Healthy Crock Pot & Slow Cooker Recipes and Tips

Featured Recipes

Coffee-Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized Onions

This recipe is reminiscent of a pot roast made with onion-soup mix, but the flavors are true and puree--and nobody misses the excess sodium. (For a slow-cooker variation, see below.)

» Coffee-Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized Onions

Overnight Oatmeal

Here is an easy way to serve a crowd a hearty breakfast before facing the elements for a day of winter sports. You can assemble it in the slow cooker in the evening and wake up to a bowl of hot, nourishing oatmeal. The slow cooker eliminates the need for constant stirring and ensures an exceptionally creamy consistency. It is important to use steel-cut oats; old-fashioned oats become too soft during slow-cooking.

» Overnight Oatmeal

Barbecue Pulled Chicken

This fanciful reinterpretation of pulled pork uses chicken and lots of tomato sauce. Have sliced jalapenos, sliced red onions and some sour cream on hand to top this hearty main course.

» Barbecue Pulled Chicken

Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew

Here's a dinnertime warmer with a hint of spring's sweetness, designed for that day when you'd rather be outside raking the leaves from the garden, getting it ready for what's ahead, than slaving over the stove.

» Chicken & Sweet Potato Stew

Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili

Black beans, earthy mushrooms and tangy tomatillos combine with a variety of spices and smoky chipotles to create a fantastic full-flavored chili. It can simmer in the slow cooker all day, which makes it perfect for a healthy supper when the end of your day is rushed.

» Slow-Cooker Black Bean-Mushroom Chili

French Country Beef Stew

In France, this classic stew made with beef, vegetables and red wine would be known as a daube. Slow-cooking the surprisingly lean beef shanks melts and softens the connective tissue, producing succulent results. If you prefer, use nonalcoholic wine. Serve with barley to soak up the delicious sauce.

» French Country Beef Stew

Hungarian Beef Goulash

This streamlined goulash skips the step of browning the beef, and instead coats it in a spice crust to give it a rich mahogany hue. This saucy dish is a natural served over whole-wheat egg noodles. Or, for something different, try prepared potato gnocchi or spaetzle.

» Hungarian Beef Goulash

Easy and satisfying crock pot meals for your slow cooker.

Crock pots are making a comeback, and for good reason. They do all the work and give you all the credit with their saucy warming suppers. Slow-cooked dishes are ideal for making ahead and reheating, and leftovers can be enjoyed for several days. And, a slow cooker provides advantages for healthy cooking by stretching small amounts of meat with flavorful sauces and a generous portion of vegetables. Dust off your slow cooker and try a few of these easy, healthy crock pot recipes.