cooker Queso

You can’t really say you’re serving party food unless there’s a bowl of piping hot queso with tortilla chips.

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Grape Jelly Meatballs

Pinterest/The Salty Marshmallow

Recipe: Grape Jelly Meatballs

With three store-bought ingredients and virtually no hands-on time, this meatball recipe is the absolute easiest party appetizer ever.

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Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Apple Butter

Pinterest/Mama Loves Food

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Apple Butter

Not only would this slow-cooker apple butter recipe be delicious with biscuits, it would make an adorable gift for neighbors and friends.

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Slow Cooker Cherry Dump Cake

Pinterest/Cincy Shopper

Recipe: Slow Cooker Cherry Dump Cake

This cherry cake, served with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream, is the easiest way to get a festive dessert on the table for Memorial Day or the Fourth of July.

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Slow Cooker Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Pinterest/365 Days of Slow Cooking

Recipe: Slow Cooker Dark Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Whether you need a no-fuss dessert, a recipe to curb an afternoon sweet tooth, or a treat to take to teachers or neighbors, look no further than this three-ingredient recipe.

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Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

Pinterest/Growing Up Gabel

Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

This classic summertime dessert has never been so simple to make than with three ingredients tossed in the slow cooker.

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Three-Ingredient Caramel Fondue

Pinterest/Creme de la Crumb

Recipe: Three-Ingredient Caramel Fondue

This indulgent dip can be made in the microwave, but preparing it in the slow cooker will keep it warm throughout a gathering. Get creative with your dipping choices.

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3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake

Pinterest/Willow Bird Baking

Recipe: 3-Ingredient Slow-Cooker Pumpkin Cake

Okay, the slow-cooker version might not be the prettiest pumpkin cake you’ve ever seen, but it doesn’t slack on any cozy fall flavor.

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