Easy Breezy Month of Holiday Cooking

(aka: 2 Slow Cookers Per Week Holiday Challenge)

Here are 8 simple, dump-and-forget crockpot recipes along with a comprehensive grocery list at the end.

Decide now not to think too hard about dinner at least two nights a week and enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal that takes no time at all.

I created this list for a client and thought it would be a good challenge for more than one. I’ve included some overlapping ingredients to keep things efficient.

The recipes below have extra vegetables included in every dish for added nutrition:

1. Salsa Chicken with Vegetables
2. Beef & Vegetable Stew
3. Vegetarian Chili with Extra Veggies
4. BBQ Pulled Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Onions
5. Lemon Garlic Chicken with Veggies
6. Potato Soup with Leeks and Cauliflower
7. Teriyaki Chicken with Mixed Veggies
8. Italian Meatballs with Zucchini and Spinach

1. Salsa Chicken with Vegetables

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 1 jar of salsa (16 oz)
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 cup zucchini, diced
• 1 can black beans (drained)

Instructions: Dump everything into the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Shred the chicken and serve in tacos, over rice, or as a topping for salad.

2. Beef & Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs stew beef
• 4 cups beef broth
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 3 potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp thyme

Instructions: Combine all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours.

3. Vegetarian Chili with Extra Veggies

Ingredients:

• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans (drained)
• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1 cup frozen corn 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 cup diced butternut squash
• 1 packet chili seasoning

Instructions: Add everything to the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

4. BBQ Pulled Pork with Sweet Potatoes and Onions

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 bottle BBQ sauce (18 oz)
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 cup shredded cabbage

Instructions: Place pork in the crockpot, cover with BBQ sauce, broth, sweet potatoes, and onions. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Shred with two forks and serve with the vegetables.

5. Lemon Garlic Chicken with Veggies

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs (or breasts)
• Juice of 2 lemons
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup diced carrots

Instructions: Add all ingredients to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve with vegetables on the side or over rice.

6. Potato Soup with Leeks and Cauliflower

Ingredients:

• 6 medium potatoes, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 leek, sliced thin
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup coconut milk (or heavy cream)
• 1 tsp garlic powder or fresh garlic

Instructions: Combine everything except the milk/cream. Cook on low for 8 hours. Blend or mash slightly and stir in the milk/cream before serving.

7. Teriyaki Chicken with Mixed Veggies

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs (or breasts)
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger (grated or powder)
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (e.g., peas, carrots, green beans)
• 1 cup diced bell peppers

Instructions: Add everything to the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over rice or noodles.

8. Italian Meatballs with Zucchini and Spinach

Ingredients:

• 1 bag frozen meatballs (or homemade)
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 zucchini, sliced into rounds
• 2 cups spinach

Instructions: Dump everything except the spinach into the crockpot. Cook on low for 6 hours. Add spinach 30 minutes before serving, allowing it to wilt. Serve with pasta or bread.

Comprehensive Grocery List for all 8 meals

Proteins

• 4 chicken breasts
• 4 chicken thighs
• 2 lbs stew beef
• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 bag frozen meatballs

Canned Goods

• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• 1 can kidney beans
• 1 can black beans
• 1 jar of salsa
• 1 jar marinara sauce

Broths/Stocks

• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups beef broth

Vegetables

• 6 medium potatoes
• 3 sweet potatoes
• 6 carrots
• 3 onions
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 bell pepper
• 1 zucchini
• 1 leek
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup diced butternut squash
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup shredded cabbage

Condiments & Sauces

• 1 bottle (corn-syrup free) BBQ sauce
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey

Herbs & Spices

• Taco seasoning
• Chili seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Italian seasoning
• Ginger (optional, powdered or fresh)

Dairy/Non-Dairy

• 1 cup coconut milk (or heavy cream)

Other

• lemons

Let me know how it goes! Be well.

Jen Knoedl

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