90 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make in Your Crock-Pot

Try this wonderfully flavored, easy-to-fix and healthy slow cooker turkey when you’re craving something delicious. It makes a great holiday dish for smaller families, too. —Maria Juco, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This seemingly exotic dish is simple, vegan, healthy and hearty. The peanut butter blends beautifully with the sweetness of the squash and Thai seasonings. You can also serve this soup without pureeing it first. —Kayla Capper, Ojai, California

The bounty of peppers found at the local farmers market in the early fall, combined with some standard Greek ingredients, creates a dish that bursts with color and fresh flavor. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island

When it’s done slow-cooking, this beef shreds like a dream. We make it often, because it’s super easy to customize with fun, fresh and healthy toppings. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio

I lightened up a friend's recipe and changed the add-ins to our tastes. This honey nut granola is now a family favorite! You can vary the recipe as you like, changing the nuts, seeds or dried fruits. —Tari Ambler, Shorewood, Illinois

This filling vegetarian recipe is a tasty mashup of chicken Marsala and mushroom barley soup. It's great as a main dish, but it can also be served, with or without the barley, as a side. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Being a New England native, I love apple-picking season. Grab some apples and peanut butter to make your own creamy riff on a PB&J. Of course it’s great on a sandwich, but you can dunk sliced fruit or graham crackers in it, too. —Brandie Cranshaw, Rapid City, South Dakota

This Cantonese-style recipe is our favorite way to prepare pork loin. We love it with fried rice and veggies, but it's also delicious sliced and served cold as an appetizer. Try dipping it in soy sauce, hot mustard and sesame seeds. —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba

While traveling through Morocco, my wife and I fell in love with the complex flavors of the many tagines we tried. Resist the urge to stir this dish too much, as it will break down the veggies. Add shredded cooked chicken in the last 10 minutes, or serve with grilled fish. —Raymond Wyatt, West St. Paul, Minnesota

I love this recipe because it's healthy and almost effortless. And the salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

It's an unusual dessert to make with tequila, but it is deliciously refreshing with fresh pears and mint. Bring out this creative sweet when you want to impress dinner guests. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

My slow-cooker chili is packed with flavor. Swapping ground turkey for ground beef lightens it up, and sweet potato puree sneaks in a healthy dose of vitamin A.
—Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

This enticing dish is an entire dinner with meat, vegetables and beans, wonderful to come home after I've run the kids around to activities all afternoon. The apple butter with the pork is yummy and perfect for fall! —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Coming home to this irresistible dessert on a dreary day is just wonderful; it’s slow-cooker easy. — Evangeline Bradford, Erlanger, Kentucky

My husband loves this chicken dish. It calls for only five ingredients, and we try to have them all on hand for a delicious and cozy dinner anytime. —Jennifer Seidel, Midland, Michigan

Our family is big on soup. This favorite is quick to make and very tasty, and it gives me plenty of time to have fun with my kids and grandkids while it slow-cooks. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

This crowd-pleasing appetizer is healthy to boot! Folks will love to eat their veggies when they can dip them in this zesty, fresh alternative to hummus. —Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma

This Tex-Mex pulled beef roast is tender, slightly spicy, juicy, and so delicious served over mashed potatoes or rice. The beef also makes the best soft tacos you've ever had. Save any leftover pulled beef in the liquid to prevent it from drying out. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

This chunky, sweet applesauce is perfect alongside main entrees. Because it's prepared in a slow cooker, you can fix it and forget it before you and the family head out for some winter fun.—Susanne Wasson, Montgomery, New York

My family often requests this economical slow-cooker favorite. It's loaded with fresh southwestern flavors. One batch makes several servings—but it never lasts long at our house! —Suzanne Caldwell, Artesia, New Mexico

Sure makes life easy having this tasty dish stashed away in the freezer! Another plus, you throw it all in the slow cooker—no skillet necessary. —Diane Smith, Pine Mountain, Georgia

If you’re not familiar with chicken mole (pronounced mo-LAY), don’t be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this chicken mole recipe because it’s a great one to experiment with. —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana

Zucchini, tomatoes and green peppers star in this make-ahead dish that offers a fresh take on traditional vegetable sides. Bubbly cheddar cheese adds a down-home feel. —Barbara Smith, Salem, Oregon

A creamy Thai peanut sauce coats tender pork in this delectable dish. The recipe is from a friend in my cooking club, and it’s always a favorite. —Amy Van Orman, Rockford, Michigan

Quick to assemble, this is a simple recipe I’ve cooked many times. Stir in hot sauce if you like a bit of heat. I also like to top the finished dish with a sprinkling of shredded cheddar cheese. —Cindi Hayward-Boger, Ardmore, Alabama

Capers, golden raisins and fresh basil give this dish a sweetly savory flavor. And what's better than that? The kids LOVE it. —Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio

This classic combination of peas and carrots is enriched with a handful of flavor enhancers. Slow cooking allows the ingredients to meld for maximum richness. —Theresa Kreyche, Tustin, California

I love this beef barbacoa because the meat is fall-apart tender and the sauce is smoky, slightly spicy and so flavorful. It’s an amazing alternative to ground beef tacos or even pulled pork carnitas. It’s also versatile. You can have a soft taco bar and let people make their own—or offer mouthwatering Mexican pizzas or rice bowls. —Holly Sander, Lake Mary, Florida

This filling rice dish, full of big chunks of butternut squash and sweet potatoes, is a standout combination of sweet and savory flavors. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

I had never made or eaten this dish before meeting my husband here in Kentucky. Now I make it at least once a week. I serve it with some homemade sweet cornbread. Delicious! —Christine Duffy, Sturgis, Kentucky

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After swim lessons and outdoor activities, it's so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can't find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

This satisfying soup with a hint of cayenne is brimming with vegetables, chicken and noodles. The recipe is from my father-in-law, but I tweaked it to make it my own. —Norma Reynolds, Overland Park, Kansas

In 46 years of marriage, we had never tasted salmon until a friend told me about poaching it in a low cooker. I tried it and got flaky, moist results with little fuss. I added some soy sauce for extra flavor. — Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

I really like cooking with curry, and this is a wonderful slow cooker favorite of mine. Made with fresh green beans, turkey bacon and garbanzo beans, at has loads of flavor. Keep this recipe in mind especially for the summer when green beans are in abundance. It can be a main dish or a side dish. For vegetarians, eliminate the bacon. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

We go to the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival for the awesome food. This chicken with lemon and spices is a great way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans! —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah

I practically grew up in my Polish grandmother's kitchen, watching Babci cook and listening to her stories. I made her cabbage roll recipe healthier with whole grains and turkey, but kept the same rich flavors I remember. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas

These spuds do a slow simmer with carrots and onion for a comfort side that bucks up any entree. Finish with a sprinkle of chives. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Slow cooked and savory, this dish is perfect for any night of the week, and is sure to become a staple in your home.–Shelli McWilliam of Salem, Oregon

Comforting soups that simmer all day long are staples on cool, busy days. For a heartier version of this vegan cabbage soup, stir in canned beans like cannellini or navy beans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Legend has it that the recipe for country captain chicken was brought to Georgia in the early 1800s by a British sea captain. Although it's traditional to serve this over rice, it's also delicious with noodles or mashed potatoes. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

Pomegranate, pear and orange go together elegantly that I decided to use them to prepare a Middle Eastern-themed tagine with lamb. This tastes delicious served over couscous, polenta, or cauliflower mashed with feta cheese. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

What’s not to love about moist and tender homemade Italian meatballs? Because they’re made with lean turkey, they’re lower in saturated fat, too! —Mary Berg, Lake Elmo, Minnesota

Everyone will enjoy these fork-tender, slow cooker pork chops with a creamy, light gravy. Serve with a green vegetable, mashed potatoes and coleslaw or a salad. These are the best healthy slow cooker pork chops. —Sue Bingham, Madisonville, Tennessee

I was looking for a craveworthy soup that’s healthy and tasty. Ginger is my favorite spice, so making this recipe a shoo-in. —Adina Monson, Nanaimo, British Columbia

This healthy Crock-Pot recipe is a marvelously spicy combo that’s perfect for cooler fall weather and satisfying after a day spent outdoors. —Monica Osterhaus, Paducah, Kentucky

I created this recipe years ago, and it has become such a favorite that the wonderful aroma of it cooking makes my family instantly happy. It is hearty, flavorful and easy to prepare, and uses the long, slow cook time that truly defines this healthy comfort food. —Sally Pahler, Palisade, Colorado

The spiced lamb in these stuffed pita pockets goes perfectly with cool cucumber and yogurt. It's like having your own Greek gyro stand in the kitchen. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia

I make chana masala, the classic Indian dish, in my slow cooker. Browning the onion, ginger and garlic first really makes the sauce amazing. —Anjana Devasahayam, San Antonio, Texas

The slow cooker is our summertime go-to for cool kitchen cooking. After swim lessons and outdoor activities, it’s so nice to come back to a tasty, light dinner. If you can’t find Bibb or Boston, green leaf lettuce is less sturdy but can work in a pinch. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah

We love squash, but I got tired of fixing just plain squash and cheese. I decided to jazz it up a bit. This healthy Crock-Pot recipe was a huge hit with the family. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

This delicious pork tacos recipe is my copycat version of the most excellent Mexican food we ever had in Flagstaff, Arizona. The original recipe used beef instead of pork, but this comes mighty close to the same taste. —Ariella Winn, Mesquite, Texas

Our three children all love the spicy flavors found in this healthy slow cooker recipe. Add more or less curry depending on your taste preferences. —Helen Toulantis, Wantagh, New York

I live in Georgia, but I appreciate the tangy, sweet taste of Carolina barbecue chicken. In fact, my sons are more likely to show up to dinner if they know I'm serving this slow cooker recipe. —Ramona Parris, Canton, Georgia

I love walking into my home after a long day and smelling this lovely pot roast cooking in my Crock-Pot. You can add potatoes and carrots to round out the meal, and the leftover meat makes a comforting soup for the next night. —Susan Burkett, Monroeville, Pennsylvania

I’ve enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for healthy Crock-Pot recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It’s wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, Minnesota

This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California

Since my husband works full time and attends school, I do a lot around the house, including wrangling our three kids. I’m always looking for no-fuss recipes, so I was thrilled to find this healthy slow cooker dish. The juicy teriyaki-seasoned pork roast has become a family favorite. —Roxanne Hulsey, Gainsville, Georgia

Start this warming slow cooker recipe before you head out for the day. By the time you get home, the well-seasoned meat will be tender and mouthwatering. —Stephanie Rabbitt-Schappacher, Cincinnati, Ohio

We love to eat turkey, and on hot summer days, here's how we get our fix. For golden-brown turkey, broil for a few minutes before serving. —Margaret Bracher, Robertsdale, Alabama

Rely on your slow cooker to help prepare this moist pot roast. I thicken the juices to make a pleasing apple gravy that's wonderful over the beef slices and onions. —Rachel Koistinen, Hayti, South Dakota

My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this healthy, good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska

My family is crazy about this healthy slow cooker recipe because it uses ingredients you don’t usually find in chili. Believe it or not, I discovered that pumpkin is what makes the dish so special. Cook up a big batch and freeze some for later; it tastes even better reheated. —Deborah Vliet, Holland, Michigan

I put this slow cooker recipe together in the morning before I leave for work. In the evening, the amazing aroma greets me when I open the door. All I have to do is quickly cook some rice, and dinner is served. —Deborah Puette, Lilburn, Georgia

Even on busy days, I can start this chicken in a slow cooker and still get to work on time. When I come home, spinach salad and crescent rolls round out a healthy menu. —Heidi Rudolph, Oregon, Illinois

Try this comforting stew that's easy to put together, but tastes like you've been working hard in the kitchen all day. It's even better served over polenta, egg noodles or mashed potatoes. —Nancy Elliott, Houston, Texas

If you’re looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It’s brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and is fancy enough to be an elegant, healthy meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire

Enjoy all the flavors of Italian sausage sandwiches with this healthier alternative. —Lia Dellario, Middleport, New York

Every New Year’s Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado

Come home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom’s wonderful recipe, but I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois

Here’s a hearty and healthy slow cooker recipe for two that satisfies the biggest appetites. It’s loaded with good old-fashioned flavor. —Ruthann Martin, Louisville, Ohio

This recipe is special to me because it’s an easy one-pot meal that tastes like you spent the whole day in the kitchen. My family loves it. —Lynn Bowen, Geraldine, Alabama

While living away from Texas for a while, my boyfriend and I grew homesick for the spicy flavors of home. We’ve made this slow cooker recipe a few times now, and it goes really well with homemade flour tortillas. We love it over rice, too. —Kelly Evans, Denton, Texas

As a busy mom, I love my slow cooker meals! Beef tips remind me of a childhood favorite. I cook this beef tips recipe with mushrooms and red wine, then serve over brown rice, noodles or mashed potatoes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Barbecued chicken gets a makeover here. The combination of ingredients gives a mellow, not-too-sweet flavor that tastes more grown-up than the original. It's great over rice, pasta or potatoes. —Sharon Fritz, Morristown, Tennessee

This hearty and healthy slow cooker recipe will warm your family right down to their toes! Serve this stew with cornbread or rolls to soak up every last morsel. —Jan Valdez, Chicago, Illinois

With the help of a slow cooker, you can prepare a down-home dinner any day of the week, not just on Sundays. The roast turns out tender and savory every time. —Brandy Schaefer, Glen Carbon, Illinois

Pepper steak is one of my favorite dishes, but sometimes the beef can be tough. This recipe solves that problem! The slow cooker keeps things simple and makes the meat very tender. I’ve stored leftovers in one big resealable bag and also in individual portions for quick lunches. —Julie Rhine, Zelienople, Pennsylvania

Garlic, oregano and lemon juice give spark to this memorable, healthy dish. It’s easy to fix—just brown the chicken in a skillet, then let the slow cooker do the work. I like to serve this dish to company. —Walter Powell, Wilmington, Delaware

I'm always getting recipe inspiration from newspapers and magazines. Here’s a tender roast with aromatic spices that give it a Moroccan feel. —Karen Burdell, Lafayette, Colorado

My husband and I own and operate a busy farm. There are days when there’s just no time left for cooking! It’s really nice to be able to come into the house at night and smell this wonderful slow cooker chicken cacciatore. —Aggie Arnold-Norman, Liberty, Pennsylvania

I think the slow cooker was invented with brisket in mind. This sweet and savory version is perfection itself, because it melts in your mouth. It’s very important to buy “first-cut” or “flat-cut” brisket, which has far less fat than other cuts.—Lana Gryga, Glen Flora, Wisconsin

Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this is my favorite. If you like your barbecue sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington

The classic flavors of herbes de Provence, apples and dried plums make this easy slow-cooked pork taste like a hearty meal at a French country cafe. For a traditional pairing, serve the pork with braised lentils. —Suzanne Banfield, Basking Ridge, New Jersey

I love to have my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren over for this supper. They make me so happy with their compliments or just by going to fill up their bowls again. It’s a healthy, good-for-you hit. —Pam Corder, Monroe, Louisiana

My mom used to make this wonderful dish, and I’ve always enjoyed it. The
gravy is especially dense and flavorful.—Deanne Stephens, McMinnville, Oregon

I fell in love with the spicy aromas in this slow cooker lentil stew. Add whatever other healthy ingredients you have on hand, like zucchini, spinach, kale and corn. —Heather Gray, Little Rock, Arkansas

My mother often had these cabbage rolls simmering in her slow cooker when my family and I arrived at her house for weekend visits. The mouthwatering meatballs tucked inside made these stand out from any other cabbage rolls I’ve tried. —Betty Buckmaster, Muskogee, Oklahoma

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

It's crazy how just a few ingredients can make such a difference. Using finely chopped rotisserie chicken in this recipe makes it perfect for a busy weeknight meal, but you can leave it out altogether if you prefer. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

I’m a stay-at-home mom, and the slow cooker helps me create dishes like this pork with a curry and cumin rub. I add a splash of coconut milk. —Beverly Peychal, Waukesha, Wisconsin