The slow cooker is a fantastic invention that makes life much easier. It can reduce your prep time for dinner, as well as offer you the luxury of coming home to a hot meal rather than having to spend time in the kitchen after work. With this appliance, you can whip up scrumptious dishes with minimal effort and prep time. And best of all, it’s also a healthy option because it doesn’t require much oil or salt to cook your food! Here are 5 slow cooker recipes that are easy to make and will help you stay on track with your healthy eating goals.
Easy Slow Cooker recipes
Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Beans
This is a simple one-pot meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights. Cooking the chicken and sweet potatoes together creates a flavorful sauce that works perfectly with the beans and rice. This dish provides plenty of healthy fats, protein, and fibre to keep you full and satisfied while keeping your calories in check. Make sure to use a slow-cooker liner to avoid scrubbing the inside of your slow cooker.
What you need
- 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless, cut into chunks
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1 can of black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Sour cream, for garnish
What you do
Place sweet potatoes, chicken, and black beans in the slow cooker.
Season with salt and pepper, and add one cup of water.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
When done, fluff the rice, and serve with the cooked chicken, sweet potatoes, and beans. Garnish with cilantro and sour cream.
Beef Stew with Potatoes and Spinach
This hearty stew is a great way to warm up on a cold winter day. With plenty of veggies and a rich, savoury broth, this dish will surely satisfy your taste buds. The potatoes and spinach are excellent sources of vitamin C, which boosts your immune system. The stew is high in protein and iron, which works synergistically to help you maintain healthy blood cells. The best part is that you can make this stew in the slow cooker, so you don’t have to stand over a hot stove during the cold season.
What you need
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb stewing beef, cut into 1” cubes
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 sprigs thyme, leaves only, chopped
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 carrot, cut into 1” chunks
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1” chunks
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups baby spinach
- Salt and pepper, to taste
What you do
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, and add the beef.
Brown the beef, stirring occasionally until it’s golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the onions, garlic, and spices and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the flour until well combined, about 30 seconds.
Pour in the diced tomatoes and lemon juice and stir until combined.
Pour the mixture over the beef in the slow cooker.
Add the carrots, potatoes, and water, and stir to combine.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Add the spinach and cook for another 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
Lamb Stew with Green Beans
Lamb stew is a popular dish in many cultures, but the red meat may be off-limits to some due to its high fat content. Luckily, you can also make this stew with ground lamb, which is much leaner. This stew is loaded with vitamins and minerals, and it makes a perfect meal for the winter season. It is also easy to make and can be cooked in the slow cooker for an easy and stress-free meal.
What you need:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs lamb shoulder, cubed
- 2 onions, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 sprigs rosemary, chopped –
- 1 sprig thyme, chopped
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 2 cups cooked green beans
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Salt, to taste
What you do:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the lamb. Stir occasionally until it’s golden brown, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the lamb to the slow cooker.
In the same skillet, add the onions, garlic, and spices and sauté until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the flour until well combined, about 30 seconds.
Pour in the diced tomatoes and stir until combined.
Pour the mixture over the lamb in the slow cooker.
Add the potatoes, beans, and salt and stir until combined.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Slow-Cooked Salmon with Asparagus
Salmon is a great source of protein, vitamins, and minerals, such as calcium and selenium. It also has a rich, buttery taste, making it the perfect fish for a slow-cooked dish. This salmon dish is topped with asparagus, which is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as manganese. Asparagus is also low in calories and has no fat, making it the perfect healthy side dish for a salmon meal.
What you need:
- 2 lbs salmon fillets
- 1/2 cup water
- 12 asparagus spears
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
What you do:
Place the salmon in the slow cooker with the water, asparagus, and butter.
Season with salt and pepper and add the lemon slices.
Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Healthy Shrimp Chowder
This creamy chowder is as delicious as it is nutritious. It’s loaded with protein and fibre from the shrimp, carrots, and peas. This chowder is also relatively low in calories and rich in vitamins like vitamin E. Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight free radicals and can reduce the risk of heart disease. This chowder is a perfect meal for those who are trying to lose weight. It is best served with a slice of toasted bread for a filling and healthy meal.
What you need:
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 can of diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- Sour cream, for garnish
What you do
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the onion, garlic, and shrimp. – Sauté until the onions are translucent and the shrimp are pink about 3 minutes.
Transfer the mixture to the slow cooker.
Add the carrots, potatoes, peas, tomatoes, and water.
Season with salt and pepper and stir until combined.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Garnish with parsley and sour cream.
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