You don't want to buy the wrong slow cooker and end up with endless leftovers—or not have enough food to go around! Take a closer look at the slow cooker sizes below to find one that's right for you.
Find the Slow Cooker Size That’s Best for You
Updated on Jun. 25, 2019
Slow cookers are absolutely dreamy. You load them up with meats, veggies and spices, then a few hours later you have a hot meal! But when it comes to slow cooker sizes, which one is right for you?
There are a couple of factors to consider as you choose: How many people are you cooking for? Are you banking on having leftovers? What kind of meat are you making? Do you already own a small cooking appliance, like an Instant Pot?
Keep those questions in mind as you discover which crock is best suited for your specific needs.
What size should I get?
The 6- or 7-quart models are among the most popular, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best choice for everyone. (By the way, here’s our favorite slow cooker brand.) Find yourself among the descriptions below to learn which slow cooker we’d recommend for you.
The Small-Batch Queen: 2- or 3-quart slow cooker
If you’re most often cooking for one or two people, opt for a 2- or 3-quart slow cooker. These are great for small-batch cooking, as they prep just enough food for a couple of people. You won’t be able to fit larger cuts of meat in this model, so if you cook for two people, but like cooking roasts, opt for a larger model. Otherwise, if you’re sticking to soups and small dinners, this is the perfect choice for you. These recipes fit perfectly in a 3-quart slow cooker.
Purchase a 3-quart slow cooker here.
The Family Chef: 4- or 5-quart slow cooker
Larger families are well-suited for 4- or 5-quart slow cookers, which can feed up to six people. It’s a great choice for bigger dishes—like casseroles, stews and full dinners—and it can fit a roast! Not a huge one—stick to a 3–4 lb. roast for this size, and if you need a larger cut, you’ll need a bigger slow cooker. Once you have your new appliance, give these 5-quart slow cooker recipes a try.
Purchase a 5-quart slow cooker here.
The Leftover Lover: 6-quart slow cooker
The 6-quart slow cooker is very popular, and with good reason—it can feed a crowd and leave you with leftovers for the week. That’s every chef’s dream! This model is ideal for roasts and large-batch recipes. Fill your crock with these recipes designed for a 6-quart slow cooker.
Purchase a 6-quart slow cooker here.
Ever the Entertainer: 7- or 8-quart slow cooker
If you’re known as Patsy the Potluck Princess, the 7- or 8-quart models are made for you. Larger slow cooker sizes are meant for crowds of 12+ people, whether you’re bringing food to a sporting event or cooking for a holiday party.
Purchase an 8-quart slow cooker here.
Psst! Here’s how to convert your slow cooker recipes to fit any size crock.
What features do I need?
Regardless of size, slow cookers come equipped with various features that may help you on your culinary journey. As you consider which sizes are best for your family, don’t forget to look at features and accessories that can make cooking easier and tastier:
- Smartphone syncing: On some slow cooker models, you can sync your smartphone, meaning you can start and stop cooking from the touch of your screen.
- Lid locks: If you travel often with your slow cooker—like to potlucks or picnics—get a lock that will keep everything secure as you go. And check out a few more life-changing slow cooker accessories.
- Automatic stirrer: Slow cooker lids are made for accessories, and if you make soups, sauces or mashed potatoes in yours, you should check out the automatic stirrer, which can prevent heat from escaping when you open the lid to stir (because it stirs for you!).
Our Most Impressive Slow Cooker Recipes
Stuffed Chicken RollsJust thinking about this dish sparks my appetite. The ham and cheese rolled inside are a tasty surprise. Leftovers reheat well and make a perfect lunch with a green salad. —Jean Sherwood, Kenneth City, Florida
Slow-Roasted Lemon Dill ChickenThe lemon and dill in this slow-cooked recipe give the chicken a bright, fresh taste. Pair the entree with a side of noodles or a mixed green salad. —Lori Lockrey, Pickering, Ontario
Slow-Cooker Sirloin SteakMaking sirloin steak in a Crockpot is a simple, fool-proof method that gives you tender, fall-apart meat with plenty of gravy and none of the messy grease splatter.
Slow-Cooker Pork ChopsIt only takes a few simple ingredients to make these juicy and tender slow-cooker pork chops.
Slow-Cooker BBQ ChickenOf all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this Crock-Pot BBQ chicken is my most treasured. If you enjoy your BBQ sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington
Pot Roast with MushroomsThis pot roast with mushrooms is a comforting meal that cooks all day in the slow cooker.
Chocolate Peanut Butter CakeDecorate like a professional baker and become everyone's favorite host when you bake this sweet and salty chocolate peanut butter cake.
Chicken Sliders with Sesame SlawEveryone loves barbecue chicken sliders. My version has an Asian twist, with spicy, tangy flavors. At our potlucks, they quickly vanish. —Priscilla Yee, Concord, California
Pink Grapefruit CheesecakeCheesecake in a slow cooker? It's true! I experimented a few times to turn this iconic dessert into a slow-cooker classic. Give it a try. I promise you'll be absolutely amazed by the results! —Krista Lanphier Milwaukee, WI
Hot Spinach Artichoke DipOne taste of this outrageously delicious hot spinach artichoke dip and your guests will not stop eating it until it's gone. The savory blend of artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese is positively addictive! It tastes even better if you make it the night before and chill it in the fridge before baking. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California
Italian Shrimp and PastaWe like pasta with Italian tomato sauces, and this recipe is one we make often. It’s heavy on the shrimp and light on the pasta, and that’s the way we like it. We can remember when shrimp was unheard of in our budget, so I guess we’re making up for it now! —Frank Fader, Payson, Arizona
Maple-Walnut Sweet PotatoesTopped with dried cherries and walnuts, this side is downright delicious. Even people who aren't into sweet potatoes will grab a second scoop. —Sarah Herse, Brooklyn, New York
Italian Chicken ChardonnayOne day I needed to have dinner ready when we walked in the door after work and school. I altered a skillet dish that my family likes, creating this delicious slow-cooker meal. It's perfect for a weeknight but nice enough for company too. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Chicken StewThis chicken stew is a comforting one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, hearty vegetables, a rich, savory broth—and a surprise ingredient.
Slow-Cooker Chicken CacciatoreThis dump-and-go chicken cacciatore recipe is just the slow cooker meal you need for busy weeknights.
Seafood Cheese DipThis cheesy recipe has an ideal combination of seafood flavors and clings beautifully to slices of bread. —Michelle Domm, Atlanta, New York
Thai Coconut BeefMy husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked BeansWhen I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine
Gooey Peanut Butter-Chocolate CakeHere in Wisconsin, winter weather is extreme. A hot dessert is just the thing to warm us up. This slow-cooked chocolate cake gets its crunch from a sprinkling of peanuts. —Lisa Erickson, Ripon, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Rotisserie ChickenYou won't believe this golden brown chicken was made in the slow cooker. Packed with flavor, slow-cooker rotisserie chicken results in meltingly moist meat, tender carrots and juices that are perfect for gravy.
Pumpkin Pie PuddingMy husband loves anything pumpkin, and this creamy, comforting pumpkin pudding recipe is one of his favorites. We make our easy pudding all year long, but it's especially nice in the fall. —Andrea Schaak, Bloomington, Minnesota
Slow-Cooker Corned Beef and CabbageSlow-cooker corned beef is packed with cabbage and other hearty vegetables. It's easy to pull together for St. Patrick's Day, but you can enjoy it any time of year.
Spiced Carrots & Butternut SquashWhen I've got a lot going on, my slow cooker is my go-to tool for cooking veggies. The sweetness of the squash and carrots really complements the spicy seasonings. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Slow Cooker Caramel Apple CiderSpiced with cinnamon sticks, allspice and caramel, this warm-you-up sipper will chase away winter's chill. Serve brimming mugs alongside a platter of festive cookies at your next holiday gathering. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Moroccan Vegetable Chicken TagineTake a trip to Morocco with this rich, exotic dish. A tagine is a North African slow-cooked stew named after the pot it’s cooked in.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Burgundy PearsThese warm spiced pears elevate slow cooking to a new level of elegance, yet they're incredibly easy to make. Your friends won't believe this fancy-looking dessert came from a slow cooker. —Elizabeth Hanes, Peralta, New Mexico
Creamy Mashed PotatoesEveryone needs an amazing recipe for creamy mashed potatoes—and these smooth cream cheese mashed potatoes are our pick. With just five ingredients (plus salt and pepper), they are easy to make, and the cream cheese adds a rich tanginess.
Chili & Cheese Crustless QuicheThis filling Tex-Mex egg casserole is perfect for any meal of the day. I add a salad and dinner is on! —Gail Watkins, Norwalk, Califiornia
Hot Spiced Lemon DrinkI received this recipe from a lady in our church who is an excellent cook. She has shared several slow-cooker recipes with us. We really enjoy the sweet-tangy flavor of this warm citrus punch. —Mandy Wright, Springville, Utah
Buffalo Chicken LasagnaThis recipe was inspired by my daughter's favorite food—Buffalo wings! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina
Slow-Cooker Green BeansGreen beans may seem like the simplest of side dishes, but these slow-cooker green beans with brown sugar and soy sauce just might become your star attraction.
Shrimp ChowderMove over, clam chowder! This shrimp chowder recipe is family-approved and ready to hit the table.
Berry CobblerThis versatile berry cobbler is bursting with sweet, tart and juicy berry flavor.
Beef Stew ProvencalWhen I was young, my favorite food to order in a restaurant was beef stew. My mother and I decided to create our own and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this slow cooker version so much that now it's a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada
Creamy Celery Beef StroganoffCream of celery soup adds richness to a recipe that has become a family favorite. It’s so simple to prepare and, oh, that flavor! —Kim Wallace, Dennison, Ohio
Pumpkin OatmealWhat's better than waking up to a bowl of warm oatmeal? This spiced pumpkin oatmeal lets the slow cooker do the work for you, so all you have to do is enjoy it.
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