The new year has passed, but the cold weather lingers. The charm of snowfall and frosted windshields has faded, and with your motivation dwindling and vitamin D levels at an all-time low, it’s the perfect moment to embrace coziness. Pull out your favorite sweaters, dust off your slow cooker and let it do the work while you sit back and relax.
Slow cookers are a working person’s best friend for fast, easy and delish weeknight dinners, as you can set it and forget it (well, at least in theory). They are also ideal for Shabbat! Throw everything in Friday morning, and by the evening, dinner is all ready. Or, prep your ingredients Friday afternoon, and you’ll have a comforting Shabbat lunch all set and ready.
In fact, did you know that the invention of the crockpot was inspired by the Shabbat slow-cooked stew, cholent. That’s right — cholent inspired the crockpot! Traditionally prepared on Friday afternoon and then left to simmer overnight on a hotplate or slow-cooker, cholent is a supper and lunch staple for Jews around the world.
Don’t let your slow cooker stop at cholent — there’s a world of Jewish comfort food waiting to be explored. From hearty stews to tender meats and flavorful sides, this versatile kitchen tool can bring a variety of classic dishes to life. Here are 10 other delectable Jewish recipes that are perfect for your slow cooker, offering all the warmth and tradition you crave with the ease you’ll love.
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Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Pot roast in half the time.
Crockpot Carne con Papas
Literally meat and potatoes, this dish is a Cuban family favorite.
Spicy Mexican-Inspired Cholent
Slow-cooked Shabbat stew with a modern touch.
Crockpot Roast Chicken
The easiest – and most delicious – way to serve up chicken.
Crockpot Short Ribs with Pomegranate Molasses
This short ribs recipe is so rich and delicious, no one will guess you didn’t spend all day cooking.
Crockpot Israeli-Style Stuffed Peppers
Set your slow cooker for a hearty, Israeli-inspired dinner.
Latin-Inspired Vegetarian Cholent
Add some meat-free spice to your Shabbat.
Crockpot Beef Barley Mushroom Soup
This gently seasoned beef and barley mushroom soup is a cold weather classic.
Osavo
This Bukharian slow-cooked, hearty rice and brisket is a family favorite that will warm you up even on the coldest winter days.
Crockpot Sweet and Sour Brisket
This modern twist on a classic brisket, which many of you were raised on, is even simpler than the original — simply throw it together in the morning and enjoy for lunch.
cholent
Pronounced: CHO-lent, Origin: Yiddish, but believed to be derived from French, a slow-cooked stew traditionally prepared for and left cooking over Shabbat.
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kugel
Prounounced: KOO-gull (oo as in book), Origin: Yiddish, traditional Ashkenazi casserole frequently made with egg noodles or potatoes.
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Shabbat
Pronounced: shuh-BAHT or shah-BAHT, Origin: Hebrew, the Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.
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