10 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes to Make Tonight
These dishes are packed with nutrients.
CAITLIN BENSEL
Slow cooker meals are quick and easy to prepare, making them one of the most convenient ways to get dinner on the table on busy weeknights. They can also be quite healthy, filled with protein- and fiber-rich foods, like chicken, legumes, and vegetables.
But the small kitchen appliance can be quite divisive, with some arguing that slow cooker recipes are flavorless. Dumping all of your ingredients in a pot in the morning and having a steaming hot dinner ready in the evening may sound too good to be true, but we’re here to tell you that the right recipes won’t leave you disappointed in the taste or texture. Here, we’ve gathered the 10 best healthy slow cooker recipes that are satisfying, easy to whip up, and full of nutrients for your family.
Related: 14 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes That Require Less Than 20 Minutes of Prep
Slow Cooker Soy-Braised Chicken
Americans eat more chicken than beef since it’s a leaner protein with a lower fat content. Fortunately, there are a million ways to make and season chicken, so you shouldn’t worry about getting bored of it. Here, we braise chicken thighs in a sweet and sour sauce made from soy sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and pepper. Cook it on low for seven to eight hours, and serve over a bed of rice and bok choy for a balanced plate complete with protein, carbs, and veggies.
Slow Cooker Black Bean Posole
Posole is a traditional Mexican soup, and if you’re fortunate enough to come across it, prepare to go back for seconds and thirds. Traditional recipes typically call for pork or chicken, but if you’re looking for a lighter way to enjoy the warming flavors, this meat-free recipe uses beans in lieu of meat. It’s also made in the slow cooker, so all you have to do is add your ingredients to the inner pot, and leave it to do its thing. When the posole is ready, you can enjoy it as-is, or add toppings like avocado, cilantro, and radish for more flavors, textures, and nutrients.
Big-Batch Black Beans
There’s nothing wrong with canned or store-bought beans, but homemade beans are arguably tastier and undoubtedly more cost effective. You only need a few ingredients to bring out the flavor in this slow cooker bean recipe—white onion, garlic, bay leaf, and salt. One pound of dried beans will yield about six cups, so you can reheat the leftovers or freeze them for later. Use these beans as a topping for tacos and burritos, or serve ‘em alongside rice and your favorite protein for a hearty meal.
Sweet and Spicy Pork Tenderloin
Dry pork tenderloin? Not today. The secret to juicy pork that pulls apart effortlessly is cooking it low and slow. This recipe requires about five hours of cook time, but the prep couldn’t be simpler. You’ll add some sweet and spicy seasonings for some depth of flavor, and let the slow cooker do all the hard work. Serve with rice and veggies for a healthy meal that comes together quickly, tastes incredible, and emits a mouth-watering aroma that wafts throughout your whole home.
Related: Helpful Tips for Every Slow-Cooker Dilemma
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili With Sweet Potatoes
This chili recipe has it all—legumes for protein, sweet potatoes for fiber, and aromatics for flavor. It’s a “dump and run” recipe, so if you’re looking for a quick dinner, this is the one to try. You’ll need to chop up some sweet potatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic, so there is some prep, but finding pre-cut ingredients will shave off some time. Topping the finished chili with sour cream makes it a vegetarian dish, but you can omit it to make this meal vegan-friendly.
Slow-Cooker Shepherd's Pie
Slow cooker recipes are convenient, and they can be healthy and affordable, such as this take on shepherd’s pie. Hailing from Ireland, shepherd’s pie originates from the creative use of ingredients to reduce food waste during times when money was tight. So, take a page from the Irish and give this beef stew a try. You’ll need the basics, like beef, carrots, peas, and mashed potatoes, but it also calls for a surprising ingredient—one cup of beer, which adds a unique flavor to the gravy. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it!
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup
If you’re trying to cut down on carbs from white rice and flour tortillas, taco soup is a healthy way to enjoy the flavors you know and love with more macro-friendly ingredients. This recipe involves adding everything into the slow cooker, and letting the flavors meld together until the chicken is tender. Once the meat is cooked through, take a fork to shred it into bite-sized pieces. Ladle the soup into a bowl, and add your preferred toppings to enjoy a protein-rich dinner that’s also lower in fat.
Slow Cooker Chicken Tostadas
Slow cookers are fast and easy to use in the sense that they usually require minimal prep. You still have to wait a while before dinner is ready to be served—up to eight to ten hours—but this recipe is ready in about four hours. It involves making a tangy chicken filling for tostadas. You’ll combine chicken, salsa, onion, poblano peppers, and salt in a slow cooker. While the chicken cooks, make a simple pico de gallo using tomatoes, cilantro, lime juice, onion, and salt. Add the chicken and pico de gallo to crispy corn tostadas and top with cheese and lime for a delicious, quick, and easy dinner.
Related: 5 Deliciously Simple Slow Cooker Recipes With Just Two Ingredients
Slow-Cooker Pork With Peppers and Olives
Cuban ropa vieja meets pork (instead of the traditional beef) in this easy slow-cooker recipe. Here, the meat is bathed in a tomato-y bell pepper and onion sauce. Once you add pimiento-stuffed olives and generous amounts of oregano, cumin, and garlic, you’ve got a deep, flavorful stew. Serve with black beans and brown or white rice to soak up every last bit of the delicious sauce.
Slow-Cooker Ragù With Spaghetti Squash
If you’re looking for a lighter alternative to spaghetti, try spaghetti squash. While there are many ways to cook the pasta-like insides of this gourd, using a slow cooker means you only need to do 15 minutes of hands-on work, while the appliance does the rest. Shower the finished dish with plenty of basil and freshly grated Parmesan, and you’re all set.
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