Southern Slow Cooker Meals for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Classic Southern Slow Cooker Meals

When you think of Southern cuisine, hearty, comforting meals come to mind. Fortunately, slow cookers allow you to enjoy these traditional flavors with minimal effort. Here are some classic Southern slow cooker meals that deliver a satisfying payoff with every bite.

1. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This dish is a staple in many Southern households, known for its creamy texture and fluffy dumplings. With a slow cooker, you can achieve that homemade taste without spending all day in the kitchen.

• Ingredients:
• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 package refrigerated biscuit dough
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• Place the chicken breasts in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
• In a separate bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup and chicken broth, then pour it over the chicken.
• Add the frozen mixed vegetables.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Shred the chicken with two forks, then cut the biscuit dough into quarters and drop them into the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook for an additional 30 minutes until the dumplings are fluffy.

2. Southern Beef Brisket

Slow-cooked brisket is a crowd-pleaser, perfect for family dinners or gatherings. The slow cooker tenderizes the meat, making it juicy and flavorful.

• Ingredients:
• 2-3 pounds beef brisket
• 1 onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• Season the brisket with salt and pepper and place it in the slow cooker.
• Add the sliced onion, minced garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and brown sugar.
• Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours until the meat is tender.
• Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

3. Shrimp and Grits

This iconic Southern dish can be adapted for the slow cooker, making it an easy weeknight dinner. The creamy grits combined with succulent shrimp create a delightful meal.

• Ingredients:
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• In the slow cooker, combine the grits and chicken broth. Season with salt and stir well.
• Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
• In the last 30 minutes, add the shrimp and Cajun seasoning. Stir until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
• Stir in the cheddar cheese and butter until melted and creamy.

4. Southern Collard Greens

Collard greens are a classic Southern side dish that pairs well with any meal. Cooking them in a slow cooker allows the flavors to meld beautifully.

• Ingredients:
• 2 pounds collard greens, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 4 cups chicken broth
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• Place the chopped collard greens in the slow cooker and add the diced onion, minced garlic, and smoked ham hock.
• Pour in the chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours until the greens are tender.

5. Slow Cooker Jambalaya

This one-pot meal is filled with the flavors of the South, combining rice, sausage, chicken, and shrimp. It’s an easy way to feed a crowd, and the slow cooker does all the work.

• Ingredients:
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 pound chicken thighs, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups uncooked rice
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• In the slow cooker, combine sausage, chicken, onion, bell pepper, garlic, diced tomatoes, chicken broth, rice, and Cajun seasoning.
• Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the rice is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.

6. Southern Pot Roast

A classic pot roast is the epitome of Southern comfort food. Slow cooking allows the meat to become tender while absorbing the flavors of the vegetables and seasonings.

• Ingredients:
• 3-4 pounds chuck roast
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 4 potatoes, quartered
• 1 onion, quartered
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper and place it in the slow cooker.
• Add the chopped carrots, quartered potatoes, and onion around the roast.
• Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
• Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the meat is tender and easily shreds.

Conclusion

Southern slow cooker meals offer a variety of flavors and textures that are perfect for easy weeknight dinners. From chicken and dumplings to jambalaya, these recipes are not only simple to prepare but also deliver the comforting tastes of Southern cuisine. The slow cooker makes it easy to enjoy hearty meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Try these recipes and experience the delicious payoff that Southern slow-cooked meals have to offer!

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7. Slow Cooker Chicken and Dumplings

This classic dish combines tender chicken with fluffy dumplings, creating a hearty and satisfying meal that’s perfect for chilly evenings.

• Ingredients:
• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
• Instructions:
• In the slow cooker, add the chicken breasts, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, chopped onion, frozen vegetables, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours.
• About 30 minutes before serving, tear the biscuit dough into pieces and drop them into the slow cooker.
• Cover and cook until the dumplings are cooked through.

8. Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

This BBQ pulled pork is a crowd-pleaser and can be served on buns for sandwiches or as a main dish with sides. It’s packed with flavor and requires minimal prep.

• Ingredients:
• 4-5 pounds pork shoulder
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cups BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• Season the pork shoulder with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Place the sliced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker and add the pork on top.
• Pour the BBQ sauce over the pork, ensuring it is well coated.
• Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the pork is tender and shreds easily.

9. Slow Cooker Shrimp and Grits

This dish brings a Southern classic to your slow cooker, combining creamy grits with flavorful shrimp for a unique twist on a beloved favorite.

• Ingredients:
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or your choice)
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• In the slow cooker, combine grits, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours, or until the grits are tender.
• About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the shrimp and cheese until melted and well combined.

10. Slow Cooker Red Beans and Rice

This hearty dish is a staple in Southern cuisine, packed with protein and flavor, making it a perfect meal for busy weeknights.

• Ingredients:
• 1 pound dried red beans, soaked overnight
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice for serving
• Instructions:
• In the slow cooker, combine soaked beans, onion, bell pepper, garlic, sausage, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender.
• Serve over cooked rice.

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11. Slow Cooker Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

This gumbo recipe is the perfect way to bring the flavors of New Orleans into your home. The slow cooker does all the work, letting the spices meld together beautifully.

• Ingredients:
• 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
• 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless, cut into chunks
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooked rice for serving
• Instructions:
• In the slow cooker, combine sausage, chicken, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, broth, Cajun seasoning, tomatoes, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally.
• Serve over cooked rice for a hearty meal.

12. Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs

These country-style ribs are a fall-off-the-bone treat, perfect for busy families who crave comfort food.

• Ingredients:
• 3-4 pounds country-style pork ribs
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
• Place the sliced onion at the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Season the ribs with salt and pepper, then place them on top of the onions.
• Pour the apple cider vinegar and BBQ sauce over the ribs.
• Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the ribs are tender.

Conclusion

With these Southern slow cooker meals, you can deliver amazing flavors to your table with minimal effort. Each recipe is designed to bring comfort and satisfaction, making weeknight dinners a breeze. Enjoy the delightful payoff of Southern cooking without the fuss!

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