10 easy Slow Cooker Meal Prep ideas to simplify busy weeknights. Enjoy hassle-free, delicious recipes the whole family will love.
Using a slow cooker is a marvelous method of creating great meals, even for those who are not good cooks. This versatile kitchen appliance is convenient for those who prefer nutritious and tasty meals without spending their whole time in the kitchen. This article introduces ten slow cooker meal prep suggestions that are quite easy to do during the busy workweek, which will appeal to people who prefer healthy eating and convenience.
1. Hearty Beef and Vegetable Stew :Slow Cooker Meal Prep
Beef and vegetable stew is a timeless, classic comfort food. It is an excellent choice for people who want to have a protein-enriched meal that also incorporates the excellent nutrients from vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound beef stew meat, cut into cubes
- 4 cups mixed vegetables (carrots, potatoes, celery, and onions)
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Place all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
- The stew should be served hot, and you will love it.
2. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
This full-flavored soup combines chicken’s lean protein with wild rice’s complex carbohydrates, making it the perfect meal for those who need to stay energetic throughout the day.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup uncooked wild rice
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 carrots, sliced
- 3 celery stalks, sliced
- 6 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Seasoned with salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 3 to 4 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the soup, shred it, and put it back before serving.
3. Vegetarian Lentil and Spinach Curry
This vegetarian dish is rich in protein and fiber, making it a perfect choice for vegetarians or vegans.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dried lentils, rinsed
- 1 can of coconut milk
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 4 cups fresh spinach
- The spinach needs to be salted to taste
Instructions:
- Mix all the ingredients except the spinach in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Add the spinach 30 minutes before serving and mix gently.
4. Pulled Pork with Sweet Potato Mash
This meal provides lean meat and complex carbohydrates, which are very effective for muscle recovery and sustaining energy.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds pork shoulder
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Put pork, barbecue sauce, vinegar, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- In the last hour, add the sweet potatoes to the slow cooker.
- After cooking, remove the sweet potatoes and mash them into milk and butter.
- Shred and serve the pork over.
5. Greek-Style Chicken with Olives and Feta
This Mediterranean-themed artsy dinner is juicy and nutrient-dense, bringing a perfect blend of protein and good fats.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 red onion, sliced
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, pitted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Put the chicken, tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, olives, garlic, and oregano into the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Before serving, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese.
6. Quinoa and Black Bean Chili
This vegetarian chili gets all its nutrients from the quinoa and black beans, making it a good choice for those wanting more veggies.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Combine all the ingredients in the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
- Mix before serving and add your favorite topping, such as sliced avocado or Greek yogurt.
7. Salmon and Vegetable Teriyaki
This is a refreshing Asian-style recipe with essential fats from fish and antioxidant components from the pineapple, which is extremely health-beneficial and good at reducing inflammation. In contrast, ginger and garlic have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 pounds salmon fillet, cut into chunks
- 1 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (broccoli, carrots, snap peas)
- 1 can pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups brown rice
Instructions:
- Throw salmon, teriyaki sauce, vegetables, pineapple, ginger, and garlic into the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 3-4 hours (be careful not to overcook the salmon).
- Set brown rice down on the base of the slow cooker, spoon out the salmon, and mix with the vegetables you desire.
8. Turkey and Sweet Potato Chili
This hefty chowder pairs lean protein such as turkey with a complex carb like sweet potato, so the flavor becomes delicious, resulting in a very satisfying and nourishing meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 3 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- First, brown the ground turkey in a pan before transferring it to the slow cooker.
- Mix all ingredients and ensure they are well mixed inside the slow cooker.
- Configure the cooker on low for 7-8 hours or turn it higher for 4-5 hours.
- To make it more appealing, garnish hotly with shredded cheese or Greek yogurt to bring out the taste more.
9. Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
Not only are the colors of these filled peppers uplifting, but they are also packed with nutrients. They are tailored to people who require a vegetarian meal for a balanced diet.
Ingredients:
- 6 bell peppers, tops removed, and seeds
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Combine the quinoa and all the veggies in a bowl. Season with cinnamon and black pepper, then mix well.
- Rub the bell peppers with the mixture and make a slow cooker ready to grill them.
- If you switch the timer on low, the cooking time is 6-7 hours; if you turn it to high, the cooking time is 3-4 hours.
- Place cheese on top during the last 30 minutes of baking time.
10. Overnight Oatmeal with Berries and Nuts
This is an excellent breakfast option for students who have to get out the door early and do not want to spend time making breakfast as soon as they wake up.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups steel-cut oats
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans)
Instructions:
- Lead by adding oats, water, milk, honey, vanilla, and cinnamon to the crockpot.
- Set the slow cooker to low mode and leave it on overnight for 7-8 hours.
- Mix the oatmeal with the fruits and nuts at the time of a mug and serve it to your child.
Conclusion
These ten simple slow cooker food prep ideas are great for rush weeks. The best part is that they come in different flavors and make your meals more delicious and healthy. Thanks to the slow cooker, cooking becomes a little chore you can’t do without while still taking pleasure in the yummy meals you cook.
FAQs
1. Can I prep these meals in advance?( Slow Cooker Meal Prep)
Exactly. Some of them. In advance. In addition, some of these recipes can be assembled earlier than cooking. You can chop the vegetables the night before, measure out the dry ingredients the night before, and store them in the refrigerator until you are ready to start cooking.
2. How long can I store leftovers from these slow cooker meals?
Most of these meals can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Nonetheless, you may need to check for spoilage and use your common sense before you consume them.
3. Can I freeze these slow cooker meals?
The majority of these meals can be frozen. However, the soups, stews, and chilis are the best for freezing. Put them into freezer-safe containers, and they will last for up to 3 months. You can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them before serving.
4. Can I adapt these recipes for dietary restrictions?
Of course. Nearly all these recipes are simple to modify to meet various dietary requirements. For instance, you can choose gluten-free grains, dairy-free milk alternatives, or plant-based proteins to be more inclusive of different dietary restrictions as well as the preferences of the users.
5. What size slow cooker do I need for these recipes?
A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for most of these recipes. Nevertheless, if an individual household is concerned, a 4-quart slow cooker will be enough to cater to their needs. To handle the increased number of members or batch cooking, which requires more time for cooking, an 8-quart slow cooker will be a good option.
Tips for Successful Slow Cooking: Slow Cooker Meal Prep
- To prevent the pot from boiling over and ensure all food is evenly cooked, only fill your slow cooker to the top with less than two-thirds of the ingredients.
- If you open the lid while cooking, you need to increase the cooking time by approximately 20 minutes each time.
- Wait until the end of the cooking period to introduce dairy products like milk or cream to keep the curdling out.
- Brown meats and sauté onions to maximize their flavor before tossing them in the slow cooker.
- Try to go for tough cuts of meat as they produce a delicious and tender result when prepared using a low and slow heat method.
- Add fresh herbs to get the best color and flavor when you are done cooking.
With these recipes and tips, you’ll be ready to prepare fresh and savory dishes effortlessly! Slow cooking is an ideal choice for getting it right, as it means that you don’t have to miss eating a healthy meal even if you are extremely busy. Enjoy the convenience and the mouthwatering results!
