10 Slow Cooker Recipes To Make Life Simpler
One of the pros of our new self-isolation life is that we are learning our way around the kitchen and getting quite domesticated. Grocery store runs are the new social events of the season and our dinner tables are the new five-star restaurants. We all have at least five recipes we have learned while adulting, but every now and then we want to try something new.
Did you know there are emotional benefits to cooking? Studies show that it boosts confidence, increases concentration, and encourages creativity. The Wall Street Journalreported that therapists even recommend cooking classes as a way to treat depression and anxiety, and addiction. Talk about benefits!
As we make the kitchen our sanctuary, we have to give props to one of the best things ever invented: the slow cooker. Its versatility brings so much flavor and comfort to meals. If you don't have a slow cooker, I need you to add it to your Amazon cart immediately! The advantages of using a slow cooker are second to none, from the optimal distribution of flavors to the fact that you can leave a slow cooker on for hours.
Ahead, you'll find some slow cooker recipes that will make you think about slapping ya mama (because we know you were raised better than that).
Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli Recipe
This savory and healthy meal can bring some comfort during these unprecedented times. We love this recipe from Chef Savvy. Adding some white rice or riced cauliflower for an additional side can take it to the next level.
INGREDIENTS
- Chuck Steak
- Beef Broth
- Soy Sauce
- Garlic
- Oyster Sauce
- Light Brown Sugar
- Sesame Oil
- Cornstarch
- Broccoli
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe
Your city may be experiencing some lower temperatures so this tortilla soup will keep you warm and satisfied. The fried tortilla strips will change your life, thanks to Delish's recipe. It's also packed with tons of protein.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 115-oz. can black beans, rinsed
- 1 c.frozen corn
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 white onion, chopped
- 1 15-oz. can fire-roasted tomatoes
- 1/4 c. freshly chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp. cumin
- 1 tbsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 c. low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 c. shredded Monterey jack
- 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 small corn tortillas, cut into strips
- Sliced avocado, for serving
- Sour cream, for serving
- Sliced avocado, for serving
- Sour cream, for serving
- Lime wedges, for serving
Slow-Cooker Salmon With Creamy Lemon Sauce Recipe
We challenge you to try this new and innovative way to cook salmon. Diet Hood's formula allows you set it, forget it and then indulge in a super juicy piece of fish packed with powerful flavor. Looking for a side? Try some garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus.
INGREDIENTS FOR THE SALMON
- 3 lemons, divided
- 1.5 to 2 pounds skin-on salmon fillet
- Cooking spray
- Salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules, or garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
Slow Cooker Bourbon Short Ribs with Cheesy Grits Recipe
This recipe is for the aspiring chef that's about that life. My mouth is watering simply looking at this photo. Imagine what your kitchen will smell like as you prepare this delectable meal for you and bae in Cafe Quarantine. Simply Recipe's instructions walk us through how to get the short ribs just right.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 to 4 pounds bone-in beef short ribs
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large shallot, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, chopped
- 2 large carrots, chopped
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup bourbon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- Orange zest, for garnish
Crock-Pot Breakfast Casserole Recipe
For me, breakfast is the hardest thing to prepare so I am obsessed with this casserole. It combines all of my favorite things and requires very little effort.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 lb. bacon
- Cooking spray
- 12 large eggs
- 1 c. whole milk
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 1/2 lb. frozen hash browns
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 c. shredded cheddar
- Freshly chopped chives, for garnish
- Freshly chopped chives, for garnish
Slow Cooker Tacos Al Pastor Recipe
Taco Tuesday has never looked so amazing! Prepare some chips and salsa, guacamole and margaritas with a fan favorite, Taco Al Pastor. Fun fact: Tacos al pastor were created in the 1930s in Puebla, Mexico, by Lebanese immigrants who introduced the region to classic shawarma: roast lamb served on a flour tortilla or pita bread (pan árabe).
INGREDIENTS
- 1 (5-pound) boneless pork shoulder roast (Boston butt), extra fat trimmed off
- 1 (12-oz.) bottle of beer (I used Modelo Negra, or use chicken stock if making this gluten-free)
- 2 chipotles in adobo sauce
- 1 fresh pineapple, peeled and cored, then roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 3 tablespoons chili powder (not cayenne)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- corn tortillas, for serving
- optional toppings: crumbled goat cheese, (extra) diced fresh pineapple, chopped fresh cilantro leaves, chopped red onions, diced avocado, thinly-sliced radishes
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Loaded Slow-Cooker Potatoes
Loaded Slow-Cooker Potatoes may be the easiest meal on this list. You can pair them with a protein or eat it as its own dish. No matter your choice, you will thoroughly enjoy this comfort food. For more flavor, try using multiple types of cheese.
INGREDIENTS
- Cooking spray
- 2 lb. baby potatoes, halved and quartered if large
- 3 c. shredded Cheddar
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 8 slices bacon, cooked
- 1/4 c. sliced green onions, plus more for garnish
- 1 tbsp. paprika
- kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Sour cream, drizzling
Slow Cooker Shrimp Boil Recipe
Take a mental trip to NOLA with this shrimp boil recipe from The Kitchn. You can even add some crab legs if you're feeling saucy. Who knows, you could even do a lit mukbang aka an online audiovisual broadcast where a host eats food while interacting with the world wide web.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 1/2 pounds small red-skinned potatoes (about 15), quartered
- 1 pound smoked Andouille or kielbasa sausage, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 ears corn, shucked, cut into thirds crosswise
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
- 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning
- 1 medium lemon, halved, plus wedges for serving
- 6 cups water
- 2 pounds large raw shrimp (16 to 20 per pound), cleaned and peeled but with tails left on, thawed if frozen
- For serving: chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, freshly ground black pepper, melted butter, and hot sauce
Asian Lettuce Wraps (Crock Pot or Stovetop) Recipe
Looking to add an easy but healthy recipe to your repertoire? Well Plated by Erin's recipe has you covered. The sesame oil and soy sauce are essential to this recipe so make sure you do taste tests throughout the preparation.
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup hoisin sauce
- 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce — plus 1 tablespoon, use tamari to make gluten free
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 pounds ground chicken breast
- 1 small bunch green onions — thinly sliced, white/light green and dark green parts divided
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic — minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- 8 ounces baby bella cremini mushrooms — finely chopped
- 1 1/2 cup grated carrots — from about 3 large carrots
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes — reduce to 1/4 teaspoon or omit if sensitive to spice
- 2 cans water chestnuts, drained and finely chopped — (8 ounce cans) drained and finely chopped
- 2 heads butter lettuce
Crock-Pot French Toast Recipe
French toast is my favorite breakfast staple so I was extremely intrigued when I saw that you can make it in a crockpot. The picture looks fire so I can't wait to try this buttery goodness.
INGREDIENTS
- Cooking spray, for Crock-Pot
- 1 large brioche (or challah), preferably day-old
- 8 large eggs
- 2 c. half-and-half
- 1/3 c. granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
- small pinch nutmeg
- Maple syrup, for serving
- small pinch nutmeg
- Powdered sugar, for serving
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Joce Blake is a womanist who loves fashion, Beyonce and Hot Cheetos. The sophistiratchet enthusiast is based in Brooklyn, NY but has southern belle roots as she was born and raised in Memphis, TN. Keep up with her on Instagram @joce_blake and on Twitter @SaraJessicaBee.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
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THE ITGIRL MEMO
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Playa del Carmen is the perfect vacation getaway for anyone who loves beautiful beaches, delicious food, and fun activities. Located on the Caribbean Sea side of Mexico, PDC is nestled right between the spring break hub Cancun and the growing hotspot Tulum. Oftentimes overlooked for some of the other popular cities, I found Playa del Carmen to have just as much in terms of vacation necessities, with a more local and authentic Mexican feel.
The Ultimate Guide to Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is perfect for a solo traveler looking to spend a few days in paradise or the group chat that wants to hang on the beach all day and turn up at night. I found the area to have a little bit of everything for everyone, so here’s my guide on where to eat, stay, and play for the ultimate Playa del Carmen vacation.
Getting Around
The easiest way to get to Playa del Carmen is to fly into Cancun Airport and then make your way south. You can rent a car and drive the one hour down to PDC, take a taxi, or you can catch the ADO bus, which will cost you less than $40 roundtrip. Overall, Playa del Carmen is an easy and safe city to navigate. If you stay on or close to Quinta Avenida (5th Avenue), you’ll be within walking distance to a ton of stores, restaurants, and nightlife. Most taxi rides were between 100 and 150 pesos, which is less than $10 USD. Renting a car is also an option, but with things being very walkable and taxis being fairly inexpensive, it’s not a necessity. Another great way to get around is bikes, which you can rent to use throughout the city.
Stay
The Thompson Hotel is for the folks who know that where you stay on vacation absolutely does matter. This luxury property offers chic rooms and upscale suites, onsite restaurants, and a spa for those who are looking to pamper themselves. One of the standout features of this property is the rooftop infinity pool, which has 360-degree views of the city and is absolutely stunning. This is your type of hotel if you value immaculate views, delicious eats, prime location, and live DJs.
Grand Hyatt offers a prime beachfront location, while also being steps away from the mix on Quinta Avenida. I like that this property allows you to take in the calm beauty of the Caribbean, while also being in close proximity to the action within the city. You get both authentic Mexican food and some international fare at the resort restaurants, and this property also has an infinity pool that gives views of the ocean.
Airbnb
If you don’t have the funds to spend on a hotel stay, but still want clean and comfortable accommodations, do not overlook Airbnb. You can find super reasonably priced apartments close to the strip that will leave you in the heart of all the action. Many of these buildings feature 24-hour security, infinity pools, top-notch gyms, and rooftop bars. This is a great way to save some money, while not sacrificing the quality of the accommodations you like.
Eat
One of the best parts of being near the Caribbean Sea is having access to fresh seafood, and Ictio Fish House is the place to go for it. Located just a block off of the 5th Avenida strip, this small seafood restaurant is a quieter change compared to some of the busier and more touristy restaurants located directly on the strip. They have both indoor and outdoor seating available, but if you can snag a spot at the bar, the service is top notch and you can watch the bartender put together your craft cocktail.
Everything they serve is delicious and tastes authentic, so you really can't go wrong when ordering. But to start, the crispy jumbo shrimp and calamari are perfect for sharing. Other must-try dishes are the garlic butter catch of the day and the adobo-styled octopus.
El Fogon
Ask anyone for a recommendation for the best tacos in Playa del Carmen, and I promise you they will point you to El Fogon. You know a spot is good when it’s filled with just as many locals as tourists, and there’s a line outside at 1 p.m. This no-frills spot serves up authentic Mexican favorites like el pastor tacos, chicken quesadillas, guacamole, and margaritas. Every dish comes with the fixings and is not only super filling but extremely affordable. You can easily get a full meal and a drink for less than $20 USD. They have more than one location, so you can taste some of their delicious tacos no matter what part of PDC you stay in.
L&L by Lara&Luca
Before you hit the beach for day drinking, you need a hearty breakfast from L&L to start your day. This cute cafe is the smaller “sister” restaurant to Lara&Luca, another popular breakfast and lunch cafe in Playa. I liked that L&L is less busy and more laid back than the other location. They serve up typical breakfast and lunch items such as eggs, coffee, sandwiches, and French toast.
My favorite item was the ham and cheese croissant, which could be enjoyed on their outdoor seating or taken to enjoy on the go. They also have yummy pastries, but these sell out quickly, so be sure to go early.
El Pirata
If you’re a fried fish lover like me and appreciate sea-to-table service, El Pirata is the place to go. This restaurant is tucked away towards the end of the main 5th Avenida strip, so you might miss it if you aren’t looking for it. The restaurant serves up a plethora of tasty dishes like fresh ceviche, garlic shrimp, and shrimp empanadas, and has a full beverage menu for your libation needs. However, the fried fish is truly the star of the show.
When you order, they bring to your table a few of the fresh fish that were caught that day and allow you to choose which lucky one you want them to fry for you. And let me tell you, picking your own fried fish just hits different! It was one of my favorite meals in Playa del Carmen.
Play
Food Tour
There are so many delicious places to eat in Playa del Carmen so taking a local food tour is the best way to try a little bit of everything. I love taking food tours when I travel because not only is it a great way to try a range of different local dishes, but the tour guides usually give you a history lesson during the tour where you learn more about the history of certain dishes and the country as a whole. In Playa Del Carmen, I took a local food tour with GetYourGuide, where we stopped at several different locations for tacos, fresh fruit juice, tamales, and more.
I value it when there’s a local leading the tour because it’s a way to support the locals and also learn things that only people native to the location would know. While we walked, the guide shared a lot of insight about Mexico and Playa del Carmen, while giving recommendations for places to eat during our trip.
Cenotes
Cenotes are natural sinkholes or underground caverns that have pools of water in which you can explore, dive, and swim in. You will find cenotes all around Mexico, but there are several in the Playa del Carmen region. Cenotes vary in size and also the depth of water, so even if you don’t know how to swim, you can find a cenote to explore at your own comfort level. Two beautiful cenotes you can explore near PDC are Cenote Azul and Cenote Dos Ojos.
Cenote Azul is perfect for snorkeling because of the crystal clear waters that allow you to see the colorful fish and plant life underneath. Cenote Dos Ojos is perfect for explorers due to the mesmerizing underground caverns and rock formations throughout. You can take a trip to the cenotes on your own or book a tour that may take you to several different cenotes.
Beaches
Playa Del Carmen has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, so beach hopping is a must while vacationing in the area. Whether you want a chill, relaxing beach day or you are thinking of jet skiing on the blue waters, there is a beach for you. There are several beaches along the coast of Playa del Carmen, some that are within walking distance of most hotels, and others that you may need to travel to get to but are totally worth it.
Playa Mamitas is one of the most popular beaches in PDC due to its location near the heart of the city, and also because of the crystal clear waters and white sand. Playa Mamitas is also a great spot for entertainment and the occasional beach party for the folks wanting to turn up. Playacar Beach is another great option that is located in the upscale Playacar neighborhood, south of downtown Playa del Carmen.
It is known for its pristine beauty and laid-back atmosphere, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking relaxation and seclusion. Other beaches to consider are Punta Esmeralda and Xpu-ha Beach, so you’ll have an option for every day of your trip, depending on your mood.
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