The Crock Pot Challenge is officially over!
Challenge details: Try 10 new crock pot recipes between January 11 and the end of February.
We like to keep things simple around here!
I loved the way this challenge encouraged me to experiment a bit with my crock pot and try a bunch of new recipes. When it comes to crock pot cooking, I tend to fall back on my old stand by recipes, so taking the time to plan meals and look for mouth-watering recipes was quite fun!
Here’s a brief overview of the recipes I attempted during the challenge:
- Crock Pot Carrot Ginger Soup: Healthy and creamy, this soup was the perfect cold weather dinner! I loved the zip from the ginger and the comforting flavor.
- Skinny Chicken Tikka Masala: I converted Gina’s recipe into a crock pot-friendly version and we loved it! I used light coconut milk in place of the regular milk.
- Slow Cooker Beef Stew: I added a lot more vegetables to the recipe but really enjoyed the flavor of the broth of this hearty stew.
- Crock Pot Steel Cut Oats: Ultimate recipe fail. I tried my best to salvage this one, but it was an all-around dud.
- Crock Pot Garam Masala Chicken & Chickpeas: My favorite recipe from the challenge! I am now a proud member of the garam masala fan club!
- Cuban Chicken: This dish was a hit with my entire family. Veggie-packed and filling!
- Mediterranean Succotash: We enjoyed this succotash over brown rice and thought it was delicious! A perfect meatless meal.
- Slow Cooker Seafood Gumbo: As a big-time seafood lover, I thought this gumbo was delicious! I needed to add more liquid to the recipe, but other than that, I thought it was a winner.
- Crock Pot Curried Lentils: Not a pretty dish, but a tasty one!
- Easy Crock Pot Carnitas: Ryan’s favorite recipe from the challenge! He dubbed the carnitas “restaurant quality.”
Recipes I have on my radar that I still need to try:
Crock Pot Challenge Link Up
And now for your recaps! I initially planned to set up a plugin for you guys to add your own links to this post, but I’m having major issues with the coding this morning, so I’m going to manually add your links. I found a bunch of your recaps myself, but if you have a recap post you’d like to share that isn’t included below, please add it to the comments section or email it to me at pbfingers@gmail.com and I’ll add it ASAP!
Be sure to check out Crock Pot Challenge recaps from these awesome challenge participants:
- Running in a Skirt
- Foodiecology
- Freeing Imperfections
- WHOLEistically Fit
- Running 4 Cupcakes
- She Wines Sometimes
- Lively Happenings
- Good for the Soul by Dani-T
- Some Sugar Added
- Run with Perseverance
- Be Well Bundo
- Food & Fitness
- It’s Sweet for Certain
- Life After Swimming
Question of the Morning
- What is the best slow cooker meal you’ve made within the past month or two?
Crock pot season is in full force over here! Last night I made pot roast (pork shoulder, carrots, potatoes, chicken broth, s&p, garlic – easiest recipe ever) and it was deeelicious. In fact, I’m eating leftovers of it for breakfast right now, haha
Paige @ Your Trainer Paige
Mmmm pot roast sounds so amazing right now!
Julie, I’m so glad you finally got to try Indian spices and flavors~they are seriously some of the best ever–so interesting and complex.
Ellie@Fit for the Soul
I’m going to have to bookmark this! I’ve only ever used my crockpot to make chicken soup and pulled chicken, I really need to get more creative!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats
Such fun ideas!! Thanks for the link
shelly (cookies and cups)
my pleasure! your recipe looks unreal!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
Hi Julie! I’ve been reading your blog for months but have yet to comment.
I think the best crock pot recipe I’ve made lately is pulled pork… So simple, yet so, so good!!
Allie
I made beef and tomato stew from Eat Yourself Skinny in the crock a few weeks ago and it was delicious and easy! It’s just my husband and I and it made A LOT but it also froze really well. We also went skiing and threw a pork loin, onions, potatoes and carrots in while we were on the slopes. After 8 hours in the snow, dinner was ready when we got back! I love the crock pot for that very reason!
Laura @ Carpe Run
I did a few crock pot meals last month, but wanted to do more.
The best crock pot recipe I’ve made recently are these BBQ short ribs: http://www.organicallymo.com/2013/01/14/crock-pot-tomato-bbq-short-ribs/ Serve over a bed of spinach and quinoa. Sooooo delicious!
Maureen
all of your crock pot recipes look so good!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
I didn’t participate, but I heart my crock pot. It’s the ultimate kitchen task master. Here’s a link to my slow cooker recipes:
http://www.kellytheculinarian.com/search/label/crock%20pot
Kelly @ Kelly the Culinarian
That Ginger Soup sounds so good!!
Linz @ Itz Linz
I didn’t do the crockpot challenge, but after reading your post about the carnitas, I decided I had to try them. I 100% agreed that they were AWESOME! I get really lazy about using my crock pot because I hate cleaning it, but those were worth it! I will definitely be making them next time I have anyone over for dinner!
Laura
so glad you liked them, laura!
peanutbutterfingers
Use crockpot liners, life changing!
Sky
I’m so excited to start cooking with a crock pot! I peeked at my registry list and someone got the one we asked for!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie
I have to try those carnitas! We love that kind of stuff!!! Maybe this weekend!
Jackie @ Nacho Average Runner
I haven’t used my crockpot yet but I need to now that I have all of these great recipes to refer to!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health
My all time favorite crock pot recipe is Cream Cheese Chicken Chili: http://munchercruncher.blogspot.com/2012/01/cream-cheese-chicken-chili-in-crock-pot.html. Tastes sooo good–almost like a taco dip!
Emily @ Maple Miles
My favorite crockpot meal is Chicken Curry. So stinking good! It’s super easy too. 1 can of coconut milk mixed with 2-3 tablespoons curry powder. Chop up a couple potatoes, carrots and an onion and add to the crock pot. Throw in a few chicken thighs or cut up chicken breast, toss to coat and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serve over jasmine rice. So so good!
Jessica @fromthekitchentotheroad
that sounds RIGHT up my alley! thanks for sharing, jessica!
peanutbutterfingers
Yum! You have so many delicious sounding Indian-inspired dishes here! I cannot wait to modify some of them to make the vegetarian. The slow cooker is definitely my friend!
The last delicious thing that I just made with my slow cooker was Italian lentil-stuffed bell peppers. They were fantastic!
Hannah @ CleanEatingVeggieGirl
Thanks again for doing such an awesome challenge!
Katie @ running4cupcakes
thank YOU for participating, katie!
peanutbutterfingers
These all look so delicious. I’m definitely coming back here for some recipes. I made a delicious chicken stack in the crock pot. Chicken, salsa, black beans, and corn. So easy! Shred the chicken and put it all in a tortilla with lime juice and cilantro.
Sharsti@theblondehairblueeyedrunner
The best I’ve made has got to be Paleo chili. freakin’ amazing!
joelle @ on a pink typewriter
Thanks for the link up! And thank YOU for hosting this! This was such a good idea that I honestly think I’d do it again on my own just to find more crock pot recipes.
My favorite recipe of the challenge was the tomato basil parmesan soup. It was healthy but still delicious and flavorful. I definitely want to try those pork carnitas. That’s right up my hubby’s alley too.
Melissa @ Freeing Imperfections
so glad you participated, melissa!
peanutbutterfingers
I loooove using my crockpot. Chili is my favorite thing to make in it as well as pulled pork.
Erin @ Axell’s Kitchen
I made crock pot vegetarian chili last week, which was delicious. I don’t use the crock pot much but I’m definitely going to be trying some of these recipes. The carrot and ginger soup looks amazing!
Rachel McIntyre
Thank you!! I might just challenge myself to make all of your recipes because they all looked amazing! Love this roundup!
Brooke @ Running In Heels
I made Crock Pot Hoppin John Black Eyed Peas for New Year’s Day and it was amazing! It gave the black eyed peas a rich flavor and the sausage made it seem almost like a gumbo. Recipe from the Thrifty Gourmet Cook’s blog.
Hollie
My favorite recent crockpot recipe has to be the chicken gumbo I made about a month back. So delicious! I’d love to try the carnitas. They look great – I’d definitely say restaurant quality!
Dana @ Conscious Kitchen Blog
Thanks for the roundup! It made me realize that I cook with my crock pot nearly as much as I should. I haven’t even used it in the past month, yikes. That’s about to change now that I’m drooling over that Tikka Masala recipe.
Caity
Such a great collection of recipes! I just got a little click-happy myself. I’ve made a couple delicious soups in the Crockpot this season, absolutely love the thing and definitely want to try more!
Meghan @ After the Ivy League
Thanks for sharing my recap link and for hosting such an awesome challenge! I had so much fun looking for and prepping new recipes. This was a great experience!
I can’t wait to try all of the recipes you and the other bloggers have posted.
Kim @ She Wines Sometimes
Ooh I’m going to have to try the garam masala chicken & chickpeas! Lately I’ve been loving this teriyaki chicken: http://rachelschultz.com/2012/07/25/slow-cooker-teriyaki-chicken/
My boyfriend and his roommates recently hosted a crock pot pot luck, I think I should suggest having another!
Kelly
I made a vegetable crock pot lasagna last night and it turned out REALLY well!! Crock pot lasagna is where its at!
alyssa @ life a la wife
Hey! Here is the link to my roundup! http://abetteryeartoabetterlife.com/2013/03/04/crockpot-challenge/ thanks for hosting!
Megan
thanks so much for participating, megan. just added your link to the post!
peanutbutterfingers
I always think, “I don’t have time to use my crock pot,” which is so silly because it takes less time than preparing any other meal. I’m going to try some of your recipes – they all look SO good.
Lindsay
Julie, thanks so much for hosting this awesome challenge. It was a ton of fun and a ton of yum!
Hehe. So looking forward to scoping out everyone’s recipes and trying some of them out myself. I already can’t wait to make several on your list. Thanks again! 
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit
i’m so glad you participated, ali! loved your recap!
peanutbutterfingers
The best crockpot recipe I have tried recently is the Smoky Refried Bean Soup from the crockpot 365 blog. It was so good!! Even my picky 19 month old son liked it
tracy
Sorry that your crockpot oats were a dud. I made some with blueberries and bananas that turned out really good. http://www.hungryhealthygirl.com/2013/02/19/banana-blueberry-steel-cut-oats-in-the-slow-cooker/
I was actually trying to participate in the challenge, but I wasn’t able to make to 10 recipes. This Southwestern Soup is by far the best slow-cooker recipe I’ve ever made! http://www.hungryhealthygirl.com/2013/02/24/southwestern-soup-in-the-slow-cooker/
kim@hungryhealthygirl
Thanks for the recipes! I love the idea of a crock pot challenge. There is nothing better than coming home from a hard day at work to finished meal!!! Makes life so much better
Lauren @ Rustic Honey
I made so many great new recipes during this challenge. Just this weekend, I fixed up a Crock Pot Sesame Chicken that was delicious!
Natalie @ Free Range Human
We made Crock Pot Mexican Pork for Super Bowl. It was so good and it made 2 other meals which is even better.
Jessica
The Cuban chicken sounds so good!
Ashley @ Life and Fitness
Such great ideas! I love making mexican type chicken in the crockpot–so yummy
Annette@FitnessPerks
Hmmm those recipes sound great! I will have to check them out! I love using my crock pot in the winter! Makes for some really easy dinner nights!!!
Mallory @ ifgravityhappens
Your making me want to get a crock pot!
Emily @ 2:DESIGN:CENTS
This was a great challenge! Thanks for encouraging myself & others to try our crock pots more! I emailed you the link back to my post, but here it is again!
http://livelyhappenings.blogspot.com/2013/03/crock-pot-challenge-by-pbfingers-wrap-up.html
Tamara @ Lively Happenings
thanks tamara! i added it to the post!
peanutbutterfingers
Loved this challenge! It definitely made me experiment more
Here’s the link to my ten recipes! http://lifeafterswimming.com/2013/03/03/crock-pot-roundup/
Nikki
thank you for participating, nikki! i added your link to the post!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers
Definitely make the slow cooker apple butter, I made a couple of batches at Thanksgiving and gave them to family and friends. Everyone loved it and it was so easy!
Jenn
This is my fav! Easy and delicious.
Crockpot Fajitas – http://polkadotsmile.blogspot.ca/2013/02/crockpot-fajitas.html
Kim
Hey Julie,
I loved reading about your challenge and only participated by eating a few of the dishes that you posted and coming up with a few new recipes of my own. I wrote a post on my own blog today about a new dish that I made and I featured your blog, as well as this post, so that my readers would have access to your recipes and everyone else’s who participated. You can check out my post here, http://jujueatcake.blogspot.com/2013/03/juju-crockpot-rye-corned-beef-and.html where I featured your blog. I also posted a recipe a few days ago for a yummy crockpot roast here, http://jujueatcake.blogspot.com/2013/02/easy-pot-roast.html#
Thanks for inspiring me to use my crockpot! Also, your curry lentil recipe was the bomb!
Juju
your recipes sound great! thanks for sharing!
peanutbutterfingers
Thanks for the link–AND for hosting the challenge!
Your recipes look amazing. I love all of the Indian-inspired dishes and will have to try the chicken tikka masala, garam masala chickpeas/chicken, and the carrot-ginger soup!
And as a Gulf Coast resident, I can’t believe I’ve never made crockpot gumbo! I’ll have to try that one, too.
Catherine
Thanks for hosting this challenge, I had so much fun participating! Thanks for the link-up too!
Melissa @ Some Sugar Added
Thank you so much for this challenge! I had a blast using my slow cooker more often than I would have, and now I have a lot more recipes to try from other bloggers!
Amy H. @ Run with Perseverance
Hi! Thanks for hosting the challenge and for the blog shout out! I had a great time cooking and planning the meals and now I’m finding even more to make through these links.
Now we’ll have to do some challenges to use my other unused kitchen appliances… I do have a once used ice cream maker… Haha!
Great idea- I really enjoyed it.
Julie Wunder
Julie Wunder
thanks for participating, julie! and i love the idea for future challenges using other “unused” appliances!
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers