Chilly weather is afoot, which means it’s the perfect time to make use of your slow cooker. This versatile kitchen counter appliance can make anything from a hearty chili to a rotisserie-style chicken. Here are ten of our favorite slow-cooker recipes to make cooking a little easier this fall. Click here to get personalized slow cooker recipe recommendations from our team of Registered Dietitians!
1.Crispy Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chicken
What makes it healthy: Slow cooking brings out the chicken’s natural flavors, so there’s no need for additional sauces.
Why we like it: Slow-cooked chicken is perfect for meal prepping. Use it in salads and sandwiches, or serve it alongside the whole grain and veggies of your choice.
2. Pulled Pork with Caramelized Onions
What makes it healthy: This recipe gets its flavor from chipotle peppers and apple cider vinegar, so you can get away with adding less salt.
Why we like it: Making pulled pork in a slow cooker is a low-stress way to feed a crowd. Try it at your next dinner party.
3. Overnight Oatmeal
What makes it healthy: Steel-cut oats make a hearty, fiber-rich breakfast sure to keep you satisfied until lunchtime.
Why we like it: It’s a tasty way to use up extra apples, which are in season during fall. Steel-cut oats take a while to cook on the stove top. Simmer them overnight in your slow cooker and wake up to a warm, no-fuss breakfast.
4. Slow Cooker Chipotle Beef
What makes it healthy: It makes less-tender cuts of beef fork-tender and juicy.
Why we like it: Use it to make restaurant-style steak tacos with no grill required.
5. Slow-Cooker Moroccan Lentil Soup
What makes it healthy: It’s plant forward and high in protein.
Why we like it: A blend of traditional Indian spices gives this soup big flavor with low effort.
6. Rich Chicken Stew
What makes it healthy: This stew is packed with veggies and brightened up with lemon juice instead of salt.
Why we like it: It's like having chicken pot pie without all the fuss.
7. Coffee-Braised Pot Roast with Caramelized Onions
What makes it healthy: Coffee acts a part of the braising liquid to infuse flavor and tenderize the beef instead of store bought stock.
Why we like it: It's a fresh spin on the classic Sunday roast and comes complete with slow caramelized onions as a garnish.
Check out our collection of slow-cooker meals for more recipe inspiration.
