Finding weeknight meals that are both healthy and convenient can be challenging. Your trusty slow cooker is here to help!
This family-friendly crockpot recipe boasts Mediterranean flair. Easy and inexpensive kitchen staples such as canned tomatoes and olives come together in this flavorful dish, ideal for enjoying as a main course or topping over pasta for an excellent dinner option.
1. Chicken
Crockpot chicken recipes are among the easiest, healthiest and family-friendly dinners you can prepare in your slow cooker. From hearty soups and stews to flavorful curry dishes and comforting casseroles, these delicious recipes make life simpler on busy weeknights!
Slow cookers are essential tools in crafting mouthwatering meal prep chicken that’s both tender and flavorful – perfect for taco night or as an ingredient in other meals throughout the week, such as topping rice bowls, quinoa or tortillas, burritos or quesadillas, even filling jacket potato pockets! This smoky chicken tinga recipe makes an easy weekly dinner preparation!
This delicious and simple crockpot chicken salsa verde recipe will delight the whole family. Perfect for using up any extra chicken you may have stored away in your freezer, this salsa verde also makes a wonderful complement to salads or steam vegetables!
Experience Mediterranean flavors with this healthy, simple, hands-off crockpot chicken tikka masala dish bursting with rich flavor and just enough spice! Perfect served over rice or naan.
If you enjoy creamy tomato-based sauces and want a low-cal meal prep option, look no further! This slow cooker vegan tomato basil chicken dish features vegetables, tomatoes and basil for an extra pop of flavor!
Make this delicious slow-cooker chicken the highlight of any dinner tonight or divide into portions and use for lunches and dinners throughout the week! With such an easy recipe and irresistibly juicy herbed sun-dried tomato sauce. Enjoy it tonight or use as part of a slow cooker shredded chicken meal during the week.
2. Pork
Looking for comforting soups and stews, delicious chicken dishes or cozy pork recipes in the slow cooker? We have all of the best healthy crockpot dinner ideas that make weeknight cooking simple! These recipes feature nutritious yet balanced ingredients to support your fitness goals without compromising delicious flavor!
This simple pulled pork recipe is the ideal way to utilize your slow cooker – taking only five hours or so in total to become tender! For faster cooking times, consider cooking the pork on high instead of low. To achieve maximum flavor in this shredded pork dish, liberally seasoning it before cooking with oregano, salt, black pepper and smoked paprika is key – adding any additional spices you desire can also be done afterwards!
Before adding the pork shoulder to the slow cooker, consider browning it first in a skillet for extra texture and caramelized exterior. While this step is not mandatory, it may give it extra depth of flavor and give it a richer color overall.
Leftovers from this pork recipe are highly versatile. Enjoy it on its own or use it to create Mexican Carnitas, Pork Verde Stew or Italian Ragu with Pasta dishes! Our gluten free biscuits or dairy free mashed potatoes pair beautifully with this healthy pulled pork dish too!
This delicious slow cooker bolognese recipe is packed with protein and vegetables for a satisfying and family-friendly dinner that can easily be doubled and frozen for later.
3. Beef
If you’re craving the flavors of a delicious beef stew or pot roast but aren’t in the mood to cook over high heat, this slow cooker recipe could be just what’s needed. Utilizing budget cuts of meat combined with lots of fresh vegetables, this meal delivers all of the comforting tastes found at restaurants while still being easy enough for weeknight meal prep! To prepare this delectable treat simply brown your meat first in oil before tossing all ingredients into your slow cooker – perfect as an easy family dinner or freezable batch option!
With only four ingredients and five minutes of prep work required, this easy crockpot dinner requires only four ingredients and five minutes. Perfect for entertaining large crowds or enjoying leftovers throughout the week as protein-packed lunches and dinners, shredded beef is an indispensable protein source. Use it in tacos, burrito bowls and quesadillas; or combine it with egg noodles, pasta or grits for an complete meal option!
If you want to add a Mexican flare, switch out the tomato paste for some salsa! Additionally, this tasty and versatile shredded beef dish can also be used in stir fries for maximum flavor!
This spicy veggie soup provides an ideal plant-based meal packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins. Made with brown or green lentils, beans, turmeric, simple spices and coconut milk – you can serve it right away or double the batch and store for later!
4. Fish
Crockpots are ideal for slow-cooking meats like chili, pot roast and pulled pork; however fish and shellfish may also be prepared this way; just be mindful that they may cook faster than other proteins and dry out quickly.
To prevent this from happening, the best approach is to ensure there is ample liquid in the slow cooker – enough to cover all fish or seafood completely – before placing your food inside it. Also make sure that it has fully defrosted before placing into the crockpot; this will help ensure it doesn’t dry out or overcook during its cooking cycle.
Salmon is an incredibly healthy source of omega-3 fats and fibre. For an easy yet delicious one-pot dinner option, combine salmon with fresh cherry tomatoes, green beans and capers/garlic for an impressive vegetable-packed dish that makes an ideal dinner with friends or family.
If you’re searching for a warming soup to warm you up this winter, this slow cooker veggie winter minestrone recipe could be the solution. Packed with protein-packed chickpeas, butternut squash, beans and kale as well as low-fat alternatives such as milk or cream this recipe makes an excellent low-fat option!
This delicious family-friendly dinner, packed with Mediterranean flavour from chorizo, olives and tomatoes is simple to prepare and easy to reheat, making it the ideal midweek meal for busy families. To prep ahead: Add all ingredients (excluding peppers ) to a freezer bag before defrosting as per instructions upon assembly of dish when needed.
5. Vegetables
Vegetables are an integral component of most slow cooker recipes, providing many nutritional advantages. Roasted, braised or added to soups and stews, vegetables can add texture, flavor and color to meals that would otherwise be bland and boring while serving up an abundance of dietary fiber. Clean and chop a variety of heartier veggies such as carrots, onions potatoes bell peppers for optimal meal prep options!
Proper storage of prepared vegetables is vitally important. Use airtight containers and zip-top bags to minimize spoilage and extend their freshness for as long as possible, while thoroughly rinsing and drying before placing in storage will ensure moisture doesn’t have an adverse effect on their lifespan. Alternatively, cut veggies in bulk that can be used across multiple recipes throughout the week such as celery sticks and baby carrots for quick grab-and-go healthy snack options for kids on-the-go or easy side dishes for dinner service.
Add seasonings that will elevate the flavor and extend their shelf life with ease, like rosemary, thyme and bay leaves. Spices early in the cooking process may give your vegetables an advantage and develop richer, more complex tastes than they otherwise would. Finally, be sure to use low settings or add water when using your slow cooker in order to prevent drying out in its heat.
