Healthy Summer Crock-Pot Recipes (2024)

Slow cookers make everything easier, from preparing meals to cleaning them up. Plus, it's a great way to make your summer nights even more relaxed without going out to eat.

Here are ten Crock-Pot recipes that are nutritious and simple to whip up. Additional bonus: they're all incredibly delicious, too.

1) Chicken & Shrimp Jambalaya

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This delicious dish contains a Cajun flair without the added calories or effort. All you'll need is some brown rice, veggies, and the chicken and shrimp. Decide whether you want to make your own seasoning or buy some, then let everything simmer for two to five hours, depending on the setting you use.

2) Easy Slow Cooker Poached Pears

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This is an easy dessert that looks and tastes elegant. The natural sweetness of the pears complements the vanilla and cinnamon perfectly for a new family-favorite dessert. Start the pears before you begin making dinner and the house will be filled with the overwhelming, comforting aroma of vanilla and cinnamon. Top off your pears with an optional dollop of yogurt (or whipped topping) and a slight drizzle of honey to show off your plating skills!

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3) Summer Beef Casserole

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This casserole certainly isn't as boring as it may sound. With garlic, veggies, and a dash of parmesan, this recipe makes couscous and beef taste way more exciting than it should. Added bonus: it will only take your slow cooker about three hours to prepare the meal.

4) Slow Cooker Beer Chicken

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Get ready for your hubby's new favorite dish. This chicken is slow cooked with beer for hours, and when it's done, the moist and full flavor is out of this world good.

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5) Eggplant Lasagna

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Have you always wanted to try a healthier version of lasagna but never actually done it? Now's your chance to make this super simple eggplant Italian dish. Just slice up some fresh eggplant, salt the pieces, and rinse before assembling your meal in the slow cooker. Remember to ballpark about two and a half hours for cook time.

6) Pineapple Salsa Chicken

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If you're tired of the same old taco fillings, you aren't alone! We love mixing spicy and sweet, so turning up the heat on your salsa can be the perfect mix with pineapple. Find our recipe here!

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7) Chicken Avocado Soup

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If you're craving Mexican food but don't want to indulge in a heavy meal, this soup is a great alternative. You'll get to eat healthy fats and proteins without consuming tons of carbs, and it only takes about six hours to make, so you can start preparing it during your lunch break and have it ready just in time for dinner.

8) Slow Cooker Cuban Pulled Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

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Looking to put a new twist on tacos? This recipe is for you. This spicy, tasty treat is one you'll want to keep in your arsenal of go-to recipes on a busy school night. Load up this light and flavorful filling into corn or flour tortillas or even a lettuce leaf for a delicious summer dinner!

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9) Red Pepper Chicken

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If only all clean-eating meals tasted as scrumptious as this dish by New Leaf Wellness. Combine chicken, red pepper, and garlic for an addictive flavor that's surprisingly good for you. The best part? All you have to do is let the mixture cook for a handful of hours, then serve it with a side like brown rice or broccoli.

10) Weight Loss Soup

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Vegetables galore! This glorified tomato soup has an abundance of colorful and nutrient-dense veggies, like yellow squash, zucchini, carrots, and green beans, and they mix together wonderfully to offer a great taste to leave you and your family satisfied. Click here to see the recipe and nutrition facts.

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11) Veggie Omelette

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Ever thought about using your slow cooker to make breakfast? This recipe will help you serve a morning meal that's equal parts tasty and healthy. Its mixture of eggs, milk, seasoning, veggies, and cheese will keep you full for a large chunk of the day. Plus, it only takes about two hours to make, so you don't necessarily have to wake up at the crack of dawn to get started.

12) Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sliders

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Bite-size and adorable, your guests will devour these sliders at 150 calories a piece. The celery slaw adds the perfect crunch to the juicy and flavorful Buffalo chicken, while the blue cheese and ranch are the the perfect cool-down combo to accompany the hot wing sauce. Find the recipe here.

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13) Balsamic-Ginger Chicken Lettuce Cups

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Lettuce cups? That certainly doesn't sound like something you'd concoct in your slow cooker, but the chicken part of the dish is a great choice for people looking for recipes that require minimal effort in the kitchen. Cook the dish for several hours, then place it in crunchy, fresh lettuce cups for a light dinner or snack.

14) Mexican Pork Carnita Tacos

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Although these tacos look far from healthy at first glance, they're actually paleo and dairy/gluten free! The blend of oregano, chili powder, cumin, and lime juice is delicious, but the calorie count and required amount of cooking effort are low.

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15) Asian Pork With Veggies and Soba Noodles

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If you're dying to chow down on your favorite Asian noodle dish but reluctant to ingest so many salted carbs, try this healthy option. The recipe calls for buckwheat-based soba noodles, which are better for you than traditional kinds of pasta.

16) Slow Cooker Corn on the Cobb with Chili Lime Butter

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The ultimate summer dish to cook up in your slow cooker! Who doesn't love grilled corn on the cobb? With this easy dish, you don't have to feverishly watch the grill, hoping that you don't char these golden gems. The chili lime butter is a delicious topping that will have you making this recipe over and over!

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17) Slow Cooker Low Country Boil

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This is the easiest ways to enjoy a low country boil, rain or shine. This recipe includes all the traditional low country boil ingredients like shrimp, kielbasa, corn, and potatoes. It cooks up in your slow cooker with hardly any work involved—a summertime classic!

So, which of these easy, healthy Crock-Pot recipes will you try this summer?

Related:
59 Healthy Slow Cooker Dinners Under 400 Calories
If Dishes Are Your Worst Nightmare, Enjoy These 71 One-Pot Meals
13 Skinny Dinners Under 300 Calories

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Healthy Summer Crock-Pot Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can Crock-Pot meals be healthy? ›

Healthy Ideas for the Slow Cooker

It's a great way to cook ribs, cobblers and potato salad during the summer (without heating up your entire kitchen!) and, believe it or not, you can even bake a loaf of homemade bread in one. So, it should come as no surprise that your trusty slow cooker is ideal for healthy meals too.

Is Crock-Pot good in summer? ›

When it's too hot to turn on your oven, don't! Your slow cooker can handle everything from weeknight dinners to family barbecues. It might even be the best-kept secret for making fabulous summer desserts.

Is using a slow cooker healthier? ›

A slow cooker can help with eating healthily, as this way of cooking doesn't need much (if any) fat, which can help to lower the calorie content. It also intensifies flavours – which is helpful when cutting down on salt.

What is a healthy alternative to a Crock-Pot? ›

Another option for slow cooking without a slow cooker is to utilise your oven. Choose an oven-safe dish with a lid or tightly cover a regular baking dish with foil. This method is excellent for roasts, casseroles, and baked dishes.

Do chefs like crock pots? ›

Do professional chefs favor crock pots for cooking. Crock pots offer certain advantages that can appeal to professional chefs. They excel at slow cooking, allowing flavors to meld and develop, making them ideal for dishes like stews, soups, and braised meats.

Are frozen cooked meals healthy? ›

While frozen meals are a convenient way to eat a balanced meal, it's easy to be led astray–they're also known for being packed with sodium, calories, and saturated fat, making moderation important.

Is it OK to leave a crockpot on overnight? ›

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Is it OK to leave food in crockpot on warm overnight? ›

Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

Can I leave my crockpot on high all day? ›

AS long as it's not empty, absolutely you can. It's no different than cooking food all day while you're away. That's the beauty of a slow cooker - it takes a long time at low heat and it doesn't care if it's daytime or nightime!

What is difference between crockpot and slow cooker? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Are vegetables still healthy when slow cooked? ›

Slow cookers cook food at a low temperature (usually around 93c) for anywhere between 4-8 hours. Because of the lower temperature, the nutrients in the food remain more stable than other methods of cooking.

Can you put meat in the slow cooker raw? ›

Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level. Slow cooking steak is a convenient way to cook steak over several hours, tenderizing it and adding exceptional flavor along the way.

Can I just throw a bunch of ingredients in the crockpot? ›

One of the main attractions for many people is the ease of a slow cooker, so when you're looking for recipes, avoid those that suggest a lot of pre-preparation. For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in.

What are the benefits of slow cooker meals? ›

Slow cooker benefits.

They use less electricity than an oven and can be used year-round. Because of the long, low-temperature cooking, slow cookers help tenderize less-expensive cuts of meat. They usually allow for one-step preparation; putting all the ingredients in the slow cooker saves time and reduces cleanup.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a crockpot? ›

While there are some disadvantages to using a slow cooker, such as the risk of overcooking food or forgetting to turn it off, these generally pale in comparison to the benefits. For busy families or those who enjoy coming home to a hot meal, a slow cooker can be a great addition to any kitchen.

Is eating home cook meals healthy? ›

Preparing healthy meals at home can support your immune system and reduce the risk of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, and diabetes. It can give you more energy, improve how you sleep at night, and help you better manage health problems.

Does cooking in cooker reduce nutrients? ›

While nutritionists agree the pressure cooking style preserves a higher level of nutrient retention, many others also agree this method of food preparation allows for better taste and texture, too.

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