Slow Cooker Favorites: Set and Forget Game Day Meals with Select Brands
With Week 9 of football season upon us, it's time to gear up for game day with crowd-pleasing, party-friendly meals. Whether you're hosting a gathering or just having a cozy day at home, nothing beats the ease and versatility of slow cookers, especially when they can handle a range of meals for your guests. At Select Brands, we’ve got you covered with three fantastic slow cookers and so many other great appliances, perfect for everything from appetizers to mains and dips. Let’s dive into some creative, game day-ready recipes!
Below are 9 of our favorites, some classics, and some more complex recipes, but all sure to please and delight your excited game day guests!
1. Pro Pots 1.5-Quart Football Slow Cooker
This Pro Pots Football Slow Cooker is a fun and festive addition to any game day spread. Despite its smaller size, it's perfect for appetizers and dips that pack a flavorful punch and we love the design, a true game day piece. Here’s are 3 easy and delicious recipes to try:
These recipes complement the game day experience by offering a variety of flavors and textures. With the Pro Pots Football Slow Cooker, you can keep your snacks warm and ready to serve without any hassle. Enjoy!
Cheesy Jalapeño Corn Dip in the Pro Pots Slow Cooker
Ingredients:
- 1 (8oz) package cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can sweet corn (drained)
- 2 jalapeños (chopped, seeds removed for less heat)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ cup sour cream
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions:
- Add the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, corn, jalapeños, garlic powder, and paprika to the Football Slow Cooker.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until melted and bubbly.
- Stir in sour cream just before serving.
- Serve with tortilla chips and watch your guests cheer for more!
Chili Cheese Nacho Dip in the Pro Pots Slow Cooker
This creamy, savory dip is a perfect addition to any game day spread. It’s quick, easy, and crowd-pleasing, making it a great fit for the Pro Pots Football Slow Cooker.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 (15 oz) can chili (no beans)
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Tortilla chips for dipping
Instructions:
- Brown the ground beef in a skillet and drain excess fat.
- Add the browned beef, chili, diced tomatoes, and cream cheese to the Football Slow Cooker.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally until the cheese is fully melted and incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese in the last 30 minutes of cooking.
- Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!
Honey Garlic Little Smokies in the Pro Pots Slow Cooker
A sweet and savory snack that will keep your guests coming back for more! This bite-sized crowd favorite is ideal for the Pro Pots Football Slow Cooker, especially when you need something simple and tasty.
Ingredients:
- 2 (14 oz) packages little smokies (cocktail sausages)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, mix honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, ketchup, and brown sugar.
- Add the little smokies to the Football Slow Cooker.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the sausages and stir to coat evenly.
- Cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally to make sure all the sausages are well coated.
- Serve with toothpicks for an easy grab-and-go snack!
2. Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker with Locking Lid
One of our larger slow cookers, the 7-Quart Toastmaster Slow Cooker is ideal for those hearty main dishes that feed a crowd. With its locking lid, this slow cooker is also portable, so you can take it to your tailgate or game day party without any spills.
These 3 recipes are ideal for a crowd and work wonderfully in the Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker. Enjoy your game day celebration with these flavorful, slow-cooked meals!
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sliders Ingredients:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 (18 oz) bottle BBQ sauce
- 1 large onion (sliced)
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Slider buns
- Coleslaw (optional, for topping)
Instructions:
- Place chicken breasts in the 7-Quart Slow Cooker and season with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and chili powder.
- Top with sliced onions and BBQ sauce.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
- Shred the chicken directly in the cooker and stir to coat with sauce.
- Serve the pulled chicken on slider buns and top with coleslaw for an extra crunch.
Hearty and Filling, Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Dip
This twist on a classic game day dip is always a hit! The large capacity of the Toastmaster slow cooker ensures you’ll have enough for a crowd.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
- 1 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons of garlic powder or crushed garlic
- ½ cup ranch (optional)
- ½ cup chopped green onions for topping
- Tortilla chips or buttery crackers and carrots for serving. If you want to make this a meal, serve with air fried potatoes or french fries for loaded french fries.
Instructions:
- Place the chicken breasts in the Toastmaster Slow Cooker and pour the BBQ sauce over the top. Cook on low for 4-5 hours or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred the chicken in the slow cooker with two forks.
- Add the cream cheese, sour cream, garlic, and cheddar cheese. Stir until everything is well combined and melted.
- Continue cooking on low for another 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Optionally, sprinkle cheese & green onions on top before serving.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips or buttery crackers, and carrot sticks for dipping. Can also be served with air fried potatoes or french fries to make loaded french fries!
Slow Cooker Birria Sliders
Birria sliders are a fun and flavorful way to bring a traditional Mexican dish to your game day party. Using the Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker, you can slow cook the beef to tender perfection and serve it up on small slider buns. These sliders are delicious when dipped into the rich consommé, making them perfect for game day or any party!
Ingredients:
For the Birria:
- 3 lbs beef chuck roast (cut into large chunks)
- 4 dried guajillo chilies (stems and seeds removed)
- 2 dried ancho chilies (stems and seeds removed)
- 1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- Small slider buns
- Chopped onions and cilantro
- Lime wedges
- Oaxaca cheese (or mozzarella), shredded
- Birria consommé for dipping
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chili Sauce:
- In a saucepan, bring water to a boil, then remove from heat. Add the dried guajillo and ancho chilies and let them soak for about 15-20 minutes, until softened.
- In a TRU Party blender, add the soaked chilies, chipotle pepper, garlic, onion, cumin, oregano, and 1 cup of beef broth. Blend until smooth.
- Slow Cook the Beef:
- In the Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker, add the beef chunks. Pour the blended chili mixture over the beef. Add the remaining beef broth, bay leaves, cinnamon stick, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred the Beef:
- Once the beef is done, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker and let it sit in the juices for about 20-30 minutes to soak up the flavors.
- Prepare the Sliders:
- Toast the slider buns lightly in the Toastmaster Toaster oven.
- Place a generous portion of the shredded birria beef onto each bun.
- Top with chopped onions, cilantro, and shredded Oaxaca cheese.
- Serve with Consommé:
- Ladle some of the consommé from the slow cooker into small bowls for dipping the sliders. Serve with lime wedges on the side for an extra burst of flavor. To keep the Consomme warm, you can also use the Kitchen Selections 1 ½ quart slow cooker.
These birria sliders are perfect for game day or any party, offering a burst of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors. The slow cooking method in the Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker ensures the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender, while the consommé adds a rich depth of flavor that makes these sliders irresistible!
3. TRU Triple Slow Cooker with Three 2.5-Quart Inserts
When you need variety for a game day spread, the TRU Triple Slow Cooker is your MVP. Its three separate compartments allow you to prepare multiple dishes at once, making it perfect for dips, small bites, or a mix of mains.
Game Day Trio- beloved classic dips:
Dips Galore Compartment 1: Buffalo Chicken Dip
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup hot sauce (like Frank's RedHot)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Serve with celery sticks or crackers
Compartment 2: Spinach Artichoke Dip
- 1 (10 oz) package frozen spinach (thawed and drained)
- 1 can artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- Serve with tortilla chips or sliced baguette
Compartment 3: Queso Dip
- 1 lb Velveeta cheese (cubed)
- 1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles (drained)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tsp cumin
- Serve with tortilla chips
Instructions:
- Add all ingredients for each dip to its own 2.5-quart insert.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours, stirring occasionally.
- Serve straight from the cooker and let your guests dip in!
1. Loaded Potato Bar Toppings Station
This recipe allows you to prepare toppings for a baked potato bar using the TRU Triple Slow Cooker, creating a fun, customizable dish for any gathering.
Ingredients:
- Baked Potatoes - Great if you bake them in the Toastmaster Large Capacity Convection Oven!
- As many as you want for the number of guests attending.
For the toppings:
- Compartment 1: Cheddar Cheese Sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Compartment 2: Bacon Bits & Crispy Toppings
- 1 lb cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup chopped green onions
- 1 cup crispy fried onions
- Compartment 3: Sour Cream & Broccoli Sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup chopped chives
- ¼ cup of water
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp flour
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup frozen broccoli florets, chopped or smaller pieces
Instructions:
-
Cheddar Cheese Sauce:
In the first slow cooker compartment, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux. Slowly add heavy cream and stir until thickened. Add shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm. -
Bacon & Crispy Toppings:
In the second compartment, keep the cooked bacon warm, and add the chopped green onions and crispy fried onions so guests can sprinkle them on their loaded potatoes. -
Sour Cream & Broccoli Sauce:
In the third compartment, melt butter and whisk in flour to make a roux, add all the sour cream with a quarter cup of water. Mix until combined and thick, add salt and pepper to taste, dump all the broccoli in and let slow cook for 2 hours or until the broccoli is melted into the sauce. You want it to be chunky to add texture.
Serve with baked or air-fried potatoes on the side, allowing guests to create their own loaded potato masterpiece! Add any other toppings you’d like in bowls near the slow cooker for more variety and creativity.
2. Meatball Trio with Marinara, Alfredo, and Pesto Sauces
This recipe offers a variety of flavors, perfect for game day or a party. Using the TRU Triple Slow Cooker, you can keep the meatballs and sauces warm for easy serving.
Ingredients:
- Italian Meatballs
- 2 lbs frozen or homemade meatballs - bonus if you cook these in the Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker and keep them warm throughout the party.
- Compartment 1: Marinara Sauce
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Compartment 2: Alfredo Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Compartment 3: Pesto Sauce
- 1 cup of your favorite jarred basil pesto sauce (bonus if you make your own)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese in the sauce
Instructions:
-
Meatballs:
In the Toastmaster 7-quart slow cooker, place the meatballs and cook for 4 hours, then keep them warm on low heat the rest of the game. -
Marinara Sauce:
In the first compartment, pour in the marinara sauce and stir in Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. Keep warm, allowing the flavors to meld. -
Alfredo Sauce:
In the second compartment, melt butter and whisk in the heavy cream. Slowly add grated Parmesan, stirring until the sauce thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. -
Pesto Sauce:
In the third compartment, pour the pesto sauce, olive oil and parmesan cheese, let meld together for an hour, then keep warm for a dipping option.
Serve the meatballs alongside slider buns or skewers so guests can dip into their favorite sauces or enjoy them all together! Bonus if you want to make garlic bread in the Toastmaster Large Capacity Convection Oven! Add shredded parmesan and red pepper flakes to the table for topping.
Conclusion:
This football season, you can enjoy the games while your slow cooker does all the work. With the Pro Pots Football Slow Cooker, Toastmaster 7-Quart Slow Cooker, and TRU Triple Slow Cooker, you can easily prepare an array of crowd-pleasing meals. From cheesy dips to hearty mains, these slow cooker recipes are sure to keep your guests happy and well-fed all game long. Ready, set, cook!
These appliances and recipes are perfect for game day, making it easy to impress your guests with minimal effort. Be sure to check out Select Brands for these slow cookers and more! Share this blog with your friends and family to help them up their game day spread this season.