10+ Slow Cook Recipes Healthy for Nutritious Meals Made Easy

Slow cooking is a great way to prepare healthy meals with minimal effort. Many people enjoy the convenience of placing all ingredients in a pot and letting them simmer throughout the day. Using healthy slow cooker recipes can make it easier for you to enjoy nutritious meals that fit your lifestyle.

With slow cookers, you can create delicious dishes that are both satisfying and good for you. These recipes often highlight fresh ingredients and wholesome options, making it simpler to stay on track with your health goals.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or your family, there’s a variety of tasty meals to explore.

Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls

Slow cooker chicken burrito bowls are a tasty and easy meal you can prepare with minimal effort. They are perfect for busy weeknights when you need something warm and filling.

You start with chicken breast as the main protein. Add some diced tomatoes, low sodium chicken broth, black beans, and corn for flavor and nutrition. Spices like cumin and salt can really enhance the taste.

Set your slow cooker to LOW and let it cook for about 6 to 8 hours. If you’re short on time, cooking on HIGH for about 3 to 4 hours works too.

Near the end of cooking, you can prepare your favorite rice or tortillas to serve with the burrito bowls.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup (240 ml) low sodium chicken broth
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup (150 g) corn
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
2. Add diced tomatoes and chicken broth.
3. Stir in black beans, corn, cumin, and salt.
4. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.
5. Shred the chicken before serving with rice or tortillas.

2) Vegetable and Lentil Stew

This Vegetable and Lentil Stew is a warm and comforting dish. It’s packed with nutritious ingredients like lentils, carrots, and spinach. You can prepare it quickly and let the slow cooker do the work.

Start by gathering your vegetables and lentils. This stew is great for a chilly day and can be enjoyed with some crusty bread.

The spices added, such as cumin and coriander, enhance the flavor beautifully.

Ingredients

• 1 cup lentils, rinsed
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 2 cups spinach
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine everything well.
3. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours (190°F/88°C) or on high for 3-4 hours (225°F/107°C).
4. Enjoy warm!

3) Quinoa-Stuffed Peppers

Quinoa-stuffed peppers are a tasty and healthy meal choice. They are easy to make in your slow cooker and packed with nutrients. The combination of quinoa, beans, and vegetables creates a filling dish.

You will need bell peppers to hold all the delicious ingredients. Use cooked quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, and your favorite spices to add flavor. This recipe works well for both vegetarians and meat lovers.

Stuffing the peppers is fun! Just mix your filling ingredients and pack them into the peppers. Place them in the slow cooker, add some sauce, and let them cook slowly.

Ingredients

• 6 bell peppers
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook the quinoa according to package instructions.
2. Mix the cooked quinoa, black beans, diced tomatoes, cumin, and paprika in a bowl.
3. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
4. Stuff each pepper with the quinoa mixture.
5. Place the peppers in the slow cooker.
6. Pour some tomato sauce over them.
7. Cook on low for 4-6 hours (around 175-190°F or 80-88°C).

4) Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

Slow cooker beef and broccoli is a simple and healthy meal you can enjoy any day of the week. It uses lean beef and fresh broccoli, making it nutritious and satisfying. The combination of savory sauces adds rich flavor without extra calories.

You start by adding sliced beef to your slow cooker. Then, mix beef broth, soy sauce, and a bit of honey or brown sugar for sweetness. Pour this mixture over the beef and let it cook.

After a couple of hours, you can add broccoli for the last part of cooking. This keeps the broccoli bright and tender.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) beef, sliced thin
• 1 cup (240ml) beef broth
• 1/4 cup (60ml) soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional for thickening)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place sliced beef in the slow cooker.
2. Mix beef broth, soy sauce, and honey; pour over the beef.
3. Cook on LOW for 1.5 hours (approximately 50°C).
4. Add broccoli and cook on HIGH for 30 minutes (approximately 70°C).
5. Optionally, mix cornstarch with water and stir in for a thicker sauce.

5) Lemon Herb Chicken & Vegetables

Lemon Herb Chicken & Vegetables is a bright and flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare in your slow cooker. The combination of lemon and herbs adds a fresh taste that complements the tender chicken perfectly.

You can use chicken thighs or breasts, depending on your preference. Adding vegetables like carrots and potatoes will make this meal more filling and nutritious.

To make it, simply season the chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, and your choice of herbs. Place the chicken and vegetables in the slow cooker and let them cook for several hours until everything is tender.

The cooking time generally ranges from 4 to 6 hours on low heat or about 2 to 3 hours on high heat. Make sure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius) for safe eating.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup diced potatoes
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like thyme or rosemary)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with olive oil, lemon juice, herbs, salt, and pepper.
2. Place the chicken in the slow cooker and add the vegetables around it.
3. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
4. Check that the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) before serving.

6) Butternut Squash Chili

Butternut squash chili is a healthy and hearty dish perfect for any meal. It’s easy to make in your slow cooker and packed with flavor. You can customize it to fit your taste or dietary needs.

You start with fresh butternut squash, which adds a great texture and natural sweetness. Combining it with beans and vegetables makes the chili filling and nutritious. It’s a great option for lunch or dinner.

Try serving this chili with some whole grain bread or over rice. The warm spices enhance its comforting taste, making it a perfect fall recipe.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) butternut squash, cubed
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cans (15 oz each) beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (28 oz) diced tomatoes
• 2 cups (475ml) vegetable broth
• Chili seasoning packet (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place all ingredients in the slow cooker.
2. Stir well to combine.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 170°C) or on high for 4 hours (about 220°C).
4. Check for tenderness of the squash before serving. Enjoy!

7) Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken Cacciatore is a delicious and healthy dish that brings Italian flavors to your table. You can cook it easily in a slow cooker. It’s perfect for busy days when you want a home-cooked meal without much effort.

You’ll start by adding diced tomatoes and tomato paste to your slow cooker. Then, season the chicken with Italian herbs, garlic, and some chopped veggies like bell peppers and onions.

Cook the chicken on HIGH for about 3 to 4 hours or on LOW for 5 to 6 hours until it reaches 165°F (74°C). This dish serves well over pasta or with crusty bread.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place diced tomatoes and tomato paste in the slow cooker.
2. Add chopped bell pepper, onion, and garlic.
3. Season the chicken with oregano, salt, and pepper, then place it in the cooker.
4. Cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours until chicken is cooked through.

8) Moroccan Chickpea Tagine

Moroccan Chickpea Tagine is a delicious and healthy dish. It combines fresh vegetables and spices, giving you a vibrant meal that’s easy to prepare. You can cook it in a slow cooker for a hands-off approach.

To start, gather your ingredients. You’ll need chickpeas, carrots, bell peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and various spices like cumin and cinnamon. These flavors blend beautifully during cooking.

You can cook this tagine on low for about 7-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours. The slow cooking allows the vegetables to soften and the spices to fully develop.

This dish is plant-based and packed with protein. Serve it with whole grains for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine well.
3. Cook on low for 7-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
4. Serve hot and enjoy!

9) Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili

This Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili is a comforting and nutritious dish. It combines the earthy flavors of sweet potatoes and black beans with spices for a delicious meal. It’s easy to make in a slow cooker, perfect for busy days.

To start, gather your ingredients. You will need sweet potatoes, black beans, diced tomatoes, onion, garlic, vegetable broth, and spices like chili powder and cumin. These simple ingredients come together for a hearty recipe.

For cooking, place all the ingredients in your slow cooker. Set it to cook on high for about 4 hours (or low for 7 hours). The sweet potatoes will become tender and flavorful.

Serve it warm with your favorite toppings. Enjoy this healthy chili as a filling meal for lunch or dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Add all ingredients to the slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine everything well.
3. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low for 7 hours.
4. Check that sweet potatoes are tender before serving. Enjoy!

10) Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup

Slow cooker minestrone soup is a comforting meal packed with vegetables and beans. It’s easy to make, making it perfect for busy days. You’ll love how flavorful it can be.

To make this soup, start by adding vegetable broth, canned tomatoes, and your choice of veggies like carrots, celery, and zucchini. You can also add beans for protein.

Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours (about 30°C) or on high for 3.5 to 4 hours (around 60°C). About 20 minutes before serving, stir in pasta and spinach.

This recipe is not just healthy; it’s also filling and delicious!

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup diced zucchini
• 1 can kidney beans, drained
• 1 cup pasta (small shapes)
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Italian seasoning to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Add broth, tomatoes, carrots, celery, zucchini, and beans to the slow cooker.
2. Then, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3.5-4 hours.
4. After that, stir in pasta and spinach. Cook for an additional 20 minutes.
5. Serve and enjoy!