I’m a fan of working smarter, not harder in the kitchen, which is why I swear by slow cookers. In fact, the one I’ve used to cook more than 750 meals is 40 percent off at Amazon today — and I can’t recommend it enough.
The Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker is my go-to appliance for making soups, stews, and curry — plus my no-waste “cabinet surprise” meals, where the week’s remaining herbs and vegetables get tossed in with chicken or other meat. And this Thanksgiving, I’m jumping on the viral TikTok trend of using it to cook a turkey breast. It’s user-friendly and has dishwasher-safe parts, so it’s a no-brainer for my holiday food prep — and right now, you can score it for just $36.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker
Amazon
New to slow cookers? This one’s as beginner-friendly as it gets. It’s a “set it and forget it” appliance for worry-free cooking, a.k.a., just add your ingredients and enjoy delicious Crock-Pot meals within a few hours — no stirring necessary.
It only has two cooking functions, low and high, so you don’t need to fiddle with temperature settings or timers. Instead, set your own timer based on the slow cooker recipe you’re following. There’s also a keep-warm function, which I use to maintain food at the right temperature before serving.
Easy cooking isn’t even the best perk (if you ask me). The Crock-Pot’s tempered glass lid and stoneware insert are dishwasher safe, making cleanup way faster. Even at 7 quarts, both pieces fit inside my small dishwasher with enough room to fit around plates and bowls.
Bonus: The heat-resistant details are actually heat resistant. Neither the lid knob nor handles become too hot to touch, even when cooking food on the higher setting. The outer shell, made of stainless steel, gets warm — but never scalding hot.
More than 60,000 Amazon shoppers added the appliance to their carts in the past month, and it’s a favorite among PEOPLE editors and writers, too. It earns praise for its “no fuss” design, including from a reviewer who wrote it blends in well with other stainless steel appliances.
Another shopper was thrilled that their Thanksgiving dinner “came out delicious” with “less mess.” A final reviewer called it their “kitchen MVP,” noting it’s super durable and “cooks fast for a slow cooker.”
Add the Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker to your kitchen for $36, just in time for Thanksgiving dinner. Keep scrolling to see more slow cookers, including one of our favorites we tested.
More Slow Cookers at Amazon
Feeds Up to 4: Hamilton Beach 4-Quart Slow Cooker
Amazon
Leak-Proof Lid: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Amazon
Ideal for Soup: Bella 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
Amazon
PEOPLE Tested: Cuisinart Cook-Central 6-Quart Slow Cooker
Amazon
Dining and Cooking