Simply Made Recipes

In the kitchen with Aaron and Amber

You are here: Home / Archives for Recipes / Crockpot

Crockpot

Salsa Chicken Tacos

amazon

Salsa Chicken Tacos are an easy family friendly dinner option that can be made in the pressure cooker or crock-pot. Just three ingredients of salsa, taco seasoning and chicken breast is cooked and then nestled into a taco shell with lettuce, tomato, red onion and guacamole. 

Taco night is kind of a big deal in my household. We eat them in some form at least once a week and they never get old or boring. One the easiest ways I have found to make tacos is with this recipe. All you need is some chicken, a jar of salsa and a packet of taco seasoning. NO, it does not matter what salsa you use. Pick your families favorite of switch it up with a medium salsa, something spicy or a salsa verde. Top these tacos with whatever you choose… tomatoes, onion, guacamole, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, peppers, add some black beans… anything!

You may also enjoy these Ground Beef Tostadas!

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Salsa Chicken Tacos have a tender, shredded chicken inside a soft flour tortilla (hey, you can use hard shell tacos if you prefer) seasoned with a little taco seasoning and of course, salsa. The salsa adds all the flavor you need. This may be one of the easiest recipes ever while still having great flavor!

Pair tacos with my favorite Firehouse Guacamole recipe!


Crock-pot 

The crock-pot is my go-to kitchen appliance. You can toss in the chicken, salsa and taco seasoning in the slow cooker before work and come home to meal ready to eat. Just shred the chicken and assemble the tacos. Dinner is done! To quickly shred chicken, try using a hand mixer on the chicken for about 1 minute and you will be left with perfectly shredded chicken. 

Pressure Cooker

Last minute dinner? Cook the Salsa Chicken Tacos a pressure cooker. Place the chicken, salsa and taco seasoning in the pressure cooker, close the valve and cook on high for 15 minutes. Open the valve when the cook time is done and let it depressurize. Then, shred the chicken and serve some tacos. Read your manual before using a pressure cooker for safety. 

 

Salsa Chicken Tacos, salsa chicken, crockpot salsa chicken, instant pot salsa chicken, chicken tacos, tacos with guacamole, easy dinner recipe, kid friendly chicken recipe, taco recipe
Print

Salsa Chicken Tacos

Salsa Chicken Tacos are an easy family friendly dinner option that can be made in the pressure cooker or crock-pot. Just three ingredients of salsa, taco seasoning and chicken breast is cooked and then nestled into a taco shell with lettuce, tomato, red onion and guacamole. 

Course dinner
Keyword chicken, crockpot, Pressure Cooker, slow cooker, Tacos
Prep Time 7 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Servings 10 tacos
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chicken breast
  • 16 ounces salsa your choice
  • 1 ounce packet taco seasoning
  • 10 flour tortillas

Toppings

  • lettuce chopped
  • tomato diced
  • red onion diced
  • guacamole

Instructions

Crock-pot

  • Place chicken, jar of salsa and a packet of taco seasoning into crock-pot
  • Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours.
  • Shred chicken and then assemble tacos.

Pressure Cooker

  • Place chicken, jar of salsa and a packet of taco seasoning into pressure cooker.
  • Secure lid, close valve and cook for 15 minutes on high.
  • Safely open valve and depressurize.
  • Shred chicken and assemble tacos.

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

amazon

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is a family favorite dinner made with a roast, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy seasoning, butter and pepperoncinis that can easily be made in the pressure cooker or a crock-pot. 

The Mississippi Pot Roast is a recipe I came across many years ago on Pinterest. I don’t remember the original source I first saw the recipe from because it is ALL over the place! This recipe is not just a huge hit in my family but families everywhere. Typically, this roast is made in the crock-pot but today we are cutting back the cook time and cooking it in the pressure cooker. 

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is a bit salty with tender meat and a delicious gravy that is perfect over mashed potatoes. Pepperoncini’s add a little heat and more great flavor. 

Crock-Pot

Want to slow cook the roast? The crock-pot is probably my favorite way to make this meal. The pressure cooker is convenient and amazing in it’s own way but I am forever a crock-pot kind of girl. You want to start by seasoning the roast with salt and pepper, then searing each side on the stove top in some olive oil. Place the roast into a slow cooker and add a packet of Ranch, packet of au jus, 6-8 sliced pepperoncini’s, and a stick of butter. You will not need the beef broth this method. Cook on low for about 10 hours and then shred the meat. Serve over mashed potatoes. If you want it a little spicy, add in some of the pepperoncini juices straight from the jar while cooking. 

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast, crockpot mississippi pot roast, dinner pot roast, pressure cooker recipe, instant pot recipe, family friendly dinner recipe, pot roast ideas,
Print

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast

Pressure Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast is a family favorite dinner made with a roast, ranch seasoning, au jus gravy seasoning, butter and pepperoncinis that can easily be made in the pressure cooker or a crock-pot. 

Course dinner
Keyword crockpot, Instant Pot, Pressure Cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 4 Servings
Author Amber

Equipment

  • Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

  • 2 pound chuck roast rump can be used
  • 1 ounce au jus gravy packet
  • 1 ounce Ranch seasoning packet
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 6-8 pepperoncini sliced
  • 1 cup beef broth low sodium
  • olive oil
  • salt
  • ground pepper
  • parsley optional garnish

Instructions

  • Salt and pepper all sides of roast.
  • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in the bottom of the pressure cooker on a medium-high heat. Place roast inside and sear each side for about 3 minutes.
  • Remove roast. Deglaze the bottom of the pressure by adding 1 cup beef broth and scrape the bottom with a wooden spoon. Place the roast back in.
  • Add packet of Ranch, packet of au jus and stick of butter.
  • Slice 6-8 pepperoncinis and place on top of roast.
  • Cook for 60 minutes.
  • Depressurize and release lid. Shred meat. If the meat does not shred easily, cook another 15 minutes.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, in a sandwich, on the side of roasted vegetables or however you please.

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream is a cocoa made with white chocolate chips, whole milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract on the stove-top or in the slow cooker topped with an easy whipped cream made of heavy cream, strawberry Jello and confectioners sugar.

School was cancelled today because of the freezing cold temperatures outside. Like many places at the moment- Cincinnati is experiencing some serious low temperatures so what do we do? Drink hot chocolate, duh! We didn’t want any hot chocolate though so we made it special today with a strawberry whipped cream topping and Valentine’s Day sprinkles and it is just what we needed on a day like this.

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream

White Hot Chocolate can easily be made in the handy crock-pot or quickly on the stove top.

White Hot Chocolate Instructions

  • Stove Top: Add the chocolate chips, heavy cream , milk and vanilla extract to a saucepan or pot. Cook on a medium heat and whisk frequently until you reach a low simmer. Serve.
  • Crock Pot: Add your ingredients to a crock-pot and cook on low for 3 hours. Serve.

Strawberry Whipped Cream

Time for that special touch of strawberry whipped cream. This tastes like a normal fluffy, slightly sweet whipped cream but with the added bonus of strawberry flavor! Plus, it is really easy to make. Before beginning, place a metal bowl and the beaters into the freezer for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes is up, add the heavy cream, confectioners sugar, and a little bit of Jello gelatin powder in strawberry flavor to the cold bowl. Beat for 4-5 minutes you get a stiff peak – meaning it will hold firm but still look soft and fluffy.

Think of all the delicious desserts you can use this strawberry whipped cream on! YUM. 

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream, how to make flavored whipped cream, Valentine's Day recipe, hot cocoa, pink whipped cream, pink hot chocolate
Print

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream

White Hot Chocolate with Strawberry Whipped Cream is a cocoa made with white chocolate chips, whole milk, heavy cream and vanilla extract on the stove-top or in the slow cooker topped with an easy whipped cream made of heavy cream, strawberry Jello and confectioners sugar. 
Recipe inspired by The First Year Blog
Course desssert, drink
Keyword strawberry
Servings 4 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

White Hot Chocolate

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces white chocolate chips

Strawberry Whipped Cream

  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup confectioners sugar
  • 4 Tablespoons Jello gelatin powder strawberry

Instructions

  • Place a metal bowl and beaters into freezer for 15 minutes. 
  • Add 2 cups heavy cream , 1/2 cup confectioners sugar and 4 Tablespoons Jello gelatin powder into the metal bowl and beat for 4-5 minutes or until a stiff peak forms. Store in fridge. 
  • In a pot or saucepan, add the chocolate chips, 2 cups whole milk, 2 cups heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Cook on a medium heat stirring often as you bring it to a low simmer. 
  • Serve the hot chocolate in a mug with some strawberry whipped cream on top and add some sprinkles for fun!

After making this strawberry whipped cream for our white hot chocolate, I am thinking of all kinds of fun flavors and ways to eat whipped cream! Do you have any amazing flavor ideas? Let me know in the comments below.

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili is made with chicken breast,  Northern beans, yellow onion, chicken broth, salsa verde and seasonings. Top with sour cream , fresh avocado slices, tortilla strips and cilantro.

January is the month for soups and slow cooked meals. This time of year my crock-pot has a permanent spot on the kitchen counter so we use it daily – and we pretty much do just that! This Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili

Crock-pot White Chicken Chili is one of those really simple dump and go meals. Just make sure to soak the beans in a big bowl of water the night before so you can toss everything together in the morning. Cook on low all day, shred the chicken and serve with delicious toppings. We enjoy cilantro, fresh avocado, sour cream and crunchy tortilla strips.

If you want to thicken up the broth a bit, take your spoon or ladle and squish some of the cooked beans against the side of the crock-pot before serving! From time to time we also add extras in this soup. Put in whatever extras you have around the house like corn, carrots, celery, or herbs for more flavor and textures!

white chicken chili, crockpot chicken chili, slow cooker chili, northern beans recipe
Print

White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili is made with chicken breast,  Northern beans, yellow onion, chicken broth, salsa verde and seasonings. Top with sour cream , fresh avocado slices, tortilla strips and cilantro. 
Course dinner
Keyword chicken, chili, crockpot, slow coooker, soup
Servings 6 people
Author Amber

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Northern beans soaked overnight
  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 12 ounces salsa verde
  • 48 ounces chicken broth
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 sprig rosemary optional
  • sour cream topping
  • tortilla strips topping
  • fresh cilantro topping

Instructions

  • Soak the beans in water overnight. 
  • Place drained beans, chicken, salsa verde, and chicken broth into crock-pot. 
  • Dice the onion and mince the garlic cloves. Place into crock-pot along with 2 teaspoons cumin, 1 teaspoon pepper and a bay leaf. I also like to add a sprig of rosemary when I have it on hand. 
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours. 
  • Remove the rosemary sprig and bay leaf. 
  • Remove the chicken breasts, shred, and return to crock-pot. 
  • Mash some of the beans on the side the crock-pot with your ladle or spoon to thicken up the soup to your preference. 
  • Serve with your favorite toppings like sour cream, fresh cilantro and tortilla strips. 

What topping will you put on your Crock-pot White Chicken Chili?

Hosting a Football Game with Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #MyDollarGeneralWin

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are made with chicken slow cooked with onion, BBQ sauce and Dr Pepper® topped with a vinegar and oil coleslaw in a hamburger bun for a simple game day meal.

Ten-hut! Fall is officially here which means college football season is in full swing! Time to huddle up with your friends to plan the who, what, when and where for tailgating and football viewing parties for the season. These Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are guaranteed to make you the MVP among your friends and family for Saturday football, along with just a few hosting tips!

How to score a big WIN in hosting

  • Keep it simple and casual. Saturdays are for relaxing even if a big game is on. When hosting, let people kick their feet up and take it easy.
  • May your food be warm and drinks stay cold! Stock the fridge with Dr Pepper and serve something warm for the main dish.
  • Snacks galore! Chips, dips, pretzels, peanuts, and a cheese platter set out next to television are a must.
  • Clean and restock the bathroom. Toilet paper, hand soap, clean hand towels and some air freshener are on the Dollar General shopping list.
  • Make sure there is seating for everyone. Move the couch, bring in some extra chairs or whatever you need to do to make sure everyone has a comfortable seat.
  • More snacks. Make sure there is no way the snacks will run dry before the 4th quarter. Overestimate the amount of food and drink you will need and keep the snacks flowing.


The main stop for game day snacks, drinks, cleaning supplies and a few fun decor items is Dollar General for a quick, convenient shopping experience with great prices. I already had chicken in the freezer that just needed to be thawed out so this entire game day meal was a breeze.

Dollar General List

  • Plates
  • Napkins
  • Cups
  • Dr Pepper
  • Variety of snacks
  • Cleaning supplies
  • Toilet paper
  • Air freshener
  • Hand soap
  • Serving bowls and platters
  • Utensils
  • Football decorations
  • Ingredients: vinegar, vegetable oil, onion, carrots, cabbage/coleslaw mix, sugar, salt, celery seed and BBQ sauce.

#ad, #MyDollarGeneralWin, Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, game day recipe, Dr Pepper recipe, football food, pulled chicken, vinegar and oil coleslaw, Dollar General

Stock up and save on  Dr Pepper each time you visit Dollar General!

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

The mix of sweet Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken with the tang of a vinegar coleslaw are the perfect combination for a game day sandwich. These sandwiches are mouthwatering and just SO DARN DELICIOUS. The secret ingredient to these winning sandwiches are the Dr Pepper. Adding Dr Pepper with its rich, indulgent, one of a kind flavor makes meat so tender and adds that really nice sweetness that you and your friends are going to love. Dr Pepper is the official drink of college football fans and a great way to create yummy recipes with its 23 flavors packed inside every can.
#ad, #MyDollarGeneralWin, Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, game day recipe, Dr Pepper recipe, football food, pulled chicken, vinegar and oil coleslaw, Dollar General

Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
Print
#ad, #MyDollarGeneralWin, Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, game day recipe, Dr Pepper recipe, football food, pulled chicken, vinegar and oil coleslaw, Dollar General

Slow Cooker Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches are made with chicken, slow cooked with onion, BBQ sauce and Dr Pepper® topped with a vinegar and oil coleslaw in a hamburger bun for a simple game day meal. 

  • Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken
  • 3-4 pounds chicken breast
  • 26 ounces your favorite BBQ sauce (2 bottles)
  • 1 yellow onion, diced
  • 12 ounce can Dr Pepper®
  • Coleslaw
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled and shredded
  • 1 head cabbage, shredded (may substitute 2 bags coleslaw mix)
  • 3 green onions, sliced
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 3/4 cup distilled white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1.5 teaspoon celery seed
  • 8 hamburger buns
  1. Place chicken into the slow cooker.
  2. Dice a yellow onion and place on chicken.
  3. Pour in a bottle of BBQ sauce, followed by a can of Dr Pepper. Cook on low for 6 hours.
  4. As the chicken cooks, prep the coleslaw. Start by washing the vegetables well and peel the carrots.
  5. Quarter the cabbage head and put into a food processor. Pulse until the cabbage is shredded and place into a mixing bowl.
  6. Grate the carrots and slice the green onions. Add to cabbage. Dollar General has packaged coleslaw if you want to save time! Two bags will equal a head of cabbage.
  7. In a small bowl, add sugar, salt, celery seed, vinegar and oil. Mix well and add to the bowl of cabbage. Stir, cover and place in fridge until the chicken is fully cooked.
  8. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred in a mixing bowl. The chicken should shred easily with just a fork.
  9. Add 1 cup of BBQ sauce and 1 cup of the liquid and onion from the crock-pot. Mix in with the shredded chicken.
  10. Place a heap of chicken on a hamburger bun, followed by some coleslaw.
  11. Serve with a side of coleslaw and a cold Dr Pepper.

 

#ad, #MyDollarGeneralWin, Crock-Pot Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches, game day recipe, Dr Pepper recipe, football food, pulled chicken, vinegar and oil coleslaw, Dollar General

Game Day

Hosting game day is pretty relaxed. No need to be a perfectionist and scrub every inch of the house. Do a quick clean of the house making sure the bathrooms are stocked, set up the television viewing area with plenty of seating and prep some food. Begin your Dr Pepper Pulled Chicken Sandwiches 6 hours before kick off, make sure the drinks are cold and have plenty of snacks available! Do you have any hosting tips for game day? Share them in the comments below.

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip

amazon

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip is made with Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, ground beef with extra taco seasoning, black beans, Rotel and beer for the perfect game day snack.

You are going to LOVE this dip! The Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip is always a big hit among friends and family and is crazy easy to make. The only item you need to cook is the ground beef before tossing all the ingredients into your slow cooker for a few hours. Cook on the low setting, stir and then place on warm so everyone can snack and watch the game.

This recipe makes a big batch of dip so make sure to invite your friends over to share the goods.

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip
Print
Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip, game day recipes, snack, cheese dip, party recipe

Crock-Pot Taco Queso Dip is made with Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, ground beef with extra taco seasoning, black beans, Rotel and beer for the perfect game day snack. 

  • 32 ounces Velveeta original, cubed
  • 8 ounces pepper jack cheese block, cubed
  • 15 ounce can black beans, drained
  • 10 ounces mild Rotel, drained
  • 2 packets taco seasoning
  • 1 pound ground beef, lean
  • 1 cup beer
  • Tortilla chips
  1. Place the crockpot on low setting.
  2. Cube the Velveeta and pepper jack cheese. Place into crockpot.
  3. Drain the Rotel and black beans. Place into crockpot.
  4. On the stovetop, brown the ground beef and drain fat. Add taco seasoning packets and a few tablespoons water. Simmer until seasoning has thickened.
  5. Place ground beef into crockpot with 1 cup of any beer.
  6. Cook for 2-3 hours. Stir well. Serve with tortilla chips.


Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

amazon

Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is made with whole milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, maple syrup and white chocolate chips for a hot treat that is a must-make this fall season!

What screams fall more than pumpkin spice?

…….well……

…….hmmm……

…….uhm……

Oh that’s right- nothing! This Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is a nice twist from a regular hot chocolate with the added pumpkin and perfect to serve for a crowd on Thanksgiving, prepare while the kids are out trick-or-treating or any other upcoming gathering this season. I am making this again for my family when we head out to the pumpkin patch in the next couple weeks as a warm treat when we get back home to sip as we carve pumpkins. I cannot wait!

Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is really easy to cook up in the slow cooker. You simply dump all the ingredients in, let it cook on low for 3 hours and stir as often as possible.

When the chocolate has melted and the liquid is heated thoroughly, you can serve with a dollop of whipping cream and some cinnamon sugar sprinkled over top. Add a cinnamon stick for a garnish if you would like and enjoy.

 

Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Print
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate, hot chocolate for a crowd, Thanksgiving recipe, pumpkin spice recipe

Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is made with whole milk, pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, maple syrup and white chocolate chips for a hot treat that is a must-make this fall season! 

Yields: 10 servings

  • Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
  • 8 cups whole milk (1/2 gallon)
  • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon pumpkin spice
  • 12 ounces white chocolate chips
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • Garnish
  • Whipping cream
  • Cinnamon sugar
  • Cinnamon stick
  1. Place the whole milk, pumpkin puree, vanilla extract, pumpkin spice and chocolate chips into a 4 quart crock-pot. I actually used my 3 quart crock-pot but it was a tight squeeze so a bit larger would be ideal.
  2. Place on low for 3 hours stirring every so often. Once the chocolate chips have melted and liquid is hot, you can serve.
  3. Make the cinnamon sugar by adding sugar and cinnamon into a bowl and mixing.
  4. Serve the pumpkin spice hot chocolate by filling a mug 3/4 the way full, top with whipping cream, sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon sugar and garnish with a cinnamon stick.
  • Preparation time: 5 minutes
  • Cook time: 3 hours

Are you a big pumpkin spice lover like myself? If so, you are going to fall in love with this Crock-pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate.


Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice

Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice

Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice made in the crock-pot with ground turkey, corn, beans, bell peppers, onion and more topped with your favorites like jalapeno and avocado or sour cream and salsa.

Loaded Turkey Chili Over RiceChili is a staple in this household during the cold winter months. It is simple, affordable and bonus points if cooked in the crockpot. This Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice is super filling and comforting. Placing chili over rice really allows you to feed a lot of mouths on the cheap because this dish goes a long way. Tastes great re-heated through the week for lunches too.

Loaded Turkey Chili Over RiceLoaded Turkey Chili Over Rice

What I love about this Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice is that I can use my beloved crock-pot and the rainbow of ingredients. I am all about keeping meals simple.

Loaded Turkey Chili Over RiceAfter you have browned the ground turkey with chopped onion, just dump everything in that slow cooker and dinner is ready when you get home from work. You can add extra toppings with whatever you like. Jalapenos, sour cream , salsa, fresh avocado, shredded cheese… just to give you some tasty ideas.

Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice

Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice
Print
Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice

Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice made in the crock-pot with ground turkey, corn, beans, bell peppers, onion and more topped with your favorites like jalapeno and avocado or sour cream and salsa.

  • Loaded Turkey Chili Over Rice
  • 1.5 pounds ground turkey
  • 2 packs chili seasoning
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 green bell pepper
  • 1/2 onion, white
  • 8 ounce can corn, drained
  • 14 ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  • 15 ounce can chili beans
  • 15 ounce can kidney beans
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 2.5 cups tomato juice
  • 4 cups cooked white rice
  • To thicken (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1/2 cup liquid
  • Toppings
  • avocado
  • cheese, shredded
  • jalapeno
  • hot sauce
  • salsa
  • sour cream
  1. Chop the onion and bell peppers. Finely dice a jalapeno.
  2. On the stovetop, cook the diced onion and ground turkey until turkey begins to brown.
  3. Place the browned ground turkey, onion, bell peppers, diced jalapeno, tomato juice, chili seasoning, and the cans of corn, beans and tomato in the crock-pot.
  4. Set crock-pot on low for 6 hours.
  5. If you want to thicken the chili a bit, whisk 2 tablespoons of flour and 1/2 cup liquid (can be more tomato juice or juice from the cooked chili). Pour the thickened mixture into crock-pot and stir in.
  6. Cook rice according to directions. I always just dump mine in the rice cooker and let the timer do its job.
  7. Pour a ladle of chili over a serving of rice.
  8. Pick your toppings! Dice a fresh avocado, cheese, more jalapeno, add your favorite hot sauce or salsa, sour cream or whatever you wish.

Loaded Turkey Chili Over RiceLoaded Turkey Chili Over Rice

Crockpot Holiday Mashed Red Potatoes with Gouda

Crockpot Holiday Mashed Red Potatoes with Gouda

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. The following content is intended for readers who are 21 or older. #TurkeyDayTips #CollectiveBias

Crockpot Holiday Mashed Red Potatoes made in the slow cooker with red potatoes, sour cream, cream cheese, rosemary, garlic and melted gouda cheese are the must have side dish this Thanksgiving. We are pairing these creamy potatoes and the rest of Thanksgiving dinner with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Red Blend to pull together the spirit of the day.

With my husband being in the military going home for holidays hasn’t always been an option, especially when we were younger and didn’t have the money for flights and travel. I hosted my first Thanksgiving dinner with friends as a teenager and it was a disaster.

Disaster!!

Our friends are gracious and amazing so they were more than thankful that I cooked but I just took on way too much! I made everything I could think of from scratch and it was so stressful and chaotic. I have learned a few things over the past decade and the biggest tip I have to help a new entertainer prepare is to focus on just a few dishes and make them fantastic!

As a host, you want to focus on the “stars” on the table. Those are the turkey, the must-have mashed potatoes, the drinks and of course of the dessert. I’m helping you out today going over each of these star items.

Don’t be afraid to ask your guests to bring items. Designate someone to bring rolls, someone to bring green beans and whatever else you want to see on the dinner table. Your guests want to bring something and contribute! Take away some stress and let them.

Click HERE for Turkey Day tips!

Shop and redeem rewards with Shopkick this holiday season!

Click HERE for more info.

Hosting

Hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner can get a bit overwhelming but we are keeping it as simple as possible. We have the big items taken care of with the Butterball Whole Turkey, Woodridge Wines, side of Crockpot Mashed Red Potatoes with Gouda, Marie Callender’s Dessert Pies and Marie Callender’s Loaf Cakes.

The stars of dinner:

  • Butterball Whole Turkey – figure 1 pound per guest.
  • Marie Callender’s Dessert Pies and Marie Callender’s Loaf Cakes – enough for each guest to have two slices. Yes, two! It’s Thanksgiving!
  • Crockpot Red Mashed Potato with Gouda ingredients (recipe card below)
  • Woodridge Red Blend, Woodridge Chardonnay and Woodridge Cabernet – 1/2 bottle per person and get a selection of both the red and white

What else is on that Turkey Day checklist?

  • 2 clean plates for each guest
  • water glass for each guest and wine glass for everyone over 21
  • silverware- 2 forks, 1 spoon and 1 knife for each guest
  • beautiful serving platter/bowl for each dish and dessert
  • roasting pan
  • thermometer
  • hand mixer
  • crockpot
  • to-go boxes for guest leftovers
  • napkins
  • gravy bowl
  • ample amount of servings spoons for each dish
  • knife for carving the turkey

The special touches are what gives the holiday a warm, inviting feeling to the dinner table. Just a few items can bring out that “wow” factor.

Get the wow factor: 

  • candles
  • tablecloth
  • table liner
  • pumpkin and leaf for each guest
  • placemats
  • fresh flowers
  • the turkey is naturally the centerpiece so place some rosemary and fresh cranberries on the platter for instant décor

The Wine

Wine pairing is an area that can be intimidating but I have you covered. Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Red Blend was released earlier this year and comes in 750 mL and 1.5L bottles. The wine offers warm, toasty aromas and flavors, including jammy blackberry, vanilla, and baking spices. It’s full and rich with a long, flavorful finish. Pairs well with all your holiday favorites, including the turkey, potatoes and even pumpkin pie.

Woodbridge has been crafted for 30 years and offers classic wines that are balanced and smooth making them ideal for gatherings with friends and family for that perfect pairing. Woodbridge Red Blend is my recommended wine but also pick up Woodbridge Chardonnay and Woodbridge Cabernet so there is a great selection.

Visit Woodridge and follow on social media:

Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Turkey Time

Butterball is the #1 brand of turkey in America for a reason! Butterball Whole Turkeys are all natural and pre-brined giving you the highest quality, juiciest turkey perfect for your Thanksgiving celebrations. Every Butterball Whole Turkey comes with easy-to-follow instructions packaged in an easy open bag.

I bought a 10 pound Butterball Whole Turkey. If you are questioning how much you need to buy, figure 1 pound per person. This will give you more than enough for everyone and allow for leftovers. I followed the instructions that came with my turkey and thawed it out for a few hours in cold water, changing out the water every 30 minutes. Then, I preheat the oven to 325 degrees. I rubbed olive oil on top of the turkey and instead using stuffing inside the turkey, I filled the cavity with onion, lemon and rosemary for a nice aromatic. I cooked the turkey for 3 hours until the thigh temperature was at 180 degrees.

Don’t fret over the gravy! Your Butterball Whole Turkey comes with a gravy packet and instructions to whisk up the perfect gravy for those potatoes and turkey.

Only Butterball has a team of turkey experts at the Turkey Talk-Line who are ready and waiting to answer all of your cooking questions.  Call 1-800-BUTTERBALL or text 844-877-3456.

Visit Butterball and follow on social media:

 Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

Crockpot Holiday Mashed Red Potatoes with Gouda

I am a big fan of mashed potatoes of any kind but today I wanted to make them extra special for the big Thanksgiving dinner so I pulled together these Crockpot Holiday Mashed Red Potatoes with Gouda cheese. This side dish is so tasty and very simple to whip up.

Wash your red potatoes, peel or don’t peel (up to you), quarter and toss in that slow cooker for 3-4 hours with chicken broth, minced garlic and some fresh rosemary. Once the potatoes are tender, remove the rosemary, add shredded gouda cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Use a hand mixer to blend until smooth and creamy.

You are definitely going to want to make these mashed red potatoes!! They are a huge hit!

Crockpot Holiday Mashed Red Potatoes with Gouda
Print

Yields: 15 servings

  • 5 pounds red potatoes
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 sprigs rosemary
  • 8 ounces gouda cheese, shredded
  • .5 cup chicken broth
  • .5 cup sour cream
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)
  1. Wash and quarter 5 pounds of red potatoes.
  2. Peel potatoes if you wish. I like to peel half to keep some skin.
  3. Place chopped red potatoes, .5 cup chicken broth, minced garlic cloves and 3 sprigs of rosemary in crockpot.
  4. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
  5. Remove rosemary sprigs.
  6. Add sour cream, cream cheese, shredded gouda, salt and pepper.
  7. Use a hand mixer to mix ingredients together until creamy. You can add a pinch of milk if you need to thin out the mashed potatoes.
  8. Cook another 15 minutes so cheese melts and serve.
  • Preparation time: 10 minutes
  • Cook time: 4 hours

Dessert

Thanksgiving dinner isn’t complete without warm, delicious desserts.  End Thanksgiving on a high note with Marie Callender’s Dessert Pies and new Marie Callender’s Loaf Cakes. Dutch Apple and Chocolate Satin Dessert Pies taste just like homemade that are easy to make and quick to clean up. Marie Callender’s Loaf Cakes are made from scratch with real ingredients and no preservatives or artificial colors with flavors like Double Chocolate and Banana Nut.

Visit Marie Callender’s and follow on social media:

 Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday season with friends and family. Have you hosted a big Thanksgiving dinner or are you a new entertainer? Leave a comment below with tips from my veteran hosts for my newbies. New entertainers, leave a comment with any questions or concerns.

Crockpot Southern-Style Green Beans

Southern-Style Green Beans

Southern-Style Green Beans made in the crockpot slow cooked to side dish heaven. Made with fresh green beans and loads of delicious bacon for all my bacon lovers out there!

Crockpot Southern-Style Green Beans

Thanksgiving and Christmas are officially on a countdown now. I started my Christmas shopping and holiday menu planning. One dish that is typically on the table for holidays with my family is a green bean dish and these Southern-style Green Beans are always a huge hit!

Crockpot Southern-Style Green BeansThis side dish goes well beyond just the holidays. Make these any time for a bright, fresh comfort food paired with anything from ham to chicken, baked potatoes to rice. This is a simple dish with delicious flavor and a must make!

Crockpot Southern-Style Green Beans

Crockpot Southern-Style Green Beans
Print
Crockpot Southern-Style Green Beans

Southern-Style Green Beans made in the crockpot slow cooked to side dish heaven. Made with fresh green beans and loads of delicious bacon for all my bacon lovers out there!

  • 2 pounds fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 1 pound thick cut bacon (.5 pound of you want to cut back the bacon)
  • 1 medium yellow onion
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth
  • 4 sprigs thyme
  • salt
  • pepper
  1. Chop the yellow onion.
  2. Wash and trim the green beans.
  3. Chop your bacon and cook in a pan on a medium heat until crispy.
  4. Place on a paper towels to the side.
  5. Dispose of excess bacon grease. I always place my bacon grease into a mug and let it harden before throwing away.
  6. Place the same pan back on the burner and cook your onion for 3 minutes.
  7. Add the green beans for another 2 minutes tossing often.
  8. Place the green beans and onion into the crockpot. Add in a dash of salt, pepper, HALF the cooked bacon, broth and thyme.
  9. Cook on high for 3 hours.
  10. Stir in other half of cooked bacon and serve.

Crockpot Southern-Style Green BeansCrockpot Southern-Style Green Beans