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  4. 19 Dump Dinner Recipes for Easy Slow Cooker Meals

19 Dump Dinner Recipes for Easy Slow Cooker Meals

By Karla Walsh and Katlyn Moncada Updated May 15, 2022
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Slow Cooker Cajun Mac and Cheese
Credit: Jason Donnelly

Pour, plug in, and turn on—that's all these dump dinner recipes require! With little prep time and few (if any) ingredients to add later, these slow cooker dump meals can be tossed together in the morning without throwing off your routine. Come suppertime, you'll have a delicious meal waiting for you.

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Slow-Cooked Beef and Veggies

Beef and Veggies in a white bowl
Credit: Jacob Fox
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When you're craving a comforting bowl of pot roast but don't want to turn on the oven, look no further than this dump-and-go slow cooker recipe. You can easily prepare the beef and veggies up to three days in advance so the only thing to do is dump the ingredients into the slow cooker before work and let the flavors meld all day.

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Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas

Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Calling all who follow a low-carb eating plan: While many slow cooker suppers center around starches, such as potatoes, rice, or pasta, this dump dinner recipe relies on tender pork roast and vitamin-rich veggies as the base. Scoop the shredded meat into lettuce wraps, and each serving will only add 8 grams of carbohydrate to your daily tally.

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Spicy Spring Picnic Pork

Spicy Spring Picnic Pork
Credit: Andy Lyons
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These spicy pulled pork sandwiches can make any day feel like a spring picnic—but we give you permission to serve the slow cooker dump-and-go meal any season. Serve in toasted hamburger buns, rolled into a tortilla for a wrap, or piled on a bed of polenta for a supremely cozy bowl recipe.

Buy It: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker ($40, Amazon)

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Slow Cooker Cajun Mac and Cheese

Slow Cooker Cajun Mac and Cheese
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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The next time you want cheesy pasta, bypass the box and try this slow cooker dump dinner. A spoonful of Cajun seasoning, a dash of hot sauce, and some andouille sausage help transport your taste buds to Louisiana. Drop everything in the slow cooker, cook for the afternoon, then finish with enough cheese and milk to reach your desired consistency.

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New World Chili

New World Chili
Credit: Andy Lyons
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If your favorite comfort food is a hearty bowl of chili, this is the dump dinner recipe for you. Instead of beef and beans, we use turkey with butternut squash, corn, cranberries, and jalapeño peppers for a flavor combination that is going to pleasantly surprise your tastebuds. Sprinkle with cheese and you'll be diving into one delicious bowl.

Related: 26 Slow Cooker Chili Recipes Perfect for a Cozy Night In

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Maple-Mustard-Sauced Turkey Thighs

maple-mustard-sauced turkey thighs
Credit: Jacob Fox
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You'll have plenty of time to make a side salad while this meat-and-potatoes dump dinner slow-cooks. Prep for this dish is faster than nearly any other recipe on this list. Why? You need to layer only five ingredients—just like in these healthy five-ingredient-or-less dinners! If you can't find or don't love turkey thighs, try the same ratios with chicken thighs instead.

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Mexican Meatball Stew

Mexican Meatball Stew
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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You may not think Mexican flavors and meatballs go together, but one taste of this rich stew will convince you otherwise. To toss together this dump dinner recipe with almost no prep time, start with frozen meatballs and corn. For a fresh topper, sprinkle on fresh oregano and crushed tortilla chips just before serving.

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Seafood Cioppino

Seafood Cioppino in bowl
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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Say hello to your new favorite seafood meal. This slow cooker dump dinner—which can also cook fast in your pressure cooker—simmers a rich tomato-veggie mixture all day. When you get home from work, drop in your favorite white fish, crab meat, shrimp, and white wine for the last 30 minutes of cook time. Serve with toasty bread for dipping.

Buy It: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker ($100, Amazon)

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Beer Brisket

Beer Brisket
Credit: Jacob Fox
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Pitmasters tend their flames overnight, but you don't have to touch a thing after you get this dump dinner started. Tender, juicy brisket is a prime candidate for cooking low and slow all day for dinnertime. You can serve slices of meat on rolls for easy sandwiches, but we won't judge if you savor this brisket all on its own.

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Italian Pork with Sweet Potatoes

Italian Pork Sweet Potatoes
Credit: Blaine Moats
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When the smell of this tender pork roast fills your kitchen, you'll have to resist the temptation to take a peek. Look for bags of precut sweet potatoes in your grocery store's produce department—then you won't have to do any chopping to complete this dump dinner recipe. Or for a yummy fall swap, substitute diced butternut squash for the spuds.

Related: Fast and Healthy Butternut Squash Recipes for Fall Comfort Plus Nutrition

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Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo

Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo
Credit: Andy Lyons
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Zesty Cajun seasoning turns a blend of okra, bell peppers, tomatoes, and black beans into a spicy gumbo-style slow cooker dump meal. To make this vegetarian dinner even heartier, serve over hot cooked rice—and with a piece of buttery corn bread to soak up every last drop.

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Lamb Birria with Barley and Dried Plums

Lamb Birria with Barley and Dried Plums
Credit: Karla Conrad
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Indulge a little tonight. This spicy lamb stew simmers in chicken broth and red wine with a spiced blend of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Just before the slow cooker dump meal hits your table, top each hearty serving with crispy tortilla strips, tomato, and parsley. Use a slow cooker liner to make cleanup a breeze.

Buy It: Reynolds Kitchens Slow Cooker Liners ($3, Amazon)

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Japanese Cabbage Stew

Japanese Cabbage Stew
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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DIY an Asian-style dump dinner with pork, bok choy, red bell peppers, and a blend of spices and seasonings. The cabbage stew takes only a few minutes of prep before it simmers for the day. This is one of the easiest Asian cuisine options to toss together in the morning on your way out the door. 

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Mango Chicken Tinga

Mango-Chicken Tinga
Credit: Karla Conrad
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Mango might not seem like your first choice when pairing with chicken, but we promise this is one dump recipe worth trying. The tropical fruit provides the perfect amount of sweetness to contrast with the warm, smoky flavors of fire-roasted tomatoes and chipotle chile pepper. Serve the juicy chicken thighs over a bed of hot cooked rice for an unforgettable meal.

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Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs

Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs
Credit: Blaine Moats
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There's no fuss involved with prepping these juicy dump dinner ribs: Just place them in your slow cooker and top with beef broth, dark beer, onions, and a few spices. Serve with mashed potatoes or a slice of toast to sop up extra juice.

Related: Learn How to Braise Short Ribs

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French Chicken Stew

French Chicken Stew
Credit: Andy Lyons
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This French-theme dump dinner recipe has a long ingredient list, but there's no time-consuming prep when you add everything to your slow cooker. The combination of chicken, veggies, and spices develops rich flavors in this stew while it simmers throughout the day.

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Saucy Ravioli with Meatballs

Saucy Ravioli with Meatballs
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Slow cooker dump recipes don't get easier than this. Stack spaghetti sauce, ravioli, meatballs, and mozzarella cheese, then let the handy small appliance take over. Almost like magic, this hearty Italian dinner is ready to serve in just a few hours.

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Spicy Chipotle Chicken Lentil Stew

Spicy Chipotle Chicken Lentil Stew
Credit: Jason Donnelly
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What makes this chicken stew so spicy? Chipotle peppers and a few pinches of chili powder add its namesake heat. Don't fret if you're not so much into spice: A few slices of avocado on top cool down the finished dump chicken slow cooker recipe.

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Quinoa with Sausage and Peppers

Quinoa with Sausage and Peppers
Credit: Blaine Moats
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Looking for more ways to add quinoa to your meal plan? It doesn't get much easier than this dump-and-go slow cooker recipe. Cooked alongside chicken sausage and bell peppers, this dinner is a super easy (and delicious) way to introduce the protein-packed grain to your dinner.

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    1 of 19 Slow-Cooked Beef and Veggies
    2 of 19 Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas
    3 of 19 Spicy Spring Picnic Pork
    4 of 19 Slow Cooker Cajun Mac and Cheese
    5 of 19 New World Chili
    6 of 19 Maple-Mustard-Sauced Turkey Thighs
    7 of 19 Mexican Meatball Stew
    8 of 19 Seafood Cioppino
    9 of 19 Beer Brisket
    10 of 19 Italian Pork with Sweet Potatoes
    11 of 19 Cajun-Seasoned Vegetarian Gumbo
    12 of 19 Lamb Birria with Barley and Dried Plums
    13 of 19 Japanese Cabbage Stew
    14 of 19 Mango Chicken Tinga
    15 of 19 Beer-Braised Beef Short Ribs
    16 of 19 French Chicken Stew
    17 of 19 Saucy Ravioli with Meatballs
    18 of 19 Spicy Chipotle Chicken Lentil Stew
    19 of 19 Quinoa with Sausage and Peppers

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    19 Dump Dinner Recipes for Easy Slow Cooker Meals
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