On busy nights, these slow cooker recipes make it easy for the whole family to enjoy a healthy, homemade meal.
19 Healthy 5-Ingredient Recipes For Your Slow Cooker
Updated on Jul. 10, 2024
1/19
Spicy French Dip
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If I'm cooking for a party or family get-together, I can put this beef in the slow cooker in the morning and then concentrate on other preparations. It's a timesaver that never fails to get rave reviews. —Ginny Koeppen, Winnfield, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 315 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 72mg cholesterol, 582mg sodium, 31g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2 starch.
2/19
Brown Sugar-Glazed Baby Carrots
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These delicious glazed carrots come to the rescue when I’m preparing a special meal. They cook while I prepare the other dishes, and the slow-cooker simmering saves me precious oven space. —Anndrea Bailey, Huntington Beach, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 144 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
3/19
Saucy Raspberry Chicken
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
5 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first had this as a teenage babysitter, when the children’s mom prepared it for us to eat while she was out. The kids loved it, and so did I! Now I make it for my own kids.
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken leg quarter with 1/3 cup sauce: 337 calories, 16g fat (4g saturated fat), 105mg cholesterol, 468mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 0 fiber), 31g protein.
4/19
Green Beans and Potatoes
Total Time
6 hours 15 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I created this recipe because I love the combination of green beans with bacon. It’s smart when company is coming because you can start the side dish in the slow cooker and continue preparing the rest of the dinner—or visit with your guests! —Barbara Brittain, Santee, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 116 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 256mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat.
5/19
Slow-Cooker Swiss Steak
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is one of my favorite recipes to make because I can flour and season the steaks and refrigerate them overnight. The next morning, I just put all the ingredients in the slow cooker, and I have a delicious dinner waiting when I arrive home from work. —Sarah Burks, Wathena, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 171 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 vegetable.
6/19
Slow-Cooker Baked Potatoes
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
6 potatoes
From the Recipe Creator:
These slow-cooker baked potatoes are so easy—just add your favorite toppings. Save any extra potatoes to make baked potato soup the next day. —Teresa Emrick, Tipp City, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 potato: 217 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 15mg cholesterol, 59mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 5g fiber), 5g protein.
7/19
Orange Blossom Mint Refresher
Total Time
6 hours 10 min
Servings
20 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This version has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness, and the orange blossom water gives the tea a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 43 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 0 sodium, 11g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 protein.
8/19
Shredded Pork with Beans
Total Time
8 hours 20 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A friend gave me this recipe, which my sons say is a keeper. For a change of pace, spoon the tasty filling into soft tortillas. —Sarah Johnston, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 207 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 595mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
9/19
Buffalo Wing Potatoes
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was getting tired of mashed and baked potatoes, so I decided to create something new. This potluck-ready recipe is an easy and delicious twist on the usual potato dish. —Summer Feaker, Ankeny, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 182 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 382mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat.
10/19
Carolina-Style Vinegar BBQ Chicken
Total Time
4 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet and slightly spicy taste of Carolina vinegar chicken. I make my version in the slow cooker. After the tempting aroma
fills the house, your family is sure to be at the dinner table on time! —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup (calculated without buns): 134 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 228mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 23g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat.
11/19
Slow-Cooked Salsa
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
about 2 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the fresh taste of homemade salsa, but as a working mother, I don't have much time to make it. So I came up with this slow-cooked version that practically makes itself! —Toni Menard, Lompoc, California
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 20 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 5mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 free food.
12/19
Crockpot Stuffing
Total Time
3 hours 30 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you're hosting a big Thanksgiving dinner this year, add this simple slow-cooked stuffing to your menu to ease entertaining. The recipe comes in handy when you run out of oven space at large family gatherings. I use this Crock Pot dressing recipe often. —Donald Seiler, Macon, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 178 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 49mg cholesterol, 635mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
13/19
Ginger Applesauce
Total Time
4 hours 25 min
Servings
about 5 cups (8 servings)
From the Recipe Creator:
When it's apple-picking time, it's also time for all the delightful treats you can make with them, including applesauce. This is my favorite way to prepare it. It's simple to do and it makes the whole house smell like fall. —Renee Pajestka, Brunswick, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup: 128 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 4g fiber), 0 protein.
14/19
Tapioca Pudding
Total Time
4 hours 40 min
Servings
18 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves traditional tapioca, but I don’t always have time to make it. So I came up with this simple recipe that lets us enjoy one of our favorites without all the hands-on time. —Ruth Peters, Bel Air, Maryland
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 149 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 55mg cholesterol, 86mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
15/19
Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions
Total Time
6 hours 5 min
Servings
12 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as its ease of preparation with my slow cooker. Everyone always enjoys roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese. —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 157 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 110mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 3g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
16/19
Lemon Basil Chicken
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
For Sunday dinner or any time, this tender, fragrant chicken is special. —;Marguerite Marshall, Carencro, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 282 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 299mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 28g protein.
17/19
Java Roast Beef
Total Time
8 hours 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Coffee adds richness to the gravy, which is perfect for sopping up with crusty bread or draping over mashed potatoes. —Charla Sackmann, Orange City, Iowa
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked beef with about 2 tablespoons gravy: 199 calories, 11g fat (4g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 342mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat.
18/19
Overnight Cherry-Almond Oatmeal
Total Time
7 hours 10 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Would you like breakfast ready for you when the sun comes up? If so, try my hot cereal. It's so simple—just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on before you go to bed. In the morning, enjoy a healthy, warm and satisfying dish. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 276 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
19/19
Apple Pork Loin
Total Time
6 hours 20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love making this slow cooker pork roast with apples for chilly fall dinners with my family. The apple pork loin tastes even better served with homemade mashed potatoes. —Rachel Schultz, Lansing, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 290 calories, 10g fat (3g saturated fat), 75mg cholesterol, 241mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (19g sugars, 2g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 1 starch, 1/2 fruit, 1/2 fat.
