Dinner with One Hand: Our Go-To Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy Families
If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then the slow cooker is definitely the heart of ours… and to be honest, it only truly came to life after we had our first baby.
There’s something about that magical little machine that just gets it. You’re short on time, trying to get a million things done (or more realistically, two things done while keeping a baby alive and a toddler entertained), and the slow cooker just… takes care of it.
In go the ingredients, and at the end of the day out comes dinner no stirring, no flipping, no “Mum, is it ready yet?”
We were lucky enough to be gifted a Thermomix as a wedding present (that thing takes some punishment too), but the slow cooker still wins on sheer ease. We’ve tried all sorts over the years — mostly wins, some weird experiments, and plenty of throw-together meals that somehow just worked. But three standouts remain firm favourites in our house.
Now, our versions are usually the “bit of this, bit of that” kind (measurements? never heard of them) — but the recipes below are close enough to get you going.
1. Chicken Curry
A mild, creamy, crowd-pleasing chicken curry that’s toddler-approved and freezer-friendly. This one is full of flavour but gentle enough for little mouths — and makes your kitchen smell incredible all day.
Find the recipe here
2. Silverside (Corned Beef)
We know… it’s not everyone’s idea of a midweek masterpiece. But hear us out — slow-cooked corned beef is fall-apart tender and super versatile.
Add it to a bowl of rice and veggies, team it with roast potatoes, or stuff it into wraps with slaw and a splash of mustard. One cook, three meals.
Find the recipe here
3. Veggie Lasagne
Packed with hidden veggies and layers of slow-cooked goodness, this one is a hit even with picky eaters. Plus, it freezes beautifully for those nights when even the slow cooker feels like too much.
Find the recipe here
