33 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes That Basically Make Themselves
Slow Cooker Sesame-Garlic Chicken or Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup?
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If you own a slow cooker, then you know by now that it makes your dinners easier. But did you know it can make them healthier, too? These nutrient-dense meals are both healthy and easy, which is a winning combo in our book. To make these healthy slow cooker recipes, you'll need a slow cooker like a Crock-Pot or a multicooker (like an Instant Pot!) to get the job done. Thankfully, The Good Housekeeping Institute rounded up the best slow cookers on the market if you're looking to upgrade your appliance. Newer models offer safety features like auto shut-off and even wifi connectivity so you can switch modes from outside the house. Use your slow cooker to brown meat, simmer soups and stews, cook rice and more. Just set it and forget it, letting the appliance do all the work so you can come home to a hot, ready meal. (Bonus: The whole kitchen will smell amazing!)
If you're trying to eat healthy, a slow cooker can help you reach your goals by making it easier to prepare vegetables, brown rice, beans and lean proteins like chicken and turkey. These recipes emphasize good-for-you ingredients while churning out the warm, comforting meals you've come to expect out of your slow cooker. And if you end up falling in love with your appliance like we did, you can buy the Good Housekeeping Slow Cooker cookbook for even more recipe ideas right here!
Slow Cooker Cider-Braised Pot Roast
This may just be the easiest-to-make pot roast ever. The prep time will only take you 15 minutes, then your slow cooker does the rest of the work for you.
Slow Cooker Lemon Butter Chicken & Potatoes
Slow-cooking (instead of baking or frying) these chicken cutlets will create a tender and supple base for the light lemon butter sauce. Ditch the baby potatoes and opt for some sweet potatoes if you'd like a more nutrient-dense base.
Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Lemon Butter Chicken & Potatoes »
Slow-Cooker Beef & Broccoli
Skip all of the unnecessary sodium that comes with your Chinese food takeout but making everyone's favorite dish, Beef & Broccoli, at home — this Siracha-inspired recipe may even taste better than your go-to take-out joint's sauce.
Red-Cooked Chicken With Stir-fry Vegetables
Slow cooking this Asian-inspired chicken means that it's juicy and tender enough to fall clean off the bone. It also means that your stir-fried veggies will absorb the sweet-and-sour glaze.
Get the recipe for Red-Cooked Chicken with Stir-fry Vegetables, Slow Cooker-Style »
Slow-Cooker Chicken Tagine
While it may taste exotic, you can make this traditional Moroccan stew with the spices found at your local grocery store — and your trusty slow cooker, of course.
Sweet Potato Soup
With a kick of freshly grated ginger and mild (or not so mild) curry powder, this sweet-and-spicy soup will keep you warm on a cold winter's day. Plus, the nonfat Greek yogurt in this recipe keeps the dish surprisingly low-cal.
Spiced Chickpea Stew
The coriander, fennel seeds and fresh carrots in this recipe make for an earthy, vegetarian meal — but if you want an extra punch of protein, you can always add a poached egg on top.
Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Ribs
Warning: once you start making your own light and flavorful Teriyaki sauce, there's no going back to the store-bought kind.
White Bean Cassoulet With Pork and Lentils
Filling beans, lentils and lean pork pack this hearty casserole with protein. (And you know the leftovers will taste even better the next day.)
Get the recipe for White Bean Cassoulet With Pork and Lentils »
Crock-Pot Chicken With Walnut-Herb Sauce
Skip the supermarket rotisserie chicken for this fool-proof entrée instead. A cabbage-kohlrabi slaw — tossed with cucumber, parsley, onions and lemon juice — on the side sneaks in additional veggies.
Get the recipe for Crock-Pot Chicken With Walnut-Herb Sauce »
Healthy Pulled Pork Burrito Bowls
Pro tip: Swap out brown rice for cauliflower rice if you're looking for a lighter meal. Pulled pork (or beans, if you want a vegetarian option!) plus crumbled cheese will still bulk up your bowl.
White Turkey Chili Crock-Pot Recipe
Bookmark this recipe for when you've got tons of leftover cooked turkey (i.e., Thanksgiving). Fiber-filled white beans, salsa verde and cayenne pepper will transform last night's roast into total comfort food.
Get the recipe from Sugar, Spice & Glitter »
RELATED: The Best Leftover Turkey Recipes You Can Make in 60 Minutes or Less
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
No more blah chicken for you. A flavorful mix of spices transforms boneless, skinless thighs (equally nutritious as chicken breasts!) into a North African-inspired treat served on a bed of zucchini, tomatoes, dried fruit and almonds.
Crock-Pot Chickpea Curry Recipe
Vegetarians, dig into this plant-based dinner that relies on chickpeas and sweet potatoes for a filling main. Heads up: You'll need to stock up on garam masala if you haven't added it to your spice rack already.
Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup With Italian Sausage and Pesto
Spinach, squash, carrots, celery, zucchini ... You're getting all the vegetable goodness in this Italian soup without sacrificing any flavor, thanks to a spoonful of pesto.
Get the recipe from The Food Charlatan »
RELATED: How to Make the Best Homemade Pesto
Smoky Vegan Black Bean Soup
This healthy soup recipe may technically count as vegan but it's sure to fill you up.
Caribbean Chicken Thighs
Mango, avocado, and jalapeno — the perfect balance of sweet, creamy and spicy — in this recipe will taste like a mini trip to the tropics.
Slow Cooker Sesame-Garlic Chicken
Skip the Chinese takeout. The slow cooker beats out the delivery man easily with a lighter version of your favorite dish, cooked with fresh ginger and topped with sliced red chilies.
Pressure Cooker Winter Squash and Lentil Stew
If you use a pressure cooker this recipe will finish a lot faster, but you'll still get a hearty meal with your slow cooker!
Get the recipe for Pressure Cooker Winter Squash and Lentil Stew »
RELATED: 20 Instant Pot Soups That Are Basically Comfort in a Bowl
Slow Cooker Eggplant Parmesan
No frying required for this easy eggplant dinner — the slow cooker does all the work for you.
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