Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (2024)

photo source: dinneratthezoo.com

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Cook, freeze and just reheat! Enjoy this list of 24 healthy slow cooker recipes!

Slow cooker meals are super easy to prepare. Make ahead and freeze for later!

Why Should You Use A Slow Cooker To Eat Healthy

If you are keen to eat healthy, a slow cooker is one of the best appliances you should own.

  • Easiest way to cook dried beans
  • Healthiest way to cook meat
  • Turn it on, get on with your day & return to a healthy meal

What Can You Cook With A Slow Cooker

  • Pork
  • Chicken
  • Pot Roast
  • Turkey
  • Ground Beef
  • Beef Brisket
  • Ribs
  • Lamb
  • Sausage
  • Potatoes

What Can You Not Cook In A Slow Cooker

  • Dairy
  • Couscous
  • Rice
  • Pasta
  • Boneless Chicken Breast
  • Delicate Vegetables

Does Meat Need To Be Submerged In A Slow Cooker

No, itwill be warm enough tocookthemeat.

How Do You Keep Meat From Drying Out In A Slow Cooker

Keep it moist by adding liquid about 50% of the height of the meat.

More Slow Cooker Tips

  • Only use the slow cooker on a countertop or flat, safe surface.
  • Cut clean up time in half withSlow Cooker Liners.
  • Use a programmable slow cooker to control cook time.
  • Open the lid as little as possible while cooking.
  • Not wise to place frozen food directly into the slow cooker.
  • Soak dried beans overnight and then boil for 10 minutes.
  • Place hard vegetables, like carrots and potatoes at the bottom of the slow cooker where they will have more moisture and cook swiftly.
  • Trim fat from meat before slow cooking.
  • Brown meats on the stovetop first to build flavour.
  • Lean meat (chicken breasts) can get tough when heated for long periods of time. However, fattier cuts like shanks, shoulder or short ribs are ideal to be cooked slow and low.
  • Meat with skin on it will become tough.
  • Add milk, yogurt or cheese near the end of cook time.
  • Seafood cooks quickly, should not be used with a slow cooker.
  • Cooked beans and tender vegetables should go in near end of cook time.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end of cook time to keep it fresh and flavourful.
  • Do not put the hot slow-cooked meal directly into the fridge, let it cool down first.

Is It Safe To Leave A Slow Cooker On All Day

Just follow the instructions.

Types Of Slow Cooker Meals

  • Soups
  • Salmon
  • Pork chops
  • Chicken
  • Pot Roast
  • Turkey
  • Drumsticks
  • Mexican
  • Jackfruit
  • Chicken Thighs
  • Shepherd’s Pie
  • Chicken Wings
  • Meatloaf
  • BBQ Wings
  • Stews
  • Chilis
  • Mashed Potatoes
  • Lasagna
  • Corn Chowder
  • Beef Tips
  • Steak
  • Fajitas
  • Beef Ragu
  • Hamburgers
  • Meatballs
  • Vegetable Casserole
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Desserts

Dietary Type

  • Keto
  • Paleo
  • Low Carb
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan

Simple Ingredients Or Dishes To Add To The Slow Cooked Meat

  • Butternut Squash
  • Brown Rice
  • Stuffed Pepper
  • White Bean
  • Minestrone Soup

Slow cooked meals are perfect for:

  • Kids
  • Two or more individuals
  • A crowd i.e. party
  • Holidays
  • A quick dinner
  • Clean eating

Other Dinner Recipes

  • Instant Pot Beef Recipes
  • Ground Beef Recipes
  • Salmon Recipes
  • Vegan Meal Prep Ideas
  • Easy Healthy Dinner Ideas
  • Summer Dinner Recipes
  • BBQ Veggie Burgers
  • Homemade Asian Recipes
  • Healthy Meal Prep Bowls
  • Tortilla Wrap Recipes
  • Chicken Thigh Recipes
  • Delicious Vegan Meals
  • Healthy Pizza Recipes
  • Clean Eating Recipes
  • Pork Chop Recipes
  • Healthy Mexican Recipes
  • Ketogenic Dinner Recipes
  • Easy Jackfruit Recipes
  • Canned Tuna Recipes
  • Easy Chicken Recipes
  • Crock Pot Recipes
  • Slow Cooker Recipes
  • Chicken Instant Pot
  • Keto Recipes
  • Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • Vegan Meal Prep Bowls
  • Chicken Drumsticks
  • Healthy Side Dishes
  • One Pan Meals
  • Balsamic Mushroom Recipes
  • Salad Recipes With Chicken
  • Easy Healthy Dinner Ideas
  • Ketogenic Dinner Recipes
  • Noodle Bowl Recipes
  • Quinoa Salad Recipes
  • Healthy Salad Recipes
  • Chicken Drumsticks
  • Healthy Side Dishes

Other Fall Recipes

  • 100+ Healthy Fall Recipes
  • Fall Salad Recipes
  • Pumpkin Bread Recipes
  • Apple Recipes
  • Pumpkin Muffins
  • Fruit Salad Recipes
  • Pumpkin Cookies

24 Slow Cooker Recipes

Scroll down to the end of the article to access all healthy crock pot recipes below.

Mexican Chicken

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (1)featured on changeinseconds.com

This amazing dish can be used for tacos, burritos, nachos, soups and salads. It is simmered with spices, salsa and green chilies!Get the recipe.

Beef Bourguignon

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (2)fromtherecipecritic.com

Slow cooker beef bourguignon recipe consist of atender melt in your mouth beef. The vegetables are slow cooked to perfection in a rich sauce.Get the recipe.

One Pan Mexican Quinoa Casserole

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (3)from foodfaithfitness.com

Very healthy and loaded with flavours. Get the recipe.

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potato

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (4)fromtherealfoodrds.com

The mix ofheat from the Sriracha with coolness from ranch dressing creates an insanely delicious meal. Get the recipe.

Pork Chops with Mushrooms and Potatoes

Super easy to makepork chops smothered in a creamy garlic sauce. Get the recipe.

Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (6)from recipecritic.com

Is a creamy, peanut flavour chicken dish served over thick noodles. Get the recipe.

Parmesan Garlic Herb Chicken And Potatoes

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (7)fromtherecipecritic.com

The potatoes are cooked to perfection in garlic, parmesan, and fresh herbs, and the chicken is absolutely juicy.Get the recipe.

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (8)from gimmesomeoven.com

Perfect for fall nights. Get the recipe.

Classic Pot Roast

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (9)fromdontwastethecrumbs.com

Thisclassic slow cooker pot roastis a healthy meal that comes together very quickly. Get the recipe.

Chicken Cacciatore

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (10)fromlifemadesweeter.com

This is an easy meal loaded with chicken, tomatoes, bell peppers, kale, carrots and sliced mushrooms.Get the recipe.

Beef Stew

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (11)fromtherecipecritic.com

You will love this rich stew filled with beef, potatoes, carrots, onions, and peas. It has the most amazing flavour!Get the recipe.

Enchilada Quinoa Bake

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (12)featured on changeinseconds.com

This is a filling meal that is so tasty!Get the recipe.

Steak Fajitas

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (13)fromslowcookergourmet.net

These Fajitas will become a favourite in no time.Get the recipe.

Skinny Kung Pao Chicken

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (14)fromtherecipecritic.com

Skinny slow cooker kung pao chicken, consists of asweet and spicy sauce. It includes crunchycashews and tender vegetables. Skip the takeout!Get the recipe.

Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (15)fromevolvingtable.com

Slow cooker chicken tortilla soup is a healthy and gluten free. The recipe can be thrown together easily!Get the recipe.

Barbacoa Beef

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (16)fromdinneratthezoo.com

This dish is the perfect filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas and more!Get the recipe.

Salisbury Steak

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (17)fromdinneratthezoo.com

This recipe is made with tender beef patties topped with mushroom gravy. Its the classic comfort food!Get the recipe.

Greek Lamb Shanks

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (18)fromtherecipecritic.com

The recipe consist of lamb shanks, potatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and kalamata olives. All ingredients are cooked to perfection in delicious greek spices!Get the recipe.

Beef And Broccoli

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (19)fromlifemadesweeter.com

An easy Chinese takeout favourite made in a rich and savoury sauce!Get the recipe.

Honey Buffalo Meatballs

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (20)fromtherecipecritic.com

These meatballs are simmered in the most amazing sweet sauce. Your guests will simply love this meal!Get the recipe.

Barbecue Ribs

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (21)fromcarlsbadcravings.com

With the best homemade barbecue sauce, these ribs are supper easy to make!Get the recipe.

Beef Stroganoff

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (22)fromcarlsbadcravings.com

This recipe will soon become a favourite. The sauce is simply delicious!Get the recipe.

Honey Balsamic Beef

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (23)fromcarlsbadcravings.com

This dish is packed with flavour and smothered in the most delectable honey balsamic sauce. You will be back at the table for seconds!Get the recipe.

Mongolian Beef

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (24)fromdinneratthezoo.com

This crock pot recipe tastes just like a meal you would get at a Chinese restaurant!Get the recipe

Want Additional Recipes?

Access our complete list ofhealthy recipes!

Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes You Can Make Now & Freeze For Later (2024)

FAQs

Can you freeze crockpot meals after cooking? ›

and a bag or other container for the liquid part, with any veg that doesn't need an initial step (beans, sweetcorn, potatoes...) Most slow cooked dishes freeze very well after cooking, so an alternative is to cook several portions at once, divide and freeze, microwaving when you want to eat them.

What are some meals you can cook and freeze? ›

Choose from dozens of delicious freezer meals including casseroles, baked pasta dishes, gumbo, pot roast, slow-cooker soups and stews, and more. You guests will never guess that you just popped that Turkey-Noodle-Poppy Seed Casserole out of the freezer.

Can you freeze slow cooker food? ›

The slow cooker can take the stress out of a month's worth of dinners that you can freeze and reheat later. These delicious recipes will help you plan a whole month's worth of slow-cooked dinners ahead of time, so that once winter arrives, all you need to do is pull them out of the freezer, reheat and enjoy!

Are homemade freezer meals healthy? ›

By making your own frozen meals you will be able to tailor them to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Homemade meals can have far less sodium and preservatives than store-bought counterparts. Try improving their nutritional quality by using brown rice, whole wheat pasta, and low sodium pasta sauces and broths.

How do you freeze slow-cooked meals? ›

How to Store Freezer Slow Cooker Meals. We recommend laying the bagged meals flat in the freezer until they've frozen solid. That way, you can stack several prepared meals on top of each other or store them standing up in a plastic magazine file. Here are more products that make freezing food so much easier.

How do you freeze cooked meals for later? ›

Pack foods into freezer bags

Freezer bags are thicker than storage bags and will keep the food fresh longer. Speed freezing and hasten thawing by freezing foods in a thin, flattened shape in freezer bags. A rounded shape takes longer to thaw through to the middle.

What foods freeze really well? ›

15 freezer friendly foods
  • 1) Cheese. Toggle accord. ...
  • 2) Milk and dairy free milk. Toggle accord. ...
  • 3) Eggs. Toggle accord. ...
  • 4) Mushrooms, broccoli and other vegetables. Toggle accord. ...
  • 5) Cooked rice. Toggle accord. ...
  • 6) Potatoes. Toggle accord. ...
  • 7) Cooked pasta. Toggle accord. ...
  • 8) Bananas. Toggle accord.

What foods do not freeze well? ›

Foods That Do Not Freeze Well (SP 50-766)
FoodsUsual use
Irish potatoes, baked or boiledIn soups, salads or with butter
WatermelonAs raw fruit
Egg whites, cookedIn salads, creamed foods, sandwiches, sauces, gravy or dessert
Icings made from egg whitesCakes, cookies
15 more rows

What are three foods that don't freeze well? ›

Milk, yogurt, cream, sour cream, buttermilk, and soft cheeses all become inedible once frozen, since they separate and curdle upon defrosting, changing the texture and consistency entirely. Your milk will separate into a watery mess, for example, and your yogurt will become grainy, curdle, and separate when defrosted.

Can you freeze raw potatoes? ›

You absolutely can freeze potatoes, and you should if you have an excess of spuds. But there's one important thing to remember: You should really only freeze cooked or partially cooked potatoes, as raw potatoes contain a lot of water. This water freezes and, when thawed, makes the potatoes mushy and grainy.

Can you freeze raw potatoes and carrots? ›

The key to freezing potatoes and sweet potatoes—whether for fries, hash browns or even simple roasted wedges—is to partially cook them first. Because they contain so much water, raw potatoes don't freeze well and can turn mushy, watery or even grainy.

What is slow freezing in food? ›

Slow freezing produces large ice crystals that punch through cell membranes. As a result, when foods with large ice crystals thaw, there is more dripping and loss of liquid. Small crystals are unstable and over time grow to form larger crystals.

What is the healthiest way to freeze food? ›

The key to ensuring your food tastes great after it's thawed is how you store it: Food stays freshest when it's frozen in airtight containers and thick, durable wrappings. The biggest enemies of frozen foods are air and ambient moisture.

What are the best leftovers to freeze? ›

Soups, stews, lasagna, empanadas, and pie dough are some of our favorites to freeze—check out more ideas below.

Can you freeze already cooked dinners? ›

Generally, big-batch saucy dishes can be cooked entirely and frozen because the sauce blankets any meat and veggies and prevents them from drying out during reheating. At last, it makes sense why soups, stews, casseroles and braises are such popular freezer items.

How do you store food after a slow cooker? ›

Cool properly.

Do not leave cooked food to cool down in the crock. Eat immediately or place leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate.

How long do crockpot freezer meals last? ›

To save time, using pre-cut fresh vegetables or frozen vegetables is a great option. A vegetable chopper is also handy. Q11: How long can slow cooker meals be stored in the freezer? They can be stored in a standard fridge/freezer combo for at least three months.

References

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