19 Filling & Delicious Crock-Pot Recipes That Are On The Healthier Side

We all know that slow cookers are like kitchen ninjas: they sit there quietly, producing everything from soups to dessert without a fuss. And you can use them to make some really tasty meals that are on the healthier side.

So here are 19 crock pot dishes that will keep you full while not making you feel unhealthy. The great thing about this list is that it shows just how much a slow cooker can do: you’ll find vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside classics like pot roast, and a few surprises, like breakfast and dessert. They’re all incredibly delicious!

  1. Sweet and Sour Chicken

    It’s super easy to make a healthy version of this take-out staple, as long as you use lean chicken. Pineapple, rice wine vinegar, and a few other seasonings will give it the flavor you’re looking for.

  2. Vegetable Curry

    Hearty, healthy vegetables are the foundation of this dish (potato, cauliflower, and bell pepper make a good combo). To transform them into a curry, just use coconut milk along with a little red curry paste.

  3. Dal

    Lentils (dal) are tasty and filling thanks to plenty of fiber. Add the lentils along with spices like ginger, turmeric, and coriander for authentic Indian flavor. If South Asian isn’t your thing, you can flavor your lentils with almost anything else.

  4. Eggplant Tomato Sauce

    Peel the eggplant, and let it stew in the slow cooker until it’s creamy. Add tomatoes, garlic, and whatever other flavors you like! You can serve it over noodles, or break with tradition and have it with polenta for a gluten-free option.

  5. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

    Dice a few apples and toss them together with oats and cinnamon. Add water and set your slow cooker on low overnight. A delicious breakfast will be waiting for you in the morning!

  6. Vegetable Soup with Barley

    We couldn’t resist putting at least one vegetable soup on this list! Use your favorites, like sweet potatoes, corn, and green beans along with broth. Add pearled barley for a fiber-rich, low calorie, and tasty alternative to rice or noodles.

  7. Butternut Squash Soup

    Set the whole squash in your slow cooker for easy prep. Once it’s ready, use spices like garlic and cayenne pepper instead of cream and butter for a flavorful but healthy version of this classic.

  8. French Pot Roast

    That’s right — you can make a healthy pot roast! Just use a lean chuck roast and trim off any excess fat you see. Put it in the crock pot with some red wine, mushrooms, and peas, and voila!

  9. Spaghetti Squash

    This one’s a regular in my home. Pop the whole spaghetti squash in the slow cooker, then scoop out the seeds when it’s softened. The “noodles” separate easily and are a surprisingly filling, healthy alternative to pasta.

  10. Mac ‘n’ Cheese

    This is another healthy slow cooker dish to take you by surprise. The secret? Use pureed butternut squash instead of extra cheese.

  11. Vegetarian Chili

    Fill your slow cooker with healthy vegetables like onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Add some beans and spices and you’ve got delicious, no-fat comfort food.

  12. 16 Bean Soup

    Beans are another crock pot staple that shouldn’t be overlooked. You can put it together from dried beans you already have at home (and no, you don’t have to use 16 varieties), or you can buy a mix. Cook them in some broth, and you’ll have a fiber-rich meal to keep you satisfied.

  13. Jambalaya

    Use a pre-packaged jambalaya mix along with sausage, bell pepper, tomatoes, and lean chicken to make this dish super-easy.

  14. Barley Risotto

    Risotto is thought of as a rice dish, but barley works just as well — and adds lots of fiber and flavor. Just add some mushrooms, carrots, and broth, and let it go in the crock pot!

  15. Cranberry-Apricot Chicken

    Use lean cuts of chicken along with diced fresh cranberry and apricots for a bright, fresh taste.

  16. Apple-Parsnip Soup

    Let apples and parsnips stew in your slow cooker together with broth and onion, then puree. If you’ve never tried parsnips, they’re seriously good!

  17. Salmon

    You might not think “fish” and “slow cooker,” but you’ve got to try this, too! Just wrap cuts of salmon in foil together with slices of lemon for a flavorful and seriously healthy protein.

  18. Shredded Chicken

    Use lean chicken breasts and put them in the crock pot with some broth. Shred with two forks when the dish is done. You can eat it by itself, or add it to salads and other meals.

  19. Baked Apples

    All you’ve got to do is pop the apples in along with some spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Ok, so the apples aren’t really “baked,” but your house will still smell like a fresh-baked pie!