50 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Two (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Cooking for Two

50 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Two (1)Molly JasinskiUpdated: Feb. 18, 2024

    Cooking for two? These small-batch slow cooker recipes yield four servings or fewer. Enjoy dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow, or freeze half for another meal. Either way, you won't be chowing stew for days.

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    Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken

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    I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on chicken slow cooker recipes for two, like this one, many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

    Cajun Pork and Rice

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    I created this recipe after returning home from my travels and discovering I had little food in the house. I used ingredients that were already available in the refrigerator and pantry. —Allison Gapinski, Cary, North Carolina

    Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken

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    Taste of Home

    My father used to love it when I made this slow-cooker Italian chicken. Since it includes a flavorful tomato sauce, it's especially good served over pasta or rice. —Deanna D'Auria, Banning, California

    Pork Chops with Sauerkraut

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    Pair tender pork chops with sauerkraut for a filling main dish that’s quick and easy to put together. —Stephanie Miller, Omaha, Nebraska

    Tangy Tropical Chicken

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    In this colorful dish, exotic fruits such as mango and pineapple beautifully complement the chicken and lend a pleasant hint of sweetness that’s balanced by a bit of soy sauce. —Christina Aho, Naples, Florida

    Greek Chicken with Green Beans

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    My Greek grandmother made the most delicious Greek chicken and green beans with a lemon-tomato flavor. Whenever I make this slow-cooker recipe, I think of her. The juices from the chicken help flavor the green beans, but the beans can be prepared alone as a side dish without the chicken. —Elizabeth Lindemann, Driftwood, Texas

    Slow-Cooker Mongolian Beef

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    Taste of Home

    This slow-cooker Mongolian beef uses inexpensive ingredients to offer big flavor in a small amount of time. It's easier than getting takeout! Set your Crock-Pot on high for two to three hours to whip it up even quicker. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Coconut Curry Chicken

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    My husband and I love this coconut curry chicken recipe! It’s a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon

    Casablanca Chutney Chicken

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    If you enjoy Indian food, you'll love this dish. An array of spices and dried fruit slow cook with boneless chicken thighs for an aromatic and satisfying meal. To make it complete, serve over Jasmine or Basmati rice. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

    Tomato-Basil Steak

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    Taste of Home

    We grow the basil and bell peppers I use in this dish. It's easy to prepare, yet so rich and delicious. —Sheryl Little, Sherwood, Arkansas

    Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops

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    Taste of Home

    These slow cooker lamb chops are, without a doubt, the lamb dish we like best. I usually simmer them on low for hours. The aroma is irresistible, and they come out so tender, they practically melt in your mouth! —Sandy McKenzie, Braham, Minnesota

    Smothered Round Steak

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    Try less expensive round steak and gravy served over egg noodles for a hearty meal. Meaty and chock full of veggies, this slow-cooker recipe will take the worry out of what’s-for-supper any weeknight. Kathy Garret – Camden, West Virginia

    So-Easy Coq au Vin

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    Here’s my adaptation of the beloved French dish. I substituted boneless skinless chicken breasts for a lighter, easy coq au vin that still showcases the traditional and memorable taste. —Sonya Labbe, Los Angeles, California

    Slow-Cooker Pork Chops

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    Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee

    Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers

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    Taste of Home

    My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska

    Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

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    The slow cooker not only makes this an easy meal, it keeps the pork tender, saucy and loaded with flavor. —Beki Kosydar-Krantz, Mayfield, Pennsylvania

    Slow-Cooker Sweet Sour Meatballs

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    Taste of Home

    For a meal on busy days, I pop ready-made meatballs in the slow cooker to make this tantalizing Asian-style specialty. Nothing is more convenient than walking in the door to dinner. —Lisa Stepanski, Munnsville, New York

    Country Ribs Dinner

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    Ribs slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes are pure comfort food for us. To add a little zip, we sometimes sprinkle in cayenne. —Rose Ingall, Manistee, Michigan

    Simmered Turkey Enchiladas

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    Taste of Home

    I discovered a different way to serve economical turkey thighs. I simmer them in tomato sauce, green chiles and seasonings until they're tender and flavorful, then serve them in tortillas with our favorite fresh toppings. —Stella Schams, Tempe, Arizona

    Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

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    Taste of Home

    This is a go-to slow cooker recipe when I know I’ll be having a busy day. My family loves it served over rice or noodles, and then top it with tortilla chips and sour cream. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama

    Beef in Onion Gravy

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    Taste of Home

    I double this super slow cooker recipe to feed our family of four so I’m sure to have leftovers to send with my husband to work for lunch. His co-workers tell him he’s lucky to have someone who fixes him such special meals. It’s our secret that it’s an easy slow cooker dinner! —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois

    Butternut Beef Stew

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    I tweaked this crockpot recipe for two that I found in a magazine to suit my taste for sweet and spicy. I found that pureeing the tomatoes added a thicker consistency without using flour.—Erin Lembke, Monroe, Washington

    Veggie Meatball Soup for Three

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    This hearty soup is a snap to put together before I leave for work. I just add uncooked pasta when I get home, and then I have a few minutes to relax before supper is ready. —Charla Tinney, Tyrone, Oklahoma

    Molten Mocha Cake

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    When I first made this decadent slow-cooker recipe, my husband’s and daughter’s expressions said it all. Now it’s one of my daughter’s favorites. Later, I gave one of these cakes to our next-door neighbors. Turns out their teenage son, who’d answered the door, ate the whole thing without telling anyone else about it! —Aimee Fortney, Fairview, Tennessee

    Slow-Cooker Veggie Lasagna

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    Taste of Home

    This veggie-licious alternative to traditional lasagna makes use of slow-cooker convenience. I suggest using chunky spaghetti sauce. —Laura Davister, Little Suamico, Wisconsin

    Spiced Acorn Squash

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    Taste of Home

    Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tagine with Pumpkin

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    I first discovered tagines—Moroccan stews—when my oldest son was a baby, and I've loved them ever since. I used a slow cooker for my first version and since I'm a mom with two active boys, that has stayed my preferred method. The pumpkin mixture is supposed to be thick, but if you like a thinner consistency, stir in chicken broth. —Necia Blundy, Bothell, Washington

    Italian Spaghetti Squash

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    Taste of Home

    This is a unique and easy way to cook spaghetti squash. Be sure the squash is on the small or medium side so that it fits into the slow cooker after being cut in half. —Melissa Brooks, Sparta, Wisconsin

    Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops

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    Taste of Home

    Pork and fruit go so nicely together and when you add fresh herbs, you get this fresh, light and bright main dish that everyone loves. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

    Red Clam Sauce

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    Taste of Home

    This crockpot recipe for two tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania

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    Everyone in my family loves when I make this dinner…even my kids! What’s great about this slow cooker recipe is that you can add vegetables you have on hand to make it heartier, such as corn, peas, or diced red bell pepper. —Monica Werner, Temecula, California

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    Taste of Home

    When I want to jump-start supper, I opt for these tender pork chops. The sweet and savory cherry sauce makes the recipe a keeper. Try serving it with wild rice pilaf. —Stephanie Ray, Naples, Florida

    Slow-Cooked Tex-Mex Flank Steak

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    This flavorful, tender beef dish has been a go-to crockpot recipe for many years; it’s a meal lifesaver on days when I’m going to be late getting home.—Anne Merrill, Croghan, New York

    Farm-Style BBQ Ribs

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    Taste of Home

    Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe similar to this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and our friends. It got even better when I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, OR

    Slow-Cooker Pad Thai

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    Taste of Home

    I love pad thai, but I hate standing over a hot stir-fry—especially in the summer. This slow-cooker recipe for two lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai, too. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

    Red Pepper Chicken

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    Chicken breasts are treated to black beans, red peppers and juicy tomatoes in this Southwestern supper. We love it served with rice plumped up in chicken broth. —Piper Spiwak, Vienna, Virginia

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan

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    I love making this satisfying dish—it’s easy and elegant, and the slow cooker minimizes my time in the kitchen. I make this during football season too. For game days, I skip the pasta and serve the chicken on submarine rolls with a bit of the sauce and some chopped lettuce. It’s also good cut in half and served on smaller buns as sliders. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

    Simple Poached Salmon

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    Taste of Home

    I love this crockpot recipe for two because it’s healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

    Beef ‘n’ Bean Torta

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    Taste of Home

    This zesty recipe for two is a favorite of mine because it has a wonderful Southwestern taste and is easy to prepare. I serve it on nights when we have only a few minutes to eat before running off to meetings or sports events. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

    Slow-Cooked Moroccan Chicken

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    Herbs and spices really work their magic in this crockpot recipe for two. The dried fruit adds an exotic touch. —Kathy Morgan, Ridgefield, Washington

    Slow-Cooked Peach Pork Chops

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    “I played around with many variations of this recipe until I came up with one that was just right. The warm peaches make an excellent side dish for the pork.” —Bonnie Morrow, Spencerport, New York

    Sausage-Stuffed Flank Steak

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    Taste of Home

    As part of a prize I won for a recipe contest, I received a slow cooker. I hadn’t used one in years, so I didn’t have any recipes on hand. This tasty beef was my first creation, and it was a hit with my family. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

    Weeknight Goulash

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    With this recipe, you can put in a full day’s work, run some errands and still get dinner on the table in hardly any time. Make it extra-special by serving the meat sauce over spaetzle. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

    Rosemary Pot Roast

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    Come home to a comforting, ready-to-eat entree with this slow-cooker recipe for two. It’s so easy, and it fills the house with a wonderful aroma. —Marcia Schroeder, River Edge, New Jersey

    Peppery Chicken with Potatoes

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    We like this crockpot recipe for two because while we go to church on Sundays the chicken cooks and is ready for us when we get home.—Lori Draves, Highland, Wisconsin

    Lamb and White Bean Chili

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    I created a fresh take on chili using lamb and Moroccan seasoning with a feta and almond garnish. It was so exciting and tasty to my husband and son, I made a second batch almost right away. If you like a spicier chili, add harissa paste or use medium salsa instead of mild. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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    Taste of Home

    Everyone loves these potatoes and always comes back for more. I like the comforting main dish because it uses only seven ingredients and is finished in the slow cooker.—Traci Meadows, Monett, Missouri

    Apricot-Orange Salsa Chicken

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    Sweet oranges and apricots blend perfectly with zippy salsa in this five-ingredient entree. Keep the heat to your liking with mild, medium or hot salsa. Served over rice, it's a dinner we've enjoyed time and again. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma

    Creamy Polenta with Balsamic Glaze

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    TMB Studio

    This delicious, easy crockpot recipe for two goes incredibly well with braised meat. It makes any meal feel a little more elevated. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire

    Originally Published: October 18, 2018

    50 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Two (2024)

    FAQs

    What size crockpot is best for 2 people? ›

    What a Crock Portion-Based Recommendations
    Number of PortionsRecommended Slow Cooker Size
    Two PortionsUse a 3-4.5 quart slow cooker. 4 quarts is the optimal size.
    Three PortionsUse a 4-6 quart slow cooker. 5 quarts is the optimal size.
    Four PortionsUse a 5-7 quart slow cooker. 6 quarts is the optimal size.
    2 more rows

    Can you cook 2 different meats together in a slow cooker? ›

    You can cook chicken and beef together in a slow cooker. You can cook chicken and lamb together in a slow cooker. You can cook chicken and goat together in a slow cooker.

    What meats are best in a slow cooker? ›

    Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

    What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    10 Foods You Should Never Make In A Slow Cooker
    1. Dairy. Adding milk, cream, cheese, sour cream, or yogurt to a slow cooker will curdle them. ...
    2. Couscous. It'll only get mushy and completely unappetizing. ...
    3. Rice. ...
    4. Pasta. ...
    5. Boneless Chicken Breast. ...
    6. Raw Meat. ...
    7. Extra Fat. ...
    8. Delicate Vegetables.
    Feb 2, 2017

    Why is my meat still tough after slow-cooking? ›

    If you consistently notice tough beef, Carli says your slow cooker may not be working hard enough. “Try cooking for longer, or at a higher temp,” she advises.

    What is the most popular size slow cooker? ›

    The 6- or 7-quart models are among the most popular, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best choice for everyone. (By the way, here's our favorite slow cooker brand.) Find yourself among the descriptions below to learn which slow cooker we'd recommend for you.

    Which is hotter 1 or 2 on crockpot? ›

    The “I” setting is low, the “II” is high and the one with the wavy lines/ cooking pot is the keep warm function.

    Can you cook 2 meals in a slow cooker? ›

    All you do is use separate liner bags inside the slow cooker, placing each different meal into its own bag. The trick was shared in the Slow Cooker Recipes and Tips Facebook group, where thousands of home cooks are applauding the wisdom.

    What beans should not be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    Turns out cooking dried red kidney beans and cannellini beans in your slow cooker can make you sick. Find out how to eliminate the toxin that can make you ill and how to safely prepare and cook these commonly used legumes.

    Why are my carrots still hard in the slow cooker? ›

    Carrots may remain firm in a slow cooker if they're not cooked long enough or if the temperature is too low. Ensure sufficient cooking time and consider cutting carrots into smaller pieces for even cooking.

    What is best cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    Here are some great long-cooking cuts to try in your slow cooker:
    • Beef: chuck roast, brisket, stew meat and short ribs.
    • Pork: pork shoulder, pork butt, pork ribs, country-style ribs, ham.

    Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

    Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

    What is the healthiest meat to slow cook? ›

    common lean roasts found in the grocery store
    • chuck tender roast. A lean roast that requires slow cooking to tenderize.
    • shoulder roast. An inexpensive chuck cut with good flavor and good for roasting or slow cooking.
    • rump roast. A boneless and lean cut ideal for slow cooking.
    • eye of round roast.

    What can I put in my slow cooker to make meat more tender? ›

    To keep a pot roast from drying out, your slow cooker needs liquid to create a moist environment, and that can include meat or vegetable stock, wine or water. This doesn't mean the meat should be submerged; a cup or two of liquid will be enough, since the cooker is covered and liquids stay trapped inside.

    What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

    Slow Cooker Cons
    • There are fewer functions (though certain late models have a sear function).
    • Though they don't need to be tended to, it might not be the best idea to leave them on all day when no one is home.
    • Meal prep still requires planning.
    Nov 21, 2018

    How not to use a slow cooker? ›

    ​11 things you shouldn't put in your slow cooker
    1. Lean meats. ...
    2. Raw meat. ...
    3. Too much liquid. ...
    4. Delicate vegetables. ...
    5. Too much spice. ...
    6. Dairy. ...
    7. Too much booze. ...
    8. Meat that has the skin on.
    Oct 12, 2022

    How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

    Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

    It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

    Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

    Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

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