A slow cooker is an awesome tool in cooking. Because the slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, the vitamin and mineral content of foods are preserved. A slow cooker is designed to make meals as easy as possible. Also, it can save you money and time. Here are 11 healthy slow cooker recipes:
1. Whole-wheat pasta with veggies
This slow cooker whole-wheat pasta with veggies recipe is easy to make, full of flavor and packed with nutrients.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1eggplant, peeled, diced
1 zucchini, peeled, diced
1 tomato, diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 cups whole-wheat pasta
1 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions:
In a slow cooker, combine the olive oil, onion, carrot, garlic eggplant, zucchini, tomato and fresh parsley. Cover and cook for 5 hours, stirring occasionally. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Drain the pasta, toss with the sauce, and serve. Enjoy!
2. Slow cooker bean and lentil chili
Slow-cooker lentil and pumpkin chili recipe is bursting with a flavor of beans. Serve with rice or pasta.
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
2 cups beans, canned, rinsed and drained
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup lentils, canned, rinsed and drained
1 bell pepper, finely diced
2 tomatoes, diced
1 onion, minced
2 cups vegetable broth
2 carrots, peeled, diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions:
Simply, combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook for 4-6 hours. Serve and enjoy.
Carefully remove lid; serve.
3. Slow cooker pea soup
Slow-cooker pea soup recipe is so comforting and delicious!Also, this recipe is vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.
Ingredients:
2 cups peas, canned, rinsed and drained
1 green bell pepper, cored and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. chili powder
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
3 cups vegetable stock
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ tsp. ground cumin
2 tbsp. olive oil
Instructions:
In a slow cooker, add the olive oil, cumin, vegetable stock, carrot, onion, chili powder, garlic, bell pepper, and peas – stir to combine. Cook for 4-6 hours. Serve warm. Done!
4. Spicy slow cooker beans with vegan sausages
This recipe is full of vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats. Feel free to add more jalapeno peppers if you like it spicy.
Ingredients:
3 cups red kidney beans, canned, drained, rinsed
1 celery stalk, diced
2 vegan sausages, sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. ground paprika
1 bay leaf
1 onion, peeled and diced
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. hot sauce
4 cups vegetable stock
Instructions:
Add the stock, hot sauce, chili powder, onion, bay leaf, ground paprika, garlic, vegan sausages, celery stalk, and beans in the slow cooker and stir to combine. Cook for 5 hours. Serve immediately. Enjoy.
5. Slow cooker chicken ragu
Slow-cooker chicken ragu recipe is easy to make, and so hearty and delicious. Also, this recipe is high in protein and low in carbohydrates.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp. oil
1 onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, diced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tomato, diced
1 cup vegetable stock
1 carrot, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
3 cups pasta, cooked, drained, rinsed
1/2 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions:
Heat the olive oil in a small skillet. Add the onion garlic and cook until golden, about 3 min. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and transfer to a slow-cooker. Add the tomato, tomato sauce, vegetable stock, carrot, bay leaf and parsley. Cook for 6 hours. Pour the sauce over the drained pasta and toss well to combine. Enjoy your meal.
6. Slow cooker turkey with cauliflower
This is one of my favorite slow-cooker recipes. It is so amazingly delicious and filled with healthy veggies.
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
1 cup vegetable broth
3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 tbsp. cornstarch
4 cups cauliflower florets
Instructions:
In a slow cooker, add the turkey and onion. Add all the ingredients (except the cauliflower) and cook for 3 hours. Add the cauliflower and cook for 20 more minutes. Serve warm over brown rice. Bon appetit.
7. Slow cooker lentil soup with curry
This incredibly delicious soup recipe only takes about 10 minutes of prep time, and the slow cooker does the rest of the work.
Ingredients:
1 onion, diced
5 cups vegetable stock
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups lentils, uncooked, rinsed
½ tsp. ground cumin
1 bay leaf
1 tbsp. curry powder
Salt and pepper, taste
Instructions:
In a slow cooker, add the onion, garlic, lentils, cumin, bay leaf, curry powder and cook for 4-7 hours. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve warm. Bon appetit.
8. Slow cooker beef soup
This slow cooker beef soup is gluten-free and grain-free and packed with flavor! Beef is a good source of protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins.
Ingredients:
2 sweet potatoes, peeled, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
2 lbs. beef, grass fed, chopped
1 cup brussels sprouts
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1 carrot, peeled diced
1 tbsp. mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp.chili powder
1 bay leaf
Instructions:
Crombie the olive oil, chili powder, bay leaf, garlic, mustard, carrot, mushrooms, brussels sprouts, beef, vegetable broth and sweet potatoes in a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours. Serve warm. Bon appetit.
9. Slow cooker chicken meatballs
This slow cooker chicken meatball recipe is full of vitamins, minerals, and protein. Eating protein can help you feel full longer.
Ingredients:
1 egg
1 cup brown rice, rinsed, drained
2 lbs. ground chicken
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
3 tsp.fresh parsley, chopped
3 cups vegetable broth
2tsp. cornstarch
1 cup tomato salsa
Instructions:
In a bowl, add the egg, brown rice, ground chicken, oregano, parsley and salt, and paper. Mix with your hands until well combined. Form the mixture into meatballs. Place in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. In another bowl, whisk together the cornstarch, vegetable broth, and tomato salsa. Pour gently over the meatballs. Cook for 7 hours on low heat or 4 hours ion high heat. Bon appetit.
10. Slow cooker blueberry and strawberry oatmeal
This recipe is a great way to incorporate more fruits into your daily diet. Blueberries and strawberries contain antioxidants which protect cells from free radical damage.
Ingredients:
1 cup steel-cut oats, gluten-free
2 cups milk, rice or soy
½ tsp. cinnamon
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blueberries
1 banana, peeled, chopped
Pinch of nutmeg
2 tbsp. agave nectar
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. In the morning, stir the oatmeal, taste and adjust the seasonings. Done!
11. Slow cooker salmon and sweet potatoes
Salmon is brain food and packed full of Omega-3 fatty acid. This recipe is a great way to add more fish to your diet.
Ingredients:
4 (6 ounces) salmon fillets, cut into 1-inch cubes.
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 onion, chopped
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
1/2tsp. fresh basil
2 tsp. olive oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 sweet potatoes, peeled, cubed
5-10 olives, optional
Instructions:
Place the potatoes, olives, and salmon in a layer on the bottom of slow cooker. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, and pepper, garlic, onion, thyme, and basil. Pour the mixture over the potatoes and salmon. Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 7 hours. Enjoy your meal.