I’m so glad so many of you share my love for crock pot cooking!
I’m already feeling excited about the Crock Pot Challenge! You guys shared some of the most fantastic sounding recipes and I cannot wait to give them a try.
A few that immediately popped out at me:
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
- Hawaiian BBQ Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Lasagna
- Onion Soup
- Crock Pot Italian Turkey Meatballs
- Spicy African Peanut Stew
A bunch of you were also kind enough to detail entire recipes in the comments section, so if you’re in the market for a quality crock pot recipe, definitely check out the comments on yesterday’s post! Many of them are super easy and require minimal ingredients.
A handful of you guys also expressed interest in participating in a Crock Pot Challenge together! That sounds like a lot of fun to me, so here’s what I’m thinking:
- Try 10 new crockpot recipes by the end of February
That’s it! I’m keeping it simple!
I realize that this is not a ridiculous amount of recipes to try, but crock pot recipes often produce a lot of leftovers, so I want to be mindful of that and also make the challenge doable for those of you who might not be that into cooking but still want to participate.
I will obviously blog about the recipes I try (or create) and if you have a blog and write a blog post that briefly recaps the 10 recipes you tried (or created) and what you thought of them by March 3, I will have a plugin set up for you to add your link to a big Crock Pot Challenge recap post on March 4.
If you’re on Twitter or Instagram and want to communicate with other participants or share recipes, you can use the hash tag #crockpotchallenge. Woop!
Hopefully this will be one big crock pot recipe swap and a fun way to motivate each other to branch out and try new recipes.
Breakfast
Last night Ryan and I had breakfast for dinner in the form of an artichoke and broccoli quiche (so good!) so I wasn’t in the mood for eggs this morning and decided to stick with another breakfast classic.
Pancakes!
Plus a hot cup of coffee.
Happy Friday!
Good luck with your crock pot challenge!
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More
I love cooking in the crockpot! It’s a little more challenging since I dont eat meat and the husband does, but who doesn’t love a good challenge?!
Ashlee
I’m totally in for a crock pot challenge. School starts up again for me next week so I love the idea of super easy and quick meals.
Annie@ What’s Annie Making?
woo! so glad to hear it!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
I love realistic goals: 10 recipes by the end of February is very doable but not overwhelming. I’ve never used a crockpot, so I’ll be excited to see your results. And after 2 days of pancake pictures, I have a serious craving that I’ll be taking care of soon
Beckett @ The Birchwood Pie Project
I like to buy split chicken breast (They are always on sale) and cook two of them in the slow cooker with water, carrots, celery, onions, salt, pepper, and whatever herbs I have on hand. After 8 hours I have tender/moist chicken for sandwiches or salads, and I strain the juice through a coffee filter and for homemade chicken stock! You can use the chicken in anything.
Sloane @ Life Food and Beer
Yay – I’m joining you! I freakin’ love my crock pot……I feel like you can make just about anything in there haha.
joelle (on a pink typewriter)
Let the crock pot challenge begin! Happy Friday!
Carrie @ Fitness and Frozen Grapes
I like the sound of this; let’s get crockin!
Now I’m off to check out Natalie’s onion soup recipe. Sounds fantastic!
Tiff (@LoveSweatBeers)
“let’s get crockin’!” this is so great.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
Haha, LOVE the “let’s get crockin’” too!
Right now my crockpot is in storage that I can’t access because we recently moved. {Boo!} But, I’m definitely going to see if any of my friends have one that I can borrow so I can join in on this cROCKIN’ challenge. It sounds like a ton of yum! 
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit
You love your pancakes!
I have yet to try some of your healthier versions but I really want to!
Emily
Yum! Your pancakes. I’m dying for some right now.
I’m not a big crock pot person (my mom ruined it for me at a young age with her attempts at making dishes taste good) but I definitely want to try some recipes I’ve seen around!
Sarah @PickyRunner
I’m all over this! I freaking love my crock pot!!
Linz @ Itz Linz
Yay! I love challenges. They’re such a great way to stay accountable. I really want to participate in this one because I love my crockpot, but I don’t use it nearly enough.
Natalie @ Free Range Human
Italian meatballs… Wow that sounds delsih. Think I might be adding this one to the challenge
My husband is always telling me how I don’t use the crock enough, after we spent all of that money on it… Oops. I just hate waiting all day for a meal that smells amazing.
Emily B
I’m so excited to be part of this.. I love my crock pot!!
Molly
yess!! I sooo love this idea and 10 crock pot meals I can do!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-dipper-pizza-fondue-recipe.html
Kate
ooooh man. this sounds unreal.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
I agree that looks and sounds fantastic!
Rachel
Can’t wait to get started on the crockpot challenge! I’ve already got some recipes up my sleeve and can’t wait to try some of your’s. What a great idea!!
kim@hungryhealthygirl
Just discovered your Amazon store!!! I can’t wait to try these items:
-Zensah Women’s Calf/Shin Splint Compression Sleeve, Neon Pink, Small/Medium – Zensah (My shin slints have recently been so painful I have had to walk-yawn.)
-Thorlos Experia Coolmax / Micro-Mini Socks Pink 10 (Who doesn’t love a little extra support.)
-L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze One-Day Tinted Gel, 6.7-Fluid Ounce (I am ready to get rid of my winter lack of color!)
Your shop is a great idea! Thanks!
Jessica Hedberg
Love this idea! I am obsessed with the crock pot – one of the best inventions ever!
Kerry @ Totes My Oats
I’m in for the crock pot challenge! I just got my very first crock pot for Christmas and it’s still in the box; time to bust that thing out! I’m sure the bf will be excited as well.
Melissa
I’m excited for the crock pot challenge! Although the word challenge might be an oxymoron since we are making our lives so much easier haha!
Elizabeth @ myneonrunningshoes
I LOVE this challenge! I am so in! Thanks for linking to my slow cooker lasagna…it’s one of my favorite meals!
Maureen
Count me in for the crock pot challenge. Our family ate out way too much during Christmas and I am looking forward to using the crock pot and eating at home together as a family.
elaine
I LOVE using the crockpot and those meals sound great. PS: I have that same mug (with an “M” of course)! so cute!
MacKenzie
Can’t wait to do the challenge, the Spicy African Peanut Stew sounds amazing!
Ps love your mug!
Emma
I’ve done a crockpot lasagna before and it turned out so, so yummy! I just got a mini crockpot for Christmas that I’m excited to experiment with. That peanut stew is calling my name!
I’ve heard rumors of crockpot bread and I really want to look into it and try!!!
Anna Lynn
Great idea, I’m in! We had actually planned on busting out the crockpot today anyway. I’m using the grilled tomatillo sauce we froze from the garden with some chicken breasts to make enchilada filling. Yum!
Charlotte
Fun challenge idea! Crockpot recipes definitely provide a ton of leftovers, if I were cooking for more than just me I’d definitely try to participate!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League
Haha I actually thought 10 sounded like a lot! But I guess you have Ryan there to help you finish them off!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats
The “Big Sweet n’ Spicy Veggie Pot” (copycat of Kashi’s Mayan Harvest Bake) is seriously amazing. I’m not usually a very big fan of Hungry Girl but this is one of my favorite recipes ever.
http://www.hungry-girl.com/newsletters/raw/1601
Nicole
Hi Julie!
I loved seeing that yesterday afternoon’s topic was crockpot cooking since yesterday was the second day this week that I had dinner slowly and deliciously cooking away while we were at work. It is such a great feeling on crockpot days when I remember throughout the workday that dinner is basically taking care of itself! It really does make things so simple – Woo Hoo! Yesterday I made Salsa Chicken. At first I intended on shredding it and putting it over lettuce to make a taco salad, but once I was home, I was more in the mood for a quesadilla. So, I shredded the chicken and put it in a whole wheat tortilla with cheese, grilled it a bit, then topped it with sour cream and tomatoes. Oh Mama – dynamite! The best part is that we had plenty of shredded chicken left over, so today’s lunch is a shredded salsa chicken taco salad. YUM!
Amanda
What a fun little challenge! I think it’s wise to not set the goal too high. With Pinterest, I’m sure you’ll have no trouble finding recipes
Have a good weekend!
Abby
Slow cooker lasagna? Oh my. I’m actually going out to buy a slow cooker later today because after hearing so many people raving about it, I figure it’s time to get one of my own. Plus I saw recipes for slow cooker cakes and I’m really curious about those!
Amanda @ .running with spoons.
So glad you liked my recipe! The onion soup is deeeelish!
Love the mug, I bought the same one for a friend of mine (also Julie)
natalie @ will jog for food
I have that mug too!
I’m excited to see the crockpot recipes. I think one crockpot meal would be enough for a week’s worth of dinners since I just cook for myself!
Alex
I love crockpot meals! This is one of my favs! 1 pkg pork ribs, 1 cup soy sauce, 1 cup brown sugar and 1/2 cup of water and 3-8 jalapeños (depending on spice level you want…you don’t have to eat them they add a nice flavor, but the spice is good too if you like it) cook low for 6 hrs, serve with rice!
Marisa
Hawaiian BBQ pulled pork sounds delicious! Can’t wait to see that post and recipe!
Danielle @ Truffles n’ Treadmills
I love that anthro mug – I have an “H” one.
And quiche is one of my favorite breakfast foods! Yum!
Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin
What a great idea! I’m definitely in for this challenge!
Lauren @ Berry Sweet Lauren
African Peanut Stew sounds soooo good. Yum! Can’t wait to give it a try. Thanks for posting a recipe for the vegetarians! Happy Friday!
Suzie
This is a great idea!!!! Too bad that I will be traveling a lot in January and cannot participate!
Madison
CROCKPOT CHALLENGE!?!??! It’s like Christmas all over again!!! I looooooove my crockpot! In fact, with my son’s new fascination with the stove/oven, it’s now the only way I can make dinner. I am in like Flynn!
Rachel B @ Busy Mama Fitness
Looking forward to this!! With crazy schedules this is the answer!
Carley
check out my blog about protein needed for runners:
http://runningathousandmiles.blogspot.com/2013/01/runners-need-protein-too.html
Kelsie
I’m in and super excited!
Katie @ running4cupcakes
I might just have to do this challenge! I love my slow cooker! Especially when I work late
Sara @ fitcupcaker
why do your pancakes always look so white?
Kaykay
I love this challenge! I made crock pot apple crumble last night (on the blog this morning), and said to my fiancee that we should start using it more. What a great surprise when I popped in for my daily dose of PBF – just the motivation I needed!
Victoria @ Reluctantly Skinny
I love using my crockpot so I’m down for the challenge. Yay!
Linda
Where is the mug from???? Love. Want.
jenny