Best Crockpot recipes for two (2024)

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  1. Alanaon November 3, 2016 at 11:22 am

    Saving these in hopes that hubs (the family cook) will finally decide to use his slow cooker on weekdays.

    Reply

    • Lauraon November 3, 2016 at 1:51 pm

      I hope he does break out the slow cooker. Great way to cook!

      Reply

      • Lornaon March 10, 2023 at 7:10 am

        Best Crockpot recipes for two (4)
        These recipes look ideal for me as I am on my own& this way I won’t have masses of leftovers…. But just a quick question.. I bought a 1.8litre mini Crockpot, which has been great, instead of using my standard sized one for when I’ve had to scale down recipes.. So, would this smaller one be ok for your recipes for two? Thanks so much..

        Reply

        • Lauraon March 10, 2023 at 10:05 am

          I don’t know exactly. 1.8 quarts is almost 64 ounces and all of the recipes have a lot less liquid than that. I do not know how much the meat and other ingredients offset the liquid, especially with the chili and the beef stroganoff. I would love to know how they fit if you try them. When you put something in a slow cooker, you need to leave a few inches at the top for best results. You can also make both recipes on the stove if they do not fit, allowing them to simmer until your meat is tender.

          Reply

    • Louiseon May 2, 2022 at 10:37 am

      Thank you so very much for posting these recipes for two! They sound delish and I am looking forward to trying them!
      Louise

      Reply

      • Lauraon May 4, 2022 at 11:58 am

        I am excited for you to try them. Let me know how they turn out!
        Laura

        Reply

  2. Melissa Ruddyon November 16, 2016 at 3:18 pm

    Great idea to cut it down to something more useable so you don’t have a ton of leftovers. I would have to double it but I will pass this on to my mom as well since this is perfect for her.

    Reply

  3. Carla a.k.a Mrs. Ron November 21, 2016 at 4:09 pm

    Laura, great post! When you have been cooking for a house full for years it’s so hard to scale everything down to meet the needs of just 2 people. Now I use a smaller crockpot (3 qt) and my electric pressure cooker especially in the winter … I make enough that I can freeze the leftovers for another meal. Mainly, chicken, pork roasts and beef. I’m still working on scaling recipes down but I’m slowly getting there lol xo

    Reply

  4. Mother of 3on November 23, 2016 at 6:42 am

    These sound yummy! Pinned.

    Reply

  5. Roseann Hamptonon November 23, 2016 at 3:07 pm

    I’ve never made chili in the crock pot. I’ll have to give that a try! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply

  6. kathy foreon June 11, 2018 at 11:56 am

    I am making meals for a young mother of one who’s husband just passed away so she can focus on working to provide for her daughter. I would like to have recipes that are freezable and crock pot friendly.

    Reply

    • Lauraon June 11, 2018 at 3:52 pm

      I understand. When my kids were young I would prep meals by putting all of the ingredients in a freezer bag, then freezing. When it was time to cook, I just placed the contents of the bag in the crockpot and it was good to go. Some things can’t go in – like the cream cheese in the beef stroganoff. But everything else can be placed in the bag and taken to your friend.

      Reply

  7. Bradleyon August 20, 2018 at 3:11 pm

    What size slow cooker are you using for these?

    Reply

    • Lauraon August 20, 2018 at 8:43 pm

      I use my 6 quart slow cooker. A big slow cooker works just fine with the smaller recipes.

      Reply

      • Kathyon May 14, 2023 at 4:45 pm

        Would love to find some gluten free for 2! So many crockpot recipes depend on cream of whatever soup.

        Reply

        • Lauraon June 28, 2023 at 11:37 am

          You could probably search for substitutes for the cream soups.

          Reply

    • Ervin Butcheron May 25, 2023 at 6:11 pm

      Can you show some receipts with low carbs and low sodium for one or two people with diabetes and high blood pressure?

      Reply

      • Lauraon June 28, 2023 at 11:35 am

        That is a good idea! I will look into that.

        Reply

  8. Glennaon January 28, 2020 at 7:33 pm

    I’m trying to make smaller meals and have fewer leftovers too. This recipe hit both of those marks. The meat was very tender and this tasted really good. I made it as given. Next time I’m going to add mushrooms, maybe more cream cheese and try beef broth instead of the water. Husband loved it and says he can’t wait to eat it tomorrow for lunch. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply

    • Lauraon January 29, 2020 at 12:19 pm

      Thank you for your feedback. I play with my beef stroganoff recipe as well. I like the idea of adding mushrooms. I will try that next time.

      Reply

  9. Theresa Rifeon April 16, 2021 at 3:29 pm

    Best Crockpot recipes for two (5)
    Tried the beef stroganoff for two and man! It was good! Definitely a keeper for me and my husband.

    Reply

    • Lauraon April 17, 2021 at 10:30 am

      Yay! So glad you liked it. Cream cheese makes everything better 😉

      Reply

  10. Lauraon April 28, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    hello!

    Reply

  11. Anne Luskon March 10, 2022 at 12:16 pm

    What size crockpot do you use

    Reply

    • Lauraon March 10, 2022 at 12:59 pm

      I use my big crockpot. I think it is 6 quarts. Works fine even for smaller recipes.

      Reply

  12. Jennieon April 12, 2022 at 3:29 am

    Hello! I am a new crockpot user, and I have purchased the 2.4 litre size, which is nearly 3 quarts U.S. size) I am wondering, as you are using a 6 quart size pot, will these recipes fit my much smaller pot? Thank you! Regards from Europe).

    Reply

    • Lauraon April 12, 2022 at 9:55 am

      A 3 quart crockpot will be plenty big for these recipes. Happy cooking! Laura

      Reply

  13. Lisaon April 22, 2023 at 1:24 pm

    How much egg noodles for beef stroganoff recipe? There’s no quantity

    Reply

    • Lauraon April 22, 2023 at 3:04 pm

      Make the amount of noodle servings you want by following the directions on the noodle package.

      Reply

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Best Crockpot recipes for two (2024)

FAQs

What size crockpot is best for 2 people? ›

What a Crock Portion-Based Recommendations
Number of PortionsRecommended Slow Cooker Size
Two PortionsUse a 3-4.5 quart slow cooker. 4 quarts is the optimal size.
Three PortionsUse a 4-6 quart slow cooker. 5 quarts is the optimal size.
Four PortionsUse a 5-7 quart slow cooker. 6 quarts is the optimal size.
2 more rows

What is the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

Can I cook 2 different things in a slow cooker? ›

Just be cautious of different cooking times when making two dishes. Some recipes require a longer time in the slow cooker than others. But you don't necessarily have to start cooking your two dishes at the same time and can easily add your second dish after the other one has cooked for a while.

Can you cook small amounts in a slow cooker? ›

Size Matters: Choose an oven-safe bowl that fits inside your slow cooker. This bowl should be big enough to hold your meal but small enough to allow space around it. Filling Right: Aim to fill the oven-safe bowl two-thirds to three-quarters full to ensure even cooking.

Is a 5 quart slow cooker big enough? ›

Whether your household includes three or four people, or you're a couple who actually loves leftovers, a 5-quart slow cooker is an ideal size for you. The moderate size accommodates everything from soups and stews to and chilis and casseroles.

How many servings in a 2 quart crockpot? ›

The small slow cooker has a 2-quart capacity that feeds 2+ people and is perfect for making small meals or dips. Use the manual warm setting to keep food warm while you are serving, or for heating up leftovers.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

While there are some disadvantages to using a slow cooker, such as the risk of overcooking food or forgetting to turn it off, these generally pale in comparison to the benefits. For busy families or those who enjoy coming home to a hot meal, a slow cooker can be a great addition to any kitchen.

Can you put raw burger in Crockpot? ›

All you do is add up to 3 pounds of ground beef to your crock-pot (I have done as many as 5 lbs. at one time). Break up the beef and add ¼ cup water (per pound of beef). Turn your crock-pot on and cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours or LOW for 4-6 hours.

How to divide a crockpot in two? ›

You want to use tinfoil that can hold its shape and stand on its own. Once you create a tinfoil wall that can snugly fit in the center of your slow cooker, take the wall out and line your device with a slow cooker liner. You can then re-insert your tinfoil wall and begin to add your desired ingredients.

Can you overdo meat in a slow cooker? ›

“If you're cooking meat, you'll know it's done when it is fork-tender, meaning you can cut into it easily with just a fork,” she says. When meat is overcooked, it will be “tough and dry,” while overcooked vegetables will be mushy.

Is 6 hours on low the same as 4 hours on high? ›

A general rule of thumb from Luis Sanchez, senior category manager for the appliance manufacturer Breville: To go from "High" to "Low" (or vice versa), multiply (or divide) the original time by 1.5 to 2.5 hours. And as with the cooking times for specific ingredients, these times are approximate.

Is a 3.5 L slow cooker big enough for a family of 4? ›

A cooker that's 3-5l will serve three or four people. Any more guests than that (or just big appetites) and you'll need a dish with room for 5-6l. A bigger capacity is also a good idea if you prefer batch cooking and freezing meals for another day.

How many people will a 3.5 slow cooker feed? ›

Whether you're cooking for two, or making a meal for the whole family, the slow cooker's generous 3.5 litre capacity can easily cook up to 4 portions at a time. It even comes with a selection of recipe ideas to give you a little inspiration.

How do you know what size slow cooker to use? ›

If you're cooking for yourself or for only two people, a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2-quart slow cooker might be large enough. It's great for smaller amounts of soups and stews. Many slow cooker recipes are written for 6-quart models and can simply be halved for this size.

Is a 1.5 litre slow cooker big enough for 2 people? ›

The smallest of our range of slow cookers, the 1.5 Litre Slow Cooker is ideally sized for smaller portions of slow-cooked meals, perfect if you're just looking to serve 1 or 2 people.

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