A dinner that supports a healthy heart shouldn’t be hard to prepare. With low amounts of saturated fats and sodium, you can enjoy something delicious and satisfying that aligns with your goals. Plus, these recipes let your slow-cooker do the work so you can spend less time on cooking and cleanup. From Slow-Cooker Chicken & Brown Rice with Roasted Corn & Black Beans to Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili, these four- and five-star rated dishes are sure to be equally nutritious as they are flavorful.
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Slow-Cooker Chicken & Brown Rice with Roasted Corn & Black Beans
Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Ali Ramee Prop Stylist: Christine Keely
With plenty of spice from ground cumin, cayenne and paprika and the bit of char that frozen roasted sweet corn brings to the dish, you won’t miss the browning step in this easy load-and-go recipe.
Slow-Cooker Bean, Kale & Barley Soup
PHOTOGRAPHER: JEN CAUSEY; FOOD STYLIST: AIL RAMEE; PROP STYLIST: CLAIRE SPOLLEN
Beans and kale are packed into each bite of this hearty slow-cooker soup. Barley adds a chewiness to provide texture, while dried mushrooms lend an earthiness and depth. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens the flavors.
Shredded Chicken Tacos
This taco recipe is a great choice for midweek dinners, even if it’s not Taco Tuesday! Instead of beef, we use moist, boneless chicken thighs. To make things easier for you, the taco filling is cooked in a slow cooker, so you can prepare it in the morning and come home to a delicious meal.
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Chili
Jason Donnelly
If you like Buffalo wings, you’ll love the flavors in this warm, hearty chili that comes together easily in the slow cooker. Sour cream helps cut the heat, but you could also use plain strained yogurt.
Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Diet Stew
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Annie Probst, Prop Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
With a focus on vegetables, fiber-rich legumes and healthy fats, this slow-cooker stew fits the bill for those following the Mediterranean diet. Swap out the chickpeas for white beans for a different twist, or try collards or spinach in place of the kale.
Slow-Cooker Lentil, Carrot & Potato Soup
Puréeing some of the lentil-vegetable mixture, and then combining it with the remaining vegetables and lentils gives the soup a texture that satisfies those who love a creamy soup and those who prefer it chunky. Serve this slow-cooker lentil soup with crackers.
Slow-Cooker Vegetarian Chili
Grab your crock pot for this delicious and easy slow-cooker vegetarian chili with beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, bell peppers and sweet potatoes. Adding a squeeze of lime juice and a sprinkle of cilantro just before serving brightens up the flavors.
Pork & Green Chile Stew
Let your slow cooker work—while you’re at work!—and come home to a delicious bowl of hearty stew for dinner. Full of potatoes, hominy, green chiles, and chunks of pork sirloin, this filling stew takes just 25 minutes to prepare in the morning.
Slow-Cooker Kale & White Bean Stew
Ali Redmond
Warm up to a hearty bowl of soup made with winter vegetables and protein-rich white beans. Comforting spices like oregano and thyme build flavor, while Parmesan provides an irresistibly savory finish.
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato & Black Bean Chili
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall , Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless
This hearty sweet potato and black bean chili has a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Swap out regular chili powder for chipotle and ancho chile powder, or try using reduced-sodium taco or fajita seasoning for a unique twist.
Lentil & Root Veggie Soup
French green lentils and black lentils hold up well with long, slow cooking without becoming mushy. Adding Parmesan rinds gives the soup a rich, savory flavor.
Slow-Cooker Bean & Barley Soup
This zesty soup can simmer in the crock pot for an entire workday, making it perfect for a busy weekday meal. Bump up the Southwest flavors with a garnish of chopped fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, if desired.
Slow-Cooker Spiced Lentil Soup with Vegetables
Spices often used in Moroccan cuisine like turmeric, cumin, cinnamon and black pepper give this soup complexity and deep flavor. Make it a day ahead, if you can, to give the spices time to mingle and develop.
Slow-Cooker Creamy Butternut Squash-Apple Soup
The sweetness of the Granny Smith apple shines through the creaminess of the blended butternut squash in this slow-cooker soup. Garnish with additional fresh rosemary sprigs, if desired.
Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall
This load-and-go slow-cooker chicken stew is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner. Serve this Tuscan-inspired dish with crusty bread and a salad for an ultra-satisfying meal.
Slow-Cooker Braised Beef with Carrots & Turnips
The spice blend in this beef stew—cinnamon, allspice and cloves—may conjure images of apple pie, but the combo is a great fit in savory applications too. Serve over creamy polenta or buttered whole-wheat egg noodles.
Fennel & Pork Stew
This meltingly tender pork shoulder ragout has a savory broth that’s full of fennel. White wine gives the stew a bright edge of acidity.
