Tailgating season is upon us! Forget soggy sandwiches and lukewarm hot dogs. This year, elevate your game day spread with these incredibly easy and delicious crock pot recipes. These recipes are perfect for feeding a crowd, require minimal hands-on time, and best of all, they’ll keep your food warm and ready to serve throughout the entire game. Get ready to impress your fellow fans with these crowd-pleasing, make-ahead crock pot meals!
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders: A Tailgate Classic, Reimagined
This pulled pork recipe is a game day staple, but the slow cooker makes it unbelievably easy. It's tender, flavorful, and perfect for piling high on slider buns.
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs pork shoulder (butt roast)
- 1 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite kind!)
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Slider buns
- Coleslaw (optional)
Instructions:
- Season the pork shoulder generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the barbecue sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and smoked paprika.
- Place the pork shoulder in your slow cooker. Pour the sauce mixture over the pork.
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours, or until the pork is easily shredded.
- Remove the pork from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and stir to combine with the sauce.
- Serve on slider buns with your favorite coleslaw.
Cooking Tip: For extra flavor, sear the pork shoulder in a hot skillet before adding it to the slow cooker.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Around 350-400 | Protein: 30g | Fat: 15g | Carbohydrates: 30g
Crock Pot Chili: A Hearty and Warming Game Day Favorite
This hearty chili is perfect for a chilly game day. It's packed with flavor and easily customizable to your liking. It’s one of the best recipes for a quick dinner, too!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1 (15-ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, green onions
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat; drain off any excess fat.
- Add the browned beef, onion, and garlic to your slow cooker.
- Stir in the crushed tomatoes, kidney beans, pinto beans, corn, chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
Variations:
- Add a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies for a spicier chili.
- For a vegetarian chili, substitute the ground beef with 1 cup of lentils or 2 cups of your favorite vegetables.
Tips for the Best Homemade Cooking:
Don't be afraid to experiment with different spices and beans to create your perfect chili recipe. The best recipes are often born from a little bit of culinary improvisation! Remember, prepping ingredients beforehand drastically reduces the time it takes to make any meal.
This chili is even better the next day – perfect leftovers for a post-game snack!
These delicious and easy crock pot recipes are guaranteed to be a touchdown at your next tailgate party. Enjoy the game, and enjoy the food!