17 Delicious Crockpot Chinese Recipes That Beat Takeout
Introduction
Craving your favorite Chinese takeout but want a healthier, hands-off approach? These 17 Delicious Crockpot Chinese Recipes put bold flavors and mouthwatering aromas at the center of your table — all with the convenience of slow cooking. Whether you’re feeding a busy family, meal prepping for the week, or simply looking for new set-it-and-forget-it dinners, these recipes capture the essence of Chinese cuisine with less effort than ordering out.
Why Crockpot Chinese Recipes Are a Game Changer
Crockpot Chinese recipes transform classic takeout favorites into easy, wholesome meals you can set and forget. The slow cooker’s gentle heat creates tender meats, rich sauces, and blends complex spices with minimal prep. Dishes usually loaded with oil or fried at high heat come out lighter, making these choices both comforting and nutritious. Plus, slow-cooking means bigger batches – ideal for leftovers or freezer-friendly meal prep!
Making Your Takeout Favorites at Home
The beauty of these recipes lies in their versatility. From saucy beef and broccoli to sticky sesame chicken, each meal can be customized: swap proteins, add extra veggies, or choose your heat level. Simply prep the ingredients, layer them in your crockpot, and return to a ready-to-serve dinner that rivals your favorite takeout place — without the extra sodium or hidden additives.
17 Delicious Crockpot Chinese Recipes
Here’s a curated list of crockpot Chinese recipes to keep your meal rotations exciting, easy, and packed with flavor:
1. **Crockpot General Tso’s Chicken**
Sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors coat juicy chicken for a crowd-pleasing favorite.
2. **Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef**
Tender strips of beef in a rich, garlicky soy, ginger, and brown sugar sauce.
3. **Crockpot Beef and Broccoli**
Classic takeout perfected with melt-in-your-mouth beef, crisp broccoli, and a savory sauce.
4. **Slow Cooker Orange Chicken**
Zesty citrus paired with a hint of sweetness for a light, family-friendly dish.
5. **Crockpot Sesame Chicken**
Sticky, savory, and nutty — a sesame seed garnish adds the perfect crunch.
6. **Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork**
Pineapple, bell pepper, and pork simmer in a tangy sauce, balancing sweet and sour notes.
7. **Crockpot Kung Pao Chicken**
A spicy favorite with bell peppers, peanuts, and a splash of Szechuan pepper.
8. **Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken**
Minimal ingredients with maximum flavor: honey, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic.
9. **Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken**
Classic teriyaki flavors are soaked into chicken for a juicy, saucy main.
10. **Slow Cooker Chinese BBQ Ribs**
Fall-off-the-bone tender ribs coated in a sweet, smoky hoisin and five-spice glaze.
11. **Crockpot Szechuan Beef**
Aromatic Szechuan peppercorns give this beef dish bold flavor and just the right amount of heat.
12. **Slow Cooker Char Siu Pork**
Inspired by Chinese BBQ pork, with a deep, caramelized flavor and sticky glaze.
13. **Crockpot Egg Fried Rice**
Rice, veggies, and beaten eggs absorb all the slow-cooked umami for a delicious side or main.
14. **Slow Cooker Hot and Sour Soup**
Silky broth brimming with tofu, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots in a classic hot and sour balance.
15. **Crockpot Lo Mein Noodles**
Tender noodles swirl in a soy, ginger, and sesame sauce with your choice of veggies and protein.
16. **Slow Cooker Cashew Chicken**
Chicken, bell peppers, and cashews form a nutty, satisfying combo with a savory shine.
17. **Crockpot Peking-Style Pulled Duck or Chicken**
Served with hoisin sauce in steamed buns or over rice for a true Chinese street food feel.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this collection of recipes to automatically generate a shopping list sorted by grocery section—making prep for an entire themed week of meals or bulk batch cooking incredibly simple and instant!
Instructions
- For each recipe, begin by prepping the protein: cube chicken or beef, slice pork or prepare ribs as needed.
- Layer veggies in the bottom of your slow cooker (such as onions, bell peppers, broccoli) and place protein on top.
- Whisk together sauces, aromatics, and spices as directed (soy sauce, hoisin, honey, ginger, garlic, chili, etc.), then pour over ingredients in the crockpot.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until proteins are tender and vegetables are cooked through.
- For noodle or rice recipes, add pre-cooked noodles/rice for the last 30 minutes of cook time or serve alongside.
- Garnish with sliced scallions, sesame seeds, and serve hot with steamed rice or as directed.
Serving Suggestions for Crowd-Pleasing Crockpot Chinese Dinners
Pair these dishes with steamed jasmine or brown rice, a side of sautéed baby bok choy, or homemade egg drop soup. Garnish with sesame seeds, fresh scallions, and tuck in a few fortune cookies for that authentic takeout touch. These recipes are endlessly versatile: perfect for family-style dining, lunch leftovers, or even freezer meals.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
Most recipes serve 4-6, depending on portion sizes and added sides. On average, these dishes provide a great balance of protein, veggies, and modest carbs — with lower sodium and fat than restaurant versions. Each serving typically ranges from 300–400 calories for entrees, plus sides.
Why These 17 Crockpot Chinese Recipes Beat Takeout (Recap)
Bringing together the best of bold, vibrant Chinese flavors and the ease of slow cooking, these recipes make it simple to skip the delivery and enjoy homemade, healthier versions of classic dishes. They’re perfect for feeding a crowd, prepping in advance, or just treating yourself to fuss-free international flavors.
Weekly Meal Planning
With these 17 crockpot Chinese recipes in your rotation, planning a week’s worth of meals gets deliciously easy. Save and schedule these recipes to organize by day or batch cook for lunches, and let CookifyAI auto-generate a comprehensive shopping list for all your meals.
Planning Benefits:
– Automatically combines ingredient quantities when recipes overlap
– Streamlines your list by categorizing by store section
– Ensures you don’t miss essential pantry items
– Lets you batch cook and plan easy reheats for busy weeknights
Pro tip: Planning several crockpot recipes at once? Schedule with CookifyAI to automatically update your shopping list for overlapping ingredients—saving time and reducing food waste.
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes per recipe
Cook Time: 3–8 hours (depending on setting and protein)
Total Time: Varies (plan for quick prep, long simmering, and easy clean‑up!)
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Enjoy world-class Chinese flavors at home—no delivery required!