10 Best Crockpot Recipes To Cook While At Work (all day slow cooker recipe ideas!)
Let’s look at some EASY 8-10 hour all day crock pot recipe ideas for a simple dump and go, set and forget, make ahead weeknight crock pot meal tonight!
Life is always SO busy – the last thing we want to do after a long day is COOK. That’s where the magic of slow cookers comes in!
Set it, forget it, and come home to a meal that’s been simmering to perfection while you handle the rest of your day.
But not all slow cooker recipes are created equal—some require stirring, adding ingredients partway through, or worse, risk drying out if left too long. So, I rounded up some tried-and-true slow cooker meals you can confidently leave on all day (8+ hours) and still enjoy a delicious, stress-free dinner.
10 Easy Crockpot Meals For The Week
1. 4-Ingredient Beef Chuck Roast (simple dump recipe!)
This SO easy chuck roast is practically made for slow cooking all day! It’s a tough cut of meat that becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender after a long, low cook.
Just add potatoes, carrots and a secret liquid and you’ll have an effortless, hearty meal waiting for you.
Recommended all day slow cooker roast recipe:
No Frills 4-Ingredient Pot Roast
2. Pulled Pork
Pork shoulder is another winner for all-day cooking.
Coat it in your favorite dry rub, toss it in the slow cooker with a splash of broth or BBQ sauce, and let it break down into juicy, flavorful goodness.
Serve it on buns, tacos, or over rice for an easy dinner when you get home.
Recommended:
3. Lazy Cowgirl Soup (set and forget!)
This dump and go Lazy Cowgirl Soup only gets better the longer it cooks – it’s SO good!
There are 2 variations of this crockpot soup recipe – the Easy Recipe and the LAZY Easy Recipe!
Recommended:
Bonus: It’s even better the next day.
4. Garlic Chicken Thighs (only 6 ingredients!)
Unlike chicken breasts, thighs hold up well to long cooking times without drying out.
Throw them in with some broth, garlic, and spices, and you’ll have a flavorful protein ready for tacos, rice bowls, or just straight off the plate.
Recommended:
5. 10 Hour Beef Stew
Cubed stew meat, potatoes, carrots, and a rich broth make beef stew a comforting classic.
Let it cook low and slow, and by dinnertime, you’ll have a hearty meal with deep, developed flavors.
Recommended:
6. Vegetarian Lentil Soup
Lentils are a slow cooker MVP because they hold their texture even after hours and HOURS of cooking.
Combine them with tomatoes, carrots, celery, and spices for a healthy, filling vegetables-only soup that practically makes itself.
Recommended:
7. Split Pea Soup with Ham
Got leftover ham or a ham bone lying around? Toss it into the slow cooker with split peas, onions, carrots, and broth, and let it work its magic.
The flavors meld beautifully, and the result is a thick, comforting soup perfect for chilly days.
Recommended:
Split Pea Soup with Ham Recipe
8. Bolognese Sauce
A rich, slow-simmered meat sauce takes pasta night to the next level.
Ground beef, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and herbs combine in the slow cooker to create a deep, savory sauce that’s ready to be ladled over pasta when you walk through the door.
Recommended:
9. Butter Chicken
This Indian-inspired dish gets even better with an all-day simmer.
Chicken thighs, tomato sauce, cream, and warming spices like garam masala come together to make a luscious, flavorful meal.
Serve with rice or naan for a restaurant-worthy dinner at home.
Recommended:
10. White Chicken Chili
I found this recipe on this list of Easy Crock Pot Chicken Recipes – it’s really good!
After making it a few times, I realized I could dump the ingredients in the morning and it was totally fine cooking on LOW all day (in fact, it’s better!)
Recommended:
Tips for Leaving Your Slow Cooker on All Day
✅ Use the right cut of meat – Tougher cuts like chuck roast, pork shoulder, and chicken thighs hold up best.
✅ Choose recipes with plenty of liquid – Helps prevent drying out or burning.
✅ Set it to low – Most recipes can handle 8+ hours on low without issues.
✅ Use a timer or “keep warm” setting – If you’re gone longer than 8 hours, some slow cookers switch to “keep warm” mode automatically.
✅ Don’t overfill – Stick to about 2/3 full to avoid spills and ensure even cooking.
Slow cooking is all about making life easier, and these recipes prove that a little prep in the morning can lead to an effortless, delicious dinner at night.
Like these ideas?
Why not pin to save for later?
More Dinner Ideas:
30 Low Budget Dinner Ideas for a PICKY Eater Husband
19 Quick Meals and Simple Yummy Dinners For Two
27 Quick Easy Vegetable Side Dishes
27 Healthy Soups SO Good – You’ll Forget They’re Good FOR You!
