Comparison: Best Slow Cooker One Pot Meals (Updated | Dec 8th)
Craving delicious home-cooked meals without the kitchen chaos? Slow cooker one pot meals are your culinary secret weapon! Imagine tender meats, perfectly cooked vegetables, and rich flavors melding together while you go about your day. We’ve tested dozens of recipes to bring you the absolute **best slow cooker one pot meals** that will transform your weeknight dinners. From hearty stews to comforting casseroles, these foolproof dishes will make you look like a kitchen wizard with minimal effort. Get ready to fall in love with your slow cooker all over again!
Editor’s Choice
Ninja® 12-in-1 PossibleCooker™ PLUS | 8.5-qt – Sous Vide & Proof Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker
12-in-1 Cooking Powerhouse
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for versatile one-pot cookbook: One Pot: 120+ Easy Meals from Your Skillet
- Best for lightweight multi-cooker: Instant Pot Superior Cooker 7.5QT Slow Cooker and Multicooker
- Best for 7-in-1 pressure master: Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker
- Best for keto one-pot recipes: Keto Slow Cooker & One-Pot Meals: Over 100 Simple & Delicious Low-Carb
- Best for 12-in-1 cooking powerhouse: Ninja® 12-in-1 PossibleCooker™ PLUS | 8.5-qt – Sous Vide & Proof Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker
- Best for healthy one-pot dinners: Skinnytaste One and Done: 140 No-Fuss Dinners for Your Instant Pot®
- Best for dutch oven specialist: Cook It in Your Dutch Oven: 150 Foolproof Recipes Tailor-Made for Your Kitchen’s Most Versatile Pot
- Best for complete one-pot collection: The Complete One Pot: 400 Meals for Your Skillet
- Best for dual-m meal multicooker: Crock-Pot MultiMeal Multicooker and Programmable Slow Cooker with Bake Function Oat Milk
- Best for 9-in-1 smart multicooker: Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker
Product Comparison: Best Slow Cooker One Pot Meals
Versatile One-Pot Cookbook
One Pot: 120+ Easy Meals from Your Skillet, Slow Cooker, Stockpot, and More: A Cookbook
CROWN
Lightweight Multi-Cooker
Instant Pot Superior Cooker 7.5QT Slow Cooker and Multicooker, 4-in-1 Functions, Sears/Sauté, Slow Cooks/Roast, Steams and Warms, From The Makers of Instant Pot
Instant Pot
- 4 Cooking Functions: Slow cook, sauté, steam, and warm all in one compact appliance. Sear using the sauté function to lock in flavor before slow cooking, then reduce sauces afterward for rich, delicious results—all without switching pots
- Versatile & Lightweight: The aluminum inner pot is 80% lighter than ceramic pots of comparable size, making it easy to handle from prep to cleanup
- Family-Sized Capacity: With a 7.5-quart capacity and a deep skillet design, it offers more cooking area than a 12″ skillet—ideal for families, gatherings, meal prep, and batch cooking
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The non-stick ceramic-coated aluminum pot, dishwasher-safe glass lid and silicone accessories make washing up effortless
- Power-Packed Performance: 800 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
- Proven Peace of Mind: Includes overheat protection and stay-cool knobs and handles on the cooker base for worry-free cooking and carrying.
- A Little Extra: Includes a silicone storage lid for leftovers and an easy-lift steam sling for veggies, eggs, and more
7-in-1 Pressure Master
Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quart
Instant Pot
- 7 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, steam, make rice, yogurt, or simply keep your meal warm—all in one appliance
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 13 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent cakes
- Safe & Easy Steam Release: The Easy-Release steam switch ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster compared to slow cooking methods
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from stainless steel (18/8) with a tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro
- Family-Sized Capacity: The 6-quart capacity is perfect for up to 6 servings—ideal for families, meal prep, and batch cooking
- Quick Cleanup: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make clean-up a breeze
- Power-Packed Performance: 1000 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL & ULC Listed
- Proven Peace of Mind: Features over 10 safety mechanisms, including overheat protection, an easy seal safety lid lock, and more to keep cooking worry-free
- A Little Extra: Includes a stainless steel steamer rack to keep you ready for anything
Keto One-Pot Recipes
Keto Slow Cooker & One-Pot Meals: Over 100 Simple & Delicious Low-Carb, Paleo and Primal Recipes for Weight Loss and Better Health (Volume 4) (Keto for Your Life, 4)
Fair Winds Press
12-in-1 Cooking Powerhouse
Ninja® 12-in-1 PossibleCooker™ PLUS | 8.5-qt – Sous Vide & Proof Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker, Dutch Oven & More | Glass Lid & Integrated Spoon | Nonstick | Oven Safe Pot to 500°F | Black | MC1010
Ninja
- REPLACES 12 COOKING TOOLS & APPLIANCES: This cooker replaces the need for a slow cooker, food warmer, nonstick pot, sauté pan, cast iron skillet, saucier, saucepan, stock pot, Dutch oven, roasting pan, bread maker, and utensil.
- SEAR & SAUTÉ DIRECTLY IN THE POT: Using the bottom heating elements, you are able to sear proteins and sauté vegetables right in the cooking pot—no need to transfer to the stovetop.
- OVEN SAFE TO 500°F: Removable cooking pot is oven safe up to 500°F, so you can finish your meal in the oven for a crispy top.
- PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING: 8.5-quart cooking capacity allows you to make chili for up to 20 people, 9 lbs of spaghetti and meatballs, or enough pulled pork for 30 sliders.
- TRIPLE FUSION HEAT TECHNOLOGY: Cook up to 30% faster* than conventional ovens by combining bottom, side, and steam heat. More heat, more possibilities. *Tested on 6-lb chickens.
- INCLUDED UTENSIL: Multi-functional utensil works as a ladle and pasta fork, plus it has its own utensil rest right in the lid handle.
- 6 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Keep Warm, Sous Vide, Braise, and Proof.
- EASY CLEANUP: Nonstick pot enables you to quickly wipe away messes and makes for a stress-free cleaning experience. Utensil & glass lid are dishwasher safe. Hand-washing pot recommended to extend its life.
- SAFE & EASY TO USE: Free of PFOA, cadmium, and lead.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 8.5-Quart Cooking Pot, PossibleCooker Base Unit, Integrated Detachable Spoon-Ladle, Glass Cooking Lid, Chef Curated Recipe Guide.
Healthy One-Pot Dinners
Skinnytaste One and Done: 140 No-Fuss Dinners for Your Instant Pot®, Slow Cooker, Air Fryer, Sheet Pan, Skillet, Dutch Oven, and More: A Cookbook
Clarkson Potter
Dutch Oven Specialist
Cook It in Your Dutch Oven: 150 Foolproof Recipes Tailor-Made for Your Kitchen’s Most Versatile Pot
AMERICASTES TKITCHEN
Complete One-Pot Collection
The Complete One Pot: 400 Meals for Your Skillet, Sheet Pan, Instant Pot®, Dutch Oven, and More (The Complete ATK Cookbook Series)
AMERICASTES TKITCHEN
Dual-M meal Multicooker
Crock-Pot MultiMeal Multicooker and Programmable Slow Cooker with Bake Function Oat Milk
Crock-Pot
- Make Multiple Meals with Just One Appliance: Cook multiple recipes at one time, with dual-pot temperature and cook functions, including slow cook, sear/sauté, bake, rice/steam, and keep warm.
- Revolutionary Smart Timer: DualSync Technology ensures both dishes are ready at the same time.
- Multicooker and Programmable Slow Cooker Replaces 30+ Cooking Tools and Appliances: Create complete meals without needing to use separate stock pots, cooking pans, dutch ovens, slow cookers, steamers or food warmers.
- Flavorful Dual-Pot Meals: Seal in the rich taste and caramelization of every ingredient by searing first and then cooking in the same pot, to help build flavors.
- Includes Bake Function: Choose between 300 or 350 degrees F to bake desserts, breads, and more.
- Nonstick. Easy-to-Clean: Ceramic-coated pot wipes clean easily.
- Family-Size Meals: Two 3.7-quart nonstick pots feed 4+ people each
- Easy Cleanup: Dishwasher-safe lid, pots, and steam rack (hand washing recommended for pot).
- Oven Safe: The removable cooking pots are oven-safe up to 450 degrees F, to help add a crispy finish to any meal.
9-in-1 Smart Multicooker
Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Multicooker, Pressure Cooker, Slow Cook, Rice Maker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt, Warmer & Sterilizer, Includes App With Over 800 Recipes, Stainless Steel, 6 Quarts
Instant Pot
- 9 Cooking Functions: Pressure cook, slow cook, sauté, sous vide, steam, steralize, keep warm, make rice and yogurt—all in one appliance.
- Customizable Smart Programs: Tackle every recipe with 15 one-touch options, from hearty soups to decadent cakes.
- Intuitive and Convenient Design: An easy-to-read display with dedicated cooking time, temperature, and pressure indicators keeps you updated in real time. And when it’s time to tuck it away, the detachable power cord makes storage easy.
- Safe and Easy Steam Release: The Easy-Release steam switch ensures fast, safe, and simple steam release every time.
- Good Food Done Faster: Cook up to 70% faster
- Pro-Grade Cooking Pot: Crafted from durable 18/8 stainless steel with an anti-spin, tri-ply bottom—perfect for searing and sautéing like a pro.
- Family-Sized Capacity: The 6-quart capacity is perfect for up to 6 servings—ideal for families, meal prep, and batch cooking.
- Quick Cleanup and A Little Extra: No more fighting about who has to do the dishes. The dishwasher-safe lid and inner pot make clean up a breeze. Includes 2 extra sealing rings and a stainless steel steam rack to keep you ready for anything. :
- Power-Packed Performance and Proven Peace of Mind: 1000 watts, 120 V 60 Hz, UL and ULC Listed. Features over 10 safety mechanisms, including overheat protection, an easy seal safety lid lock, and more for worry-free cooking.
- Source Notes: Compared to slow cooking methods
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What size slow cooker should I buy for one-pot meals?
For most households, a 6-quart slow cooker is ideal as it accommodates larger recipes or leftovers. Smaller 3-4 quart models work well for singles or couples, while 8-quart options are great for batch cooking or entertaining.
What features should I prioritize in a slow cooker?
Look for programmable timers, temperature probes, and keep-warm functions for convenience. Removable, dishwasher-safe inserts make cleanup easier, and a secure-fitting lid ensures even cooking.
How do manual and programmable slow cookers compare?
Manual models are simple and affordable but require you to switch settings manually. Programmable slow cookers offer flexibility with preset cooking times and automatic shut-off, perfect for busy schedules.
Are expensive slow cookers worth the investment?
Higher-end models often include advanced features like searing functions and precise temperature control. If you cook frequently or need versatility, they may justify the cost, but budget options can still deliver great results.
Can I use a slow cooker for recipes other than stews?
Yes, slow cookers are versatile and can handle desserts, breads, and even yogurt. Look for models with multiple heat settings to adapt to different cooking needs.
How do I ensure even cooking in a slow cooker?
Avoid overcrowding the pot and layer ingredients evenly, with harder vegetables at the bottom. Use the recommended liquid levels to prevent drying out or uneven cooking.
What’s the difference between a slow cooker and a multi-cooker?
Slow cookers specialize in low-and-slow cooking, while multi-cookers offer additional functions like pressure cooking and sautéing. If you only need slow cooking, a dedicated slow cooker is simpler and more affordable.
How do I clean a slow cooker effectively?
Most inserts are removable and dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. For stubborn stains, soak the insert in warm, soapy water before scrubbing or use a baking soda paste.
