Easy, delicious, and cheap crockpot meals that are perfect for tight budgets are recipes that are designed to be simple to prepare, using affordable and readily available ingredients, and cooked in a crockpot or slow cooker.
These meals are ideal for people who want to save time and money on meal preparation while still enjoying flavorful and satisfying meals. Examples of such meals include slow cooker chili, chicken and rice, beef stew, pulled pork, and vegetable soup.
Absolutely! Cheap crockpot recipes are a great solution for busy people who want to save time and money on meal preparation while still enjoying delicious and satisfying meals. By using affordable ingredients and cooking everything in a crockpot, you can create flavorful and hearty meals with minimal effort. Not only will this simplify your cooking and make your life easier, but it can also help you save money on groceries and dining out. So, it's a win-win situation all around!
1. SLOW COOKER LENTIL CURRY
Ingredients:
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed and drained
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups vegetable broth or water
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Cooked rice or naan bread, for serving
Instructions:
In a slow cooker, combine the lentils, onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, cumin, paprika, turmeric, cinnamon, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), coconut milk, salt, and vegetable broth or water. Stir to combine.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the lentils are tender.
Once the lentils are tender, stir the curry and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Serve the curry over cooked rice or with naan bread, and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
2. CROCKPOT GARLIC BBQ CHICKEN
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup BBQ sauce
1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, and place them in the slow cooker.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the BBQ sauce, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and olive oil. Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
Once the chicken is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to coat it with the sauce.
Serve the garlic BBQ chicken over rice or on buns, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
3. GRAPE JELLY MEATBALLS
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 jar (18 oz) grape jelly
1 bottle (12 oz) chili sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine the ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, milk, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into small meatballs.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the grape jelly, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
Place the meatballs in the slow cooker and pour the sauce over them, stirring to coat.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 6-8 hours, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
Once the meatballs are done, remove them from the slow cooker and serve them with the sauce on the side, or spoon the sauce over the meatballs and serve them as an appetizer or main dish. Enjoy!
4. RED LENTIL & CHICKPEA CURRY
Ingredients:
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 tablespoon curry powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14.5 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup red lentils, rinsed and drained
4 cups vegetable broth or water
1/2 teaspoon salt
Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Cooked rice, for serving
Instructions:
In a slow cooker, combine the onion, garlic, ginger, curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne pepper (if using).
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juice), chickpeas, red lentils, vegetable broth or water, and salt. Stir to combine.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until the lentils are tender and the curry is thickened.
Once the curry is done, stir it and adjust the seasoning to taste.
Serve the curry over cooked rice, and garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
5. MISSISSIPPI POT ROAST
Ingredients:
1 (3-4 pound) beef chuck roast
1 packet ranch dressing mix
1 packet au jus gravy mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter
8-10 pepperoncini peppers
Instructions:
Place the beef chuck roast in the slow cooker.
Sprinkle the ranch dressing mix and au jus gravy mix over the top of the roast.
Place the unsalted butter on top of the roast and add the pepperoncini peppers.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until the roast is tender and easily shredded.
Once the roast is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
Serve the shredded roast with the pepperoncini peppers and the flavorful juices from the slow cooker. This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread. Enjoy!
Here are more cheap crockpot recipes that cost around $1 per person:
SLOW COOKER CHILI
1 pound ground beef ($2.50)
1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed ($0.50)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed ($0.50)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained ($0.50)
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste ($0.50)
1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
2 tablespoons chili powder ($0.25)
1 teaspoon cumin ($0.10)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Total cost: $5.10, serves 5-6 people, cost per person: $0.85-$1.02
SLOW COOKER VEGETABLE SOUP
6 cups vegetable broth ($3)
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained ($0.50)
2 carrots, sliced ($0.50)
2 celery stalks, sliced ($0.50)
1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
1 cup frozen corn kernels ($0.50)
1 cup frozen green beans ($0.50)
1 cup frozen peas ($0.50)
2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
1 teaspoon dried thyme ($0.10)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Total cost: $7.25, serves 6-8 people, cost per person: $0.90-$1.21
SLOW COOKER PULLED PORK
1 pound pork shoulder ($4)
1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
1/4 cup barbecue sauce ($0.50)
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce ($0.10)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Total cost: $5.35, serves 4-6 people, cost per person: $0.89-$1.34
SLOW COOKER BEEF STEW
1 pound beef stew meat ($5)
4 potatoes, peeled and chopped ($1)
2 carrots, sliced ($0.50)
1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
2 cups beef broth ($1.50)
1 teaspoon dried thyme ($0.10)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Total cost: $8.85, serves 6-8 people, cost per person: $1.11-$1.48
SLOW COOKER LENTIL SOUP
1 cup dried lentils ($0.50)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained ($0.50)
2 carrots, sliced ($0.50)
2 celery stalks, sliced ($0.50)
1 onion, chopped ($0.50)
2 cloves garlic, minced ($0.25)
4 cups vegetable broth or water ($3)
1 teaspoon dried thyme ($0.10)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Total cost: $5.85, serves 4-6 people, cost per person: $0.98-$1.46
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