Recipes and Cooking Slow Cooker Meals 26 Flavorful Fall Slow Cooker Recipes Perfect for Chilly Nights By Kristy Alpert Kristy Alpert Instagram Kristy Alpert has spent nearly two decades as a freelance travel writer and food editor, gathering recipes and stories from the more than 86 countries she's visited. Her bylines have appeared in Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, Esquire, Men's Health, Cosmopolitan, AFAR, TripSavvy, Better Homes & Gardens, American Way, The New York Daily News, and more. She is also a former editor at Cosmopolitan, D Magazine, Dallas Child, and AvidGolfer. Kristy is passionate about unearthing stories about interesting flavors and recipes from around the world. She was a food critic in Dallas, Texas, before moving on to the freelance world, where she has since lived on three continents and visited all seven. Kristy's appetite for adventure has led her to extracting the secrets of bread baking on Muhu Island, discovering Swiss beauty rituals on an alpine dairy farm, and unearthing ancient Georgian traditions for making qvevri wine. Along with her passion for journalistic storytelling, Kristy is also an E-RYT200 certified yoga instructor, earning her certification while living in Bali, Indonesia, before studying advanced techniques in Rishikesh, India. Kristy is an avid home cook and recipe tester, where she is always armed with a timer and a kitchen scale. She takes far too much joy in admiring her spice cabinet, which includes juniper berries from Norway, cardamom from Nepal, and a coveted Ras El Hanout blend from Morocco. Kristy graduated cum laude from the University of North Texas with a B.A. in English Literature and a certification in Technical Writing. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Sarah Martens Sarah Martens Instagram Sarah Martens is the Senior Editor overseeing food at Better Homes & Gardens digital. She has been with the BHG brand for over 8 years. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on October 14, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Jacob Fox 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. 01 of 26 Old-Fashioned Beef Stew View Recipe Jason Donnelly 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. 02 of 26 Slow Cooker Indian-Inspired Chicken Stew View Recipe Blaine Moats 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. 03 of 26 Slow Cooker Pecan Pie View Recipe Karla Conrad 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. 04 of 26 Short Rib Goulash View Recipe Andy Lyons 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." 05 of 26 Slow Cooker Lentils Bolognese View Recipe Jacob Fox Brown lentils take the place of meat in this vegetarian fall slow cooker recipe's version of a Bolognese sauce. The lentils pick up flavor as they cook slowly alongside onions, chopped tomatoes, and sliced carrots. Serve the sauce over your choice of spaghetti, noodles, or strands of spaghetti squash. 06 of 26 Beef and Carrot Ragu View Recipe Andy Lyons 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. 07 of 26 Cider-Poached Pears in the Slow Cooker or Pressure Cooker View Recipe Jacob Fox 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. 08 of 26 Game-Day Chili View Recipe Andy Lyons Everyone knows 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. 09 of 26 Meatball Sandwiches View Recipe Brie Passano 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. 10 of 26 Pumpkin, Chickpea, and Red Lentil Stew View Recipe Blaine Moats Say hello to autumn with this savory pumpkin stew. A fresh pumpkin (or winter squash) and red lentils combine for a slow cooker recipe that vegetarians and meat-eaters alike will enjoy. For a crunchy finish, top your bowl with some peanuts. 11 of 26 Maple-Mustard Turkey Thighs View Recipe Jacob Fox 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. 12 of 26 Chicken-Chile Stew with Beans View Recipe Con Poulos/Moving Waters Inc Nothing says fall quite like a big bowl of chili. Try this saucy stew made with chicken thighs, navy beans, chiles, and pumpkin. We've spiced up the broth with fresh and dried peppers, garlic, cocoa powder, and paprika. A touch of honey is the secret to balancing all the flavors. 13 of 26 Bourbon Citrus Sipper View Recipe Andy Lyons 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. 14 of 26 Zesty Bean Posole View Recipe Andy Lyons A traditional soup made popular in Mexico, this posole recipe is a perfect fall slow cooker meal. Instead of the usual meat and hominy combo, we've paired the puffed corn with red beans. Substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth and you've got a vegetarian-friendly dinner on your table. 15 of 26 Fire-Roasted Tomato and Italian Sausage Grinders View Recipe Blaine Moats 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. 16 of 26 Pasta with Eggplant Sauce View Recipe Peter Krumhardt Brimming with hot Italian sausage and sweet, tender eggplant, this easy slow cooker recipe simmers gently for hours while you're away. Ladle the sauce over cooked pasta for a fragrant, flavor-packed "welcome home." Serve with a glass of red wine and you'll be set for a cozy night in. 17 of 26 Apple-Buttered Sweet Potatoes View Recipe Jason Donnelly Tart Granny Smith apples and sweet potatoes combine for a slow cooker side dish that screams fall. Bathed in a decadent sauce of apple butter—you can make your own—whipping cream, and pumpkin pie spice, this fall recipe is a medley of cozy autumn flavors. 18 of 26 Slow Cooker Pumpkin-Cinnamon Rolls View Recipe Jason Donnelly Made right in your slow cooker, this fall bread recipe produces perfectly fluffy sweet rolls. If pumpkin spice lattes are your go-to drink once cold weather hits, you'll definitely love the latte variation of these pumpkin-cinnamon rolls, which includes an espresso-flavor drizzle rather than the classic cream-cheese icing. For the ultimate indulgent fall combination, pair these rolls with an actual PSL. 19 of 26 Fast or Slow White Chicken Chili View Recipe Jason Donnelly 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. 20 of 26 Sweet-and-Hot Nuts View Recipe Scott Little 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. 21 of 26 Philippine Chicken Adobo with Smashed Sweet Potatoes View Recipe Karla Conrad For a touch of fall, instead of serving this chicken adobo on the usual bed of rice (though you could have that too), we've paired the traditional Filipino recipe with sweet potatoes. The creamy sweet potatoes and pungent onion sauce make this easy meal an autumn feast to remember. 22 of 26 Slow Cooker Spiced Pumpkin Butter View Recipe Jason Donnelly 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. 23 of 26 Slow-Cooker Pumpkin-Blueberry Bread View Recipe Karla Conrad It's hardly fall without a buttered slice of homemade pumpkin bread. We've dressed up this slow cooker recipe with juicy blueberries and a crunchy pecan topping. The moist bread is deluxe enough for brunch or dessert, but we totally understand if you eat it as a midday snack. 24 of 26 Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo View Recipe Jason Donnelly 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. 25 of 26 Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte View Recipe Matthew Clark 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. 26 of 26 Lentil Soup with Beef and Red Pepper View Recipe Karla Conrad 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. Hearty Slow Cooker Soups, Stews, and Chilis Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit