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24 Reliable Slow-Cooker New Year Mains That Let You Relax

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Introduction

If you want your New Year meal to be hands-off and stress-free, these slow-cooker recipes will help you enjoy the celebration instead of staying in the kitchen. Each dish is cozy, flavourful, and perfect for feeding guests with almost no effort.

1. Slow-Cooker Garlic Butter Roast Chicken

This chicken turns out juicy, fragrant, and perfect for a relaxed New Year dinner.

Ingredients

  • 1 whole chicken (1.5–2 kg)
  • 6 tbsp butter, softened
  • 6 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, chopped
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • ½ lemon

Instructions

  1. Rub chicken with butter, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Add vegetables and lemon to the slow cooker.
  3. Place chicken on top.
  4. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
  5. Optional: Broil for 5 minutes to crisp the skin.

How to Serve It

Sprinkle with chopped parsley and serve with crusty bread.

2. Slow-Cooker Honey Soy Beef Brisket

This tender brisket has a sweet-savoury flavour that pairs beautifully with rice or roasted veggies.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg beef brisket
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions

  1. Whisk soy sauce, honey, sugar, garlic, ginger, vinegar, and pepper.
  2. Place brisket in slow cooker and pour sauce over.
  3. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
  4. Slice and pour sauce over top.

How to Serve It

Top with sesame seeds and spring onions.

3. Slow-Cooker Lemon Herb Turkey Breast

A lighter option that still feels festive and hearty.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg turkey breast
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp rosemary
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
  2. Place turkey in slow cooker with lemon slices.
  3. Pour marinade over top.
  4. Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
  5. Slice and spoon juices over.

How to Serve It

Pair with mashed potatoes or a fresh salad.

4. Slow-Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken

Rich, velvety, and ideal for guests who love a cozy dish.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Add chicken, cream, broth, tomatoes, garlic, and seasoning to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2–3 hours.
  3. Stir in spinach before serving.

How to Serve It

Serve over pasta or rice.

5. Slow-Cooker Balsamic Beef Stew

A hearty stew with sweet tangy notes.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef cubes
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 potatoes, chopped
  • 1 onion, diced
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
  3. Stir and adjust seasoning.

How to Serve It

Serve with buttered rolls.

6. Slow-Cooker Maple Dijon Ham

Sweet and tangy, perfect for a celebratory table.

Ingredients

  • 1.5–2 kg boneless ham
  • ½ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Whisk glaze ingredients.
  2. Pour over ham in slow cooker.
  3. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
  4. Spoon glaze over before serving.

How to Serve It

Great with roasted potatoes.

7. Slow-Cooker Beef Stroganoff

A comfort dish full of rich flavour.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef strips
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Add beef, onion, mushrooms, broth, Worcestershire, and paprika.
  2. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
  3. Stir in sour cream before serving.

How to Serve It

Serve over pasta or rice.

8. Slow-Cooker Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

Sweet, savoury, and effortless.

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup chicken broth
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Mix sauce ingredients.
  2. Add chicken to slow cooker and coat with sauce.
  3. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.

How to Serve It

Serve with rice or roasted vegetables.

9. Slow-Cooker BBQ Pulled Beef

Perfect for sandwiches or sliders.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg beef chuck roast
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce
  • ½ cup beef broth
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp smoked paprika
  • 1 onion, sliced

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 8–9 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
  3. Shred beef with forks.

How to Serve It

Serve on buns with coleslaw.

10. Slow-Cooker Jambalaya

A bold, flavour-packed favourite.

Ingredients

  • 300 g shrimp
  • 300 g smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 cup rice
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 bell pepper, diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning

Instructions

  1. Add everything except shrimp to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 4 hours.
  3. Add shrimp in the last 20 minutes.

How to Serve It

Top with parsley.

11. Slow-Cooker Chili Beef

A crowd-pleasing classic.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg ground beef
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 cups kidney beans
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Brown beef (optional).
  2. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  3. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.

How to Serve It

Top with cheese and sour cream.

12. Slow-Cooker Coconut Curry Chicken

Creamy, fragrant, and perfect with rice.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 can coconut milk
  • 2 tbsp curry powder
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 carrots, sliced
  • 1 cup peas
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients (except peas).
  2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.
  3. Stir in peas before serving.

How to Serve It

Garnish with cilantro.

13. Slow-Cooker Beef Ragu

Deep, comforting tomato flavour.

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg beef roast
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 8 hours.
  3. Shred beef and mix with sauce.

How to Serve It

Serve over fresh pasta.

14. Slow-Cooker Sweet Chili Meatballs

A fun, crowd-friendly dish.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg frozen or homemade meatballs
  • 1 cup sweet chili sauce
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

  1. Mix sauce ingredients.
  2. Add meatballs and coat.
  3. Cook on LOW for 4 hours or HIGH for 2 hours.

How to Serve It

Great on rice or skewers.

15. Slow-Cooker Lamb Shanks

Elegant and flavourful for a special dinner.

Ingredients

  • 4 lamb shanks
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • ½ cup red wine
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 2 carrots, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp rosemary

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

How to Serve It

Serve on mashed potatoes.

16. Slow-Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

Warm and satisfying.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 1 cup peas
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 can biscuit dough

Instructions

  1. Add chicken, vegetables, broth, and cream.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
  3. Add biscuit dough pieces on top for last 30 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve warm with chopped parsley.

17. Slow-Cooker Moroccan Beef

A sweet-spiced dish full of aroma.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg beef cubes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 1 can chickpeas
  • 1 tbsp cumin
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 cup beef broth

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

How to Serve It

Pair with couscous.

18. Slow-Cooker Italian Meat Sauce

Perfect for big family meals.

Ingredients

  • 1 kg ground beef
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Add everything to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6–7 hours.

How to Serve It

Serve over spaghetti.

19. Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Sweet, sticky, and delicious.

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs
  • ½ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tsp ginger

Instructions

  1. Mix sauce ingredients.
  2. Add chicken and sauce to slow cooker.
  3. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.

How to Serve It

Serve with steamed rice.

20. Slow-Cooker Sausage & Peppers

A simple, flavour-packed dinner.

Ingredients

  • 6 Italian sausages
  • 2 bell peppers, sliced
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tsp oregano

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients.
  2. Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.

How to Serve It

Serve in rolls or with pasta.

21. Slow-Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

A rich curry perfect for dinner guests.

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup cream
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 tbsp tikka masala paste
  • 1 tsp garlic
  • 1 tsp ginger

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients except cream.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
  3. Stir in cream before serving.

How to Serve It

Serve with rice or naan.

22. Slow-Cooker Beef and Potatoes

Simple and reliable for any occasion.

Ingredients

  • 1.2 kg beef roast
  • 4 potatoes, quartered
  • 1 onion, sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Add everything to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.

How to Serve It

Pour juices over top before serving.

23. Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

Sweet, citrusy, and comforting.

Ingredients

  • 6 chicken thighs
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup soy sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 garlic cloves

Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients except cornstarch.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours.
  3. Stir cornstarch with water and add for last 10 minutes.

How to Serve It

Serve with rice or noodles.

24. Slow-Cooker Creamy Mushroom Pork Chops

Tender pork with a smooth, savoury sauce.

Ingredients

  • 4 pork chops
  • 1 can cream of mushroom soup
  • ½ cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup sliced mushrooms
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. Add all ingredients to slow cooker.
  2. Cook on LOW for 6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours.

How to Serve It

Excellent with mashed potatoes.

Conclusion

These slow-cooker mains are perfect for a calm and comfortable New Year celebration. Save your favourites, share them with friends, and enjoy a delicious meal without spending all day in the kitchen.

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