by MyFitnessPal’s Recipes
October 12, 2017
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The slow cooker is one of the most versatile cooking tools for good reason: It saves time and turns inexpensive, tougher cuts of meat into tender delicacies after cooking all day. It’s also a great tool for those who don’t have time to dedicate to meal prep on a Sunday.
To celebrate our love of the slow cooker, we’ve rounded up MyFitnessPal’s 10 most pinned slow-cooker recipes of the year, all under 450 calories. Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for other healthy recipes and fitness tips, too!
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1. SLOW-COOKER GARLIC CHICKENThis 265-calorie recipe calls for pan-frying the chicken and then slow-cooking it to perfection in wine, cognac and thyme. Cut down on time by substituting the whole chicken for 3 pounds of precut chicken pieces and using pre-peeled garlic cloves. Recipe makes 5 servings at 4 ounces chicken + 3 tablespoons sauce + 8 garlic cloves each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 265; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 80mg; Sodium: 264mg; Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 30g
2. SLOW-COOKER TURKEY BEAN CHILIThis chili uses lean ground turkey in lieu of beef, reducing the cholesterol and saturated fat content and adds beans for bonus fiber (10 grams!). Put the ingredients into the slow cooker before bed for a satisfying next-day lunch. Recipe makes 6 servings at 1 1/2 cups chili + 1 ounce baked tortilla chips each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 428; Total Fat: 17g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 54mg; Sodium: 377mg; Carbohydrate: 46g; Dietary Fiber: 10g; Sugar: 6g; Protein: 25g
3. SLOW-COOKER IRISH BEEF STEW
Trust us: This stew is a crowd-pleaser well beyond St. Paddy’s Day. With tender beef, brown potatoes and carrots in a thick gravy, it’s hard to believe this recipe has less than 400 calories and 27 grams of protein. Recipe makes 4 servings at 2 cups each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 363; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 9mg; Sodium: 582mg; Carbohydrate: 35g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 27g
4. SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN LENTIL CHILIWith lean chicken breast and two different kinds of beans — lentils and black beans — this Tex-Mex-inspired dish contains nearly half your fiber quota for the day and less than 300 calories. Recipe makes 8 servings at 1 1/2 cups (13 ounces or 370 grams) each
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 282; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 38mg; Sodium: 448mg; Carbohydrate: 39g; Dietary Fiber: 18g; Sugar: 6g; Protein: 28g
5. SLOW-COOKER ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLSSlow-cooking locks in the moisture, making for extra juicy meatballs. Cooking them with the sauce saves time for you to prepare the pasta to serve them with. If you’re watching your carbs, serve with spaghetti squash instead. Recipe makes 6 servings at 4 meatballs + 2/3 cup sauce each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 235; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 104mg; Sodium: 471mg; Carbohydrate: 10g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 22g
6. SLOW-COOKER SWEET POTATO CURRYThis vegetarian slow-cooker sweet potato curry is high in flavor and protein (a whopping 31 grams!), while being low in calories, fat and sodium. The yogurt adds a tangy flavor that balances the heat if you use a spicy curry powder. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 cup each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 297; Total Fat: 14g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 8g; Cholesterol: 70mg; Sodium: 582mg; Carbohydrate: 10g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 31g
7. SLOW-COOKER JERK CHICKENThis dish is for those who like a bit of kick with their chicken. Craving more heat? Increase the Cayenne pepper. This crispy chicken pairs well with a side salad and basmati rice. Recipe makes 5 servings at 2 drumsticks each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 253; Total Fat: 12g; Saturated Fat: 6g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 184mg; Sodium: 376 mg; Carbohydrate: 6g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 4g; Protein 34g
8. SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN ENCHILADA SOUPWhy spend hours making soup when you can drop the ingredients in the slow-cooker and come home to a soup ready to devour? Top each bowl with crushed, whole-wheat tortilla chips to give this 319-calorie recipe extra crunch. Recipe makes 6 servings at 1 1/2 cups soup + 2 tablespoons cheese + 2 teaspoons scallions + 2 teaspoons cilantro + 1/6 avocado each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 319; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Cholesterol: 43mg; Sodium: 741mg; Carbohydrate: 30g; Dietary Fiber: 8g; Sugar: 6g; Protein: 23g
9. SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN NOODLE SOUPWith cooler weather approaching, it’s hard not to crave cozy classics like chicken soup. This riff boasts 33 grams of protein and only 323 calories. We like orecchiette, but you can swap in your own preferred pasta or extra veggies to limit the carbs. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1/4 of dish + 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 323; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 73mg; Sodium: 536mg; Carbohydrate: 28g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 33g
10. CROCK-POT BOLOGNESEImpress guests with this low-calorie Bolognese sauce, made by slow-cooking lean ground beef, pancetta, onions, tomatoes and wine over several hours. Tip: This sauce freezes well, so make an extra batch for later in the month. Recipe makes 20 servings at 1/2 cup sauce each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 143; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 48mg; Sodium: 145mg; Carbohydrate: 5g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 15g
About the Author
MyFitnessPal’s Recipes Healthy, delicious and simple: That’s what we’re about at MyFitnessPal! We make ourrecipes in our own test kitchen or our registered dietitian hand-selects them personally. Look for nutrition information at the bottom of the recipe or log it directly to MyFitnessPal through the “Log-It” button. Check out our entire collection or explore: low-carb,high-protein • high-fiber • gluten-free • dairy-free • vegetarian • vegan • low sodium
FAQs
Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish. Bulk up with vegetables instead.
What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›
Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.
What brand was the first slow cooker? ›
Naxon brought his device, the Naxon Beanery, to market in the 1950's. In 1970, the Rival Manufacturing acquired Naxon and, in 1972, rebranded the Beanery as the Crock-Pot. The appliance retailed for about $25, a price that has held steady, even with inflation.
Do professional chefs use crock pots? ›
Thus professional chefs have a mixed relationship with crock pots. While they appreciate the convenience for certain dishes, their preference often leans toward traditional methods that allow for more precise and versatile cooking techniques.
How long do crock pots last? ›
The lifespan of a slow cooker is around five to ten years. But if you see there is an issue with it heating up, has other problems, or it no longer fits your needs, this small appliance is such an affordable one that it's easy to replace.
What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? ›
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.
Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›
Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level.
Is a Crockpot the same as a slow cooker? ›
A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.
Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in crockpot? ›
Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.
Does meat get more tender the longer you cook it in a slow cooker? ›
Aside from being juicier, slow-cooking makes meat a lot more tender and flavorful. The extra juices help to accomplish this but it's mainly the long-cooking time that brings out the richness of the meat.
Chuck roast is one of the more popular slow-cooker options because of how tender and flavorful it becomes after several hours of cooking on low.
What is the most popular size slow cooker? ›
The 6- or 7-quart models are among the most popular, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're the best choice for everyone. (By the way, here's our favorite slow cooker brand.) Find yourself among the descriptions below to learn which slow cooker we'd recommend for you.
Are slow cookers healthy? ›
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 slow cookers have been recalled? ›
The recall only covers the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers that were manufactured between July 2017 and October 2018, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said in a statement on Tuesday.
Is the Ninja slow cooker worth it? ›
If you're looking for a slow cooker that's a bit more flexible and multi functional than a bog standard slow cooker, then the Ninja Foodi Possible Cooker is a great choice. It's far more useful than most slow cookers.
What is the best slow cooker that browns meat? ›
Which slow cooker browned meats the best? We liked slow cookers that had the ability to saute and sear, resulting in well-browned pieces of meat and more overall flavor. Two of our favorites, from GreenPan and Instant Pot, both had this ability (they had metal pan inserts) and resulted in nicely browned cuts of pork.
Which is the most economical slow cooker? ›
One of the cheapest slow cookers to buy and to run is the Swan SF17010N slow cooker, which offers the usual high, low and auto settings to keep your food warm and has a capacity of 1.5 litres, which is large enough to feed one or two people. The ceramic pot is removable and dishwasher-safe.
What is the difference between programmable and manual crock pots? ›
Program mode lets you select a time and temperature, while manual mode simply lets you cook on low, high or warm. In probe mode, you can program the slow cooker to cook until a desired temperature is reached — instead of a specific time — and then have the appliance switch to the warm setting.
