Budget Recipe Blog

Delicious Meals That Won't Break the Bank

Budget Slow Cooker Recipes Under $16

Set it and forget it | Serves 6-8 | Minimal prep time

A slow cooker is one of the best investments for budget cooking. Dump in cheap ingredients in the morning, come home to a hot meal. These recipes use affordable cuts of meat and pantry staples to create delicious, filling dinners.

1. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork ($14.50, serves 8)

Ingredients

  • 3 lbs pork shoulder (on sale) ($9.00)
  • 1 bottle BBQ sauce ($2.50)
  • 1 onion, sliced ($0.50)
  • 3 cloves garlic ($0.20)
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar ($0.10)
  • Spices: paprika, cumin, chili powder ($0.40)
  • 8 hamburger buns ($1.80)

Instructions

  1. Rub pork with brown sugar and spices.
  2. Place onion and garlic in slow cooker bottom.
  3. Add pork on top.
  4. Pour half the BBQ sauce over pork.
  5. Cook on LOW 8 hours or HIGH 5 hours.
  6. Shred pork with two forks, mix with remaining BBQ sauce.
  7. Serve on buns with coleslaw.

Pro tip: This makes amazing leftovers! Use in tacos, nachos, or quesadillas.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice ($11.20, serves 6)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken thighs ($5.00)
  • 2 cups long-grain white rice ($1.00)
  • 3 cups chicken broth ($1.80)
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup ($1.80)
  • 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables ($1.60)
  • 1 onion, diced ($0.50)
  • Garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper ($0.30)

Instructions

  1. Spray slow cooker with cooking spray.
  2. Add rice, broth, cream of mushroom soup, onion. Stir well.
  3. Season chicken with spices, place on top of rice mixture.
  4. Add frozen vegetables around chicken.
  5. Cook on LOW 6 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours.
  6. Fluff rice before serving.

3. Slow Cooker Beef Stew ($15.80, serves 8)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs stew meat (beef chuck) ($8.00)
  • 1.5 lbs potatoes, cubed ($2.00)
  • 3 carrots, chopped ($1.50)
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped ($1.00)
  • 1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
  • 3 cups beef broth ($1.80)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste ($0.40)
  • 2 tbsp flour ($0.10)
  • Bay leaf, thyme, garlic ($0.50)

Instructions

  1. Toss beef cubes with flour, salt, and pepper.
  2. Optional: brown beef in skillet first for deeper flavor (or skip to save time).
  3. Add all vegetables to slow cooker.
  4. Place beef on top.
  5. Mix broth with tomato paste, pour over everything.
  6. Add bay leaf, thyme, and minced garlic.
  7. Cook on LOW 8 hours or HIGH 5 hours.
  8. Remove bay leaf before serving.

4. Slow Cooker Chili ($10.50, serves 8)

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs ground beef ($6.00)
  • 2 cans kidney beans ($1.80)
  • 1 can black beans ($0.90)
  • 2 cans diced tomatoes ($2.40)
  • 1 onion ($0.50)
  • Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder ($0.60)
  • Optional: corn, bell peppers ($1.50)

Instructions

  1. Brown ground beef with diced onion in a skillet. Drain fat.
  2. Add beef and onion to slow cooker.
  3. Add all beans (drained), tomatoes (with juice), and spices.
  4. Add optional corn or peppers if using.
  5. Stir well.
  6. Cook on LOW 6-8 hours or HIGH 3-4 hours.
  7. Serve with toppings: cheese, sour cream, green onions.

5. Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken ($9.00, serves 6)

Ingredients

  • 2 lbs chicken breast ($7.00)
  • 1 jar salsa ($2.00)

Instructions

  1. Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.
  2. Pour salsa over chicken.
  3. Cook on LOW 6 hours or HIGH 3 hours.
  4. Shred chicken with two forks.
  5. Use in tacos, burritos, burrito bowls, nachos, or quesadillas.

The easiest recipe ever! Just 2 ingredients and endless uses.

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