Everything You Can Make in a Slow Cooker

Slow cookers are one of the greatest workhorses in our kitchens. After all, they turn out countless soups, stews,, tacos and other warming dishes like Sunday Gravy while we sleep or are at work. But is your slow cooker meeting its full potential? Here are some dishes you may not have realized you can make in your favorite mon-muss, no-fuss appliance.

Drinks

Anyone who's hosted a party and spent the entire time fetching cocktails for guests will appreciate the simple genius of using a slow cooker to make a big batch of drinks. Go with spiced Hard Cider or Mulled Wine. For the kiddos, serve up a big pot of Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Then sit back and enjoy your own party.

SLOWCOOKER
SPICED NUTS
Food Network Kitchen
Food Network
Maple Syrup, Unsalted Butter, Cinnamon, Orange Zest, Kosher Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Pecans,
Cashews

SLOWCOOKER SPICED NUTS Food Network Kitchen Food Network Maple Syrup, Unsalted Butter, Cinnamon, Orange Zest, Kosher Salt, Cayenne Pepper, Pecans, Cashews

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Appetizers

We tend to use our slow cookers for meat main dishes, but give them a try for starters like Spiced NutsSpinach Dip or Lightened-Up Chicken Buffalo Dip

Photo by: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Matt Armendariz, 2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Side Dishes

Likewise, enlist the help of your slow cooker for vegetable dishes like Spiced Sweet Potatoes with PecansScalloped Potatoes and Collard Greens. This can come in especially handy during the holiday season when oven space is at a premium. 

Condiments

Slow Cooker Apple Butter is the perfect example of a "set it and forget it" dish that gets better as the flavors meld overnight. 

Desserts

Yes, even crowd-pleasing sweets like Chocolate Candies,  Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap CrustCranberry-Walnut Stuffed Apples and Gooey Brownie Cake are even easier to make low and slow in your cooker. 

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