10+ Healthy Crockpot Recipes for Easy and Nutritious Meals

Using a crockpot makes preparing meals easier and less stressful. It lets you cook healthy food slowly without much attention.

Healthy crockpot recipes help you save time while making nutritious meals for any day.

With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a variety of tasty dishes that fit your diet and lifestyle. You don’t need to be an expert cook to use a crockpot.

These recipes are great for busy days or relaxing evenings.

1) Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

This slow cooker honey garlic chicken is an easy and healthy recipe you can make with just a few ingredients. It uses chicken thighs or breasts cooked in a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.

The sauce becomes sticky and flavorful, making your chicken juicy and tender. Just mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a few seasonings.

Cook everything in your crockpot for several hours. It’s perfect for a busy day because you can set it and forget it.

Serve this chicken with rice or veggies for a simple, tasty meal.

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs or breasts
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, olive oil, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Place chicken in the slow cooker.
3. Pour sauce over the chicken.
4. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours at 200°F (93°C) low or 300°F (149°C) high.
5. Serve warm with your favorite sides.

For more on this recipe, visit slow cooker honey garlic chicken.

2) Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Root Vegetables

You can make a healthy and tasty meal with a slow cooker pot roast and root vegetables. This recipe uses simple ingredients like chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, and onions.

The slow cooking method makes the meat tender and the vegetables full of flavor. Start by seasoning the beef with salt and pepper.

Place the root vegetables at the bottom of the slow cooker. Put the beef on top and let it cook all day on low heat.

This dish is easy to prepare and perfect for a family dinner. You get a balanced meal with protein and vegetables.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lb chuck roast
• 4-5 carrots, peeled and cut
• 4-6 small potatoes (yellow or Yukon gold), halved
• 1 large onion, sliced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 cups beef broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper.
2. Place carrots, potatoes, and onion in the slow cooker.
3. Put the roast on top of the vegetables.
4. Pour beef broth around the roast.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
6. Check if the meat is tender before serving.

For more details, check out this slow cooker pot roast with root vegetables recipe.

3) Sweet Potato Black Bean Chili

This sweet potato black bean chili is a healthy crockpot meal that’s full of flavor and easy to prepare. You can enjoy it as a filling dinner any day.

The recipe is vegetarian and uses simple ingredients like sweet potatoes, black beans, and spices. It’s also gluten-free and dairy-free.

Just add everything into your slow cooker and let it cook. After a few hours, you’ll have a warm, comforting chili ready to enjoy.

You can find more details on the slow cooker version here.

Ingredients

• 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the slow cooker.
2. Add diced sweet potatoes, black beans, and tomatoes.
3. Pour in vegetable broth and add spices. Stir well.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
5. Stir and season with salt and pepper before serving.

4) Crockpot Chicken Curry

Crockpot chicken curry is a simple way to enjoy a warm, healthy meal. Add chicken, spices, coconut milk, and veggies to your slow cooker.

Let it cook until the chicken is tender and the flavors blend. This dish requires very little prep.

You don’t need to brown the chicken first; just put everything in the pot and walk away. The slow cooking lets the spices and coconut milk create a creamy, delicious sauce.

This curry tastes great with rice or naan. Using chicken thighs keeps the meat juicy.

Vegetables like sweet potatoes or bell peppers add extra nutrients and color. You can adjust the spices to make it mild or spicy.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
• 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
• 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken thighs in the crockpot.
2. Add sweet potato, onion, and garlic.
3. Sprinkle curry powder, ginger, salt, and pepper over the top.
4. Pour coconut milk evenly on the ingredients.
5. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
6. Stir before serving and enjoy with rice or bread.

For more details, check this slow cooker chicken curry recipe.

5) Beef and Broccoli Crockpot

You can make a tasty and healthy beef and broccoli meal in your crockpot. It’s easy to prepare and lets the flavors blend while you focus on other things.

A mix of soy sauce, garlic, and a little brown sugar gives the beef a nice savory taste. Add broccoli near the end of cooking so it stays crisp and bright green.

This dish is great served with rice or noodles. You get a balanced meal with protein, veggies, and a simple sauce.

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds beef steak, thinly sliced
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup beef broth
• ½ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar or honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Place sliced beef in the crockpot.
2. In a bowl, mix beef broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, garlic, vinegar, and ginger. Pour over the beef.
3. Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, until beef is tender.
4. Add broccoli and cook on high for 20 to 30 minutes until crisp-tender.
5. Serve warm with rice or noodles.

6) Crockpot Baked Ziti

Crockpot baked ziti is a simple and tasty meal you can make with little effort. It combines pasta, sauce, and meat in your slow cooker for a hands-off dinner.

Use ground turkey or beef for your protein. Adding onion and garlic boosts the flavor.

Pasta cooks right in the sauce, so it soaks up all the taste. This recipe is great when you want a comforting dish ready when you get home.

It takes about 6 to 7 hours on low or 4 to 5 hours on high. You don’t need to pre-cook the pasta.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey or beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes or marinara sauce
• 16 ounces ziti pasta
• 1 cup water
• Fresh basil and parmesan cheese (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground meat with onion and garlic in a pan.
2. Add the meat mixture, crushed tomatoes, pasta sauce, and water to the slow cooker.
3. Stir in the uncooked ziti pasta to the sauce mixture.
4. Cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until pasta is tender.
5. Stir before serving, and top with fresh basil and parmesan if you like.

For more tips, see this Slow Cooker Baked Ziti recipe.

7) Vegetable Lentil Soup

This vegetable lentil soup is simple to make and very healthy. Toss all the ingredients into your crockpot and let it cook while you do other things.

The soup is full of lentils, carrots, celery, onions, and other vegetables. It’s a great meal when you want something warm and filling.

You can customize it with herbs and spices you like. Cooking it slowly helps all the flavors blend well.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups dry lentils
• 4 large carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
• 1/2 bunch kale or spinach, chopped
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put lentils, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, tomatoes, kale, and broth into the crockpot.
2. Add oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir gently.
3. Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
4. Check lentils for tenderness before serving.
5. Stir well, adjust salt if needed, and enjoy your soup warm.

You can find more ideas on making healthy slow cooker lentil and vegetable soup.

8) Turkey and Quinoa Chili

Turkey and quinoa chili is a healthy meal you can make easily in your crockpot. It combines lean ground turkey with protein-packed quinoa and vegetables like sweet potatoes or black beans.

You can add diced tomatoes and spices like chili powder and cumin for flavor. Just put everything in your slow cooker and let it cook all day.

When it’s ready, you have a hearty chili without much work. It also freezes well, so you can save some for later.

Ingredients

• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
• 1 sweet potato, peeled and diced
• 1 can diced tomatoes (32 oz)
• 1 can black beans, drained (15 oz)
• 1 cup corn, drained
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the ground turkey in a pan, then drain excess fat.
2. Add turkey, quinoa, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, black beans, corn, and spices to the crockpot.
3. Stir to mix all ingredients.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
5. Check seasoning and adjust salt and pepper before serving.

9) Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are an easy and healthy slow cooker meal. You fill bell peppers with a mix of ground meat, rice, and veggies.

The crockpot cooks them slowly until the peppers are tender and the filling is flavorful. You don’t need to boil rice or brown meat first, which saves time.

Just mix your ingredients, fill the peppers, and set your slow cooker. This meal can be made ahead and reheated, making it perfect for busy days.

You can customize the filling with your favorite spices or switch the meat for turkey or beans.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds.
2. Mix meat, rice, onion, and seasoned salt in a bowl.
3. Stuff peppers with the filling.
4. Place peppers in the slow cooker.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours at 200°F (93°C) low or 300°F (149°C) high.

10) Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

This soup is a great way to enjoy a healthy, comforting meal with little effort. You’ll combine shredded chicken with beans, corn, and spices for a tasty broth.

It’s simple to make in your crockpot. Just add the ingredients, set it, and let it cook all day.

When it’s ready, top it with crunchy tortilla strips or fresh veggies for extra flavor and texture. This recipe is packed with protein and vegetables, making it a well-rounded meal.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Tortilla strips for topping

Cooking Instructions

1. Place chicken breasts in the crockpot.

2. Add beans, corn, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.

3. Pour in chicken broth.

4. Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper over everything.

5. Cover the crockpot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

6. Shred the chicken with two forks inside the crockpot.

7. Stir the soup. Serve with tortilla strips on top.