Got 15 Minutes for a Savory, Slow-Cooked Meal?

Using a slow cooker to help you make food quickly may seem like a contradiction. But while it’s true that start-to-finish cooking times are quite long, slow cookers are actually ideal time-saving tools for busy cooks. Once the ingredients are prepared and placed in the cooker, they require no further attention until you arrive home after a long day, ready to serve up a hot meal.

The following top-rated recipes require only 15 minutes of prep time, so you can turn on the machine and go about your day — perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

Slow-Cooker Butternut Squash and Apple Soup
A few shortcuts help this soup to come together in a flash. The ingredient list calls for prepared squash puree (either homemade or canned), and an immersion blender allows you to blend the mixture directly in the slow cooker.

Carnitas
This classic Mexican dish is lightened up with this recipe, as the pork is simmered in flavorful citrus juices instead of lard. Warm some tortillas, cut a few lime wedges and dinner is served.

Thai Red Curry Beef
Red curry paste, coconut milk and fish sauce add authentic Thai flavors to this hearty beef dish. Make a side of steamed jasmine rice ahead for serving; it’s perfect for soaking up the extra sauce.

Slow-Cooker Braised Lamb Shanks
After simmering for six hours in the slow cooker, these lamb shanks are falling-off-the-bone tender — and impressive enough to serve when entertaining. Blending the ingredients when they’re finished cooking ensures a thick, rich sauce.

Stout-Braised Short Ribs
These hearty beef short ribs are slow-cooked in stout, a beer made with dark-roasted barley, which lends a rich, deep color and bittersweet flavor to the beer. Served with creamy mashed potatoes or polenta, these are perfect for a chilly, cozy night in.

5 comments about “Got 15 Minutes for a Savory, Slow-Cooked Meal?”

Eri Coker Jan 11 at 12:32 am

How do I get the recipe for the dish pictured at the top of the page directly underneath the Title?
Looks delicious.

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Olivia Ware Post authorJan 11 at 11:47 am

Hi Eri, that recipe for Braised Short Ribs uses our Short Rib Braising Base, which you can find here:
http://www.williams-sonoma.com/products/braised-short-rib-starter-sauce/

I’ve pasted the recipe below. Enjoy!

4 lb. beef short ribs, trimmed of excess fat and silver skin
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. olive o8il
1 jar (24.5 oz.) short rib braising base

Season the short ribs with salt and pepper. Dredge the ribs in the flour and shake off the excess.

In the stovetop-safe insert of a slow cooker or in a large fry pan over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil. Working in batches, brown the short ribs on all sides, about 3 minutes per side.

If using a slow-cooker insert, return all the ribs to the insert, add the braising base and transfer the insert to the slow-cooker base. If using a fry pan, transfer the ribs to a slow cooker and add the braising base. Cover and cook on low according to the manufacturer’s instructions until the meat is tender, 6 to 7 hours.

Transfer the ribs to a plate. Skim the fat off the sauce. Set the slow-cooker insert on the stovetop. If you used a regular slow cooker, transfer the sauce to a saucepan. Simmer over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is thickened, about 10 minutes. Serve the short ribs with the sauce. Serves 4 to 6.

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