There is just nothing like the simple comfort that a warm bowl of steaming soup or hearty stew can provide. Especially in winter, when the temperature drops and the air turns icy, stepping through the doorway to the delightful smells emitting from a simmering Crock-Pot is truly one of life's simplest pleasures.

Although the process of making a soup - the chopping, sautéing, and simmering to slowly and thoughtfully build and layer flavors - can be therapeutic, the ease and efficiency of using a slow cooker for the task is pure magic. Using a slow cooker to make a soup or stew will unchain you from watching the stove as your favorite soup comes together to make one hot cold-weather meal that is bursting with flavor.

Because, for some of us, the best kind of comfort food is the kind that cooks itself. Keep your slow cooker working around the clock with these 33 delicious slow cooker soups and stews perfect for winter.

African Sweet Potato Stew

Here's a hearty vegetarian stew that is packed full of flavor and freezes beautifully if you happen to have any leftovers!

For the Africa Sweet Potato Stew recipe, click here.

Beef Stew

Serve this classic-style beef stew, which is boosted by cumin and cinnamon spices, over a bed of brown rice to add an extra nutty bite.

For the Beef Stew recipe, click here.

Beef Taco Soup

This slow cooker soup is packed with hearty, filling beans and spicy green chiles - a great way to heat up on a cold night!

For the Beef Taco Soup recipe, click here.

Butternut Squash Soup With Sausage

Butternut squash soup is a staple during the colder months of the year, and this hearty slow cooker soup is fortified with Italian sausage, spinach and small pasta.

For the Butternut Squash Soup With Sausage recipe, click here.

Carrot, Pumpkin and Ginger Soup

This might not technically be a slow cooker recipe, but that doesn't mean you can't use a slow cooker to make this tasty soup. Simply follow the directions with your slow cooker on high until you deglaze with the vermouth, then turn it to low for 4 to 6 hours and blend once everything is cooked and smelling divine.

For the Carrot, Pumpkin & Ginger Soup recipe, click here.

Cheeseburger Soup

Want the flavors of a burger with the ease of the slow cooker? You got it! This easy, versatile soup only requires 20 minutes of prep, then into the slow cooker it goes!

For the Cheeseburger Soup recipe, click here.

Cheesy Potato Soup

Potatoes and cheese? Yes, please! This six-ingredient slow cooker supper is unbelievably easy and amazingly delicious.

For the Cheesy Potato Soup recipe, click here.

Chicken Cheese Tortellini Soup

Everything except the cheesy tortellini is added to the Crock-Pot to be simmered on high for four to six hours. Then, 10 minutes before mealtime, toss in the tortellini with generous shavings of quality Parmesan.

For the Chicken Cheese Tortellini Soup recipe, click here.

Chicken Matzo Ball Soup

You don't need to spend hours over the stove working on that comforting chicken matzo ball soup. Let the slow cooker put all the effort in, so you don't have to.

For the Chicken Matzo Ball Soup recipe, click here.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Use store-bought rotisserie chicken in this slow cooker soup to make it even easier.

For the Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe, click here.

Curried Cauliflower Coconut Soup

A delicious fragrant spiced soup to banish those winter blues. A contemporary twist on slow cooking using good, simple ingredients.

For the Curried Cauliflower Coconut Soup recipe, click here.

Enchilada Soup

This slow cooker soup only takes 10 minutes to throw together - just allow the spicy chiles and enchilada sauce to simmer with the chicken for a time while you go about your day.

For the Enchilada Soup recipe, click here.

Ham and Black-Eyed Pea Soup

This hearty soup comes together in a flash; just throw everything into your slow cooker and let it go for 4 to 5 hours on low. Served over rice, this is a winning dish.

For the Slow Cooker Ham and Black-Eyed Pea Soup recipe, click here.

Instant Pot Beef Stew

This isn't specifically a slow cooker recipe, but if you have a multi-cooker, you can choose to make this instantly or to cook it low and slow. For slow cooker timing, simply set it on low and cook for 7 to 8 hours.

For the Instant Pot Beef Stew recipe, click here.

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash soup is a guaranteed winner in everybody's household. This recipe has a hint of ginger which gives it a nice kick. To convert this recipe to a slow cooker, first sweat the onions, then combine the rest of the ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours before blending into a delicious, silky smooth soup.

For the Instant Pot Butternut Squash Soup recipe, click here.

Instant Pot Chicken No-Tortilla Soup

Sweat out the vegetables on the high setting of your slow cooker before adding the rest of the ingredients. Then simply cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.

For the Instant Pot Chicken No-Tortilla Soup recipe, click here.

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup

Split pea soup is the perfect budget-friendly soup to melt your winter blues away! This recipe is simple and delicious. If you don't have an immersion blender... get one! Just kidding, feel free to use a regular blender, it works just as well!

For the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup recipe, click here.

Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup

This healthy, flavorful soup is loaded with tons of fresh, nutritious ingredients like spinach, carrots, celery and onion. The flavors deepen exponentially while the soup simmers in a slow cooker all day.

For the Lemon Chicken and Orzo Soup recipe, click here.

Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup

This lemon chicken and rice soup is flavored with lemongrass, cilantro, and serrano chiles to give it a unique taste and heat.

For the Lemon Chicken and Rice Soup recipe, click here.

Lentil Soup

Just throw everything in the pot and come back later. It's almost like magic.

For the Lentil Soup recipe, click here.

Meatball Soup

This recipe suggests that you use frozen store-bought meatballs for this delicious soup bursting with classic Italian flavor.

For the Meatball Soup recipe, click here.

Minestrone Soup

This soup base will emit the most amazing thyme- and sage-laced smells. Thirty minutes before you are ready to eat, add the orzo, zucchini, and spinach to the pot.

For the Minestrone Soup recipe, click here.

"Osso Buco" Stew

Osso Buco is traditionally made with veal shanks, white wine, vegetables, herbs, and a little tomato, but this version uses cubes of stew meat instead of the shanks to accommodate the slow cooker. Don't skip the lemon zest and parsley as garnish, though, because the flavors are key to unlocking the full potential of the dish.

For the "Osso Buco" Stew recipe, click here.

Poblano Corn Chowder With Chicken and Chorizo

Meaty poblano chiles are a wonderful addition to corn chowder. Omit the chicken and chorizo if you want to opt for a vegetarian version.

For the Poblano Corn Chowder With Chicken and Chorizo recipe, click here.

Sans Tortilla Soup

This tortilla soup is made without tortilla strips (thus the "sans") and is perfect for all those who love the flavor of chicken tortilla soup but can't stand soggy tortilla chips. It is still packed with spicy kicks of chili powder, green chiles, smoky cumin, slow-cooked chicken, and hearty diced tomatoes.

For the Sans Tortilla Soup recipe, click here.

Shanghai-Style Beef Borscht

This borscht will bring a wonderful smell to your house as it slowly cooks. Sliced cabbage is stirred in toward the end of cooking and basil leaves are added for garnish. Serve it with your favorite bread or simply enjoy it by itself.

For the Slow Cooker Shanghai-Style Beef Borscht recipe, click here.

Sopa de Ajo

This chicken soup is something serious: Aside from the fact that it's perfumed with more than 40 cloves of garlic, pinches of saffron, cumin, cayenne, and paprika, it is topped with a poached egg, which, when pierced, infuses the soup with its rich flavor.

For the Sopa de Ajo recipe, click here.

Spanish Lentil and Chorizo Stew

The smoked paprika in the chorizo is the key ingredient is this stew. The ingredient list is otherwise short and simple, so be sure to use the best possible ingredients when you recreate it at home.

For the Spanish Lentil and Chorizo Stew recipe, click here.

Spicy Black Bean Soup

This slow cooker soup is true to its name - it's definitely spicy! Nevertheless, you can always scale back the heat to satisfy your own taste buds.

For the Spicy Black Bean Soup recipe, click here.

Sweet and Spicy Chili

This chili is incredibly easy to make and full of sweet, smoky, and slightly spicy flavor. Just brown some ground beef and chop a few vegetables before simmering the chili in your slow cooker. There's really nothing better on a cold night than a big bowl of chili,... except maybe a big bowl of chili that requires virtually no effort to cook!

For the Sweet and Spicy Slow Cooker Chili recipe, click here.

Thai Beef Stew

This slow cooker stew is made with coconut oil and gets a hint of umami flavor from the addition of fish sauce.

For the Slow Cooker Thai Beef Stew recipe, click here.

Turkey Fajita Soup

Serve this fajita soup with chips and salsa, and top your bowl high with cheddar, sour cream, diced avocados, jalapeños and tomatoes. A side of cornbread is also advisable.

For the Turkey Fajita Soup recipe, click here.

Vegetarian Chili

This chili is vegan - although it does taste divine when topped with shredded cheese and sour cream. This stew is hearty and delicious and will definitely chase away any winter chills. It also freezes incredibly well, so why not make a big batch and store it in your freezer for a great one-pan recipe you can just freeze, heat and eat.

For the Vegetarian Chili recipe, click here.

More From The Daily Meal:

30 Slow Cooker Recipes That Aren't Soup or Stew

20 Delicious Soup Recipes That Are Perfect for Fall

20 Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

20 Quick Dinner Dishes You Can Make Completely Out of the Freezer

50 Healthy Slow Cooker Dinners

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