Slow Cooker Corned Beef

Hello all! Life is just crazy. I think that is enough said. Between the holidays, trips, and the dreaded toilet paper shortage of 2020, posting recipes has been the last thing on my mind. But, here I am, getting my mind off of the worries of the world and spending more time at home with my family. Recipes may get a little...interesting...over the next few weeks but that's alright.
I know a few days after St. Patrick's day isn't the typical day to post a recipe about Corned Beef, but, that's what's happening. This is the Corned Beef we made this year and it was absolutely phenomenal! Every year I say the same thing, "Why don't we eat Corned Beef more often?!" Seriously though...why don't we. Corned Beef is absolutely delicious. Cooked in the slow cooker keeps it nice and juicy and tender while packed with the amazing peppercorn and saltiness we all love! I wanted to jazz up the flavor packet just a little by adding a couple of other pantry staples to it.
I opted to leave the traditional carrots, potatoes, and cabbage out of the slow cooker this time, but, you can totally add them in to make this an all in one pot dish.

BBQ Pulled Pork w/ Garlic Aioli

MMMMMM. Pretty much anything that has a garlic aioli is going to be a favorite of mine. There is just something about it that takes a basic recipe such as this, and brings it to the next amazing level of deliciousness. This recipe is super easy! You literally throw a few ingredients in the slow cooker, whisk up the garlic aioli, and then wait until dinner time. You can't get much easier then this. Plus, it's BBQ...who doesn't like BBQ.
I like making slow cooker meals like this on days where I know I am not going to have a lot of time at night to prepare a meal. I feel like there are some nights where we are just running from one thing to the next. It's nights like those where I still want to have a home cooked meal but I run out of energy and time to make one. Thus the slow cooker comes into play.

Slow Cooker Basil Chicken

I love basil. Like, absolutely love it. So when a friend of mine told me I need to try a similar Basil Chicken recipe, I knew I needed to jump on it immediately. This recipe is amazing. If you like curry, and you like basil, this recipe will be your jam.
I think sometimes people feel that Anti-Inflammatory recipes are lackluster in the flavor department, but I am here to show you otherwise. This Anti-Inflammatory recipe is jam packed with flavor and seriously will not disappoint. I love the fact that this dish is made in the slow cooker, because it makes my house smell delicious for many hours and it helps to keep dinner time less hectic. I also love the fact that I GENERALLY will have all of the ingredients on hand to make this, which makes it budget friendly and easy to add into a rotation when I have forgotten something at the store for a different meal.
I haven't tried to figure out times for making it in the Pressure Cooker yet, but I'm sure that won't be to far off in the future.

Homemade Chicken Broth

Oh chicken broth. We love this stuff so much at my house. Whenever I get a rotisserie chicken from Costco or have leftover bones from any kind of chicken (or turkey) I make broth out of it and store it in the freezer for a rainy day.
When one of us is sick at our house we heat up some of this yummy deliciousness and it makes us feel so much better! Its a great way to get a lot of nutrients into your body.
I use this for all sorts of recipes. I especially love it in my Homemade Chicken and Quinoa Soup! It is a great start to any soup to be honest :)
You will not be sorry you tried making your own homemade broth, and may not even go back to buying that store bought kind because this stuff has so much more flavor!

By the way, I just want to give a big shout out to my wonderful followers.  Man, I really do appreciate all of you who follow my blog and enjoy these recipes. It really makes me happy to know that sharing great recipes can really help people enjoy being in the kitchen. I appreciate all of your comments as well! When I see that I have new comments it seriously makes my day a billion times better! SO THANK YOU!

Zuppa Toscana Soup

This is one of my favorite soups ever. I made this recipe the other day and it tasted exactly like the one at Olive Garden, probably even better. Is it the healthiest of soups? No, but it is delicious regardless. Plus, it has kale in it, so I figure having that addition makes it healthy right?
It has been off and on cold here lately which has really been getting me in full blown soup mode. This recipe is the perfect way to warm up the body and get you in the mood for cooler weather!
I have made this soup in a variety of ways, on the stove, in the slow cooker, and in the pressure cooker. They all taste the same and turn out great, so you can pick the method that works best for you!

Mediterranean Chicken

I have been loving my slow cooker lately. For some reason, I have been busier then usual lately and by the time I get home I haven't wanted to fix dinner. Thus the amazingness of the slow cooker comes into action. Being able to prepare my meals earlier in the day and let it cook while I am out and about makes my life so much easier! Not only does it make dinner time less chaotic, but your house smells amazing the whole time it's cooking, or you get to walk into a home that smells fantastic after a long day.
Is there anything better then that? Okay, having somebody else do all the prep and cooking would probably be better BUT this is a close second. 😁
This is a new recipe that we tried out that is Anti-Inflammatory! Wahoo, I know it's been a while since I added a recipe that knocks out all of those inflammatory foods, but here it is. This dish is packed with flavor. If you have a love for kalamata olives, you will love this dish...if not...well it may not be your favorite! I LOVED this dish and I hope you do as well!
*I also like to prepare this in the Pressure Cooker so I don't need to dirty up another pan to saute the chicken. I have only prepared it using the saute and slow cooker features so far, so if you try it with a different feature you will have to let me know how it turned out!

Baked Beans

This recipe brings back such good memories. My husband and I love to camp. When we were first married we camped all the time and this was one of our favorite meals to prepare over the fire.
I don't do much cooking over the fire anymore for this recipe and instead use my handy dandy oven ;) but whenever I eat this it does remind me of those days.
This is seriously one of my favorite recipes because it is so versatile. I've made it with pork chops, with ground hamburger, and with hot dogs (yes we are very healthy at our house😁). This is also my all time favorite meal to make as a freezer meal. It warms up so well and tastes like it was never in the freezer.

Pulled Pork Tacos

OH MY GOODNESS! I don't know why I don't make these more often! Not only are these ridiculously easy but they are RIDICULOUSLY GOOD!
This is a recipe that my mom had started making during my teenage years and I fell in love with them. These flavors in the cooking liquid is amazing that you don't even need to top your tacos with anything, unless of course you want to. The flavors remind me of a classic Mexican taco wagon. You know the ones I am talking about!
Cooking the meat in the slow cooker allows the flavors to really develop in the meat while making the meat nice and tender, also making it easy to shred.
One thing I love about shredding meat is that it makes it go a long way. I did a pretty small roast and we will be eating this for leftovers for at least a few days. This is also a meal that warms up fantastic.
You will not be mad you tried this one out.

BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwich

This is a super easy recipe. Some of the ingredients are a little weird for a typical BBQ, but I'll tell you what....THEY WORK! Shred the chicken and put on sandwiches, serve it over a salad, or leave it whole! It's good no matter how you eat it. Just get it in your belly!!!
I have made this recipe many times for family and friends whenever they have stayed with us, and every time I have been asked for the recipe. The best part about it is that it's made in the slow cooker, so you don't have to spend a lot of time at dinner getting it ready. I like to pair my meat up with my favorite Sweet Coleslaw recipe. Enjoy!

Banh Mi Rice Bowls

A while back on Netflix they had the Great Food Truck Race so I binge watched it of course and was hungry all the time. One of the food trucks that sparked my interested was a Banh Mi Sandwich truck. I had no idea what these things were but every time they made them they looked absolutely delish. Well fast forward a couple of months and a restaurant  opened up literally around the corner from my house that was all about the Banh Mi. I am now officially an addict and wanted to try my hand at them at home.
This version is, obviously, not a sandwich. One thing that makes a good Banh Mi sandwich is the rolls they use and I was not about to butcher those amazing bits of goodness so when I found a recipe using the same flavors they put inside the sandwich but served over rice I knew this was a version I would feel comfortable making.
One thing I love about this recipe is you have your hot cooked rice and meat served with crunchy fresh pickled vegetables, fresh raw vegetables, and cilantro (which I am obsessed with).
Guys...this stuff is awesome. I have made this recipe multiple times for multiple people who have come to stay at our house and every time I have been asked for the recipe.

Glazed Ham

I probably should have posted this recipe before Easter but for some reason I thought I had posted about it years ago. Hopefully some of you bought hams on clearance and will now be able to use this recipe next time.
I love ham. We have a small family but I still buy a huge ham every Easter season so that I can make all the yummy leftover ham recipes. I usually just buy the spiral cut hams that have that yummy glaze with them, but sometimes I opt to buy the cheaper non spiral cut ones and make my own glaze. THIS ladies and gents is a keeper of a glaze. It's sweet and has the perfect flavors that pair nicely with the ham.

French Dip Sandwich

I love french dip. It's easy and no matter how you make it, it always comes out tasting delish. I uses to always eat it the classic way with just the meat, horseradish, and bun but lately I've been venturing out and trying some different ways. I believe I have found a keeper. If you like banana peppers you will love this recipe. I love the extra zing you get from cooking the meat with the peppers. Give it  a try. It won't disappoint.

BBQ Meatballs

Meatballs.  You can't get much easier then these for an amazing appetizer that requires no work at all. These bbq meatballs are always a crowd pleaser and I promise you will always have people asking for this recipe. Sometimes I don't like to share how easy it is because they taste like they should take more time and effort.

50-60 frozen meatballs (I like the Italian ones from costco)
9 oz bbq sauce (I use any original flavored kind)
9 oz grape jelly

1. Combine the bbq sauce and grape jelly in the bottom of your crock pot.
2. Add meatballs and stir to coat.
3. Set temperature to high, cover, and cook for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.

**Randi's Side Notes**
- I would keep an eye on these as they tend to brown more on the side that is in the liquid. I like to stir mine when I has about an hour left.

Creamy Italian Chicken and Rice

I love this stuff. In our family this is known as "Marty's Yummy Chicken and Rice". My sister was the one in our family to discover this amazing recipe many years ago and has long since been passed around and is a favorite in most homes.
This recipe is so simple and has great flavor. You just throw everything in the crock pot and let it do its magic. I like to serve mine up on top of some nice rice but I know some people serve it up over noodles instead. Either way is great.

Hawaiian Haystacks

You know. I hadn't had these in forever! And you know what....I don't know why!!!
This is one of the easiest and fastest meals to throw together with a bunch of leftovers!
Something I love about these is that you combine everything on the fork to make one perfect bite! Plate licking is always acceptable with this type of meal. Enjoy!

Overnight Apple Pie Oatmeal

Growing up I used to eat a packet of oatmeal or cream of wheat almost every morning with my dad. In fact my breakfast consisted of a bowl of processed oatmeal, 2 pieces of white toast loaded with butter, and a nice tall glass of milk. Now, Im not saying that eating that way is bad but you do get a lot of processed sugar and miscellaneous ingredients thrown into the pack so I have opted to start making it from scratch.
Ive never really been a huge fan of homemade oatmeal. To me it just never had very good flavor compared to the premade ones. BUT this recipe is fantastic. It tastes like an apple pie in your bowl. The great thing about it is that you put it in your crockpot before you go to bed and its ready for you in the morning when you get up. Can't get much better then that. And since it cooks low and slow the flavors get into the oatmeal a little bit better! I like that you use steel cut oats in this recipe because for the most part you can find them to be gluten free! (although always make sure you double check)

Crock Pot Turkey Chili

Oh chili. I have a love/hate relationship with chili. I always hated chili when I was growing up. And even now, if I have another choice I will usually pick something else.
THIS CHILI THOUGH---wow. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be making it again as soon as the weather cools down (dips below 100). I like this chili because the flavor is great and a little different then your average chili. This recipe didn't call for any beans....which is why I think I liked it so much. Usually, for me, chili's have way to many different kinds of beans in them that all I get is one massive bite full of beans...beans...beans.
I did adapt this recipe just a smidge and yes I did add a can of beans haha. I know I know...call the police because Im such a hypocrite!
This is a kid friendly chili as well because it isn't spicy but yet still has so much flavor jam packed into it. Adding the ground turkey instead of ground beef also helps cut out some unnecessary calories!
I served mine up with a huge side of Corn Bread.

Buffalo Chicken Sandwich

For the past couple of years I have been an addict to the Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches at Subway. My husband got me to try something new one day, which doesn't happen very often, and I have been addicted ever since. In fact, while I was pregnant I quite fondly remember eating more then my fair share of their yummy sandwiches. Mmm, just thinking about them gets me hungry.
So aside from my love for Subway, I decided that I could have the same thing at home. Why not?! So what did I do? I jumped on my faithful Pinterest account and started looking at every Buffalo Chicken Sandwich recipe I could find and piled them all together to come up with this beauty.
The chicken comes out so tender and juicy because you cook it in the crockpot, and then you can make it as spicy or not as you like according to how much sauce you put on!
I personally am a bigger fan of Ranch with my buffalo wings rather then Blue Cheese, but you could do whatever you like!

Shredded Beef Tacos

Oh....my.....goodness!!!!!
Between the amazing beef in this recipe and the tomatillo dressing recipe (recipe to come tomorrow) that goes with it I think I died and went to heaven! This I must say has got to be one of the best recipe finds I have ever found. The beef is slow cooked all day in a fantastic combination of flavors and then shredded to put in tacos! Then there is a tomatillo dressing recipe that is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
If you have ever been to Cafe Rio, this is a copycat version of their Shredded Beef Tacos and their Tomatillo dressing. So if you like it there then you will love this recipe!

Slow Cooked Jerk Pork

This recipe smells absolutely fantastic cooking all day. It took a lot of self control to not try to eat it after only a couple of hours. Marinading it overnight in a great combination of sweet, fresh citrus juices and some spicy jerk flavors really gives this pork a great flavor base before cooking it. You can make it as spicy or not as you want, and either way it will be fantastic. I topped mine off with the Mango and Black Bean Salad I posted about yesterday and it was FANTASTIC! Mine ended up being a little spicy so having that salad there with the avocado and mango really helped cool it down. This would be fantastic served over plain rice, cilantro rice, coconut rice...anything really.