Taco Soup

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans kidney beans, undrained
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
  • 1 can Rotel
  • 1 can whole kernel corn, undrained
  • 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 3 cups water
  • 2 packages taco seasoning mix

Brown ground beef in large skillet. Drain. Place in slow cooker with remaining ingredients. Stir well. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Carnitas

This recipe creates a flavorful and tender filling for tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. It is also great on tacos or in tortilla soup!

1 bone-in pork shoulder roast (4-5 lbs)
1 TBS salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 TBS cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (can substitute 1/8 cup freeze dried cilantro if fresh isn’t available)
2 bay leaves
2 cups water

Place pork shoulder in large slow cooker. Pour the water over the meat, and place the bay leaves in the water.. Sprinkles spices over the meat, pressing in lightly. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Remove bay leaves. Serve on tortillas with fresh chopped onions, tomatoes, and cilantro.

Creamy Pork Chops with Mushroom Egg Noodles

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This hearty dish is a fantastic, rich mixture of mushrooms, pork, and onions. It’s guaranteed to fool the most devout canned cream soup fan. Add a quick vegetable, and you’ve got a full meal.

  • 6 bone-in sirloin pork chops
  • 1 TBS salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 onions, sliced
  • 1 8 ounce package button mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cups water + 3 TBS water
  • 2 TBS corn starch
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 ounces egg noodles, uncooked

Place pork chops in bottom of large slow cooker or crock pot. Scatter onions on top. Season with salt and pepper, and pour 3 cups of water over the top. Cook for 6 hours on low. Carefully remove pork chops.

In small bowl, mix together 3 TBS water and cornstarch. Quickly whisk into the slow cooker. Add sour cream. mushrooms, and egg noodles. Cook for an additional hour, stirring after 30 minutes, until noodles are tender. Place pork chops back on top of noodle, cover, heat on warm until pork chops are heated through.

Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches

Throw together this easy sandwich filling for busy evenings.  Just leave your slow cooker or crock pot set to warm and everyone can eat whenever they get a chance.

  • 3-4 lb chuck roast
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jar pepperoncini (16 ounce)
  • 1/2 lb sliced Provolone cheese
  • 6 large sub rolls

Place roast in slow cooker.  Spread garlic over the roast, then pour pepperoncini over the top.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.  Shred with fork, and pile beef on buns.  Spoon cooked pepperoncini over the meat, and top with cheese.

 

Swiss Steak

  • 2 lbs cube steak
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 2 tbs vegetable oil
  • 1 cup celery, sliced
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 4 carrots, sliced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 2 cans petite diced tomatoes (15 oz each)
  • 1 TBS worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 TBS brown sugar

Heat oil in large skillet.  Mix together salt, pepper, and flour in large ziploc bag.  Add cube steak, toss to coat.  Brown steaks in oil, place in slow cooker.  Top with remaining ingredients.  Cook on low 6-8 hours.

 

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

These tasty tacos are inexpensive and easy to throw together. Serve with corn and black beans for a quick and wholesome meal.

  • 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes with green chilis
  • 1 TBS cumin
  • 1 TBS chili powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Place all ingredients except chicken in slow cooker, stir to combine.  Add chicken, spoon sauce mixture over the top.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Shred with fork.  Serve with tortillas and additional lime juice and cilantro.

 

Lemon Garlic Chicken

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 TBS parsley
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 2 TBS butter, cubed
  • 2 lemons, washed and sliced thinly
  • 1/2 cup water

Place chicken in slow cooker.  Sprinkle spices over chicken.  Scatter butter over the spices.  Spread the lemon slices evenly over the top.  Pour 1/2 cup of water evenly over the lemons.  Cook on low for 6 hours.

Corned Beef and Cabbage

  • 1 corned beef brisket (5-6 lbs)
  • 1 head cabbage, chopped
  • 1 lb baby carrots
  • 2 lbs red potatoes, quartered (15-20 medium potatoes)
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 6 cups water
  • 1 bottle of Guinness or other stout beer (can substitute an additional 1 1/2 cups water)

Layer carrots, potatoes, and onion in bottom of slow cooker.  Place brisket on top of vegetables.  Sprinkle with spice packet.  Pour water and beer over brisket.  Cook on low for 7 hours.  Stir in cabbage and cook on high for 1 hour or until tender.

Chicken Cacciatore

  • 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 medium)
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
  • 1 TBS sugar
  • 1 TBS Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Place chicken in slow cooker.  Top with bell pepper, onion, mushrooms, and garlic.  In medium bowl, combine seasonings and crushed tomatoes.  Pour over the meat and vegetables.  Cook on low for 6-8 hours.  Stir, serve over pasta or rice.

 

Adobo Chicken

  • 3 lbs chicken (I prefer thighs, but any cut will do)
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 5 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium is fine)
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 TBS brown sugar
  • 10 peppercorns
  • 2 TBS brown sugar

Layer chicken in slow cooker.  Pour in remaining ingredients, stirring lightly to combine.  Cook on  low 6-8 hours.