27 Flavorful Fall Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Chilly Nights
Our best fall slow cooker recipes are perfect for warming yourself on a cool autumn night. This collection includes delicious comfort-food favorites, like pumpkin bread (yes, from your slow cooker) and spiced chili, along with healthy recipes and global dishes featuring classic autumn flavors. These warming meals are sure to soothe the soul.
Old-Fashioned Beef Stew
There are few meals as comforting as a hearty bowl of beef stew. This easy fall slow cooker recipe requires only five ingredients (plus water) and comes together in minutes. All you have to do is wait patiently while the beef, potatoes, and carrots stew to tender perfection.
Slow Cooker Indian-Inspired Chicken Stew
Ground ginger and curry powder give this slow cooker stew recipe its warming touch. Any chicken cut would do well, but chicken thighs hold up best the mix of chickpeas and diced tomatoes. Serve it with a side of rice, or for even more fall flavor, try serving it on a bed of sweet potato farro.
Slow Cooker Pecan Pie
This Southern sugar pie is a staple for fall feasts, and our slow cooker recipe saves space in your oven without cutting corners on flavor. Two cups of toasted pecans provide the crunch for this soft and sugary pie. For a crispier top, slip the pie into the broiler for three to four minutes before serving.
Short Rib Goulash
This fall slow cooker recipe is our new take on classic beef and tomato goulash. Short ribs are cooked low and slow until they're fall-off-the-bone tender. We've swapped butternut squash for the classic tomato. Serve the finished dish over egg noodles. As one BHG home cook shares, "This is the most wonderful stew and will make your house smell like a home-cooking wonderland."
Beef and Carrot Ragu
A handful of carrots and tomatoes slow-cook all day with tender beef short ribs for a mouthwatering fall dinner. Don't fail to add the red wine, as it will really develop rich flavor in the classic Italian-inspired sauce.
Cider-Poached Pears in the Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker
The aromas of these slow cooker poached pears are warmer and sweeter than any scented candle could produce. Crushed cardamom pods, chopped crystallized ginger, and a whole cinnamon stick steep in a broth of apple cider and honey to perfume the pears with the ultimate fall scents. Serve the pears warm with a dollop of vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt and chopped pistachios to add a savory crunch.
Game-Day Chili
Everyone knows slow cooker chili is great football-weather food. In this fall slow cooker recipe, chopped plums and dark chocolate take rich chili beyond the tailgate into a hearty, delicious meal. Subtle hints of sweetness mingle with spicy red pepper and smoky paprika for a fired-up flavor you'll love, whether you're a football fan or not.
Meatball Sandwiches
Whether you're hosting a fall football party or just looking for some easy weeknight meal prep, these saucy meatball sandwiches fit the bill. Place homemade meatballs and sauce in the slow cooker until they're tender and flavorful. Serve on crusty hoagie buns topped with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Maple-Mustard Turkey Thighs
Savor an early taste of Thanksgiving with these sweet, tangy, and savory turkey thighs made with ease in the slow cooker. Coarse-grain brown mustard balances the sweetness of the maple syrup. Layer new potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker and they'll soak up flavor for a fuss-free side.
Bourbon Citrus Sipper
The trick to this boozy fall drink is to let the cider simmer in a slow cooker for two to four hours. To spice up the citrus and cider, the recipe uses whole cloves and cinnamon sticks with a sprinkle of anise seeds. The bourbon isn't added until just before serving, so you can easily omit it for a fall mocktail everyone can enjoy.
Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders
Dish out the hearty flavors your family craves when cold weather sets in. Start this fall slow cooker dinner recipe in the morning and stuff the sandwiches just before serving. For an extra touch, broil a little provolone for a topping, and save the leftover sauce for dipping.
Fast or Slow White Chicken Chili
For a variation on chili night, try this creamy fall slow cooker recipe. White chili combines chicken, cannellini beans, corn, and fresh poblano chiles in a bowl of goodness. If you're in a crunch for time, you can quickly make this chicken recipe within only 12 minutes in your trusty pressure cooker.
Sweet-and-Hot Nuts
The aroma alone of these spiced nuts is enough to make you want to create this fall slow cooker recipe all year. Make a big batch of this slow cooker appetizer to keep on hand for game nights or for a quick snack during a busy workday.
Slow Cooker Spiced Pumpkin Butter
This slow cooker pumpkin recipe is fall in a jar (and thankfully, it makes four jars). For a creamy blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and maple syrup, spread the sweet, smooth mixture on toast or add a dollop on your oatmeal.
Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo
All you need to do for this easy fall slow cooker vegetarian recipe is dump some canned veggies, beans, and frozen okra into your pot. A few hours later, you've got a delicious meatless gumbo ready for eating. Serve it with rice to round out your meal.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
No list of fall slow cooker recipes would be complete without the ultimate fall beverage, the pumpkin spiced latte. Our version lets you skip the line at the coffee shop and enjoy this fall treat anytime. For a completely dairy-free drink, leave off the whipped-cream topping, or swap it with homemade sweet cashew cream.
Lentil Soup with Beef and Red Pepper
This two-step fall slow cooker recipe for beef and lentil soup is a dump dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Add the vegetables, spices, and steak, and let your slow cooker work its magic. Try freezing the leftover soup so you'll have another meal ready at a moment's notice.
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Farrotto
If you've never had farro before, it's a hearty grain with slightly chewy texture and nutty flavor. As it cooks in the slow cooker, it absorbs the flavor of chicken broth, pumpkin, white wine, and Parmesan. Finish the dish with peas, toasted walnuts, and fresh sage.
Slow Cooker French Toast Bread Pudding
A sweet bread, like challah or Hawaiian rolls, is the best base for bread pudding. From there, cook the slow cooker dessert with vanilla, milk, eggs, and sugar. Finish each bowl with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie
Cook all the classic pot pie fillings in your slow cooker including carrots, chicken, mushrooms, and peas. For the flaky crust, we're topping the finished dish with baked pie crust pieces.
Mexican Short Ribs with Dried Cherries
A chile and cocoa spice rub gives this short rib recipe a deep complex flavor. As it slow cooks, the meat becomes tender and fall-off-the-bone. To round out the flavor and add a touch of sweetness, we're adding dried cherries and roasted red peppers.
Slow Cooker Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Free up valuable oven space during the holiday cooking rush with this slow cooker side dish recipe. Once the sweet potatoes are tender, mash them up with buttermilk, brown sugar, and plenty of butter.
Italian-Style Slow Cooker Meat Loaf
Yes, you can make meatloaf in your slow cooker! This fall dinner idea is flavored with roasted red peppers, zucchini, and feta cheese. Finish with a sweet ketchup glaze.
Thai Pork Shredded Tacos with Sriracha Slaw
After 5 hours in the slow cooker, pork tenderloin becomes tender and juicy. Shred the meat and add it to corn tortillas along with spicy sriracha slaw. Garnish the tacos with sliced jalapeno peppers, radishes, and lime wedges.
Mississippi Pot Roast
This fall slow cooker recipe has earned raved reviews since we first posted it. As one reviewer raved, "Wow. This was incredible! I've made a lot of pot roast recipes over the years and this has easily become a new favorite! I appreciated that it only required 5 ingredients and came together so easily in the crockpot."
Chipotle-Coffee Pot Roast
Instant espresso powder is the secret ingredient to this fall slow cooker recipe. The subtle bitter flavor is the perfect counterpoint for the rich meat. Round out the dish with hearty fall veggies like parsnips and Brussels sprouts. You can serve it over polenta or mashed potatoes.
Chicken Tinga
These chicken tinga tacos will rival any restaurant. In addition to the shredded chicken, each taco is filled with refried beans, sliced avocados, and crumbled queso fresco cheese.