These slow cooker potluck recipes for a crowd will ensure your dish is the star of the party. Whether you bring a side, entrée, or dessert, save time and effort (without skimping on flavor) with these dishes. You'll find slow cooker sides, main dishes, and set-and-forget sweets. Get used to your dish being the first to disappear!
Fast or Slow Jalapeño Popper Chili
Just spicy enough and featuring a mash-up of flavors from jalapeño poppers, tacos, and chili, this slow cooker potluck recipe is a main dish that tastes incredible when made with ground turkey or ground beef. Snag a big bag of tortilla chips at the store for scooping, and this entrée will win the day.
Gluten-Free Tex-Mex Cheese Dip
Think of this slow cooker potluck side or appetizer as queso's grown-up sibling. This creamy dip is spiked with black beans, corn, and peppers and packs a lot of flavor in each bite with plenty of hearty texture. Try it over fries or chips or as a grilled steak or chicken sauce.
Sweet and Spicy Bourbon Pulled Pork
Choose your soda for this slow cooker potluck recipe. That's right: Along with a bottle of spicy barbecue sauce and a few splashes of bourbon, the simmering blend for this succulent pork sandwich filling includes a cup of cola, Dr. Pepper, or root beer. We promise it's not too sweet and is not as crazy as it sounds. Each bite is well-balanced and dripping in saucy, caramelized onion goodness.
Sweet-and-Hot Nuts
Set out little cups of these for snacking or add them to a charcuterie board or salad; this slow cooker potluck idea is a remarkably versatile recipe. The zesty mix owes its flavor to a sugar, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and cayenne pepper blend. These next-level nuts are easier to eat when they're crispy and cool, so allow them to stand for at least an hour before the gathering begins.
Low-Country Shrimp Boil
Don't fuss with a big pot on the stove. Instead, try this low-stress (and low-mess) slow cooker recipe for a crowd next time you're craving a shrimp boil! Andouille sausage, shrimp, corn, and potatoes stew together in chicken broth for 4 to 9 hours—depending on a high or low temp—as you finish party prep. To serve, offer it up with extra hot sauce and cocktail sauce on the side, and don't forget a big spoon to dish the delectable cooking liquid atop each serving.
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Transport everyone's taste buds to Chicago for the entrée course with this slow cooker potluck main dish. It's remarkably easy since prep for these tomato-and-beef slow cooker sandwiches takes only 20 minutes. Of course, the best part of Italian beef sandwiches is the juice, so bring a ladle for everyone to pour on extra tomatoey goodness before diving into their subs.
Meatball Sliders
When you want to impress—but are pressed for time—this is one of the best slow cooker potluck recipes to bring to any gathering. The satisfying sandwiches start with purchased meatballs, so prep time is only 10 minutes. Assemble them in advance or set out the sliced Roma tomatoes and provolone cheese so guests can construct their own.
Zesty Fajita Bites
Fajita seasoning and brown mustard add some kick to the potluck menu. Simply simmer the chicken thigh filling in the slow cooker, shred the meat, and roll it with crisp bell peppers and green onions inside flour tortillas. Pair this slow cooker potluck recipe with a few kinds of salsa for extra flavor.
Slow Cooker Philly Cheese Steak Dip
This twist on a classic Philly cheesesteak sandwich is our go-to slow cooker recipe for entertaining a crowd. Each bite is loaded with deli roast beef, cheese, mushrooms, peppers, and onions. Serve the dip with toasted bread or chips for dunking.
Slow Cooker Jalapeño Popper Dip
Skip the work of making individual jalapeno poppers and make this feed-a-crowd slow cooker dip instead. Toss in cream cheese, shredded cheddar, bacon, and fresh jalapenos. Before serving, top with crispy breadcrumbs to mimic the fried texture. This dish is a total winner.
Slow Cooker Italian Sausage Grinders
Serve a hungry crowd with this big-batch slow cooker recipe. For the ultimate buffet, serve the meat with hoagie rolls and let each guest add their own toppings. We recommend shredded cheese, pepperoncini pepper rings, and fresh veggies.
Slow-Cooked Pork Carnitas
As pork shoulder cooks in the slow cooker, it becomes succulent and tender. Serve the finished carnitas over bread, stuffed in tacos, or spooned into lettuce wraps. For crispy carnitas, cook them in a pan on the stove after slow cooking.
Low-Sugar Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches
A homemade sauce is our secret to the best pulled pork sandwich. Here, we're sweetening it with dates and spooning it over slow-cooked meat and toasted whole wheat buns.
Asiago Cheese Dip
The best thing about this slow cooker party recipe is how easy it is to customize. As one BHG home cook shared, "Marinate left over chicken in hot sauce (shredded or finely chopped) and add it to this dip. It's incredible and really makes a wow with your guests."
King Ranch Crunch Chicken Casserole
This dump slow cooker recipe is a delicious combination of shredded chicken, chips, cheese, and salsa verde. A package of cream cheese adds richness to each bite. We like to serve this dish topped with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice.
Meatball Sandwiches
If you're wanting to make this slow cooker recipe ahead, make the meatballs, bake them, and freeze. Add them to the slow cooker and finish with a homemade tomato sauce. They're great piled into rolls and topped with mozzarella cheese.