Welcome to the collection of my best 22 recipes for smaller crock pots—all will work in 3-4 quart or larger crock pots. But many will also work in 2-quart mini crock pots.
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Give that smaller crock pot some love with one of these favorites, or check out the categories pages for all the choices.
33 Mini Crock Pot Recipes—a sub-group of the small crock pot group that will also work in a 2-quart crock pot and have instructions for a 2-quart crock pot.
45 Small Crock Pot Recipes—All the recipes for 3-4 quart crock pots.
60 Crock Pot Recipes—All the recipes for any size crock pot—full size, small, or mini.
Chili Recipes
Chili is great in a crock pot. The first two are specifically for smaller crock pots and are two of the best chilis you will ever make. Check out all the great chili recipes in the Chili category.
Italian Recipes
I love Italian, and you can check out all the Italian recipes in the Italian category, but these are my favorites for smaller crock pots.
Tex Mex Recipes
The Tex-Mex section may be disproportionate to the others, mainly due to my love for Tex-Mex foods and tastes. We can still have great flavor even if we cook for smaller households.
Here are a few of my favorite Tex-Mex recipes I cook in a smaller crock pot, but you can see all the recipes in the Tex-Mex category.
Soup Recipes
Like Chili recipes, soup is just fantastic in a crock pot. These are designed for the smaller crock pot. Check out all the great soups in the Soup category.
Main Dishes
Here are some favorites from various categories.
Chinese Recipes
Yes, Chinese food is excellent in a crock pot. Here is a sampling, but all my Chinese recipes are in the Chinese category.
Candy and Dessert Recipes
It's a great way to end the day, something sweet. We all love a great dessert, so check out more dessert recipes in the Dessert Category.
The candy recipes are all gift-giving worth. Check out more candy recipes in the Candy Category.
About Crock Pot Size
A crock pot will make your life easier, but in a smaller household, large six to seven-quart crock pots are too big for everyday use. You only have so much freezer space. They are heavy and harder to store. So, let's talk crock pot size.
2 quart or smaller crock pots may have more temperature and quality control issues, so watch the temperatures and end points closely. Both micro (less than 2 quarts) and mini (2-3 quarts) will have more wasted ingredients, the same work, and fewer results—your choice.
- Micro crock pots (less than 2-quart) are what many people have, but the recipes are few—but some of the 2-quart mini crock pot recipes will work. Remember, crock pots should not be over 75% full.
- 2-3 quart mini crock pots can work for more dishes and may be enough for a "cooking for one or two" household.
- A 3-4 quart crock pot is "just right" most of the time in smaller "cooking for two" households. It is small enough for most people to handle and make recipes with some leftovers while not wasting many ingredients.
- Full-size crock pots—usually 6-7 quarts, but some odd sizes, like 5 or 8 quarts, are out there. They will handle large recipes, and most smaller recipes for small 3-quart slow cookers will also work well but may cook a little faster.
Thanks for stopping by.
DrDan, Wifo, Molly, and Lilly
Cary says
Good idea...2 quart mini recipes, especially for people who don't like leftovers or don't freeze! Thanks
Cammie Hendricks says
Making a dish designed for a 1-2 quart crockpot or smaller crockpot in a 4 quart crockpot, what are the pitfalls?
Dan Mikesell AKA DrDan says
Hi Cammie,
Welcome to the blog.
Cooking a small recipe is a bigger crock pot can cook a little faster. So just watch closer.
Some smaller recipes won't even cover the bottom of some large crock pots which might lead to unpredictable results (due to locations of heating elements and thermostats. So a really small recipe, I wouldn't do in a large crock pot.
Finally. Cooking is just applying heat in a controlled manor. You can get away with a lot if you just watch closely.
Hope that helps.
Dan
Carol says
You need to up date your information. I use a 1.5 crock pot all the time. It has, low, high and warm settings. I've made Swiss steak for 3 people.. It is great for one person and I've never made a dip in it. A 2 - 3 quart is way too much for a one person household.