Is a slow cooker worth it for vegetarian?

Benefits of using a slow cooker for plant-based cooking Easy: Throw in a sensible bunch of ingredients and, six to eight hours later, you have a delicious soup or stew. It's not fancy cuisine, but the vegetables will retain all their nutrients and the result is practically certain to be comforting . Anyone can do it.

What foods should be slow cooked?

Tough cuts of meat, offal, root veggies all benefit from long, slow cooking. So a dish like pho has pieces of meats with the cartilage cooked into a lovely chewy, melt in your mouth feel! Parsnips are lovely after they've been roasted and then cooked long and mashed.

Do vegetables lose nutrients in slow cooker?

Vegetables cooked in a slow cooker or crock pot retain more of their natural vitamins and nutrients than harsher cooking methods – such as boiling – because the temperatures are lower.

Can you put raw meat in slow cooker with vegetables?

After touching raw meat, poultry, or seafood, wash your hands again for 20 seconds with soap and water. Vegetables cook slower than meat and poultry in a slow cooker, so put the vegetables in first, for the best quality . Add meat, poultry, or seafood to the slow cooker.

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker?

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker Raw Meat. Seafood. Pasta. Rice. Delicate Vegetables. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts. Dairy. Wine and Other Liquor. More items... Jan 19, 2024

How healthy is slow cooking?

The low heat used in slow cooking destroys fewer nutrients than high-heat cooking . Meat and other ingredients are also cooked more safely since any remaining bacteria are killed off by the steam and tightly sealed pot. Slow cooking is also an excellent way to cook legumes, which are a staple in many healthy diets!

What tastes better in a slow cooker?

Here are some great long-cooking cuts to try in your slow cooker: Beef: chuck roast, brisket, stew meat and short ribs . Pork: pork shoulder, pork butt, pork ribs, country-style ribs, ham.

Is slow-cooking good for vegetables?

: I know that boiling vegetables makes them lose some of their nutritional value. But what if you cook them in a slow cooker and eat the liquid the vegetables stewed in? Answer: Done right, veggies prepared in slow cookers can deliver disease-fighting nutrients and a delectable meal all in one bowl .

Does veg shrink in slow cooker?

The answer is yes. LiveStrong says cooking your food too long in a slow cooker can cause the ingredients to shrink and lose any tenderness they once had . However, other ingredients might turn mushy, which is also something no home cook is looking to achieve.

Is a pressure cooker worth it for vegetarians?

Pressure cookers are amazingly useful kitchen appliances that can dramatically expand your vegan cooking possibilities . They let you cook any number of meals that would otherwise be prohibitively time-consuming. If you cook beans often, or live in a place with long winters, you should strongly consider purchasing one.

Do you put water in slow cooker with veg?

Because your slow cooker will have a tightly sealed lid, the liquid won't evaporate so if you're adapting a standard recipe, it's best to reduce the liquid by roughly a third. It should just cover the meat and vegetables .

21 Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes That Will Never Fail You

In this article hide

1 21 Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes

2 Slow Cooker Vegan Meals

Who has time to cook healthy veggie-packed meals? You do – when you put your slow cooker to work for you.

Often when we think of slow-cooker meals we think of heavy, creamy, fat-laden comfort foods.

The truth is, slow cooker meals can be comforting AND healthy, not to mention the fact they offer the ultimate in efficiency. Simplytoss in some fresh veggies and plant-based protein, and come home to a delicious, simmering meal.

Plus, you’ll have leftovers all week.

What does a healthy vegan slow cooker meal look like?Here are the common denominators:

Plant-based protein to keep you feeling full and satisfied.
Fiber-filled foods to not only help you stay full, but also to help stabilize blood sugar levels (1) and lower cholesterol (2).
Nutrient-dense veggies to give you vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

We’ve scoured the web for this roundup of slow cooker healthy dinner recipes – depending on your appetite, you’ll have plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day and the day after that, too!

21Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes

1. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

2. Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

This is not another ho-hum split pea and ham soup. While it doesn’t contain meat, it does have tons of flavor and it’s both vegan and vegetarian-friendly.

Split peas don’t take a lot of time to cook, but letting this soup simmerin the slow cooker allows for all the flavors to meld together while giving you a break fromthe kitchen.

Find the recipe here:Tabs and Tidbits

3. Mediterranean Eggplant Salad

Keep your oven off on a hot summer day and break out your slow cooker. This Mediterranean Eggplant Salad is served cold, and has a fantastic, mildly smoky slow-roasted flavor. Perfect to take along ona picnic as a way tointroduce your friends to delicious vegan food.

Find the recipe here:Apron Strings

4. Vegan Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup

This soup issimple, but it’s also incredibly filling and nutritious. All you do is chop the ingredients and throw them in the slow cooker – hours later, you feel like an amazing chef.

Find the recipe here:Emilie Eats

5. Slow Cooker Masala Lentils

This creamy, hearty, and filling lentil dish is also incredibly healthy. It’s rich in minerals and fiber, full of micronutrients, contains plenty offiber, and it’s also low fat. Tomato paste and stewed tomatoes create a rich base, and garam masala adds wonderful flavor to this highly nourishing meal.

Find the recipe here:The Full Helping

6. Slow Cooker Indian Spiced Chickpeas and Potatoes

The spices in this dishmingle and steep during cook time, developing and deepening into pure deliciousness. This recipe comes together easily – just a quick sauté of the onions, garlic and spices first, then toss it in the slow cooker until dinnertime. Delish!

Find the recipe here:Oh My Veggies

7.Slow Cooker Vegan Mexican Bowl

Beans and rice are a Mexican staple, and this healthy combo cooks up wonderfully in a slow cooker, and ultimately is topped with a fresh, tasty salsa. Swap out the brown rice for quinoa if you like, and add cayenne pepper or jalapenos if you want to spice it up.

Find the recipe here:Kalyn’s Kitchen

8. Crockpot Red Curry Lentils

Insanely good red curry flavor, beautiful saucy lentils, and loads of turmeric makethis a meal worth trying. Ladle into a bowl with quinoa, or serve as-is. Be sure to save leftovers for lunch.

9. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Soup

Feed your body a beta-carotene-rich dinner that’s creamy and delicious. This sweet potato soupgets creaminess the non-dairy way, and will please even picky eaters.

Find the recipe here:Veggie Primer

10. Slow Cooker Vegan White Bean Stew

Chances are, you’ve already got all ingredients on-hand for this tasty vegan slow cooker recipe. Quick and easy, this stew makes a delightfully healthy dinner.

Find the recipe here:Café Johnsonia

11. Slow Cooker Black Bean Pumpkin Chili

Give your chili a healthy twist with canned pumpkin, cinnamon, and cloves. It may not be traditional, but this slow cooker vegan recipe is healthy, hearty, and delicious.

Find the recipe here:Kitchen Treaty

12. Crockpot Cauliflower Bolognese with Zucchini Noodles

Vegans can enjoy a tasty Bolognese sauce that’s completely meat-free! This recipe makes a hearty meal, yet without the heaviness of meat. Serve over zucchini noodles, or chill and stuff in lettuce wraps for a cool summer meal.

Find the recipe here:Inspiralized

13. Crockpot Quinoa and Vegetables

Simple, light, and healthy – that’s what this recipeis all about. Serve either warm or chilled, this meal is a perfect way to use up what you’ve got in the fridge or to take advantage of your garden bounty.

Find the recipe here: Moms With Crockpots

14. Crockpot Spaghetti Squash Thai Noodle Bowl

Craving an Asian-inspired dish? This noodle bowl is gluten free, and makes a simple low-carb dinner that’s way healthier than takeout.

Find the recipe here:The Skinny Fork

15. Slow Cooker Curried Vegetables and Chickpea Stew

This stew is full of tender vegetables and chickpeas, along with the warming flavors of ginger and garlic. You’ll love how the flavors minglewith the curry-scented coconut milk.

Find the recipe here:The Kitchn

16.Slow Cooker Coconut Quinoa Curry

Sweet potato, broccoli, onion, and chickpeas make up thethe bulk of this flavorful curry. The tomatoes add sweetness while the coconut milk lends a thick and creamy texture.

Fresh garlic, fresh ginger, fresh turmeric, tamari, miso, and chili flakes add a burst of aromatics and flavor to this simply delicious dish.

Find the recipe here: Simply Quinoa

17. Slow Cooker Lemon Lentil Rosemary Soup

Fresh vegetables, lemon, and rosemary come together with minimal effort in this amazingly hearty soup. Carrots, onion, yellow bell pepper, and red lentils are flavored with garlic and a dash of cayenne pepper and slow cooked until tender.

Find the recipe here:Melanie Makes

18. Vindaloo Vegetables

Most likely you have all the spices for this recipe in your cabinet – they really add wonderful flavor to this dish, and many of them have potent anti-inflammatory properties. This is atotal vegan Indian delight.

Find the recipe here:Fat Free Vegan

19. Navy Bean Soup

Navy beans – those cute little beans that just happen to beloaded with fiber and antioxidants – are perfect for taking on the woodsy flavor of rosemary in this delicious soup.

This is a perfect recipe for soup and salad night.

Find the recipe here:A Burst of Beautiful

20. Korean Chickpea with Carrots and Potatoes over Quinoa

You’ll love this vegan twist on a classic Korean dish. It makes an amazingAsian-inspired meal, packed with protein and flavor, and it includes a swoon-worthy sauce.

Find the recipe here:Veggies Don’t Bite

21. Crockpot Red Thai Curry Vegetables

This is another amazing curry dish that has all the flavors of a complex red Thai curry, but with the ease of a crockpot meal. Creamy and delicious, it’s full of sweet potatoes, cauliflower, mushrooms, and peas smothered in a slightly spicy red coconut sauce.

Find the recipe here:Edible Experiments

Slow Cooker Vegan Meals

If your busy life is getting in the way of eating healthy food, break out your slow cooker.

It’s a great way to get plant-based protein and loads of veggies into your diet, and the mighty little crockdoes all the work for you.

Any of the vegan meals in this list are a great way to get started in creating healthy meals that fit your hectic life.

Fast, Easy, Delicious

Looking for more easy-to-prepare meals that fit your healthy lifestyle? You’ll love the 67 real-world-tested meals in my All Day Energy Diet Cookbook.

Gluten- and dairy-free, low in allergens, and coming in about 15 minutes each to prepare, you’ll definitely find something your whole family will enjoy. Plus, the book is FREE! Just click the banner below.

21 Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes That Will Never Fail You | Yuri Elkaim (2024)