50 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Two (2024)

Home Recipes Cooking Style Cooking for Two

50 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Two (1)Molly JasinskiUpdated: Feb. 18, 2024

    Cooking for two? These small-batch slow cooker recipes yield four servings or fewer. Enjoy dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow, or freeze half for another meal. Either way, you won't be chowing stew for days.

    Want more crockpot recipes for two? Sign up for our daily . It’s free!

    Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on chicken slow cooker recipes for two, like this one, many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

    Cajun Pork and Rice

    Go to Recipe

    I created this recipe after returning home from my travels and discovering I had little food in the house. I used ingredients that were already available in the refrigerator and pantry. —Allison Gapinski, Cary, North Carolina

    Slow-Cooker Italian Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    My father used to love it when I made this slow-cooker Italian chicken. Since it includes a flavorful tomato sauce, it's especially good served over pasta or rice. —Deanna D'Auria, Banning, California

    Pork Chops with Sauerkraut

    Go to Recipe

    Pair tender pork chops with sauerkraut for a filling main dish that’s quick and easy to put together. —Stephanie Miller, Omaha, Nebraska

    Tangy Tropical Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    In this colorful dish, exotic fruits such as mango and pineapple beautifully complement the chicken and lend a pleasant hint of sweetness that’s balanced by a bit of soy sauce. —Christina Aho, Naples, Florida

    Greek Chicken with Green Beans

    Go to Recipe

    My Greek grandmother made the most delicious Greek chicken and green beans with a lemon-tomato flavor. Whenever I make this slow-cooker recipe, I think of her. The juices from the chicken help flavor the green beans, but the beans can be prepared alone as a side dish without the chicken. —Elizabeth Lindemann, Driftwood, Texas

    Slow-Cooker Mongolian Beef

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    This slow-cooker Mongolian beef uses inexpensive ingredients to offer big flavor in a small amount of time. It's easier than getting takeout! Set your Crock-Pot on high for two to three hours to whip it up even quicker. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

    Coconut Curry Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    My husband and I love this coconut curry chicken recipe! It’s a breeze to prepare in the slow cooker, and it tastes just like a meal you’d have at your favorite Indian restaurant. —Andi Kauffman, Beavercreek, Oregon

    Casablanca Chutney Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    If you enjoy Indian food, you'll love this dish. An array of spices and dried fruit slow cook with boneless chicken thighs for an aromatic and satisfying meal. To make it complete, serve over Jasmine or Basmati rice. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

    Tomato-Basil Steak

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    We grow the basil and bell peppers I use in this dish. It's easy to prepare, yet so rich and delicious. —Sheryl Little, Sherwood, Arkansas

    Slow-Cooker Lamb Chops

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    These slow cooker lamb chops are, without a doubt, the lamb dish we like best. I usually simmer them on low for hours. The aroma is irresistible, and they come out so tender, they practically melt in your mouth! —Sandy McKenzie, Braham, Minnesota

    Smothered Round Steak

    Go to Recipe

    Try less expensive round steak and gravy served over egg noodles for a hearty meal. Meaty and chock full of veggies, this slow-cooker recipe will take the worry out of what’s-for-supper any weeknight. Kathy Garret – Camden, West Virginia

    So-Easy Coq au Vin

    Go to Recipe

    Here’s my adaptation of the beloved French dish. I substituted boneless skinless chicken breasts for a lighter, easy coq au vin that still showcases the traditional and memorable taste. —Sonya Labbe, Los Angeles, California

    Slow-Cooker Pork Chops

    Go to Recipe

    Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow-cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee

    Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska

    Tangy Pulled Pork Sandwiches

    Go to Recipe

    The slow cooker not only makes this an easy meal, it keeps the pork tender, saucy and loaded with flavor. —Beki Kosydar-Krantz, Mayfield, Pennsylvania

    Slow-Cooker Sweet Sour Meatballs

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    For a meal on busy days, I pop ready-made meatballs in the slow cooker to make this tantalizing Asian-style specialty. Nothing is more convenient than walking in the door to dinner. —Lisa Stepanski, Munnsville, New York

    Country Ribs Dinner

    Go to Recipe

    Ribs slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onions and red potatoes are pure comfort food for us. To add a little zip, we sometimes sprinkle in cayenne. —Rose Ingall, Manistee, Michigan

    Simmered Turkey Enchiladas

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    I discovered a different way to serve economical turkey thighs. I simmer them in tomato sauce, green chiles and seasonings until they're tender and flavorful, then serve them in tortillas with our favorite fresh toppings. —Stella Schams, Tempe, Arizona

    Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    This is a go-to slow cooker recipe when I know I’ll be having a busy day. My family loves it served over rice or noodles, and then top it with tortilla chips and sour cream. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama

    Beef in Onion Gravy

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    I double this super slow cooker recipe to feed our family of four so I’m sure to have leftovers to send with my husband to work for lunch. His co-workers tell him he’s lucky to have someone who fixes him such special meals. It’s our secret that it’s an easy slow cooker dinner! —Denise Albers, Freeburg, Illinois

    Butternut Beef Stew

    Go to Recipe

    I tweaked this crockpot recipe for two that I found in a magazine to suit my taste for sweet and spicy. I found that pureeing the tomatoes added a thicker consistency without using flour.—Erin Lembke, Monroe, Washington

    Veggie Meatball Soup for Three

    Go to Recipe

    This hearty soup is a snap to put together before I leave for work. I just add uncooked pasta when I get home, and then I have a few minutes to relax before supper is ready. —Charla Tinney, Tyrone, Oklahoma

    Molten Mocha Cake

    Go to Recipe

    When I first made this decadent slow-cooker recipe, my husband’s and daughter’s expressions said it all. Now it’s one of my daughter’s favorites. Later, I gave one of these cakes to our next-door neighbors. Turns out their teenage son, who’d answered the door, ate the whole thing without telling anyone else about it! —Aimee Fortney, Fairview, Tennessee

    Slow-Cooker Veggie Lasagna

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    This veggie-licious alternative to traditional lasagna makes use of slow-cooker convenience. I suggest using chunky spaghetti sauce. —Laura Davister, Little Suamico, Wisconsin

    Spiced Acorn Squash

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Working full time, I found I didn't always have time to cook the meals my family loved, so I re-created many of those dishes in the slow cooker. This treatment for squash is one of our favorites. —Carol Greco, Centereach, New York

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Tagine with Pumpkin

    Go to Recipe

    I first discovered tagines—Moroccan stews—when my oldest son was a baby, and I've loved them ever since. I used a slow cooker for my first version and since I'm a mom with two active boys, that has stayed my preferred method. The pumpkin mixture is supposed to be thick, but if you like a thinner consistency, stir in chicken broth. —Necia Blundy, Bothell, Washington

    Italian Spaghetti Squash

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    This is a unique and easy way to cook spaghetti squash. Be sure the squash is on the small or medium side so that it fits into the slow cooker after being cut in half. —Melissa Brooks, Sparta, Wisconsin

    Slow-Cooker Tropical Pork Chops

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Pork and fruit go so nicely together and when you add fresh herbs, you get this fresh, light and bright main dish that everyone loves. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

    Red Clam Sauce

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    This crockpot recipe for two tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania

    Go to Recipe

    Everyone in my family loves when I make this dinner…even my kids! What’s great about this slow cooker recipe is that you can add vegetables you have on hand to make it heartier, such as corn, peas, or diced red bell pepper. —Monica Werner, Temecula, California

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    When I want to jump-start supper, I opt for these tender pork chops. The sweet and savory cherry sauce makes the recipe a keeper. Try serving it with wild rice pilaf. —Stephanie Ray, Naples, Florida

    Slow-Cooked Tex-Mex Flank Steak

    Go to Recipe

    This flavorful, tender beef dish has been a go-to crockpot recipe for many years; it’s a meal lifesaver on days when I’m going to be late getting home.—Anne Merrill, Croghan, New York

    Farm-Style BBQ Ribs

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe similar to this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and our friends. It got even better when I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, OR

    Slow-Cooker Pad Thai

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    I love pad thai, but I hate standing over a hot stir-fry—especially in the summer. This slow-cooker recipe for two lets me keep my cool and enjoy pad thai, too. —Shawn Barto, Winter Garden, Florida

    Red Pepper Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    Chicken breasts are treated to black beans, red peppers and juicy tomatoes in this Southwestern supper. We love it served with rice plumped up in chicken broth. —Piper Spiwak, Vienna, Virginia

    Slow-Cooker Chicken Parmesan

    Go to Recipe

    I love making this satisfying dish—it’s easy and elegant, and the slow cooker minimizes my time in the kitchen. I make this during football season too. For game days, I skip the pasta and serve the chicken on submarine rolls with a bit of the sauce and some chopped lettuce. It’s also good cut in half and served on smaller buns as sliders. —Bonnie Hawkins, Elkhorn, Wisconsin

    Simple Poached Salmon

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    I love this crockpot recipe for two because it’s healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

    Beef ‘n’ Bean Torta

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    This zesty recipe for two is a favorite of mine because it has a wonderful Southwestern taste and is easy to prepare. I serve it on nights when we have only a few minutes to eat before running off to meetings or sports events. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

    Slow-Cooked Moroccan Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    Herbs and spices really work their magic in this crockpot recipe for two. The dried fruit adds an exotic touch. —Kathy Morgan, Ridgefield, Washington

    Slow-Cooked Peach Pork Chops

    Go to Recipe

    “I played around with many variations of this recipe until I came up with one that was just right. The warm peaches make an excellent side dish for the pork.” —Bonnie Morrow, Spencerport, New York

    Sausage-Stuffed Flank Steak

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    As part of a prize I won for a recipe contest, I received a slow cooker. I hadn’t used one in years, so I didn’t have any recipes on hand. This tasty beef was my first creation, and it was a hit with my family. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington

    Weeknight Goulash

    Go to Recipe

    With this recipe, you can put in a full day’s work, run some errands and still get dinner on the table in hardly any time. Make it extra-special by serving the meat sauce over spaetzle. —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

    Rosemary Pot Roast

    Go to Recipe

    Come home to a comforting, ready-to-eat entree with this slow-cooker recipe for two. It’s so easy, and it fills the house with a wonderful aroma. —Marcia Schroeder, River Edge, New Jersey

    Peppery Chicken with Potatoes

    Go to Recipe

    We like this crockpot recipe for two because while we go to church on Sundays the chicken cooks and is ready for us when we get home.—Lori Draves, Highland, Wisconsin

    Lamb and White Bean Chili

    Go to Recipe

    I created a fresh take on chili using lamb and Moroccan seasoning with a feta and almond garnish. It was so exciting and tasty to my husband and son, I made a second batch almost right away. If you like a spicier chili, add harissa paste or use medium salsa instead of mild. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

    Go to Recipe

    Taste of Home

    Everyone loves these potatoes and always comes back for more. I like the comforting main dish because it uses only seven ingredients and is finished in the slow cooker.—Traci Meadows, Monett, Missouri

    Apricot-Orange Salsa Chicken

    Go to Recipe

    Sweet oranges and apricots blend perfectly with zippy salsa in this five-ingredient entree. Keep the heat to your liking with mild, medium or hot salsa. Served over rice, it's a dinner we've enjoyed time and again. —LaDonna Reed, Ponca City, Oklahoma

    Creamy Polenta with Balsamic Glaze

    Go to Recipe

    TMB Studio

    This delicious, easy crockpot recipe for two goes incredibly well with braised meat. It makes any meal feel a little more elevated. —Sarah Vasques, Milford, New Hampshire

    Originally Published: October 18, 2018

    50 Slow-Cooker Recipes for Two (2024)

    FAQs

    What size crockpot is best for 2 people? ›

    What a Crock Portion-Based Recommendations
    Number of PortionsRecommended Slow Cooker Size
    Two PortionsUse a 3-4.5 quart slow cooker. 4 quarts is the optimal size.
    Three PortionsUse a 4-6 quart slow cooker. 5 quarts is the optimal size.
    Four PortionsUse a 5-7 quart slow cooker. 6 quarts is the optimal size.
    2 more rows

    Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot? ›

    It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker. Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

    What meats are best in a slow cooker? ›

    Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

    Why putting a tea towel over a slow cooker? ›

    Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.

    Why put foil under the lid of a slow cooker? ›

    The heat bounces off from the lid and allows your food to cook faster. Also, you will not lose any of the steam that usually evaporates.

    Why do they call it crack chicken? ›

    Lansing, Michigan is home for the Crack Chicken. A great seasoning for all your favorite foods. Started in 2003, customers tried our famous chicken and came back for more. Their addiction to this delicious taste made them call it Crack Chicken, and that's how the name started, and cracked the food industry world.

    Can I put frozen drumsticks in the crockpot? ›

    Place chicken in crock pot and pour about a cup of BBQ sauce over the chicken. Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours if using thawed chicken, and 4-6 hours if using frozen. Remove chicken from crock pot and place in a large bowl. If desired, toss with just a little more BBQ sauce to evenly coat the drumsticks.

    How long does chicken breast take to cook in the crockpot? ›

    Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

    Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

    Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

    Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

    The difference is the time it takes to reach that temperature. Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

    Are you supposed to lock the lid on a slow cooker? ›

    Even though most crock pots have a little hole in the top to allow for a temperature probe and for steam to escape, it's not enough and clamping the lid down turns the whole thing into a giant pressure cooked (for which it's not designed!)

    What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

    What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

    What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

    But before you get in the kitchen, avoid these common things you should never put in a slow cooker.
    1. Lean/expensive cuts of meat. Cuts of meat (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
    2. Frozen foods. Frozen vegetables (Image credit: Shutterstock) ...
    3. Leafy vegetables. ...
    4. Creamy ingredients. ...
    5. Seafood. ...
    6. Pasta. ...
    7. Rice.
    Mar 23, 2024

    Why is my meat still tough after slow cooking? ›

    “Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

    Is there anything you can't cook in a slow cooker? ›

    Fish, shellfish, oysters and clams need to be cooked quickly. Obviously, slow cooking isn't quick, and it will obliterate these delicate proteins. The only seafood exceptions are squid and octopus because they tend to be tough meats and slow cooking makes them tender.

    Top Articles
    Latest Posts
    Recommended Articles
    Article information

    Author: Twana Towne Ret

    Last Updated:

    Views: 5668

    Rating: 4.3 / 5 (44 voted)

    Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

    Author information

    Name: Twana Towne Ret

    Birthday: 1994-03-19

    Address: Apt. 990 97439 Corwin Motorway, Port Eliseoburgh, NM 99144-2618

    Phone: +5958753152963

    Job: National Specialist

    Hobby: Kayaking, Photography, Skydiving, Embroidery, Leather crafting, Orienteering, Cooking

    Introduction: My name is Twana Towne Ret, I am a famous, talented, joyous, perfect, powerful, inquisitive, lovely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.