For some families, meat is a suppertime staple. Whether it's atop a sandwich bun, stuffed inside a taco shell, or stirred into a stew, kids and adults alike can't get enough of this protein. Unfortunately, cooking beef and pork takes a lot of time, which most families these days don't have. But a lack of time shouldn't stop you from serving a delicious, protein-packed dinner. With a little help from your slow cooker [1], you can come home to warm meat-filled meal every night.
Shredded Beef Tacos
Skip the skillet and create this classic taco [2] using your slow cooker.
Beef Stroganoff
Foxes Loves Lemons' beef stroganoff [3] is the perfect thing to eat on a cold Fall night.
Sesame Beef
Six Sisters Stuff gives this Chinese dish [4] an easy-to-make twist.
Mexican Pulled-Pork Shoulder
The secret behind this Mexican pulled-pork-shoulder [5] recipe is that it can be made weeks in advance. Just freeze all of the ingredients together in a ziplock bag, pull it out when you are ready to cook, and voilà — dinner is served!
Tangy Sloppy Joes
With only a few ingredients, these sloppy joes from Budget Gourmet Mom [6] are on the table and ready for noshing after a day of cooking slow and low, thanks to your crockpot. And leftovers do double duty as lunch the next day.
Source: Budget Gourmet Mom [7]
Crockpot Balsamic Pork Roast
This easy balsamic pork roast [8] is worthy of a dinner party but easy enough to make for your family's weeknight supper.
Source: Flickr user anotherpintplease [9]
Crispy Slow-Cooker Carnitas
To create this Mexican dish, you usually have to babysit the pork. But with Gimme Some Oven's recipe [10], you can simply set it, forget it, and enjoy it.
Slow-Cooker Chili
Warm up any night of the week with a big bowl of slow-cooker chili [11]. And you can tailor this recipe to fit your family by adding different types of beans, using ground turkey instead of the beef, or going vegetarian for a really healthy dinner!
Photo: POPSUGAR Food
Asian Pork With Veggies and Soba Noodles
Buckwheat-based soba noodles are a healthy alternative to white-flour pasta, and this Asian pork [12] is sure to please a crowd.
Source: José Picayo For Real Simple [13]
Steak Fajitas
Slice up the steak and veggies [14], throw them in a pot, and let your slow cooker do the rest.
Taco Soup
Spice it up with a hearty batch of taco soup [15]. It's meat free, but you could always throw in some ground turkey, beef, or shredded chicken for an added boost of protein.
Photo: Anna Monette Roberts
Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork
Don't be afraid; this pulled pork may look like it took tons of time and effort, but thanks to the Fearless Homemaker's easy directions [16] — and the help of your slow cooker — your family can enjoy a pulled-pork dinner with hardly any fuss or muss.
Source: Fearless Homemaker [17]
Taco Skillet
If your family's a fan of Mexican food, consider prepping the ground beef (or turkey) for this yummy taco skillet [18] in your slow cooker for extra flavor.
Source: Desiree Hartkopf [19]
White Bean Soup With Andouille and Collards
Take your family's taste buds on a ragin' Cajun adventure with this flavorful and delicious white bean soup with andouille and collards [20].
Source: José Picayo For Real Simple [21]
Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich
Thanks to Mommy Hates Cooking, this example of classic Philly street food [22] can be made right in the slow cooker!
Slow-Cooker Chipotle Beef Tacos With Cabbage and Radish Slaw
Mexican may not be the first genre that comes to mind when coming up with a crockpot meal, but these chipotle beef tacos [24] would make a great main dish for a casual party.
Source: Jose Picayo for Real Simple [25]
Kalua Pork With Cabbage
So maybe a family getaway to Hawaii isn't in the cards. Instead, bring a taste of the islands to your family's table with Defining Tabitha's Kalua pork [26].
Source: Flickr user rfung8 [27]
Mongolian Beef
The meat in Six Sisters Stuff's [28] recipes is so tender, it falls apart on your fork.
Barbacoa
Perfect in a taco shell or atop some steamed rice, Gimme Some Oven's barbacoa [29] is supertasty and supersimple!
French Dip Sandwich
Though the recipe is simple [30], the Weary Chef's french dip sandwiches have a fancy taste.
Beef Stew in the Crockpot
On a cold and windy night, Weelicious's beef stew [32] will warm kids from head to toe!
Chile Colorado Burritos
Feeling like Mexican? Here's a recipe for slow-cooker burritos [33] from Food Pusher that will definitely spice up any weeknight. Full of flavor and melty cheese, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.
Source: Food Pusher [34]
Barbecue Ribs in the Crockpot
Talk about easy: these crockpot ribs [35] require just five ingredients!
Source: Flickr user tkd540 [36]
Italian Beef Sandwiches
For a hearty dinner [37], try the Country Cook's italian beef subs. If your kids hate spice, simply omit the additional peppers.
Source: The Country Cook [38]
Pulled-Pork Tacos
Dinner is in the palm of your child's hand! Fold some slow-cooked pork shoulder into tortillas for Weelicious's pulled-pork tacos [39], which are a pleasant alternative to the chicken and steak varieties that are popular with tykes.