As our lives get busier and busier, we often find ourselves struggling to maintain a healthy and balanced diet. Cooking elaborate meals may not be feasible during weekdays, but with the help of crock pots, we can prepare delicious and nutritious meals with minimal effort. Crock pots are a convenient and simple way to cook meals, and they offer a number of health benefits. In this article, we’re going to share 10 easy crock pot recipes that you can prepare even on the busiest of weeknights.
1) Slow Cooker Beef Stew:
Ingredients:
-1 lb beef, cubed
-1 onion, chopped
-2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced
-2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
-1 can diced tomatoes
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp thyme
-1 bay leaf
-3 cups beef broth
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in the crock pot.
-Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
-Remove the bay leaf before serving.
Health benefits: Beef is a great source of protein and iron, while the vegetables offer a range of vitamins and minerals. Plus, the slow cooking process intensifies the flavour and makes it more nutritious.
2) Slow Cooker Chicken Curry:
Ingredients:
-1 lb chicken breasts, cut into cubes
-1 onion, diced
-2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced
-1 can tomato paste
-1 can coconut milk
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp garam masala
-1 tsp curry powder
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in the crock pot.
-Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
-Serve with rice or naan bread.
Health benefits: Chicken is a great source of protein, while the coconut milk and spices offer a range of anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits.
3) Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili:
Ingredients:
-1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
-1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
-1 can corn, drained
-1 can diced tomatoes
-1 onion, diced
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 jalapeno pepper, chopped
-1 tsp chili powder
-1 tsp cumin
-1 tsp smoked paprika
-1 tsp oregano
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-2 cups vegetable broth
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in the crock pot.
-Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
-Serve with a dollop of sour cream and some chopped cilantro.
Health benefits: This hearty vegetarian chili is high in fiber and protein, while also being low in fat and cholesterol.
4) Slow Cooker Pork Roast:
Ingredients:
-1 lb pork roast
-1 onion, sliced
-2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced
-2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp thyme
-1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
-Place the pork roast at the bottom of the crock pot.
-Add the rest of the ingredients on top.
-Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
-Remove the pork roast and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Health benefits: Pork is a great source of protein and other essential nutrients, while the vegetables provide vitamins and minerals.
5) Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup:
Ingredients:
-2-3 sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
-1 onion, chopped
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-3 cups vegetable broth
-1 cup coconut milk
-1 tsp curry powder
-1 tsp cumin
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in the crock pot.
-Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
-Puree the soup in a blender before serving.
Health benefits: Sweet potatoes are high in fiber and antioxidants, while the coconut milk offers a range of anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits.
6) Slow Cooker Turkey Breast:
Ingredients:
-1 lb turkey breast, boneless and skinless
-2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced
-2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1 tsp thyme
-1 cup chicken broth
Instructions:
-Place the turkey breast at the bottom of the crock pot.
-Add the rest of the ingredients on top.
-Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
-Remove the turkey breast and let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
Health benefits: Turkey is a lean source of protein, while the potatoes and carrots provide vitamins and minerals.
7) Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli:
Ingredients:
-1 lb beef, sliced
-2 cups broccoli florets
-1 onion, diced
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-1/4 cup soy sauce
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-1 tbsp cornstarch
-1 tsp ginger
Instructions:
-Place the beef, broccoli, onion, and garlic in the crock pot.
-In a small bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, and ginger.
-Pour the sauce over the beef and broccoli.
-Cook on high for 2-3 hours, or on low for 4-6 hours.
-Serve with rice.
Health benefits: This dish is high in protein and low in fat, while the broccoli offers a range of vitamins and minerals.
8) Slow Cooker Lentil Soup:
Ingredients:
-1 cup lentils
-1 onion, diced
-2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced
-2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-3 cups vegetable broth
-1 tsp cumin
-1 tsp coriander
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in the crock pot.
-Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
-Puree the soup in a blender before serving.
Health benefits: Lentils are a great source of protein and fiber, while the vegetables provide a range of vitamins and minerals.
9) Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken:
Ingredients:
-1 lb chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
-1 cup BBQ sauce
-1/4 cup brown sugar
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
-Place the chicken at the bottom of the crock pot.
-In a small bowl, mix the BBQ sauce, brown sugar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
-Pour the sauce over the chicken.
-Cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-8 hours.
-Shred the chicken with a fork before serving.
Health benefits: Chicken is a great source of protein, while the BBQ sauce is high in flavor and low in calories when consumed in moderation.
10) Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup:
Ingredients:
-1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
-1 can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
-1 can diced tomatoes
-2-3 potatoes, peeled and diced
-2-3 carrots, peeled and sliced
-2 cloves of garlic, minced
-1 onion, diced
-1 tsp salt
-1 tsp black pepper
-3 cups vegetable broth
-1 tsp oregano
-1 tsp basil
Instructions:
-Mix all the ingredients in the crock pot.
-Cook on high for 4-5 hours, or on low for 8-10 hours.
-Serve with some grated parmesan cheese and a slice of crusty bread.
Health benefits: This hearty minestrone soup is high in fiber and protein, while the vegetables offer a range of vitamins and minerals.
FAQs
1) What are some benefits of cooking with a crock pot?
Cooking with a crock pot can save time and make meal prep more convenient. The slow and gentle cooking process also intensifies the flavor of food and can make it more nutritious.
2) Are crock pot meals healthy?
Crock pot meals can be healthy if they include a range of whole, unprocessed foods such as lean protein, vegetables, and grains. By using whole food ingredients and avoiding processed foods, crock pot meals can offer a range of health benefits.
3) Can I use frozen meat in my crock pot?
It is not recommended to cook frozen meat in a crock pot, as it can lead to uneven cooking and food safety concerns. It is best to thaw meat before cooking it in a crock pot.
In conclusion, crock pots are a helpful tool when it comes to making healthy, convenient meals on busy weeknights. These 10 easy recipes offer a range of nutritional benefits and can be adapted to suit individual preferences and dietary requirements. By using fresh, whole food ingredients, we can create delicious, nutritious meals with minimal effort.
