21 Easy Drop Dinners That Practically Make Themselves

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If you have yet to meet the drop dinner, it’s about time you introduced yourself. The concept? Dump a handful of things into a slow cooker or Instant Pot and let the appliance do all the work. Sure, you may have to chop up a few vegetables or sear a piece of meat in the Instant Pot, but really there’s no work for you beyond that besides grabbing the plates and forks.

These easy recipes are exactly the answer to busy weeknights, when time is limited or you simply just don’t have the energy to cook.

Slow Cooker Drop Dinners

The slow cooker is the ultimate drop-dinner vessel. Pile a handful of things in it in the morning and dinner will be waiting for you when you get home.

(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)

Instant Pot Drop Dinners

An Instant Pot allows you to do a few extra things in order to add layers of flavor to your dinner, such as sauté aromatics or sear meat. It’s one extra step, yes, but it’s done right in the vessel to ensure ease.

(Image credit: Leela Cyd)