Whether you’re a 20-something working two jobs or a soccer mom of four, you probably don’t have the time to spend hours slaving over savory meals in the kitchen. Thankfully, the slow cooker has saved countless people time and effort on their dinners for decades. With such a rich history, there are literally hundreds of books on the market claiming to be the best slow cooker cookbook. But how many can really live up to it?
The 10 crock pot cookbooks on our list each uniquely earn the title for their own reason. Furthermore, each one is readily available in both hard copy and e-book options, making them accessible to all.
Here are our 10 favorite slow cooker cookbooks for busy cooks:
Slow Cook Modernby Liana Krissoff
Number of Recipes: 150Best For: Someone who likes easy prep and all the details mapped out for them.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books
Slow Cook Modern provides over 150 recipes for the “adventurous home cook.” Instead of your run-of-the-mill slow cooker chili recipes, Liana Krissoff filled this delightful cookbook with impressive recipes for intrepid cooks who stay busy during the day. What makes this one of the best crock pot cookbooks out there is the way Krissoff maps out each recipe. She outlines all the morning tasks needed to prepare the dish, then any finishing touches that must be completed once you arrive home. Each recipe even includes recommended side dishes with all the outlined work for those, too.
Though nearly all slow cooker cookbooks provide convenient recipes, Slow Cook Modern dives into everything from simple, impressive feasts to fancy but achievable entrees. If you enjoy Krissoff’s modern fare, also consider branching out to some of her canning recipes.
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The Asian Slow Cookerby Kelly Kwok
Number of Recipes: 85Best For: Anyone who enjoys spicing things up and eating a variety of cuisines.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books
From noodles to beef and everything in between, The Asian Slow Cooker provides the best crock pot recipes from China, Thailand, and Korea. Kwok makes preparation and clean up easy, as some recipes require as few as five ingredients and very little work to throw together. With a few minutes in the morning and the quick push of a button, you can come home to delightful Asain dishes without shelling out the money for takeout. This one is a must-have for any cookbook collection.
Note: Not every recipe in this book utilizes your slow cooker, but all recipes are single-pot meals.
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Fix It And Forget It Big Cookbookby Phyllis Good
Number of Recipes: 1,400 (Largest collection!)Best For: Anyone who wants the best crock pot cookbook compilation and any novice cooks.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target
Fix-It and Forget-It is great for busy professionals looking for nearly endless amounts of easy recipes that cook themselves during work hours. With 1,400 recipes, there’s literally something for every occasion, and the directions make things so easy that even a child could throw them together. These recipes don’t require fancy ingredients at all, and most include common pantry items. Furthermore, many recipes were submitted by home cooks!
This is definitely one of the best slow cooker cookbooks as all recipes were tested before publication and some were referred by top chefs. Not to mention, Fix-It and Forget-It is thoroughly illustrated, because Phyllis Good is just amazing like that.
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The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbookby Toni Okamoto
Number of Recipes: 100Best For: Any vegan chefs! Also great for someone focusing on healthy eating.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target
In this cookbook, Okamoto tackles the two major criticisms often posed to vegan cooks: vegan cooking requires lots of time, and it’s expensive. After starting with the basics like perfectly cooked beans, The Super Easy Vegan Slow Cooker Cookbook dives into more complex dishes. From Spicy Ethiopian Lentil Stew to Curried Ginger Butternut Squash Soup, this top vegan cookbook helps making cooking with wholesome ingredients easy!
In addition to the 100 delicious recipes, this crock pot cookbook also contains a wonderful reference guide for smart grocery choices and crock pot care. Like all of the cookbooks on our list, this one is available in both print and e-book options.
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The Southern Slow Cooker Bibleby Tammy Algood
Number of Recipes: 365Best For: Anyone craving some southern comfort food but doesn’t have lots of time.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books
Tammy Algood’s The Southern Slow Cooker Bible provides 365 recipes from a region rich in flavor and culinary history! Effortlessly combine your love for southern home cooking with the convenience of the crock pot year round. From classic grits to peach cobbler, we don’t know of any other cookbook that touches this many tasty deep south recipes. The best part? You can cook many of these recipes in an instant pot if you don’t have all day to let it simmer in the slow cooker.
Downsides to this one: Many recipes rely heavily on canned goods, making it not the best option for health-conscious cooks. Also, not all recipes include pictures.
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Slow Cooker Revolutionby America’s Test Kitchen
Number of Recipes: 200Best For: Someone looking to step up their slow cooker game.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, America’s Test Kitchen
America’s Test Kitchen did all the work for you to create one of the best slow cooker cookbooks out there. The chefs spent over a year perfecting each recipe and preparing this amazing collection. Their introduction includes great information about the project as well as helpful tips for making the most out of your slow cooker creations. Although some recipes require significant preparation, the simpler recipes are labeled as “easy prep” to help you quickly identify them.
America’s Test Kitchen has more great cookbooks for people who need dinner in a hurry, including One-Pan Wonders, The Make-Ahead Cook, and The Quick Family Cookbook. If you’re not familiar with America’s Test Kitchen, you must check out their YouTube channel!
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Mexican Slow Cooker Cookbookby Marye Audet
Number of Recipes: 80Best For: Anyone looking for fix it and forget it spins on Mexican favorites.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Marye Audet’s Mexican Slow Cooker Cookbook brings the flavors of Mexico to your table with minimal effort. Whether you crave beloved classics or less-traditional favorites, this is your go-to for everything from cheese dip to tamales. Other notable recipes include hearty soups, flavorful casseroles, and tender meat entrees. I’ve made several recipes from this one and my entire family devoured every dish!
In addition to 80 delightful recipes, this best crock pot cookbook contains a helpful list to stock your pantry for making Mexican dishes in a flash as well as significant information about cooking with chiles.
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The Chef & The Slow Cookerby Hugh Acheson
Number of Recipes: 100Best For: Someone looking for a little bit of everything compiled in a clever fashion.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books
In true Acheson style, this cookbook pays homage to all of the just-fancy-enough things you can create in your slow cooker. He not only puts his own spin on simple dishes, but also shows off all that you never knew your slow cooker could do like poaching eggs or serving up delightful jams. The Chef & The Slow Cooker just may start a new relationship with your slow cooker that spans from dawn until dusk.
Must-make recipes include the Pot Roast with Charred Onion and Chickpea Salad and Pho with Chuck & Rib Eye. Also, the pictures and illustrations thrown in for fun will keep you laughing while you wait for these dishes to marinate!
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The Italian Slow Cookerby Michele Scicolone
Number of Recipes: 125Best For: Anyone who craves to cook like an Italian Grandma but lacks the culinary skills.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google Play Books
Michele Scicolone presents a variety of crock pot recipes to create everything from soups and sauces to meats and simple desserts. Featuring the tagline, “Plug it in, walk away, and cook like an Italian Grandmother,” this cookbook includes many recipes with as little as five or ten minutes of prep. Therefore, you’ll serve your guests amazing Italian favorites without spending more than 30 minutes in the kitchen. These dishes are not intimidating and great for nearly any level of cook.
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Martha Stewart’s Slow Cookerby Martha Stewart Living
Number of Recipes: 110Best For: Anyone who wants delightful recipes and doesn’t mind the prep time.Purchase Via: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target
Martha Stewart is the queen of everything about our homes, so naturally this is a best crockpot cookbook. The 110 slow cooker recipes in this collection both embrace the appliance’s assets and uncover its hidden potential. Most recipes stay on just a single page, outlined with ingredients on the left and directions on the right. This is the best slow cooker cookbook for someone who has a bit of time to prepare the meals before letting them simmer all day. These simple steps upfront make the flavors in each recipe really pop!
The pictures of completed dishes in this cookbook make your mouth water, too. Martha Stewart’s Slow Cooker is available in both hard copy and e-cookbook formats. Final note: you must try the slow cooker cheesecake recipe. It’s worth the entire book!
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What’s the best slow cooker cookbook for you?
Whether you’re looking for variety or flair, there’s something in this list of best crock pot cookbooks for everyone. If you can only pick one, select the cookbook that best aligns with your ultimate needs. Although, nearly all of these sit on my shelf and see regular use, so no matter which you choose, you can’t go wrong. Happy slow cooking!