If dinner at your house feels like a nightly negotiation, these crockpot meals for kids are for you. I have 4-year-old twins who would happily live on strawberries, PB&J, and mini pancakes. Getting a real dinner on the table after work used to mean cooking one meal and watching two kids refuse it.
The slow cooker changed that for us. You toss everything in before work, and dinner is ready when you walk in the door. No 5 p.m. scramble, no takeout guilt.
So this month I’m calling it Crocktober: a whole week of kid friendly crockpot meals that are simple, healthy-ish, and actually eaten. Below are 4 of our favorites, plus the tricks that finally got my picky eaters to try new things.
How to Make Slow Cooker Recipes Picky Eaters Will Actually Eat
These are the small changes that made the biggest difference at our table.
- Serve the sauce on the side. Many picky kids hate foods touching. Shred the meat, then let them dip.
- Make it build-your-own. Tacos, sliders, and rice bowls let kids choose their toppings, so they feel in control.
- Go easy on the spice. Cook it mild, then add hot sauce or chili flakes to the grown-up plates.
- Pair new with familiar. Put a small scoop of the new dish next to something they always eat, like fruit or a roll.
- Let them help. Even a 4-year-old can dump in the broth or press the button. Kids are more likely to taste what they made.
- Keep shapes recognizable. Shredded chicken in a tortilla looks a lot like a quesadilla, which is a win if your kids already love those.
My twins used to HATE anything new, but once I let them put the ingredients in the crock pot and start it, they became more interested in actually trying it!
4 Crockpot Meals Kids Love
Each recipe serves a family of 4 to 6. Put each one in your recipe card plugin so Google can show it with a photo and cook time.
1. Build-Your-Own Shredded Chicken Tacos
Our top pick for picky eaters, because every kid builds their own. Cook time: 5 to 6 hours on LOW or 3 hours on HIGH.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup mild salsa
- 1 tbsp mild taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- Soft tortillas and toppings: shredded cheese, corn, diced avocado, sour cream
Instructions
- Add the chicken to the crockpot. Sprinkle with taco seasoning, then pour the salsa and broth over the top.
- Cook until the chicken shreds easily and reaches 165°F.
- Shred with two forks and stir into the juices.
- Set out tortillas and toppings so everyone builds their own.
Picky eater tip: Serve plain shredded chicken with cheese in a tortilla. It’s basically a quesadilla.
2. Honey Garlic Chicken and Rice
Sweet, sticky, and a great way to sneak in broccoli. Cook time: 4 to 5 hours on LOW or 2.5 to 3 hours on HIGH.
Ingredients
- 2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp water
- Cooked rice and steamed broccoli, for serving
Instructions
- Whisk the honey, soy sauce, ketchup, and garlic. Place the chicken in the crockpot and pour the sauce over it.
- Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Remove the chicken and stir the cornstarch mixture into the sauce. Cook on HIGH, uncovered, for 15 minutes until thickened.
- Chop or shred the chicken, return it to the sauce, and serve over rice with broccoli.
Picky eater tip: Keep the sauce in a little cup for dipping instead of pouring it over everything.
3. BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Set it in the morning, and dinner is a sandwich bar by evening. Cook time: 8 to 10 hours on LOW or 5 to 6 hours on HIGH.
Ingredients
- 3 lb boneless pork shoulder, trimmed of excess fat
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 cup BBQ sauce, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- Slider buns (Hawaiian rolls are a kid favorite)
Instructions
- Layer the onion in the crockpot and set the pork on top.
- Pour the apple juice and BBQ sauce over the pork.
- Cook until the pork is fork-tender, then shred and stir it into the juices.
- Pile onto buns and add extra sauce to taste.
Picky eater tip: Pull out a portion of plain pork before adding the extra sauce.
4. Hidden-Veggie Sloppy Joes
Finely grated carrot melts right into the sauce. Cook time: 4 hours on LOW or 2 hours on HIGH.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb lean ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 carrot, finely grated
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- Hamburger buns
Instructions
- Brown the meat and onion in a skillet, then drain the fat.
- Add the meat and all remaining ingredients except the buns to the crockpot and stir.
- Cook, stirring once if you’re home.
- Spoon onto buns.
Picky eater tip: Serve it open-faced on half a bun, or as a dip with crackers.
Crockpot Meals for Kids: FAQ
Can I put frozen chicken in the crockpot?
No. The USDA recommends thawing meat first, because frozen meat can sit too long at unsafe temperatures in a slow cooker. Thaw it overnight in the fridge instead.
What’s the best size crockpot for a family?
A 6-quart slow cooker fits all 4 of these recipes and feeds a family of 4 to 6 with leftovers.
Can kids help make crockpot meals?
Yes. Toddlers and preschoolers can pour in sauces, sprinkle seasoning, and stir. Keep them away from the hot pot once it’s on.
How long do crockpot leftovers last?
Cooked leftovers keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge. Most of these recipes also freeze well for up to 3 months.
Happy Crocktober!
The best crockpot meals for kids are the ones your family will actually eat, so start with one or two and see what sticks. My twins LOVE the BBQ pulled pork sliders the best!
Crocktober is wrapping up, and now we’re moving on to cozy soups! Start with The Best Potato Soup, a creamy, cheesy one-pot dinner with just 6 ingredients.
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