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30+ of the Best Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

It’s officially under 30 degrees here in Chicago and I’m starting to think that summer was only 5 minutes long. Anyone else? If you’re like me and are breaking out the hats, gloves and parkas, sending you all of the cozy vibes and of course my very best healthy slow cooker recipes to make all season long.

There’s truly nothing better than coming home to a warming bowl of soup or chili on a cold day. OR melting some gooey cheese onto a healthier turkey sloppy joe (omg so good). The best part about these slow cooker recipes is that you can toss everything into your slow cooker (I love this brand!) and literally just let it work its magic.

Why we LOVE slow cooker meals

What’s not to love about crockpot meals? These recipes are:

  • Easy to make. Most slow cooker recipes just require chopping up veggies, maybe browning some meat, and then throwing everything into your crockpot to do all of the work. The majority of these recipes make the perfect freezer meals, too!
  • Extra flavorful. Because, as the name suggests, these meals cook slowly, the ingredients have the chance to get perfectly tender and create delicious flavor. Spices and herbs are a must!
  • Quick to clean. No more cleaning tons of pots and pans when you let your slow cooker do all of the work. See ya, dishes!

slow cooker recipe in a crockpot

Tips for making recipes in your slow cooker

The majority of the recipes below have instructions for making them in your slow cooker or crockpot, but if they don’t, I have a few easy tips for converting stovetop recipes into slow cooker meals!

  • Timing. The vast majority of my slow cooker recipes can be cooked on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 7-8.
  • Liquid ratio. As a general rule of thumb, if you’re converting a stovetop recipe to a slow cooker one I’d recommend reducing the liquid by about 1 cup. Cooking in a slow cooker creates more moisture and liquid naturally.
  • Cooking chicken. Yes, you can put raw meat right into your slow cooker to cook! If you’re cooking a recipe with chicken, feel free to cook the chicken breast or thighs in your slow cooker whole with the rest of the ingredients. Once it’s fully cooked you can remove it, shred it, and add it back to the slow cooker to simmer.
  • Cooking ground meat or beef. If you’re cooking with beef or ground meat, I’d recommend browning the meat in a skillet before transferring it with your ingredients to your slow cooker.
  • Adding vegetables & pastas. Stir in any soft vegetables like peas or spinach at the very end of cooking. The same goes for any pasta or noodles (though you can also cook those separately).

Scroll through and pick out your favs to make for the week! I’d suggest my famous turkey chili to kick things off. Be sure to use the hashtag #ambitiouskitchen when you share on Instagram, or post a photo in our Facebook group.

vegan butternut squash lentil soup in a bowl

Soups

Healing Curry Butternut Squash Lentil Soup (with a slow cooker option!)

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Peanut Butter Chicken Soup 

Creamy Tomato Orzo Soup with Mini Turkey Meatballs

Comforting & Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup

Lightened-Up Slow Cooker Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Slow Cooker Black Bean, Quinoa & Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow Cooker Taco Lentil Soup

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Vegan White Bean & Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

Golden Turmeric Chickpea Chicken Soup

Quick & Easy Black Bean Soup

Golden Coconut Chicken Lentil Soup

Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Soup (whole 30, dairy free)

The Best Minestrone Soup

Butternut Squash Green Chile Chicken Soup

slow cooker white wine chicken stew in a bowl with a piece of bread

Stews & Curries

Slow Cooker White Wine Chicken Stew

Mom’s Slow Cooker Beef Stew

Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

Vegan Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

Healing Lemongrass Chickpea Thai Green Curry with Toasted Coconut Brown Rice

Coconut Curried Sweet Potato and Lentil Stew

Butternut Squash, Chickpea & Lentil Moroccan Stew

Vegetarian Tofu Cashew Coconut Curry

Nourishing Yellow Chickpea Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Brown Rice

healthy white chicken chili in a bowl

Chilis

Healthy White Chicken Chili

The Best Vegetarian Chili Recipe

Slow Cooker Black Bean Quinoa Pumpkin Chicken Chili

Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili Verde

The Best Healthy Turkey Chili

Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Chickpea Chili

Black Bean, Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili with Smoked Chipotle

Lentil & Quinoa Chili

Two Bean and Corn Chipotle Turkey Chili

slow cooker pulled chicken sandwich with slaw on top

Meats

Incredible Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

How to Make the Best Slow Cooker Chicken Breast

Turkey Picadillo

Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos

30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce

Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken with Sticky Coconut Purple Rice

easy slow cooker baked beans in a crockpot with a wooden spoon

Apps, Snacks & Sides

Homemade Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Slow Cooker Sweet & Spicy BBQ Cranberry Turkey Meatballs

The Best Creamy Garlic Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Homemade Slow Cooker Apple Butter (No Sugar Added!)

Lightened Up Brown Butter Mashed Sweet Potatoes (with a slow cooker option!)

I hope you love these delicious, healthy slow cooker recipes! If you make any be sure to leave a comment & a rating on the recipe so I know how you liked it. Enjoy, xo!

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