Many people pull out their crock-pot rather than their barbecue grill on Memorial Day because it provides such an easy and convenient way to cook for a group.

The crock-pot, also known as a slow cooker, is a countertop device that first rose to popularity in the 1970s as a way to cook dishes ranging from stews and soups to pot roast over a period of time without much work or effort from the homemaker beyond filling the crock-pot with ingredients and setting the time and temperature.

Sliced beef or pork slow cooked in barbecue sauce is among the more popular crock-pot recipes, as is chile con carne, a blend of ground meat, kidney beans, spices, tomato sauce and onions that within six hours is ready to serve with a slice of corn bread.

A whole pot roast can be cooked in a crock-pot, accompanied by potatoes, carrots and green beans.

Other popular Memorial Day recipes include beef stew, goulash and clam chowder.

Easy Crock-Pot Recipes For Memorial Day