If there is one kitchen appliance that needs to live in every kitchen, it has to be the crock pot. At the first sign of a cold nip in the air, we love to pull out our crock pots, armed with our arsenal of healthy crock pot recipes to add comfort, nutrition, and simplicity to our days. Not only are easy crockpot recipes a lifesaver for dinner, but the aromas and slow-cooked flavor they conjure bring everyone to the table.
The Healthy Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Return to again
Great Taste. Healthy. Quick Prep. Easy Cleanup. When you want it all from your meal (and who doesn’t?), turn to these healthy slow cooker recipes. From chili and stew to flavorful shredded meats to add to wraps, sandwiches, and potatoes, this collection of easy crock pot recipes will give you a lot of fresh ideas you’ll find yourself making on repeat.
Fill Your Freezer With Healthy Meals
Need some done-ahead meals that are ready to go on your busiest nights? Our Dinner-Is-Done Freezer Meal Prep Guide includes everything you need to get it done:
- 6 of our most popular dinner recipes reworked to go directly from the freezer to your crockpot and the freezer to your oven
- Complete step-by-step instructions and checklist for your freezer prep day, freezing tips, and reheating tips
- A done-for-you grocery list for ultimate ease to gather your ingredients and equipment
- Our tried-and-true meal prep tips so you can master this task and get your dinnertime sanity back
20 healthy crockpot recipes
Buffalo Chicken-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Our easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is a quick crockpot recipe. We love it for laid-back weekends and also as a make-ahead meal for busy weeknights. Serve it over baked sweet potatoes or Russet potatoes for a hearty meal, or keep it light as a topping for a salad or tucked into lettuce wraps.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Egg Free | Paleo | Whole30
Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
Ward off a chill in the air and make quick work of feeding your whole family with this hearty, bean-free white chicken chili you can make in the crockpot. We’ve made it dairy-free and Whole30-compatible using coconut milk, but don’t worry, you won’t even taste the coconut. Don’t need it to be dairy-free? Swap out the coconut milk in this easy crockpot recipe for whole milk or half-and-half if you’d like.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Crockpot Healthy Hamburger Soup
Packed to the max with veggies and full of flavor, this Slow Cooker Healthy Hamburger Soup is a hearty, clean, and healthy crockpot recipe you’ll want to add to your menu! It’s perfect for meal prep and makes for a tasty cook once, eat twice (or multiple times) kind of a meal!
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder
Run straight to the store and gather up the ingredients for this Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Chowder. Made with tender chicken, creamy corn, carrots, celery, onion, red potatoes, and warming herbs, it’s the perfect one-pot, no-fuss fall meal when you’re looking for a bowl of soup you can really tuck into.
Gluten Free | Nut Free | Egg Free
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Chili
When you want a healthy crockpot recipe, look no further than this hearty bean-less chili in its crowd-pleasing glory and it just happens to also be Whole30-friendly. The pumpkin adds a touch of sweetness, fiber, and vitamin A and it’s a great way to sneak more veggies into your diet.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Crockpot Hawaiian Shredded Chicken
This Hawaiian Shredded Chicken is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. It’s flavorful, light, and a simple healthy slow cooker recipe. Follow the recipe as is to serve the chicken in chard wraps—or feel free to serve it however you wish: on a bed of greens, on top of a sweet potato, or over cauliflower rice. This recipe makes for great leftovers and can be served hot or cold.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Chipotle Turkey Sweet Potato Chili
Sweet potatoes stand in for beans in this hearty chili and they make for a nice compliment to the smoky chipotle pepper. This is one of our go-to healthy crockpot recipes that we love to top with diced avocado, fresh cilantro, and lime wedges. Feel free to double the batch and freeze some for future meals because it’s super freezer-friendly.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Slow Cooker Beef Barbacoa
Tacos, taco salads, burrito bowls, egg scrambles … the serving options are endless when it comes to this tender, perfectly spiced slow cooker beef barbacoa. In less than 15 minutes you can have everything loaded into the slow cooker (or a zip-top bag so it’s ready to dump into the slow cooker when you’re ready) and several hours later, you’ll have a big batch of the most tender and tasty filling for tortillas and lettuce wraps or piling atop a bed of cauliflower rice, lettuce, or rice.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde Stew
This thick and hearty stew – with just a little spice – is perfect for meal prepping or for stockpiling in the freezer. We have yet to meet a bowl of chile verde that had us thinking, ‘Well, that’s pretty,’ because truth be told, chile verde isn’t much to look at. It’s pale green with somewhat indistinguishable ingredients thanks to that long, low simmer that turns a handful of simple ingredients into something utterly magnificent. But don’t let that stop you from digging into a big bowl of this Slow Cooker Chicken Chile Verde Stew. What it lacks in outward appearance, it more than makes up for in depth of flavor and delicious toppings.
Gluten Free | Dairy Free | Paleo | Whole30
Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Oh so creamy and full of flavor. This Slow Cooker Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup is hearty, comforting, and perfect for those cold winter days. You won’t find and flour or cream of mushroom soup here. Only tender chunks of chicken, hearty veggies, creamy half and half, and perfectly chewy wild rice. Add this to your file of healthy crockpot recipes you’ll want to make every single fall.
Gluten Free | Egg Free | Nut Free
Crockpot Chicken Tacos
More than your average tacos, you won’t find any pre-made seasoning packets in this recipe. Instead, we use simple, real food spices to create bold, warm flavors the whole family will enjoy. Serve the chicken taco meat in tortilla shells, lettuce wraps, over nachos, salads, and more! Then, store leftovers in the fridge or freezer for envy-worthy meals to enjoy throughout the week.
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Copycat Olive Garden Zuppa Toscana
Soup lovers rejoice! This warming recipe has your name all over it. Featuring Italian turkey sausage, plenty of veggies, a creamy broth, and rich Italian flavors, this soup tastes just as good (if not better) as the original Olive Garden recipe. Even better, it’s easy to make right from the comfort of your own kitchen!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free
Crockpot Beef Stew with Root Vegetables (Easy and Healthy)
There’s nothing better than coming home to a warm, nutrient-rich meal on a cold winter day, and this beef stew always hits the spot. Filled with chunks of tender beef and soft root vegetables, it’s the ultimate comfort food. Serve it warm with a side of thick, crusty bread, and you’ll have everyone at the table asking for seconds.
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Creamy Crockpot Butter Chicken (Healthy and Easy)
Bright in color, the bold appearance of this dish lives up to its flavor. Inspired by classic Indian butter chicken, this healthy crock pot recipe is a creamy, dreamy dinner that’s packed full of protein thanks to the use of chicken and skyr. Serve it over cooked rice or cauliflower rice with a side of naan. Then, add a sprinkle of sesame seeds and a squeeze of fresh lime for a restaurant-worthy meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free
Crockpot Thai-Inspired Peanut Chicken
Comfort food that’s healthy, too? Yes, please! This Thai-inspired chicken is our nutritious take on one of our favorite dishes, and it’s super easy to make. Complete with a homemade peanut sauce, all you have to do is combine the ingredients, leave them in the crock pot, and come back to dinner waiting for you.
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Crockpot Chunky Beef Chili with Sweet Potatoes
If you’re looking for a kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing recipe, look no further! This beef chili is our go-to meal for cold winter days, potlucks, family gatherings, and more. Loaded with beef, veggies, and warm spices, it’s nutritious and full of comforting flavor. Served with a side of cornbread or dinner rolls, it’s the ultimate comfort food!
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Baby Back Ribs
Enjoy tender, juicy ribs all year long without the need to tend to the grill with this easy crockpot recipe. Using a simple homemade spice rub and sweet, tangy barbecue sauce, we’ve cracked the code to creating succulent ribs that taste like you spent the entire day tending over them. Finger-lickin’ good, they pair well with all your favorite sides for a homemade dinner that will rival that of the best BBQ joint.
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Easy and Tender Crockpot Beef Tips and Gravy
Nothing quite hits the spot like this fork-tender beef coated in a simple gravy sauce. Rich and decadent, it’s combined with pearl onions and sliced mushrooms for a clean comfort food that’s full of flavor. We love to serve it over mashed potatoes, noodles, or mashed cauliflower for a hearty dinner that can’t be beat!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Dairy Free
Taco Soup
Level up your ‘Taco Tuesday’! Featuring all the flavor of tacos in a warm soup, it’s veggie-loaded, wholesome, hearty, and full of flavor. Easy to make, it’s freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep, meaning you can make it once and enjoy it for days, weeks, and months to come. Top it off with a variety of toppings including avocado, cilantro, green onions, radishes, corn chips, cheese, and more!
Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free
Crockpot Carnitas
Create restaurant-quality tacos and burrito bowls the whole family will love with this simple recipe! Featuring bold, authentic flavors and the perfect amount of spice, this is our favorite set-it-and-forget-it recipe for weeknight dinners, tailgate parties, holidays, and everything in between. Paired with a homemade cilantro lime sauce, we love to use this carnitas pork for out-of-this-world tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, and salads!
Whole30 | Egg Free | Gluten Free | Nut Free | Grain Free | Dairy Free | Paleo
Our favorite slow cooker
Our team loves this 8-quart programmable slow cooker with a digital countdown timer so we know just how long it is until dinner is on the table!
Tip!
For the Best Crock Pot Recipes
Just when you think these slow cooker recipes couldn’t get any better, we’ve got a few tips and tricks to make preparation and clean-up a breeze!
- Prepare in Advance. When it comes to healthy crock pot recipes, you can usually prepare many of the ingredients ahead of time, such as chopping veggies, browning and seasoning meats, or even combining all of the sauce or liquid ingredients together. Then, all you have to do is add them to the crock pot when it’s time to start the recipe.
- Consider Using a Liner. If the recipe you’re making is extra sticky (think thick chilis and cheesy dips), then you may want to create easier clean-up for your crock pot by using a liner, which are sold in most grocery stores. A crock pot liner prevents food from sticking to the ceramic pot, and makes for quick, easy cleanup.
- Adjust the Cooking Time. Every crock pot is different, meaning you’ll likely have to adjust the recipes below to accommodate. For instance, the large the crock pot, the longer it usually takes to heat up. Meanwhile, others become more or less hot. So, be sure to know your crock pot well and check on your meals to make sure they are not over or undercooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot?
The terms are often used interchangeably and are more or less the same thing. However, there are some primary differences. For instance, all crock pots are made with a ceramic or porcelain pot that sits inside a heating unit. Meanwhile, slow cookers are metal pots that sit on top of a heating unit. In addition, most crock pots have just two settings (low and high) while many slow cookers offer a wide variety of settings and temperatures to cook and warm your food.
Can you put raw meat in a crock pot?
Yes, you can absolutely put raw meat in a slow cooker. Just be sure to leave it in long enough to cook all the way through, and use a food thermometer to check for doneness.
What’s the best meat to slow cook in a crock pot?
Crock pots are great tools to transform thick, tough cuts of meat into juicy meals. Some of our favorite options include pork shoulder, chuck roast, beef brisket, lamb shanks, and chicken thighs.
Our Favorite Glass Storage Containers
Keep leftovers in these easy-to-use airtight glass containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator.
How to Store These Healthy Crock Pot Recipes
To keep your healthy crock pot recipes fresh, it’s best to transfer any leftovers to an airtight container after eating and within two hours of the finished cooking time. We provide specific storage instructions on the recipe card for each recipe. However, in general, leftovers of fully-cooked crock pot recipes can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months for optimal quality.
We hope you give many of these healthy crockpot recipes a try to make your dinners (and leftover lunches) full of real-food nutrition and comforting tastes!
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Jessie Shafer
Jessie is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living near Denver, CO where she splits her time among nearby playgrounds, typing away at her trusty laptop, and heating up her home kitchen with delicious experiments. Her best taste tester is her husband, a Denver firefighter with a well-trained palate. A former magazine editor-in-chief, Jessie has a long career in food publishing and health writing. While she once played centerfield for the Northwestern University softball team, Jessie now prefers her fitness in the way of biking up mountain passes and chasing two busy toddlers (the latter proving to be the more exhausting activity).
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