7 Cozy Slow Cooker Recipes for Winter Nights

A slow cooker is a kitchen witch's best friend in winter. Add the ingredients in the morning and come home to a warm, fragrant house. These seven recipes are simple, forgiving and perfect for cold nights.

7 recipes

1. Beef and vegetable stew: beef chuck, carrots, potatoes, onion, garlic, bay leaf and thyme. Cook on low for 8 hours.
2. Creamy chicken and rice soup: chicken breasts, carrots, celery and broth. Add cream and rice near the end.
3. Lentil and sweet potato curry: lentils, sweet potato, coconut milk and curry paste.
4. Pulled pork: pork shoulder with smoked paprika, garlic and apple cider vinegar.
5. Vegetable minestrone: beans, tomatoes, zucchini and small pasta added at the end.
6. Apple cinnamon oatmeal: steel-cut oats, diced apple and cinnamon cooked overnight.
7. Hot spiced cider: apple juice, cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange slices on low.

Tips for success

• Brown meat first for deeper flavor if you have time.
• Do not lift the lid too often.
• Add dairy, pasta and fresh herbs near the end.
• Cut vegetables into similar sizes so they cook evenly.

Save this post for your next busy week and let the slow cooker do the work.