Southern Slow Cooked Dinner Ideas for Busy Weeknights

1. Classic Southern Pot Roast

There’s nothing quite like a classic Southern pot roast to bring comfort and warmth to your dinner table. This dish is not only hearty but also incredibly easy to prepare in a slow cooker.

• Ingredients:
  • 3-4 pounds chuck roast
  • 4 medium carrots, chopped
  • 2 onions, quartered
  • 3 potatoes, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper, then sear in a hot skillet for 3-4 minutes on each side.
  2. Place the roast in the slow cooker and surround it with carrots, onions, and potatoes.
  3. In a bowl, mix the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and thyme. Pour this mixture over the meat and vegetables.
  4. Cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily.

2. Southern BBQ Pulled Pork

This Southern BBQ pulled pork is a crowd-pleaser and perfect for sandwich nights or simply served with coleslaw and baked beans. Let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy your evening.

• Ingredients:
  • 4-5 pounds pork shoulder
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 cups BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Rub the pork shoulder with paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  2. Place the sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker, then add the pork on top.
  3. Pour the BBQ sauce over the pork, ensuring it’s well coated.
  4. Cook on low for 10-12 hours, or until the pork is tender and easily shredded.
  5. Once done, shred the pork with two forks and mix it with the sauce before serving.

3. Cajun Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Bring a taste of Louisiana to your kitchen with this flavorful chicken and sausage gumbo. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and can be served over rice for a filling meal.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 pound chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 green bell pepper, diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In the slow cooker, combine the sausage, chicken, onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
  3. Before serving, shred the chicken and stir everything together. Serve over cooked rice.

4. Southern-style Red Beans and Rice

A staple in Southern cuisine, red beans and rice is a simple yet delicious meal that can be made effortlessly in a slow cooker. It’s hearty, filling, and packed with flavor.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound dried red beans, soaked overnight
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 smoked sausage, sliced
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Drain and rinse the soaked beans. Add them to the slow cooker along with the onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, sausage, chicken broth, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beans are tender.
  3. Serve over cooked rice for a hearty meal.

5. Southern Baked Beans

These slow-cooked Southern baked beans make a perfect side dish for any meal or can stand alone as a main dish. They are sweet, savory, and incredibly easy to prepare.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 cans navy beans (15 oz each), drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1/2 cup diced onion
  • 1/2 cup diced bell pepper
  • 1/4 cup mustard
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients until well combined.
  2. Transfer to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or until the beans are heated through and flavors melded.

6. Shrimp and Grits

This dish is a Southern classic that combines creamy grits with succulent shrimp in a rich sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner during the week.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup grits
  • 4 cups water
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a pot, bring water to a boil, then add the grits and cook according to package instructions until creamy.
  2. In a skillet, cook the bacon until crispy. Add the shrimp, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
  3. Serve the shrimp mixture over the grits for a delicious meal.

Conclusion

With these Southern slow-cooked dinner ideas, busy weeknights become a bit easier. You can savor the rich flavors of Southern cuisine without spending hours in the kitchen. These recipes not only save time but also provide a comforting and satisfying meal that your family will love. So, grab your slow cooker and get ready to enjoy a taste of the South!

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7. Chicken and Dumplings

This comforting dish is a staple in Southern households. With tender chicken and fluffy dumplings, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

• Ingredients:
  • 4 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup celery, diced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cups biscuit mix
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Place the chicken thighs in the slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
  2. Add the chicken broth, carrots, celery, and onion. Cook on low for 6-7 hours.
  3. In the last hour, mix the biscuit mix and milk to form a dough. Drop spoonfuls of the dough over the chicken mixture and cover. Cook for an additional hour until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked through.

8. Southern Style BBQ Ribs

These finger-licking good ribs are perfect for a family dinner and can be made with minimal effort in your slow cooker.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs pork ribs
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. Season the ribs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  2. Place the ribs in the slow cooker and pour the BBQ sauce and brown sugar over them.
  3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the ribs are tender and falling off the bone.

9. Collard Greens with Ham Hocks

This traditional Southern side dish is packed with flavor and pairs perfectly with any main course. It’s a healthy addition to your slow-cooked meals.

• Ingredients:
  • 2 lbs collard greens, cleaned and chopped
  • 1-2 ham hocks
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In your slow cooker, combine the collard greens, ham hocks, chicken broth, onion, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours until the greens are tender and flavorful.

10. Classic Southern Meatloaf

This hearty meatloaf is a staple in many Southern homes. It’s simple to make and yields delicious leftovers for sandwiches.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1 egg
  • 1/2 cup ketchup
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, milk, onion, egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined.
  2. Form into a loaf and place in the slow cooker. Top with ketchup.
  3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or until the meatloaf is cooked through.

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11. Shrimp and Grits

This iconic Southern dish is both comforting and flavorful, making it a great option for a busy weeknight.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 cup grits
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• Instructions:
  1. In the slow cooker, combine chicken broth, grits, and Cajun seasoning. Cook on low for 4-5 hours until grits are tender.
  2. In the last 30 minutes, add the shrimp, heavy cream, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker.
  3. Stir in the cheddar cheese before serving for a creamy finish.

12. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

This hearty gumbo is a fantastic one-pot meal that brings the flavors of Louisiana right to your table.

• Ingredients:
  • 1 lb chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
  • 1 lb smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
  • 1 cup okra, sliced (optional)
• Instructions:
  1. In the slow cooker, combine chicken, sausage, onion, bell pepper, celery, broth, Cajun seasoning, and okra if using.
  2. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and flavors meld.
  3. Serve hot over rice for a hearty meal.

Conclusion

Embracing Southern slow-cooked dinners can transform your busy weeknights into delicious culinary experiences. These recipes not only save time but also provide comforting flavors that the whole family will love. With minimal prep and maximum taste, you can enjoy a taste of the South without the hassle. So, gather your ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let the magic happen while you go about your day!

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