We compiled a list of the 10 best crockpot cookbooks on the market to help you begin your slow cooking journey.
But first, let’s start from the beginning.
At the turn of the 20th century, kitchens were a very different place. In the early 1900s, woodburning stoves were still common and women labored long hours to cook meals for their families. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, time-saving kitchen tools and appliances were invented.
One of them was the crockpot. Patented in 1940 by Irving Nachumsohn, this invention paved the way for easy cooking.
Recipes used to take hours to make on the stove. But now you can leave things to cook while you get on with your busy day. With a crockpot in your kitchen, all you need is a great recipe to get you started.
Crockpots are great for weeknight cooking. For instance, just throw your ingredients together in your crockpot on your way out the door in the morning and come home to a fully cooked, hot meal.
You can also make easy breakfasts—try overnight oatmeal or breakfast casseroles to feed a hungry crowd. Even desserts, like warm chocolate lava cake, can be made in a crockpot.
Contents
Which is the Best Slow Cooker Cookbook?
It really depends on your tastes and preferences. Whether you love homey flavors, Mexican food, soups, or stews, there’s a cookbook on this list for you. There are even slow cooker cookbooks that can support specialized diets like gluten-free or clean eating. In addition, consider flavors you love, budget and your dietary needs.
We’ve researched price, recipes, flavors, diets and quantity for you in this list of the top 10 crockpot cookbooks. We hope this list will guide you to the best crockpot cookbook for your kitchen.
Crockpot Cookbooks Comparison Table
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10 Best Crockpot Cookbook Reviews
Each of these 10 cookbooks will help get you started slow cooking. However, finding the best one is a matter of thinking about your favorite flavors, diet, how detailed a recipe book you prefer and what you want to spend.
Slow cooking can be a great way to support a healthy lifestyle. For instance, several cookbooks on this list will help you eat clean and healthy. There are also slow cooker books on our list that support the Paleo diet lifestyle.
In short, each book on this list will give you new and exciting recipes to try. We hope one of these cookbook choices will help you experiment with crockpot cooking.
1. Best Pick - The Complete Slow Cooker
This giant book from America’s Test Kitchen is packed with over 450 recipes for you to choose from. It’s got everything from appetizers to desserts. Whether you’re throwing a party, making a quick weeknight dinner, or whipping up a delicious treat, this book will have a recipe for you. There are some homey recipes like beef stew but there are also surprising recipes included like wheat berry salad.
Tasted, Tested, Approved
America’s Test Kitchen works hard to find new, exciting ways to cook favorites. Additionally, they’re interested in finding the best way to cook a recipe. So with recipes for granola, bread and key lime pie in this slow cooker cookbook, you can trust they’ll work. In short, just follow the recipes and you’ll have delicious, easy, crockpot meals.
America’s Test Kitchen gives you all the information you need, including some of the science behind cooking. If you’re interested in learning how things work as you cook, this will be a great choice for you. Most importantly, they showcase how versatile a slow cooker can be. If you love to try new recipes, this will be a great book for you.
There are other America’s Test Kitchen books on the market for slow cooking. But this book combines many of the recipes from the other books all into one cookbook. Also, you’ll get a lot of the basics along with new recipes. Lastly, it’s an all-in-one book that will get you trying new things and perfecting old favorites in your slow cooker.
Pros
- Includes science info and tips for how to cook the best food possible.
- 450+ recipes.
- Combines recipes from previous books to create an all-in-one cookbook.
Cons
- Might be too difficult for some.
- High level of detail may be overwhelming for some.
- Some recipes may include hard to find ingredients.
2. The Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking
The Paleo diet and slow cooking go hand in hand. Slow cooking is ideal for creating delicious, tender meat-centric recipes. You can make bone broth in a slow cooker, which is a Paleo diet staple.
This cookbook is a great one to add to your library, even if you’re not on the Paleo diet. There are 200 recipes with a lot of variety that will help you try new things in your crockpot.
Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight meals or more elaborate recipes you can take your time with, there’s something in this book for you. This cookbook tries to ensure its recipes use simple, easy to find ingredients as much as possible. However, it’s full of variety. You’ll have plenty of new, global flavors to test.
What is the Paleo Diet?
Many people find that the Paleo diet helps with weight loss. Some also find that it supports a healthy lifestyle for those living with chronic illness. It can be a great way to add highly nutritious foods to your diet.
Those on the Paleo diet typically give up dairy, gluten, sugar, and grains. Some also give up legumes and limit their fruit and starch intake. This doesn’t mean you have to give up desserts. Inside this book, you’ll find a recipe for “Nutty Coconut Baked Apples with Cider Sauce” that’s a delicious treat.
This cookbook will follow the Paleo rules, providing you with delicious, healthy meals your whole family will love. If you’re not on the Paleo diet and prefer to include dairy, grains and sugar in your diet, you may want to find a different cookbook on this list.
Pros
- Great for those on the Paleo diet.
- Lots of flavor variety.
- 200+ recipes with simple ingredients.
Cons
- Does not include nutritional information for every recipe.
- May be more restrictive than some prefer.
- Some may prefer more pictures than this cookbook includes.
3. Taste of Home Slow Cooker
If you’re a fan of homestyle cooking, then this cookbook will be right up your alley. It’s chock full of traditional, American, homey recipes–431 to be exact. This cookbook is organized first by type of meat: beef, pork, and poultry. Then it breaks down into other sub-categories like entrees, soups, sweets, and lighter fare. If you love meaty, traditional recipes, this may be a perfect book to add to your collection.
Included in this book is a beginner’s guide to slow cooking. The author gives you tips and tricks to get you started. This book relies on everyday ingredients to build its recipes so you shouldn’t have trouble finding anything you need at your local grocery store.
Tasty Recipes Your Family Will Love
There’s a lot of recipes such as: Mac and Cheese, Lime Chicken Tacos, and even Pizza Stew. The recipes are not only delicious but easy to make. So whether you’re entertaining or just cooking for your family, you’ll find something to love in this cookbook.
If you’re on alternative diets of any kind, whether low-cal, dairy-free, gluten-free or others, this cookbook may not be for you. Additionally, the breakfast options are limited. If you’re interested in smoothing out your morning routine with a crockpot cookbook, you may want to choose a different option on this list.
Pros
- 431 recipes.
- Lots of homestyle flavors.
- Beginner’s guide to slow cooking included.
Cons
- Not ideal for those on alternative diets.
- Most pasta recipes require that you pre-cook the pasta.
- Not many breakfast recipes.
4. Best Budget Pick- Crock Pot Recipe Collection
With over 350 recipes to choose from, this cookbook is sure to give you a ton of slow cooking variety. First off, it’s a trusted book that’s been around for a while. People love the recipes they find in this giant collection.
This book includes everything from tasty soups and stews to delicious sweets and desserts. There’s a recipe for bacon wrapped dates and another for corn on the cob with garlic herb butter—this book has recipes for all kinds of situations.
You can use it to prep for parties or serve up delicious, warm dinners. Most importantly, there’s a little something for everyone in this book.
Variety and Rich Flavors
A particularly tasty sounding recipe is the one for Maple Dry-Rubbed Ribs. These delicious ribs are covered in a sweet and spicy rub before being cooked low and slow for 8-9 hours. You can serve these up for a delicious weekend dinner.
When you’re done cooking the ribs, throw in the ingredients for the Fudge and Cream Pudding Cake. In just about 2 hours, right about the time you stop feeling stuffed from all the delicious ribs, you’ll have a tasty, warm chocolate cake to eat for dessert.
This book is designed to provide you the ultimate slow cooker recipe book. The authors tried to provide enough content and variety to keep you from having to look for another crockpot cookbook.
This is not the ideal book for those interested in simple, fast crockpot cooking. It aims to provide tasty recipes over fast recipes. Lastly, if you’re looking for speedy prep then you should try a different cookbook on this list.
Pros
- Lots of great pictures.
- 350+ diverse recipes to choose from.
- Budget price for a well-designed, high-quality, hardcover cookbook.
Cons
- Recipes may require more prep than some prefer.
- Ingredient lists may be too long for some.
- Relies heavily on canned ingredients—not ideal for those who cook without canned food.
5. Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook: 1400 Best Slow Cooker Recipes
Other books on this list are written to be the only slow cooker cookbook you need, but this one steals the show. With 1400 recipes, it’s by far the most recipe-packed book on our list.
Not only is it full of variety, but the recipes are easy. You just fix it, turn the slow cooker on, and forget about it until it’s time to eat your delicious meal.
Due to the large number of recipes, this cookbook does not have a picture for every recipe. Instead there are 8 small picture galleries that collect a bunch of pictures in one spot.
You can flip through these galleries for inspiration if you’re not sure what to make. However, if you want a cookbook with a picture for every recipe then you should choose a different cookbook on this list.
Classic Recipes
For those interested in slow cooking on weeknights or easy breakfast recipes, this is a great choice. It’s compiled from the New York Times bestselling series “Fix-It and Forget-It” and it’s well-loved by many.
What’s special about this cookbook is that all the recipes are sent in by home cooks. In additon, they’re tested and approved in family kitchens. It’s a great choice for those new to cooking. This cookbook specializes in easy, tasty recipes your whole family will love.
This book is full of classic recipes. Therefore, you’ll sometimes run across ingredients that aren’t easy to find, like butter buds. You may have to occasionally look up a substitute ingredient as you work your way through this cookbook.
Additionally, this book has a lot of classic, tasty flavors that rely on canned goods or processed foods. This makes many of the recipes simple to whip up. If you’re looking to avoid those kinds of ingredients, this is not the cookbook for you.
Pros
- Great for those who want an easy cookbook.
- 1400 recipes.
- Recipes sent in by home cooks—tested and approved by busy families.
Cons
- May not include enough pictures for some.
- Some recipes may be a bit repetitive.
- May rely too heavily on canned/processed food for some.
6. Slow Cooker Revolution
If you’re looking for a smaller, less expensive book from America’s Test Kitchen, this is a great option. Our top pick includes some recipes from this slimmer volume. This book will take up a bit less shelf space and is a budget choice.
America’s Test Kitchen does the work for you to create the best of the best recipes. It includes all kinds of simple tips and tricks that you can incorporate into your cooking. Instead of browning your meat before you put it in the slow cooker, this book suggests you combine soy sauce and tomato paste and add it to your meat. This will enhance the flavor of your meat as it cooks.
Twists on Classic Flavors
Try the Irish Oatmeal as a great breakfast or breakfast-for-dinner. Unlike some crockpot oatmeal recipes, it doesn’t boil over. It requires a bit of prep work, but it is a delicious, hearty meal. For a new version of classic chicken soup, try the Thai Chicken Soup. It’s a crowd pleaser and will liven up your usual flavors.
This book is not a great option if you prefer easy, simple to prep recipes. It requires a bit more prep work. But you get a tremendous amount of flavor and quality back for the extra work. If you’re interested in stepping up your slow cooker game, this is a great choice.
Pros
- 200 recipes.
- Lots of great info on the science behind the recipes.
- Includes tips and tricks for added flavor and quality.
Cons
- Not ideal for beginner cooks.
- Recipes can require more prep work than some prefer.
- Cooking times might be different depending on your slow cooker.
7. The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook
If you’re living gluten-free, whether due to Celiac disease, wheat allergies or gluten-intolerance, this is a nice option. It provides all kinds of recipes that avoid gluten. It finds alternative ways to thicken soups and stews and relies on different flours to make bread recipes. That’s right—this slow cooker cookbook has gluten-free bread recipes in it. Try their Pull-Apart Cinnamon Raisin Biscuits for a delicious, easy to prep, breakfast treat.
This book isn’t just for those living gluten-free. There’s plenty in it to satisfy all kinds of flavor preferences. For instance, you should try the Bacon Corn Chowder, Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya or the Spicy Vegetarian Chili for gluten-free versions of tasty, classic meals.
A Gluten-Free Cooking Education
In this book, you’ll find all kinds of tips and info on how to live gluten-free. It shows you how to set up your first gluten-free pantry. It also gives you advice on how to avoid cross-contamination in your kitchen. If you’re going gluten-free for the first time, this is a great beginner’s guide.
Often, gluten-free ingredients can be expensive. However, this book works hard to keep an eye on price. The recipes in this book won’t break the bank. In addition, you’ll find a lot of variety, from breakfasts to desserts to delicious dinners.
Pros
- Great beginner’s guide to going gluten-free.
- Recipes incorporate basic, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Includes lots of gluten-free bread, dessert and breakfast recipes.
Cons
- Not necessary for those who aren’t gluten-free.
- Print may be smaller than some prefer.
- Not many pictures included.
8. The Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook
If you’re looking for a cookbook to support your busy lifestyle, this book may work great for you. The recipes in this book take no more than 15 minutes to prep. It will be easy to throw these meals together in the few minutes before you leave for work in the morning. You can also quickly prep breakfast after the kids go to bed and still get plenty of sleep. Try the French Toast Casserole for a fun breakfast treat.
This book tags its recipes by category. You’ll be able to flip through this book like a normal cookbook. You can also quickly see recipes labeled gluten-free, allergy-friendly, vegetarian, low-sodium and more.
Simple, Fast Recipes
While this book advertises 5 ingredient recipes, it assumes you already have pantry staples like chicken broth or spices on hand. You may find that some recipes require more than five ingredients. They’ll still be simple, basic, fast recipes that are easy to whip up in a hurry.
Some may find that the variety in this cookbook is a bit limited. If you are looking for a slow cooker cookbook that has a lot of recipes in it, try another cookbook on this list. This cookbook also has only a few pictures. If you need step by step photos or like to flip through cookbooks by pictures, this may not be the right choice for you.
Pros
- 100 recipes.
- 5 main ingredients are highlighted for fast, easy meals.
- Most recipes require only 15 minutes of prep.
Cons
- May be too basic for more advanced cooks.
- Fewer recipes than other books on this list.
- Some may prefer more pictures.
9. The Vegan Slow Cooker
Vegetarians and vegans looking for a crockpot cookbook may find that this one meets many of their needs. It has 150 diverse recipes for all kinds of preferences. Whether you love meat substitutes like seitan and tofu or prefer veggie-centered recipes, there’s something in this book for you.
Treats like Exotic Cardamom Hot Chocolate and Turkish Delight Tapioca Pudding mean you’ll always have a sweet treat recipe that meets your plant-based needs.
The author of this book emphasizes that the recipes require only two steps. These are easy recipes designed to be prepped in only a few minutes. Some are made for prepping on your way out the door so you can come home to a delicious dinner.
Others are made for weekend cooking that can be ready in under three hours. There’s a lot of variety in this cookbook in terms of both flavor and cooking time. Some of these recipes are even ideal freezer meals for those who like to plan ahead.
Meat and Cheese Substitutions
If you love meat substitutes, this book will be especially good for you. It relies a lot on prepared substitutes for cheese and meat. If you’re not a fan of those ingredients, there’s still plenty to love in this cookbook.
For instance, try swapping out the suggested fake meat for tofu, tempeh or seitan, or just leave it out entirely. In addition, you can always add your favorite bean or extra veggies if you feel you need more food in the recipe.
Tricks for cheesy recipes are a bit different. Add nutritional yeast (it’s full of health benefits!) in place of fake cheese for a cheesy flavor, or homemade cashew cream instead of store-bought vegan cheese. You can also leave these flavors out.
Pros
- Great for those living a plant-based lifestyle.
- 150 recipes.
- Easy, fast prep.
Cons
- Some find they need to tweak the spices to match their preferred flavors.
- Not ideal for those who prefer to include meat in their diet.
- Heavy reliance on meat substitutes may not be what some prefer.
10. The Southern Slow Cooker Bible
This cookbook is a great option for those who love the flavors of southern cooking. It teaches you how to cook even the toughest cuts of meat. Whether you’re cooking pulled pork or roast beef, these mouthwatering recipes will help you prepare it well.
It’s got classic southern recipes like Is It Done Yet Peach Cobbler and Chicken and Dumplings, but there’s flavor variety in this book too. Try the Maple Sausage and Cheese Strata or the Sorghum Spiced Spoon Cake for southern flavors that aren’t as common. There are lots of grits recipes too, for those who love grits.
Versatility and Simplicity
Many of the recipes in this book can be done in either an Instapot or a crockpot. If you have an Instapot on hand, you can experiment with faster versions of these simple, quick prep meals.
This cookbook relies a bit heavily on canned goods. If you’re interested in reducing your canned goods intake, you might prefer a different cookbook on this list. Also, it also doesn’t include pictures of the recipes. If you prefer to have pictures alongside your recipes, you may prefer a different cookbook on this list.
Pros
- 365 recipes—a whole year’s worth of meals.
- Ideal for those who love southern flavors.
- Many Instapot friendly recipes.
Cons
- Relies heavily on canned goods.
- Not ideal for those living plant-based or gluten-free lifestyles.
- No pictures included with recipes.
Crockpot Cookbook Buyer’s Guide
There’s a lot to love about slow cookers and all kinds of cookbooks on the market. Choosing the best recipe guide for your kitchen can be tricky. If you’re new to slow cookers, there’s a whole world of exciting recipes, techniques and flavors out there for you to explore.
Try this delicious Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Recipe of ours at your next party. If you’ve been slow cooking for a while, maybe you’re ready for a more advanced cookbook. Whatever your preference, there’s a cookbook for you.
As you consider the best crockpot cookbook, think about what kinds of flavors you like and how much time you want to spend on prep work. Then take a look at this guide to help you determine the best choice for you.
What makes a great crockpot cookbook?
In short, the best crockpot cookbooks should have a variety of recipes and time-saving tips and tricks. For example, some provide lots of recipes while others focus on particular diets.
Some are great if you’re in a hurry while others are ideal for those who enjoy taking their time with prep work. Ultimately, the best crockpot cookbook is the one that looks the best to you. Here are some categories to think carefully about as you make your choice.
Time and Prep
If you’re interested in slow cooking because you want to save time in the kitchen, some books on this list will be ideal for you. You can also try our recipe for Slow Cooker Chili Mac.
The Fix it and Forget it, Taste of Home Slow Cooker and Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook are ideal choices for you. These cookbooks make it easy to quickly prep meals. Some, like The Taste of Home Slow Cooker, provide beginner’s guides to slow cooking.
Maybe you don’t mind spending a bit more time in the kitchen doing prep work. If that’s true, try the cookbooks from America’s Test Kitchen or the Crock-Pot Recipe Collection.
America’s Test Kitchen gives you the best flavors possible if you follow their recipes exactly. The Crock-Pot Recipe Collection gives you plenty of delicious flavors to choose from too.
The Vegan Slow Cooker has a variety of recipes that require different prep times. For instance, there are recipes that require only 15 minutes of prep while others are made for slow, weekend cooking. The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook has similar variability.
Spices and Flavors
The most recipe-packed book on this list is the Fix-it and Forget-it Big Cookbook. It’s got 1400 slow cooking favorites for you to choose from. In the 300-400 recipe range are The Complete Slow Cooker, the Taste of Home Slow Cooker, Crock-Pot Recipe Collection and the Southern Slow Cooker Bible. Books with more recipes will give you more variety of flavors to choose from.
The use of spices are also a big part of these cookbooks. If you want to add a ton of flavor and freshness to your meals, crush your own spices. In addition, if you need ideas on how to stock your spice organizer, take a look at these articles on coriander, dry mustard and cumin substitutes. They offer a lot of substitution suggestions when you’re cooking recipes with certain ingredients.
If you’re looking for just a few recipes to add to your collection, there are several books in the 100-200 recipe range. Try the Vegan Slow Cooker, The Easy 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Cookbook, Slow Cooker Revolution and the Big Book of Paleo Slow cooking.
Diet and Lifestyle
If you’re looking for southern, homestyle flavors, there are several options on this list. For example, the Southern Slow Cooker Bible or the Taste of Home cookbook are good choices. These cookbooks will focus on these flavors, though other cookbooks may include homey recipes as well.
If you’re on a special diet, there are a few choices on this list for you. Try the Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook for all kinds of tasty gluten-free choices.
There are even delicious breakfasts and breads to make in this cookbook. The Vegan Slow Cooker has plenty of choices to appeal to veggie lovers and meat lovers alike.
If you’re on the Paleo diet, check out our article on the Best Paleo Diet Cookbooks for more Paleo-friendly choices.
If you’re interested in the science of cooking, we recommend choosing one of the America’s Test Kitchen choices on this list. The authors do a great job of explaining so much about how and why to do things well. In addition, the Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook also has a great guide to eating gluten-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best crockpot cookbook?
A: We think it’s The Complete Slow Cooker from America’s Test Kitchen. These chef-tested recipes are backed by science. They’ll show you how to make the best tasting meal you possibly can. With over 450 recipes and all kinds of tricks to learn, this book will keep you trying new things for a long time. In short, you’ll be eating all kinds of delicious dinners, breakfasts and desserts with this cookbook.
Q: What are the benefits of slow cooking?
A: A slow cooker allows you to prep your meals ahead, turn it on, and come back to a delicious, hot meal. You can serve up delicious hot breakfasts with just a little prep work at night. You can feed a crowd with minimal work. However, it’s not just great for time management. Slow cooking can also unlock flavors over time. It can make tough cuts of meat tender and juicy. You can make great recipes in a crockpot on a budget.
Q: Can I use a slow cooker on a special diet?
A: Absolutely. We have several choices on our list if you’re trying to stay within a certain diet. Try The Vegan Slow Cooker, the Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook, or the Big Book of Paleo Slow Cooking.
Q: Is it safe to leave a slow cooker alone?
A: If you’re planning to leave your slow cooker alone for the day so you can come home to a hot dinner, you should follow these tips. Make sure the surface you set it on is heatproof and that you pull it away from the wall—about 6 inches should be good. Follow your recipe to fill it properly—you don’t want it to overflow while you’re gone. Above all, only use the low setting while you’re away. Cook on the high setting when you’re nearby to watch it.
Q: Can I cook on high instead of low in a slow cooker?
A: Yes, you can. But you may not get all the benefits of long, low, slow cooking. For every two hours of low cooking, approximate 1 hour of high cooking. We recommend you watch it as it goes to make sure you don’t overcook your recipe. In addition, always remember to always remain in the house when you’re using the high setting for safety.
Conclusion
You might be a busy mom with a bunch of kiddos who needs a cookbook that makes meal prep simple. Or perhaps you love spending time prepping delicious meals on the weekends. Maybe you’re starting a new diet and want to make it easy to serve up warm, tasty meals for your family. Whatever your needs, there’s a cookbook on this list for you.
You’ll be able to experiment, taste and master all kinds of delicious flavors with any of these cookbooks. You can make low calorie, simple dishes or elaborate creations with any cookbook on this list.
We hope that after reading our detailed crockpot cookbook reviews and comprehensive buying guide, you’ll have all the information you need to select the best crockpot cookbooks for your kitchen.
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