10 Way to Use Your Slow Cooker for Your Next Potluck

Sheela Prakash
Sheela PrakashSenior Contributing Food Editor
Sheela is the Senior Contributing Food Editor at Kitchn and the author of Mediterranean Every Day: Simple, Inspired Recipes for Feel-Good Food. She received her master's degree from the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Italy and is also a Registered Dietitian.
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updated May 1, 2019
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(Image credit: Brie Passano)

Whether I’m hosting a potluck or attending one, I always feel like I’m scrambling to assemble the one dish that’s required of me (among the hundreds of other things I need to do). Luckily, if you reach for your slow cooker, this mad-dash approach to cooking can pretty much be avoided. The appliance has the ability to churn out mains, sides, desserts, and even appetizers that will feed the whole crowd. Here are 10 great recipes to consider.

(Image credit: Christine Han)

1. How To Make the Best Pulled Pork in the Slow Cooker

Have your friends bring buns, coleslaw, and a few sides and you’ve got the makings of a seriously awesome pulled pork potluck. Let guests assemble their sandwiches themselves and be sure there’s plenty of cold beer on hand.

(Image credit: Emma Christensen)

2. How To Make Caramelized Onions in a Slow Cooker

Bringing a bowl of caramelized onions might seem like an odd contribution to a potluck, but it’s far from it. They can be piled on burgers, hot dogs, crostini, and more.

(Image credit: Lauren Volo)

3. How To Make Slow-Cooker Chex Party Mix

Bring a big batch of this party mix to the next potluck you’re invited to and you’re sure to get invited back. This is one of those recipes that you’ll become famous for.

(Image credit: Diana Yen)

4. Slow Cooker Ratatouille

This mix of eggplant, zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, and onions is a light and wholesome side dish to add to a potluck spread. It’s also satisfying enough to act as a main dish for vegetarians.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd)

5. How To Make Sloppy Joes in the Slow Cooker

Here’s a great potluck main that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank. All you really need is some good hamburger buns to pile the meat on.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd)

6. How To Make Summer Fruit Sauce in the Slow Cooker

This recipe is infinitely adaptable: Use whatever mix of fruit you have on hand for the sweet sauce. Pack up a few containers of ice cream and you’ve got a simple potluck dessert.

(Image credit: Diana Yen)

7. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Like a pulled pork potluck, a taco potluck is a guaranteed success. Have friends bring the corn tortillas, salsa, and guacamole to make it extra easy on yourself.

(Image credit: Brie Passano)

8. Slow Cooker Queso Dip

If you’re making this cheesy dip to bring to a potluck, you can transfer it to an airtight container, then simply reheat it quickly on the stove before serving.

(Image credit: Diana Yen)

9. Slow Cooker Peach and Blueberry Cobbler

This classic cobbler is as sweet and juicy as a traditional oven-baked version, but it doesn’t require that you heat up the house to bake it. Just don’t forget the vanilla ice cream.

(Image credit: Christine Han)

10. How To Make Slow Cooker Caponata

This Sicilian eggplant relish is sweet, sour, and utterly delicious. Bring it as an appetizer, along with crostini, or serve it as a condiment over grilled chicken or fish.

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