Crocktober Is Here | Make Family Meals With Us!
Fall is here, and so is Crocktober! Cooking at home is still a big priority for my family. It saves money, keeps us eating a little healthier, and guarantees we sit down together most nights. And after seeing how much you all loved last year's recipes, I’m even more excited to swap ideas and tackle meal planning with you again.
So, here’s the plan: every week this October, I’ll share a new crockpot recipe for you to try. Make it with me, post your version on IG stories, and tag @the_car_mom so we can cheer each other on. Ready to kick off another month of cozy, low-stress dinners? Let’s do this!
Loved Crocktober last year?
Same. If you’re ready for a little throwback dinner inspiration, here are all of last year’s Crocktober recipes in one place.
Crocktober Recipe #8 - Crockpot Tuscan Garlic Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Sun-Dried Tomatoes by Eat Well 101
Crocktober Recipe #7 - Crockpot Chicken & Stuffing by The Cozy Cook
Crocktober Recipe #6 - Crockpot Broccoli Cheddar Soup by Mercedes Gonzalez Mayo | Inspired By Panera Bread
Crocktober Recipe #5 - Citrus Garlic Shredded Beef Tacos from Little Bits of Real Food
Crocktober Recipe #4 - Slow Cooker Lasagna Soup from Damn Delicious
Crocktober Recipe #3 - Dr Pepper Pulled Pork in the Crock Pot from Dance Around The Kitchen
Crocktober Recipe #2 - Crockpot Swedish Meatballs from Allrecipes
Crocktober Recipe #1 - Honey Butter Chicken from Naptime Kitchen
Crocktober Recipe #4 - Crockpot Ham And Bean Soup from Butter With a Side of Bread
Ingredients you’ll need:
1 ham bone with ham or 2 smoked ham hocks
2 cups ham cubed
1 lb great northern beans* rinsed
3 large carrots sliced or shredded
3 stalks celery, diced
1 onion, diced
6 cups Water or chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
½ tsp baking soda helps beans cook faster!
Directions:
Place ham bone in the bottom of the crockpot.
Place beans, carrots, celery, and onion in the pot.
Cover beans and ham bone with water or chicken broth. Stir in baking soda.
Turn on high for 6 to 8 hours until beans are tender.
Take ham bone out of the pot and remove all ham.
Shred or dice ham and return it to the pot.
Season with salt and pepper if needed.
Crocktober Recipe #3 - Crockpot Jamaican Pork Chops with Rice
Ingredients you’ll need:
1/2 cup hot water
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp cumin
2 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 boneless pork chops
1/2 onion, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can corn, drained
1 can black beans, drained
Directions:
Add water, spices, garlic and sugar to slow cooker. Stir until sugar dissolves
Add pork and coat
Add all veggies, corn and beans
Cook on high 3-4 hours or low for 5 hours
Take pork out and shred, then add back to slow cooker
Serve over jasmin rice
Crocktober Recipe #2 - Crockpot Butter Chicken from Chelsea’s Messy Apron
Ingredients you’ll need:
1 tablespoon melted coconut oil or olive oil
1 large yellow onion finely diced (1-1/2 cups)
1 tablespoon ginger paste
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1-1/4 teaspoons smoked paprika
1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
1-1/4 teaspoons ground turmeric
1-1/4 teaspoons salt
2-1/4 teaspoons garam masala
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
1 teaspoon sugar optional
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes or crushed; fire-roasted is delicious
2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
8 tablespoons unsalted butter sliced into tablespoons
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup finely chopped cilantro optional
Naan warmed, for serving
Cooked rice for serving
Instructions:
Heat a large nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the oil, and once hot, sauté onion, garlic, and ginger, stirring occasionally, until golden (3–6 minutes). Add all the spices and stir constantly for 1–3 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the tomatoes, scraping the bottom of the pan, and let the mixture cool slightly. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Trim large pieces of fat and gristle from chicken thighs, but leave some fat for added flavor. Add the chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat in the sauce. Arrange thighs in a single layer, smooth side down. Cover and cook on high for 2-1/2–4 hours or low for 4–6 hours, until the chicken reaches 165°F.
Remove the chicken and chop it into bite-sized pieces. Use an immersion blender (or transfer the sauce to a regular blender) to purée the sauce until smooth.
Return blended sauce to the slow cooker. Stir in the butter and heavy cream until fully combined and smooth.
Add chopped chicken back into the sauce. Stir in cilantro (if using) and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot with rice and naan.
Crocktober Recipe #1 - Crockpot Chicken & Dumplings from Delish
Ingredients you’ll need:
1 onion, chopped
1 1/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp. dried oregano
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 (10.5-oz.) cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
4 sprigs fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
2 stalks of celery, chopped
2 large carrots, peeled and chopped
1 cup frozen peas, thawed
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16.3-oz.) can refrigerated biscuits
Instructions:
Scatter onions in the bottom of a large slow cooker, then top with chicken. Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.
Pour soup and broth over chicken, then add thyme and bay leaf. Cover and cook on High until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 hours.
Discard thyme and bay leaf, then shred chicken with two forks. Stir in celery, carrots, peas, and garlic. Cut or tear biscuits into small bite-sized pieces, then stir into the chicken mixture. Spoon liquid over any biscuits at the top.
Cook on High until vegetables are tender and biscuits are cooked through, stirring every 30 minutes, about 2 hours more.
Let me know your thoughts on this year’s recipes! I can’t wait to see your creations, so be sure to tag @the_car_mom when you share. Let’s make this the tastiest Crocktober yet! 🍂🥘
