7+ amazing slow cooker recipes that prove onions should be in every dish

Some people think of onion as just an ingredient, something that isn't meant to be taken as seriously as an addition to a recipe. It's probably safe to say that those people probably haven't tried these amazing slow cooker recipes where onions are the main attraction.

These recipes take no time at all to prepare -- all you have to do is combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low while you are off doing more important things.

Slow cooker french onion soup
For the first several hours in the slow cooker, the onions develop a deep caramelized flavor. Then add the broth, sherry, and seasonings and let the slow cooker merge the flavors for another hour.

If you really want to get that true "pick the broiled cheese off the side of the mug" feeling that you get with restaurant-served French onion soup, just ladle the soup into ovenproof mugs, add the cheese and croutons, and pop it all under the broiler. Here's an easy to follow video to help you prepare this dish.

Slow cooker onion jam
Onion jam can be used on anything and everything. This recipe adds so much depth and flavor to any dish. Spread it on a sandwich, have some on the side of grilled chicken or beef, or toss it with roasted veggies. The sweet, tangy deep flavor of the jam adds so much depth to anything you put it on.

Start by washing the onions and drying them. Place them into a slow cooker to cook nice and slow for several hours. This slow-cooking process is what develops all those beautiful earthy flavors. Cooking onions in the skin allow them to steam and roast in their own juices, locking in all of that goodness. The sugars in the onion begin to caramelize with the addition of brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. You'll find yourself putting this delicious jam on everything after you give this video a watch.

Slow cooker green onion ginger chicken
This green onion ginger chicken is the simple solution to take care of your craving for Chinese takeout. These ingredients are a match made in heaven! Soy sauce, ginger, green onion and sesame oil are a classic combo. Your family and friends will be thanking you once they taste these tender, juicy and mouthwatering chicken thighs. And so will your wallet!

To make this delicious dish, all you need is a slow cooker and a little time to kill. It’s as easy as throwing everything into your slow cooker, set it to low and going about your afternoon and you'll see just how easy it is in the video below. Four hours later your dinner is ready! The soy sauce and green onions give this dish a nice, savory flavor, while the ginger adds a wonderfully fragrant spice. Finally, sesame oil contributes a nutty finish. Serve with green onion and cilantro rice, and you have a complete meal!

Slow cooker bacon-wrapped onion meatballs
This is a fun recipe that your family will love making almost as much as eating. Bacon, onion and ham wrapped around cheese-stuffed meatballs — it might sound complicated, but it's far from it.

This recipe is actually quite simple and a super fun dish to make with your family where everyone can get involved. Assembling the meatballs can be such a fun activity, and seeing the results of everyone's work at the end is so satisfying. Check out this video below.

Slow cooker pork chops with potatoes and onions
The first time I made the recipe below, I seared an entire pork roast and then placed it into the slow cooker on top of quartered potatoes and onions. Once I took the entire lot out of the slow cooker at the end of cooking time, I realized that it was a little bit like French onion soup. And then I realized I wanted it to be even more like French onion soup. So this is what I did.

First, I used pork chops instead of roast, simply because that's what was in my freezer at the time. Realizing that French onion soup also needs cheese, I shredded up some mozzarella. Along the line of croutons, I thinly sliced potatoes instead of quartering them. The result? An entire meal reminiscent of a favorite appetizer. Scroll down to see the full video.

Slow cooker French onion soup pork chopsSure, you could make French onion soup in your slow cooker. And you could make pork chops in your slow cooker. Or, as you'll see in the recipe below, you could combine the two and get the flavor of your favorite soup in an entree form that will totally fill you up.

This dish is not only flavorful but also super easy and requires only four ingredients (plus salt and pepper). Yep, you read that right: just four ingredients! So not only will it not break your budget, but it also means that after you slice a couple of onions, your prep is done, and you are free to get on with your day. Watching this easy to follow video is your first step.

Slow cooker brisket and onions
While brisket can be prepared in a variety of different ways, one thing is certain when it comes to this delectable cut of meat: Nothing beats the "low and slow" method. When braised over long periods of time, especially in your slow cooker, few proteins come close to the realms of deliciousness as this recipe for brisket and onions.

In this video, a beautiful cut of brisket is seared before adding lightly caramelized onions and beef stock to create a dinner so satisfying, you'll find yourself preparing it time and time again. We recommend not skipping the searing step, as this seals in the natural juices as it cooks, rendering the most tender beef imaginable. Now that is slow cooking at its finest!