10 Delicious Ways to Use a Crockpot (Other Than Making Stew)

I love slow cookers. I own at least 5 of them, maybe 6, and I also have one of those giant roaster thingamabobs as well. And I still look at new ones whenever I’m out and I see a cute one. I may have a problem. But I USE them! I use them at least once a week for making dinners or cooking beans or making stock. But there are so many amazing uses for slow cookers, you’ll want a half-dozen of your own. 😉 Here are 10 amazing reasons to own a slow cooker (or two, or three):

1. Cook dry beans.

Save money AND sodium by cooking dry beans in your crockpot. I do this often. I always cook an entire pound of beans, use what I need and freeze the remainder.

2. Make stock.

When I’m really being good and frugal, I save my vegetable scraps in a zip top bag in the freezer. Carrot and celery ends, onion skins, mushroom stems, etc. Just rinse it all well and toss it in the bag. I also save all poultry carcasses, ham bones, roast bones, etc. Toss it all in the crockpot with some water and seasonings and let it go. Pro Tip: Put everything in a large container, allow it to cook and set it in the fridge overnight. Then all you have to do is scrape off the fat that has solidified on top!

3. Roast a chicken.

I do this in the summer time when I don’t want to turn on my oven but I really want roast chicken. Keeps the house much cooler!

4. Bake bread.

Okay, I have not yet tried this, but damn it, I’m going to! There’s nothing quite like the smell and taste of freshly baked bread.

5. Make dessert.

Because the holidays are coming, and dessert is mandatory! Doesn’t this Slow Cooker Sticky Caramel Pumpkin cake look positively DIVINE?

6. Make fruit butter.

I’m not a huge fan of apple butter, but it’s near and dear to my heart because it reminds me of my dad. He always wanted me to eat apple butter, but it just wasn’t my thing. But one time I tried it and I ate it and I thought it was good, and I ate some. After that, every time he wanted me to try a new food, he would say “Remember the apple butter?!” Apple butter still isn’t my favorite, but my jaw may have dropped at the idea of Cranberry Butter. Uhm, yum!

7. Make breakfast.

Imagine prepping a delicious hearty breakfast before bed, and having it ready when you wake up? Awesomesauce!

8. Bake potatoes.

I’m perfectly fine with microwaved baked potatoes, because I’m super lazy, but this sounds like a great option for a crowd!

9. Make Chex mix.

Did you know you could make Chex mix in a crockpot? Probably. You totally knew, didn’t you? I’m always late to the party. (But I bring snacks to that party, bwahaha!)

10. Make mulled wine!

I’m not a huge wine fan for the most part, but add some sweet spices and a bit of sweetener and I’m IN! (I prefer a German riesling instead of red wine, because I just have to be different.)

So I hope this helped you realize some of the potential of slow cookers. Do you have any special recipes for your slow cooker? Let me know in the comments!