It’s winter, there aren’t any fresh, local vegetables to be seen around these parts (unless they’re greenhouse grown or stored root vegetables), and now that we’re at the peak of winter, and the holidays are over, it’s easy to slip into a ‘What’s for Dinner?’ rut. Same old, same old. It’s hard enough to get a good, warming meal on the dinner table that is both delicious and nutritious, but it’s even harder when you’re pressed for time.
Enter the trusty slow cooker (aka Crockpot). (Check out the table at the end of this post for a comparison of some popular slow cookers). With a little bit of forethought and planning, you can get your dinner ready before you head off to work. You come home to a hot meal that just needs to be plated! Are you stuck for ideas? Well, here are over 80 different Paleo slow cooker ideas to get you out of your winter ‘What’s for Dinner?’ rut! And for any of you who follow AIP (aka the Paleo Autoimmune protocol; that is, a diet that is free of grains, dairy, nuts, seeds and nightshades), I’ve put a little asterisk* next to ones that are AIP-friendly. (Just to keep in mind that if you do follow AIP, you may be able to adapt some non-AIP recipes by leaving out things like seed-based spices, and using seasonings and spices that are AIP compatible.)
Got a favorite Paleo slow cooker recipe that isn’t listed below? Just mention it in the comments and I’ll add it to the list!
P.S. If you’re feeling adventurous and/or aren’t afraid of eating some nutrient-dense organ meat like beef heart, you’ll also want to check out my collection of Beef Heart recipes (many of which use a slow cooker).
Soups
Bone broth in a slow cooker from The Real Food Guide*
White acorn squash soup from Paleo Pot*
Easy butternut squash soup from Real Food Carolyn*
Creamy crockpot lemon chicken kale soup from AIP lifestyle*
Apple butternut curry soup from Enjoying this Journey*
Creamy curried cauliflower soup from My Heart Beets
Coconut curry soup from Beyond the Bite*
Pumpkin clam chowder from The Primordial Table*
Cold fighting chicken soup from Feed the Clan*
Tomatoless soup from The Primordial Table*
Veal Provençal Soup from The Primordial Table*
Beef tongue and onion soup from The Primoridal Table*
Super easy Paleo slow cooker taco soup from Popular Paleo
Crockpot jambalaya soup from Life as a Plate
Chilis
Spicy Paleo slow cooker chili from Oh Snap! Let’s Eat
Slow cooker green tomato garlic chili from Farm Fresh Feasts
Paleo chili from Life Made Full
Slow cooker chili verde from A Girl Worth Saving
Nomato “chili” from Salixisme*
AIP Beef chili from Cake Cooks Gluten-Free*
Sauces
Crockpot spaghetti sauce from Predominantly Paleo
Nomato sauce from A Clean Plate*
Sides
Slow cooker onions from Holistically Engineered*
Roasted sweet potatoes from Health Starts in the Kitchen*
Curried kale and green beans from Paleo Pot
Crockpot caramelized onions from Phoenix Helix
Sarson Ka Saag from My Heart Beets
Crockpot butternut squash from Empowered Sustenance*
Apple butternut curry soup from Enjoying this Journey*
Make Ahead Slow Cooker Mashed Cauliflower from Holistically Engineered*
Beef
Beef short ribs from Holistically Engineered
Beef stroganoff from Kaiku Lifestyle*
Beef brisket from Elana’s Pantry*
Balsamic braised beef shanks from The Primordial Table*
Slow cooker beef short ribs with mushrooms from Kristine Rudolph*
Slow cooker Korean grass-fed short ribs from Nom Nom Paleo
Coconut milk beef stew recipe from The Real Food Guide*
Squeaky clean beef Bourgignon from The Healthy Foodie*
Slow cooker spicy Indian beef roast from My Heart Beets
Slow cooker Asian-style short ribs from Savory Lotus*
Bacon cabbage chuck beef stew from The Nourished Caveman*
Pork
Cantonese ham and lotus root soup from My Heart Beets*
Slow cooker cheater pork stew from Nom Nom Paleo
Slow Cooker Shredded Pork from A Girl Worth Saving*
Stuffed pork chops with bacon, apples and garlic from Paleo Pot
Paleo carnitas on yuca cakes from Predominantly Paleo*
Crockpot pork and sauerkraut with apples from Domestic Soul*
Persimmon-apple pork tenderloin from Life Made Full*
World’s easiest pork roast from Life Made Full*
Slow cooker Kalua pig from Nom Nom Paleo*
5-spice slow cooker pork ribs from The Clothes Make the Girl
Pulled pork and roasted vegetables from Gutsy by Nature*
Savory slow cooker ham from The Domestic Man
Cranberry pulled pork from The Paleo Partridge*
Pomegranate Pork Belly from Mary Shenouda*
Chicken
Lemon garlic chicken from No. 2 Pencil*
Paleo slow cooker pad thai with veggie noodles from Paleo Pot
Honey garlic chicken wings from Off the Grain*
Slow cooker herb chicken from Holistically Engineered*
Honey garlic chicken wings from Off the Grain*
‘Rotisserie’ crockpot chicken from Predominantly Paleo*
Paleo slow cooker chicken from Sweet Potatoes and Social Change
Slow cooker honey garlic chicken from Sweet Potatoes and Social Change*
Slow cooker chicken, sweet potato and kale stew from Multiply Delicious
Chicken bacon crockpot chowder from Peace, Love and Low Carb
Crockpot chicken curry from My Heart Beets
Crockpot cilantro chicken with cauliflower rice from Honey, Ghee and Me
Slow cooker paleo thai chicken from Once a Month Meals
Onion garlic chicken from Sweet Potatoes and Social Change*
Slow cooker cranberry orange chicken from Sweet Potatoes and Social Change*
Slow cooker fennel chicken with orange from Empowered Sustenance*
Slow cooker chicken tikka masala from Popular Paleo
Slow cooker balsamic chicken and sausage from Popular Paleo
AIP Paleo slow cooker sage chicken with mushroom and herb gravy from Paleo Cajun Lady*
Roast chicken and gravy from Nom Nom Paleo
Ground meat
Paleo crock pot lasagna recipe from My Natural Family
Easy slow cooker taco meat from Rubies and Radishes
Triple hamburger/cheeseburger slow cooker meatloaf from Paleo Pot
Stupid easy paleo spaghetti squash & meatballs from Paleo Pot
Other
Slow cooker ghee from Holistically Engineered
Apple butter from My Heart Beets
Homemade cranberry juice from My Heart Beets*
Cranberry applesauce from Paleo Cajun Lady*
Paleo slow cooker n’oatmeal from Rubies and Radishes
Slow Cooker Comparison Table
| NAME | PRICE | QUARTS | DESCRIPTION | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Hamilton Beach 7-Quart Stay Or Go Slow Cooker |
$$ | 7 | Single clip latches lid to base for spill-resistant travel; Detachable lid and removable stoneware for dishwasher clean upHinged lid stays up for serving; Folding handles snap up for carrying fold down for storage; Perfect size for a 7 lb. chicken |
 |
Crock-Pot Cook’ N Carry 6-Quart Oval Manual Portable Slow Cooker | $$ | 6 | 6-quart oval stoneware is perfect for seven or more people or a six pound roast; High, low, and warm settings are perfect for making chilis, stews, sauces and more; Lid-mounted locking system is easy to use for portability; Secure fit lid helps keep the unit sealed so your meal stays in when you go out; Measures approximately 15 by 10 by 15 inches |
 |
Cuisinart 3-In-1 Cook Central Multi-Cooker, Slow Cooker, Steamer | $$$$ | 6 | Ships in Certified Frustration-Free Packaging; One touch switches modes when recipe calls for combination cooking; Extra-large blue backlit LCD display with easy-to-read time and temperature settings; Removable 6-quart nonstick aluminum cooking pot; Glass lid with cool-touch handle for clear view and comfortable handling; Dishwasher-safe removable parts for effortless cleanup, Steaming rack included, Limited 3-year warranty |
 |
Hamilton Beach Set ‘n Forget Programmable Slow Cooker, 6-Quart | $$ | 6 | 3 choices for easy, automatic cooking: probe, program and manual; Thermometer probe for meat; Clip-on spoon; Clip-tight gasket lid; Easy, automatic cooking |
 |
Crock-Pot 4-Quart Cook and Carry Slow Cooker | $$ | 4 | 4-quart capacity feeds 4 or more people; Lid-mounted locking system; Removable oval stoneware and lid are dishwasher-safe; Convenient warm setting; Great for potlucks, family gatherings, tailgating, parties and more |
 |
West Bend 5-Quart Oblong-Shaped Slow Cooker | $$ | 5 | Oblong-shaped slow cooker with adjustable temperature control; Generous 5-quart capacity for entertaining or dinner with the family; Oven-, range-top-, and freezer-safe cooking pot; glass lid included; Heating base doubles as a nonstick mini griddle; dishwasher-safe parts; Measures 7-1/4 by 12-3/4 by 8-3/4 inches; 1-year limited warranty |
 |
DeLonghi Stainless-Steel Programmable 5-Quart Slow Cooker | $$$ | 5 | Just set it and go with the 10-hr digital countdown timer; perfect for long work days or busy days running around with the kids at sports practice; Enjoy the ease of the servable ceramic bowl, take it straight to the table, so there is less to clean!; You can take pleasure in the ample counterspace you’ll still enjoy with the sleek compact design; Feed the family or even a whole dinner party with the 5-qt capacity; Be sure that you will always cook food at the perfect temperature with high and low settings and a 2-hr keep warm function |
 |
Proctor-Silex 4-Quart Slow Cooker | $ | 4 | Removable stoneware for easy cleaning; Dishwasher safe stoneware; Keep warm setting; Dishwasher safe glass lid |
 |
Calphalon 7-Quart Digital Slow Cooker | $$$$ | 7 | Auto-setting cooks for 2 hours on High, then switches to Low for the remainder of the cook time; 24-hour digital timer automatically switches to Warm at the end of the cooking cycle; Easy-to-read, high contrast LCD display; Dishwasher-safe 7 Qt. ceramic crock; The Calphalon Kitchen Electrics collection features our exclusive Opti-Heat System. Designed to provide accurate temperature control and even heat delivery, Opti-Heat ensures that foods cook evenly and thoroughly. |
 |
Frigidaire Professional Stainless 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker | $$$ | 7 | Spacewise Design; Pro-Select LED Display; Pro-Select One-Touch Options; Fully Programmable; Stylish Stainless-Steel Exterior |