16 Easy 4 Hour Crockpot Recipes

Are you ready to bring the power of your crockpot to the kitchen? A slow cooker is a game-changer for making meals that taste like they’ve been cooking all day—without requiring hours of work. If you’re looking for ways to make hearty meals, comforting soups, vegetarian options, and even desserts in just 4 hours, you’re in the right place!

Whether you’re in the mood for a savory main dish like Crockpot Chicken Alfredo or something sweet like Chocolate Lava Cake, this collection of recipes is sure to please your taste buds and make dinnertime stress-free. And don’t worry if you’re new to using a crockpot—these recipes are easy to follow and perfect for cooks of all levels.

If you have a little more time, be sure to check out our 3 Hour Crockpot Recipes for even more delicious slow-cooked meals.

In this article, we’ll walk you through step-by-step instructions for some amazing 4-hour crockpot recipes, including hearty main dishes, comforting soups, and more.

1. Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 4

Who doesn’t love creamy, cheesy chicken Alfredo? This crockpot version makes it easy to enjoy this classic dish without the hassle. The chicken turns out tender, and the sauce is perfectly smooth and creamy, making it the ultimate comfort meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 12 oz fettuccine pasta
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breasts in the crockpot.
2. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, chicken broth, and heavy cream.
3. Stir everything together to mix well, then cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
4. About 30 minutes before the cooking time is up, break the fettuccine pasta into smaller pieces and add it to the crockpot.
5. Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook until the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve hot!

2. BBQ Pulled Pork

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This BBQ pulled pork is perfect for sandwiches, tacos, or even served on its own. The pork becomes so tender in the slow cooker that it falls apart easily, and the tangy BBQ sauce adds the perfect flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3 lb pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Rub the pork shoulder with paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the sliced onions and garlic at the bottom of the crockpot.
3. Put the pork on top of the onions, then pour BBQ sauce over the pork.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until the pork is tender.
5. Shred the pork using two forks and mix with the sauce. Serve on buns or over rice.

3. Beef Stroganoff

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 4

This Beef Stroganoff is a rich and comforting dish that comes together with minimal effort. Tender beef, a creamy sauce, and delicious mushrooms make this a family favorite!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb beef stew meat
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 tbsp flour
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the beef, onions, mushrooms, garlic powder, thyme, and beef broth in the crockpot.
2. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours.
3. After 4 hours, mix the flour with a little bit of water to make a slurry and add it to the crockpot to thicken the sauce.
4. Stir in the sour cream and cook for another 15 minutes.
5. Serve over egg noodles or rice, and enjoy!

4. Lemon Garlic Butter Salmon

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 4

If you’re in the mood for a light yet flavorful dish, this lemon garlic butter salmon is the way to go. The salmon is perfectly cooked in the crockpot, and the lemon garlic butter sauce is absolutely delicious.

Ingredients:

• 4 salmon fillets
• 4 tbsp butter, melted
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Place the salmon fillets in the crockpot.
2. In a bowl, mix the melted butter, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
3. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the salmon fillets.
4. Add lemon slices on top of the salmon.
5. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours until the salmon is fully cooked.
6. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

5. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This chicken tortilla soup is a perfect mix of spicy, savory, and comforting flavors. The crockpot helps the ingredients blend beautifully, creating a soup that’s rich and full of flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken breasts, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, chicken broth, onion, cumin, and chili powder in the crockpot.
2. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours.
3. Shred the chicken in the soup using two forks, then stir to combine.
4. Season with salt and pepper and serve with tortilla chips, sour cream, and shredded cheese.

6. Classic Beef Stew

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This classic beef stew is the perfect winter dish—hearty, savory, and packed with flavor. The slow cooker does all the work, allowing the beef to become tender and the vegetables to cook perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 2 lb beef stew meat
• 4 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 4 potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups beef broth
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Add the beef broth, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, until the beef is tender.
4. Serve hot and enjoy!

7. Tuscan White Bean Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This hearty and flavorful Tuscan white bean soup is the perfect comfort food. The creamy beans, combined with garlic, spinach, and tomatoes, create a satisfying bowl of goodness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried white beans (like Great Northern or cannellini), soaked overnight and drained
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1. Begin by soaking the white beans overnight, then drain them before adding them to the crockpot.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then sauté the onion and garlic until softened (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Add the sautéed onion and garlic to the crockpot along with the soaked beans, diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.
4. Stir the ingredients together, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the beans are tender.
5. About 10 minutes before serving, stir in the chopped spinach and cook for the remaining time until wilted.
6. Serve hot, and enjoy with a side of crusty bread for dipping!

8. Creamy Tomato Basil Soup

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This creamy tomato basil soup is rich, smooth, and comforting. The combination of fresh basil and tomatoes creates a deliciously fragrant soup that’s perfect for any day.

Ingredients:

• 6 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried basil
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the chopped tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, basil, and sugar to the crockpot.
2. Stir to combine, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together.
3. After 4 hours, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or transfer to a blender in batches).
4. Once the soup is smooth, stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or a drizzle of cream if desired!

9. Veggie Chili

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This hearty veggie chili is packed with nutritious vegetables and beans. It’s a perfect meatless dish that’s still full of flavor and incredibly satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can corn, drained
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the kidney beans, black beans, corn, bell pepper, zucchini, onion, and garlic to the crockpot.
2. Pour in the diced tomatoes, then sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper over the top.
3. Stir everything together, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
4. Once the chili is cooked, adjust the seasoning to taste and serve hot with your favorite toppings like sour cream or shredded cheese.

10. Mushroom & Spinach Risotto

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 4

This creamy mushroom and spinach risotto is a rich and comforting dish that requires minimal hands-on time. The slow cooker takes care of the hard work, allowing you to enjoy a perfectly cooked risotto.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups Arborio rice
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 2 cups spinach, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup white wine (optional)
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the Arborio rice, sliced mushrooms, chopped spinach, and onion into the crockpot.
2. Pour in the vegetable broth and white wine (if using), and stir everything together.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring halfway through the cooking time.
4. Once the risotto is cooked, stir in the butter and Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve hot, garnished with more Parmesan cheese if desired.

11. Lentil & Sweet Potato Curry

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This lentil and sweet potato curry is both nutritious and filling. The warm spices, along with the sweetness of the potatoes and the heartiness of the lentils, make for an incredibly satisfying meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups dried lentils
• 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can coconut milk
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add the lentils, sweet potatoes, onion, garlic, coconut milk, and vegetable broth to the crockpot.
2. Sprinkle the curry powder, cumin, and ginger over the top, then stir to combine.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, until the lentils and sweet potatoes are tender.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with rice or naan bread.

12. Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

These creamy mashed potatoes are full of garlic and Parmesan flavor. The crockpot makes them extra easy and ensures they stay warm until you’re ready to serve!

Ingredients:

• 6 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp pepper

Instructions:

1. Add the peeled and cubed potatoes and minced garlic to the crockpot.
2. Pour in the chicken broth, cover, and cook on low for 4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender.
3. Mash the potatoes in the crockpot using a potato masher, then stir in the heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve warm and enjoy!

13. Green Beans with Bacon

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

Green beans with bacon are a classic side dish that is flavorful and easy to make. The slow cooker brings out the savory flavors of the bacon while keeping the green beans perfectly tender.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed
• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Place the trimmed green beans, chopped bacon, onion, and garlic in the crockpot.
2. Pour in the chicken broth and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring halfway through.
4. Once the green beans are tender and the bacon is crispy, serve hot and enjoy!

14. Chocolate Lava Cake

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 2 hours | Serve: 6

This decadent chocolate lava cake is rich, gooey, and the perfect treat for any occasion. The crockpot makes it easy to prepare, and it’s ready to serve in just a few hours.

Ingredients:

• 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients called for on the box)
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup hot water
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Prepare the cake mix according to the package instructions, then pour it into the greased crockpot.
2. Sprinkle the chocolate chips evenly over the batter.
3. In a separate bowl, combine the sugar and hot water. Pour this mixture over the batter and chocolate chips in the crockpot.
4. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, or until the edges are set but the center is still gooey.
5. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for a truly indulgent dessert!

15. Apple Cinnamon Crumble

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This apple cinnamon crumble is a cozy dessert that’s perfect for cooler months. The warm, spiced apples with the crumbly topping make a comforting treat for any meal.

Ingredients:

• 6 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 1 cup rolled oats
• ½ cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ cup butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Place the sliced apples in the bottom of the crockpot.
2. In a separate bowl, mix the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
3. Pour the dry mixture over the apples, then drizzle the melted butter on top.
4. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, until the apples are tender and the topping is golden and crisp.
5. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

16. Crockpot Rice Pudding

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 4 hours | Serve: 6

This creamy and comforting rice pudding is the perfect dessert to make in your crockpot. It’s simple, delicious, and the perfect balance of sweet and creamy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Arborio rice
• 4 cups whole milk
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Add the rice, milk, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to the crockpot.
2. Stir everything together and cover the crockpot with the lid.
3. Cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and the pudding has thickened.
4. Once the pudding is done, serve warm or chilled with a sprinkle of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey.

Conclusion

These 4-hour crockpot recipes are the perfect solution for busy days when you want a hearty, comforting meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. Whether you’re craving a savory dish like Crockpot Chicken Alfredo or Beef Stroganoff, a comforting soup like Chicken Tortilla Soup, or a sweet treat like Chocolate Lava Cake, your slow cooker makes it all easy.

Simply prepare the ingredients, set it, and let the crockpot work its magic. Enjoy delicious homemade meals with minimal effort, and gather your loved ones around the table for comforting dishes that everyone will enjoy. Happy cooking!