This post shows you 27 Delicious Slow cooker recipes perfect for meal prep.
We all know that life gets busy, and sometimes the last thing you want to do after a long day is cook. That’s where the slow cooker comes to the rescue.
With just a little bit of prep and the magical power of “set it and forget it,” you can have delicious meals ready to go, without hovering over the stove.
Also if you are juggling work, kids, or just trying to stay on top of your busy schedule, slow cooker recipes are a meal prepper’s best friend.
Just imagine that you wake up to the smell of savory pulled pork or come home to a bubbling pot of chili that’s been cooking all day, your future self will thank you for it.
The best part? These recipes make meal prep a breeze, giving you ready-to-go lunches and dinners for the entire week.
I’ve shared these 27 slow cooker recipes and they are all about making your life easier, one meal at a time.
1. Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
Chicken chili is a hearty and flavorful meal that’s perfect for cold days or any time you’re craving something warming.
This recipe uses shredded chicken, beans, tomatoes, and spices to create a rich and comforting dish. Start by adding chicken breasts to the slow cooker along with canned tomatoes, beans, onions, and a blend of chili spices.
Let it cook on low for several hours until the chicken is tender and can be easily shredded. The chili stores well in the fridge for up to five days and can be frozen for future meals, making it an ideal option for meal prep.
Serve with cornbread, rice, or enjoy it on its own.
2. Beef and Broccoli
If you love takeout-style beef and broccoli, this slow cooker version is perfect for meal prep. Start by placing thinly sliced beef in the slow cooker along with a simple sauce made from soy sauce, beef broth, garlic, and ginger.
Let the beef cook until tender, then add fresh broccoli florets toward the end so they don’t become too soft. Serve the beef and broccoli over rice or cauliflower rice for a complete, low-carb option.
This dish stores well in the fridge for several days and can be reheated easily for quick lunches or dinners.
3. Pulled Pork
Pulled pork is one of the easiest and most versatile slow cooker meals. To make it, place a pork shoulder in the slow cooker with a blend of spices, garlic, and onions.
Let it cook on low until the pork is tender enough to shred with a fork. The beauty of pulled pork is its versatility—you can use it in sandwiches, tacos, salads, or even on top of baked potatoes.
Plus, it freezes well, so you can portion it out for future meals. Store the shredded pork in an airtight container with some of its juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
4. Vegetable Lentil Soup
For a vegetarian-friendly meal, vegetable lentil soup is a fantastic option. Lentils cook perfectly in the slow cooker, absorbing the flavors of the vegetables and spices.
Add ingredients like carrots, celery, onions, garlic, and diced tomatoes to the slow cooker, along with dry lentils and vegetable broth. Season with herbs like thyme and bay leaves, then let it cook until the lentils are tender.
This hearty soup is high in protein and fiber, making it a filling meal that’s easy to portion out for the week. Lentil soup also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and save some for later.
5. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is a creamy, mildly spiced dish that’s popular in Indian cuisine. To make it in the slow cooker, start by adding boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the pot along with a sauce made from crushed tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices like garam masala, turmeric, and cumin.
As the chicken cooks, the flavors will meld together, creating a rich and fragrant dish. Toward the end of cooking, stir in heavy cream or coconut milk for that signature creamy texture.
Serve butter chicken over rice or with naan bread, and you’ve got a meal that’s perfect for prepping ahead of time.
6. Beef Stew
Beef stew is the ultimate comfort food, and making it in the slow cooker is incredibly easy. Start by adding cubed beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery to the slow cooker, then pour in beef broth and a mix of herbs like thyme and rosemary.
Let everything cook together until the beef is tender and the vegetables are soft. The long cooking time allows the flavors to deepen, making this a rich and hearty dish.
Beef stew can be stored in the fridge for several days and reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep.
7. Honey Garlic Chicken
For a sweet and savory dish, honey garlic chicken is a great option. Add chicken thighs or breasts to the slow cooker along with a sauce made from honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger.
Let the chicken cook until tender, then shred it and serve with the sauce over rice or vegetables. This dish is perfect for meal prep because the flavors only get better as it sits, and it’s easy to pack into containers for grab-and-go meals.
You can also freeze the shredded chicken for future use.
8. Slow Cooker Chili
Classic chili is a meal prepper’s dream because it stores so well and tastes even better the next day. To make it, add ground beef or turkey to the slow cooker along with canned beans, diced tomatoes, onions, and a blend of chili spices.
Let everything simmer together until the flavors meld into a rich and hearty chili. You can serve it with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, and avocado, or keep it simple.
Chili is perfect for freezing in individual portions, making it easy to pull out for a quick meal anytime.
9. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is a flavorful and zesty dish that’s perfect for meal prep. Add chicken breasts to the slow cooker along with beans, tomatoes, onions, garlic, and a blend of Mexican spices.
Once the chicken is cooked, shred it and stir it back into the soup. Serve the soup with toppings like crispy tortilla strips, cheese, avocado, and a squeeze of lime.
This soup holds up well in the fridge for several days and can also be frozen for later use. It’s a light but filling meal that’s great for lunch or dinner.
10. Slow Cooker Carnitas
Carnitas are tender, slow-cooked pork flavored with citrus and spices. To make them, place a pork shoulder in the slow cooker along with garlic, onions, and a blend of Mexican spices like cumin, oregano, and chili powder.
Add fresh orange juice and lime juice for a burst of flavor. Once the pork is tender, shred it and spread it on a baking sheet, then broil it for a few minutes to get crispy edges.
Carnitas are perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or salads, and they store well in the fridge or freezer.
11. Vegetarian Quinoa Chili
For a plant-based option, vegetarian quinoa chili is a hearty and healthy choice. Add quinoa, beans, diced tomatoes, and a variety of vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and zucchini to the slow cooker, along with chili spices.
The quinoa absorbs the flavors of the spices and vegetables, creating a filling, protein-packed chili that’s perfect for meal prep.
This dish is great for freezing in individual portions, making it easy to have a healthy meal ready whenever you need it.
12. Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Pot roast is a classic slow cooker meal that’s perfect for meal prep. Place a beef roast in the slow cooker along with potatoes, carrots, onions, and garlic. Pour in beef broth and add herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Let everything cook together until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. The result is a rich, flavorful meal that’s perfect for reheating throughout the week.
Pot roast also freezes well, so you can portion it out and store it for later meals.
13. Teriyaki Chicken
Teriyaki chicken is a sweet and savory dish that’s easy to make in the slow cooker. Add chicken breasts or thighs to the slow cooker along with a homemade teriyaki sauce made from soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger.
Let the chicken cook until tender, then shred or slice it and serve with the sauce over rice or vegetables. Teriyaki chicken is perfect for meal prep because it holds up well in the fridge and can be easily reheated for a quick meal.
14. Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup
Minestrone soup is a hearty vegetable soup that’s perfect for meal prep. Add beans, pasta, and a variety of vegetables like carrots, zucchini, and spinach to the slow cooker along with vegetable broth and tomatoes.
Season with Italian herbs like basil and oregano, then let everything cook until the vegetables are tender and the flavors have melded together. This soup is filling, nutritious, and perfect for freezing in individual portions.
15. BBQ Chicken
Slow cooker BBQ chicken is a simple and flavorful dish that’s perfect for meal prep. Add chicken breasts or thighs to the slow cooker along with your favorite BBQ sauce, then let the chicken cook until tender.
Shred the chicken and serve it in sandwiches, on salads, or as part of a BBQ bowl with rice and veggies. This dish stores well in the fridge and can also be frozen for future meals.
16. Beef Barbacoa
Barbacoa is a Mexican dish made with slow-cooked, tender beef that’s seasoned with smoky and spicy flavors. To make it, place beef in the slow cooker along with garlic, onions, and a blend of spices like cumin, oregano, and chipotle peppers.
Let the beef cook until it’s tender enough to shred, then use it for tacos, burrito bowls, or salads. Barbacoa freezes well, making it a great option for meal prep.
17. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Black Bean Chili
This vegetarian chili is a hearty and healthy option for meal prep. Sweet potatoes, black beans, and tomatoes are cooked in the slow cooker with a blend of smoky and spicy seasonings.
The sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that balances the heat from the spices. This chili is filling and nutritious, and it stores well in the fridge or freezer.
18. Slow Cooker Bolognese
Bolognese sauce is a rich and flavorful meat sauce that’s perfect for meal prepping. Add ground beef or turkey to the slow cooker along with onions, garlic, tomatoes, and Italian herbs.
Let the sauce simmer for several hours until the flavors meld together. Serve the Bolognese over pasta, zoodles, or spaghetti squash for a comforting meal that’s easy to reheat. This sauce also freezes well, so you can make a big batch and save some for later.
19. Lemon Garlic Chicken
Lemon garlic chicken is a light and flavorful dish that’s easy to make in the slow cooker. Add chicken breasts or thighs to the slow cooker along with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs like rosemary and thyme.
Let the chicken cook until tender, then serve it with roasted vegetables or over quinoa for a healthy meal. This dish is perfect for meal prep because it holds up well in the fridge and can be easily reheated.
20. Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and nutritious meal that’s perfect for meal prep. Start by filling bell peppers with a mixture of ground meat, rice, and vegetables, then place them in the slow cooker with a tomato-based sauce.
Let the peppers cook until tender, and you’ll have a hearty meal that’s easy to portion out for the week. These stuffed peppers also freeze well, making them a great option for batch cooking.
21. Slow Cooker Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a flavorful Creole dish made with chicken, sausage, and shrimp, slow-cooked with rice and vegetables.
The slow cooker makes it easy to get the flavors just right, and the result is a rich, spicy dish that’s perfect for meal prep.
Jambalaya holds up well in the fridge and can be reheated for quick and easy lunches or dinners.
22. Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Chicken and wild rice soup is a creamy and filling option for meal prep. Add chicken, wild rice, and vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions to the slow cooker along with chicken broth.
Let the soup simmer until the rice is tender and the flavors have melded together. This soup is hearty and comforting, and it stores well in the fridge or freezer.
23. Slow Cooker Meatballs
Slow-cooked meatballs are juicy and tender, making them perfect for meal prep. Add ground beef or turkey meatballs to the slow cooker along with marinara sauce, and let them cook until tender.
Serve the meatballs over pasta, zoodles, or in a sub sandwich for easy meals throughout the week. These meatballs also freeze well, so you can make a big batch and store them for future meals.
24. Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
Chicken curry is a fragrant and flavorful dish that’s easy to make in the slow cooker. Add chicken breasts or thighs to the slow cooker along with a blend of spices like curry powder, cumin, and turmeric, then stir in coconut milk for creaminess.
Let the chicken cook until tender, then serve the curry over rice or cauliflower rice for a satisfying meal. This dish stores well in the fridge and can also be frozen for later.
25. Tuscan White Bean Soup
Tuscan white bean soup is a hearty and healthy meal that’s perfect for meal prep. Add white beans, kale, carrots, and onions to the slow cooker along with vegetable broth and Italian herbs.
Let the soup simmer until the beans are tender and the flavors have melded together. This soup is filling and nutritious, and it holds up well in the fridge or freezer.
26. Slow Cooker Ribs
Slow-cooked ribs are tender and flavorful, making them perfect for meal prep. Add pork ribs to the slow cooker along with your favorite barbecue sauce, and let them cook until the meat is falling off the bone.
These ribs are perfect for serving with coleslaw or mashed potatoes, and they hold up well in the fridge or freezer.
27. Slow Cooker Moroccan Chickpea Stew
Moroccan chickpea stew is a flavorful and filling vegetarian dish that’s perfect for meal prep. Add chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and vegetables to the slow cooker along with warm Moroccan spices like cumin, coriander, and cinnamon.
Let the stew simmer until the vegetables are tender, and you’ll have a hearty meal that’s easy to portion out for the week. This stew also freezes well, making it a great option for batch cooking.
This post showed you 27 Delicious slow cooker recipes perfect for meal prep.
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