ComScore

30 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes That Won’t Weigh You Down

Nothing against slow cookers (seriously, we use ours on the reg), but the recipes we make in them aren’t always the lightest or healthiest of the bunch. (We see you, cheesy casseroles.) No worries: There are plenty of breakfasts, lunches, dinners and sides that combine the ease of slow cooking with super-nutritious ingredients. Here, 30 healthy slow-cooker recipes—from chicken tikka masala to lentil sloppy joes—that will fill you up without weighing you down.

The 55 Best Vegan Slow-Cooker Recipes


1. Vegan Slow-cooker Detox Coconut Soup

Pile it high with all the fresh, crisp herbs and greens your heart desires.

2. Slow-cooker Mediterranean Frittata

It’s light in the carb department and packed with protein, plus you barely have to lift a finger to make it.

3. Slow-cooker Meal-prep Burrito Bowls

Spend one night cooking, then reap the rewards. And by that we mean you’ll have a homemade lunch for the next four days.

4. Slow-cooker Chicken Tikka Masala Meatballs

Yes, there’s heavy cream in the sauce—but only a quarter of a cup. The whole dish still clocks in at less than 500 calories per serving.

5. Slow-cooker Chicken Teriyaki

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts have never tasted so good.

6. Slow-cooker Garlic-herb Mashed Cauliflower

This has all the creamy flavor of mashed potatoes, just with way fewer carbs per serving.

7. Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup

Lentils may be tiny, but they’re a nutritional powerhouse of protein, fiber and tons of vitamins. Oh, and they make a very delicious soup.

8. Slow-cooker Butternut Squash Soup

It’s velvety smooth and creamy but surprisingly dairy-free.

9. Slow-cooker Vegetarian Chili

Keep it vegan with avocado and cilantro, or add sour cream and cheese if you please.

10. Slow-cooker Whole Chicken With Potatoes

If you end up with leftovers, turn them into chicken salad for tomorrow’s lunch.

11. Crockpot Paleo Chili

With all the hearty vegetables (like mushrooms and zucchini), you won’t even miss the beans.

12. Healthier Slow-cooker Creamy Tortellini Soup

It sounds (and tastes) super indulgent, but there are only 400 calories in each bowl.

13. Healthy Slow-cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Swap out the usual heavy cream for coconut milk—you know, so you can save room for an extra piece of naan.

14. Crockpot Chicken And Rice

It’s the comforting flavors you grew up with, and that dose of nostalgia makes it a total crowd-pleaser. (Seriously—even the kids will gobble it up.)

15. Easy Crockpot Bone Broth

Keep a batch of this nourishing broth in the freezer and you’ll never go back to the store-bought kind.

16. Vegetarian Slow-cooker Lentil Sloppy Joes With Spaghetti Squash

Everything cooks in the slow cooker at the same time for a true one-pot meal.

17. Healthy Slow-cooker Chicken Cacciatore

It’s low-carb and keto, but flavorful enough that even non-dieters will love it too.

18. Slow-cooker Chipotle Beef Burrito Bowls

You get all the fresh veggies and flavorful meat of a regular burrito, minus the soggy tortilla.

19. Crockpot Quinoa Chicken Primavera

Easy to make? Check. Nutritious and delicious? Check. Totally gorgeous? Check.

20. Barbecue Ranch Chicken Quinoa Bowls

Make the slow-cooked barbecue chicken ahead of time so all you have to do later is assemble and eat.

21. Quinoa Black Bean Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

To go the extra-healthy route, you can omit the cheese. (Though we might shed a small tear.)

22. Healthy White Chicken Chili

Dairy? We don’t know her. (You can thank the cannellini beans for the creamy texture.)

23. Slow-cooker Minestrone Soup

Hot slow-cooker tip: Cook the pasta separately. We promise it’s worth it for the al dente bite.

24. Classic Chicken Soup

Whatever ails you, this will cure it.

25. Slow-cooker Curried Chicken Tacos With Avocado Crema

Who needs taco shells when you have collard wraps?

26. Crockpot Broccoli Turmeric Soup

It’s as tasty and comforting as the classic cheesy soup, just lightened up with way more good-for-you ingredients.

27. Healthy Baked Beans

This version is sweet but not cloying thanks to maple syrup. (Bonus: You don’t have to soak the beans ahead of time.)

28. Sausage And Quinoa Stew

FYI, you can also make it in an Instant Pot if you’re short on time.

29. Red Lentil Sweet Potato Dal

This meal can be prepped and assembled ahead of time, then stored in a baggie in the freezer for a super lazy dinner. (It’s the definition of dump and go.)

30. Overnight Slow-cooker Steel-cut Oats

Breakfast in the slow cooker: It’s a thing.



headshot

Senior Food Editor

Katherine Gillen is PureWow’s senior food editor. She’s a writer, recipe developer and food stylist with a degree in culinary arts and professional experience in New York City...