Cheap Crock Pot Recipes

Pork Loin is good in the crock pot. Cover 1/2 way with water and add some seasoning (can do somthing simple like salt & pepper) and toss in some potatoes or carrots. Good to go...

I'm sure you will get lots of great ideas but I wanted to let you know that I got a timer at Home Depot (a 2pack for $4.95) that plugs into the wall and then I plug my crockpot into. That way I can throw something in it (frozen meat works great too) and set the timer to start it up later in the day. (Obviously my crockpot doesn't have its own timer). I found it helpful because there are so many great recipies that can't cook for the whole 10 hrs you are gone. Its worked for us. I love coming home to a house that already smells like dinner.

I would look for a crock pot cook book..then when you see a particular type of meat on sale, you can load up and make it (chuck roast, pork roast, boneless chicken, etc.)

I make shredded BBQ beef:
Cook chuck roast on low 8 hours, with a quartered onion.
Add no water,
Drain liquid when you get home
Return to crock & shred with 2 large forks
Add BBQ sauce (any kind) mixed with about a cup of apricot preserves)
Mix & continue to heat for 15 minutes.
Serve on buns. If you make a large 3-4 lb. chuck roast, it makes a LOT--enough for 2 dinners and a lunch here or there....
Good luck!

I put the meat in frozen-chicken breasts/thighs, stew meat, pork chops, etc and cook on low all day. They cook nicely but don't get overdone. I've not done this w/ large cuts, like a roast. I'm not sure a large piece of meat would thaw and cook all the way through. Plus, roasts won't get overdone any way.

Chili is pretty cheap (right? I think it is...I haven't really calculated). That can be left cooking for a long time.

Many stews or meats can be made in a crockpot. Once you've read and tried some crockpot recipes, you get the hang of what can work out. I love J. dumping the ingredients in and letting it turn out well on its own. I would also suggest the crockpot with a timer. I also like the I Hate to Cook Book by Peg Bracken b/c she mentions lots of meats and stews/soups which are easy and can be converted into crockpot recipes.

Super easy and I usually always haVe the ingredients on hand.

Ground turkey or beef
Can of beans, I use black beans
Can of corn, diced tomatoes
I add an onion
Brown the meet and add all to the crockpot for however long you want. Also maybe a cup of water. And add a package of taco seasoning or whatever spices you have on hand. I use cumin. Serve with tortillas chips or rice.
Check out sparkrecipes.com. Search under slow cooker recipes.

I J. found this site through another mom's reply to a previous post:
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/

I tried her Beef sandwiches yesterday and they were great!
http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2011/01/peperoncini-beef-...

An inexpensive one I like is:
Bean Chili

3 cans assorted beans (black, great northern, etc.) drained
10 oz frozen corn
jar of salsa
one sweet potato peeled and cut into small pieces
one packet taco seasoning

Cook in crockpot on low. Serve topped with shredded cheese/sour cream.

I've read that there are crockpots that will cook for the hours you set, then switch to "warm" until you get home.

Another idea is to J. use your favorite recipe and plug your crockpot into a timer, so it doesn't start cooking until noon, or whatever time works for you, or starts cooking and then shuts off mid afternoon.

I have a recipe for chicken tortilla soup that is delicious! It is cheap for M. because I always have all the spices/onion/garlic on hand. The recipe says to get corn tortillas and bake them in the oven. I don't do that. Since I always have tortilla chips, I J. crumble them and use them as a topping with sour cream and some shredded cheese. Here is the link:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/slow-cooker-chicken-tortilla...

Check out this one too:
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sour-cream-pork-chops/detail...