The slow cooker is one of the most useful Kitchen Tools That Actually Work">kitchen tools for Edition (With a Weekly Plan That Actually Works)">Australian winter eating. You assemble everything in the morning, go about your day, and come home to a hot, complete meal that has been cooking for 6–8 hours and tastes significantly better than anything you could make in 30 minutes on the stovetop.
Every recipe here serves 4. All use ingredients from Aldi or Woolworths. All cost under $3 per serve.
Slow Cooker Basics for Beginners
Low vs High: Low setting (6–8 hours) produces better results for most dishes — more tender meat, more developed flavour. High (3–4 hours) works when you're short on time but isn't ideal for tough cuts. When in doubt, go low and long.
Don't lift the lid: Every time you lift the lid, you lose 20–30 minutes of cooking time. Resist.
Less liquid than you think: The slow cooker traps moisture. Most recipes need 30–50% less liquid than a stovetop equivalent.
Brown the meat first: Optional but worth it — browning adds flavour that the slow cooker alone can't develop.
1. Pulled Beef Tacos — $2.80 per serve
Place 800g beef chuck in the slow cooker. Add one tin diced tomatoes, one diced onion, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tsp cumin, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp chilli flakes and a pinch of salt. Cook on low 8 hours. Shred with two forks. Serve in tortillas with slaw and sour cream. The beef falls apart completely and absorbs the spiced tomato sauce beautifully.
2. Pea and Ham Soup — $1.40 per serve
Rinse 500g dried split peas. Place in slow cooker with one ham hock (from Woolworths or Aldi, $4–$6), one large diced onion, 3 diced carrots, 3 diced celery stalks and 1.5L water. Cook on low 8 hours. Remove ham hock, shred the meat and return to the pot. Blend half the soup if you prefer it smoother. Season generously. Classic Australian winter comfort food at its most affordable.
3. Lamb Shanks — $4.50 per serve
Season two lamb shanks with salt and pepper and brown in a frying pan. Place in the slow cooker with one tin diced tomatoes, 250ml red wine (or beef stock), one diced onion, 4 garlic cloves, 2 sprigs rosemary and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook on low 8 hours. The meat falls from the bone. Serve with mashed potato. This is a restaurant dish at a fraction of the cost — the slow cooker does all the work.
4. Chicken Cacciatore — $2.60 per serve
Place 8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on) in the slow cooker. Add two tins diced tomatoes, one sliced capsicum, one sliced onion, 4 garlic cloves, 100g sliced mushrooms, 100ml white wine (or chicken stock), 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried basil. Cook on low 6–7 hours. Serve over pasta or with crusty bread. Italian comfort food at its best.
5. Potato and Leek Soup — $1.20 per serve
Sauté two sliced leeks in butter until soft. Add to the slow cooker with 800g diced potato, 1L chicken or vegetable stock, 2 garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook on low 6 hours. Blend until smooth. Stir in 100ml cream. Season. Top with chives and a swirl of cream when serving. One of Australia's great winter soups — elegant, warming, and incredibly cheap to make.
6. Beef Rendang — $3.20 per serve
Brown 800g diced beef chuck. Place in slow cooker with one tin coconut milk, 3 tbsp rendang paste (Woolworths stocks this), one diced onion, 4 garlic cloves, one lemongrass stalk (bruised) and 1 tbsp fish sauce. Cook on low 8 hours. Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to reduce the sauce. Serve over steamed rice. The depth of flavour from a slow-cooked rendang is extraordinary for the effort involved.
7. Honey Soy Chicken — $2.20 per serve
Place 8 chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Mix together 3 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar, 4 garlic cloves (minced), 1 tsp grated ginger and 1 tsp sesame oil. Pour over chicken. Cook on low 6 hours. Thicken the sauce with a cornflour slurry if desired. Serve over rice with steamed Asian greens. A weeknight favourite that takes 5 minutes to assemble.
8. Minestrone — $1.30 per serve
Add to the slow cooker: two tins diced tomatoes, one tin cannellini beans (drained), 1.2L vegetable stock, two diced carrots, two celery stalks, one diced zucchini, one diced onion, 4 garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried basil. Cook on low 7 hours. Add 100g small pasta in the last 30 minutes. Season generously. Serve with parmesan and crusty bread.
9. Butter Chicken — $3.00 per serve
Combine in the slow cooker: 700g diced chicken thighs, one tin diced tomatoes, one tin coconut cream, 3 tbsp butter chicken paste (any supermarket brand), one diced onion, 4 garlic cloves and 1 tbsp butter. Cook on low 6 hours. Stir in 100ml cream in the last 30 minutes. Serve over basmati rice. Significantly better than most restaurants — the long slow cook develops the sauce in a way quick stovetop versions can't match.
10. White Bean and Chorizo Stew — $2.40 per serve
Slice 2 chorizo sausages and brown in a pan. Add to the slow cooker with two tins white beans (drained), one tin diced tomatoes, 500ml chicken stock, one diced onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook on low 6 hours. Add a large handful of spinach in the last 10 minutes. Season. Serve with crusty bread. The chorizo infuses the whole stew with a smoky, paprika-rich flavour.
11. Osso Buco — $4.80 per serve
Season beef or veal osso buco pieces with salt and pepper and brown on all sides. Place in slow cooker with one tin diced tomatoes, 250ml white wine, one diced onion, 2 diced carrots, 2 celery stalks, 4 garlic cloves and 1 tsp dried thyme. Cook on low 8 hours. Serve with risotto or soft polenta and top with gremolata (lemon zest, garlic, parsley). A classic Italian braise that the slow cooker makes completely accessible.
12. Spiced Lentil Soup — $1.00 per serve
Add to the slow cooker: 400g red lentils (rinsed), one tin diced tomatoes, 1.5L vegetable stock, one large diced onion, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tsp cumin, 1 tsp turmeric, 1 tsp smoked paprika and 1 tsp coriander. Cook on low 6–7 hours. Blend partially or completely depending on preference. Squeeze in lemon juice. Season well. Top with a swirl of yoghurt and a pinch of smoked paprika. The cheapest satisfying meal you can make.
13. Pork Ribs — $3.60 per serve
Rub 1kg pork ribs with a mixture of 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp cumin, salt and pepper. Place in slow cooker. Mix together 3 tbsp tomato sauce, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar and pour over ribs. Cook on low 7–8 hours. Finish under the grill for 5 minutes for caramelised edges. Serve with coleslaw and chips.
14. Chicken and Vegetable Soup — $1.80 per serve
Place 4 chicken thighs (bone-in) in the slow cooker with 1.5L chicken stock, 3 diced carrots, 3 celery stalks, one large diced onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried parsley and salt. Cook on low 7 hours. Remove chicken, shred, discard bones and skin, return meat to pot. Add 100g egg noodles or small pasta in the last 20 minutes. Season. The most comforting winter soup — and the one most worth making in a large batch.
15. Apple and Cinnamon Oats (Overnight) — $0.60 per serve
Add to the slow cooker before bed: 2 cups steel-cut oats, 5 cups water or milk, 2 diced apples, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla and a pinch of salt. Cook on low 7–8 hours overnight. Wake up to hot, creamy oats ready to serve. Top with extra apple, nuts, and a drizzle of honey. The easiest winter breakfast possible — and at $0.60 per serve, also the cheapest.
What is the cheapest slow cooker meal in Australia?
The cheapest slow cooker meals per serve are overnight oats ($0.60), spiced lentil soup ($1.00), potato and leek soup ($1.20), and pea and ham soup ($1.40). All are made with ingredients from Aldi or Woolworths and produce multiple serves from a single cooking session.
Is a slow cooker worth buying in Australia?
Yes — for budget-conscious households, a slow cooker is one of the most valuable kitchen appliances. It transforms cheap cuts of meat (chuck, shanks, hock) into tender, flavourful meals, uses less electricity than an oven, requires minimal hands-on time, and produces meals that cost $1–$4 per serve. A basic slow cooker from Kmart or Aldi costs $25–$45 and typically pays for itself within a few weeks of use.
What is the best slow cooker to buy in Australia on a budget?
The best budget slow cookers in Australia are Kmart's 3.5L and 6L models ($25–$39), which are consistently well-reviewed and perform reliably for everyday cooking. Aldi sells slow cookers as occasional Special Buys at $19–$29. For a household of 2–3 people, a 3.5L is sufficient. For 4+ people or regular batch cooking, a 6L model is worth the extra spend.