by MyFitnessPal’s Recipes
October 12, 2017
Share it:
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!
appsr See All Slides
Begin Slideshow
1 of
Begin Slideshow
Click Arrows Above
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
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.
The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.
What is the best meat to slow cook? ›
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's the difference between slow cooker and 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.
Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›
Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!
Can you leave a slow cooker on high overnight? ›
Leaving a slow cooker on overnight is generally considered safe as long as it is used properly and in good working condition. Slow cookers are designed to cook food at a low temperature for an extended period of time, and they are built with safety features such as temperature controls and automatic shut-off functions.
What happens if you slow cook on high instead of low? ›
Let's say you want to slow cook a pork roast recipe that calls for 8 hours on Low, but you need it done in much less than 8 hours. Switching to High for the sake of time savings can leave you with a roast that's dried out or even burned on the exterior, but undercooked and not at a food-safe temperature in the center.
Can you overcook in a slow cooker? ›
Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.
What is the hardest meat dish to cook? ›
Widely used as the metric of a chef's ability, consommé is one of the most challenging dishes to cook. Despite its light and small yield, traditional consommé requires a large amount of meat; which is why it was long associated with society's upper classes who could afford such extravagance!
What is the easiest meat to cook? ›
Tender cuts from the back (loin) region are quick-cooking cuts. These are cuts like ribeye, sirloin, strip steak, pork chops, and tenderloin. These cuts don't need much cooking to make them taste awesome.
Easiest to digest, or get used to would be chicken breast and white fish, poached or lightly sauteed (I don't mean undercooked). From there I would suggest pork, heavier fish like salmon then leading to beef, lamb and so on.
Should you stir a slow cooker? ›
Due to the nature of a slow cooker, there is no need to stir the food unless it specifically says to in your recipe. In fact, taking the lid off to stir food causes the slow cooker to lose a significant amount of heat, extending the cooking time required. Therefore, it is best not to remove the lid for stirring.
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.
Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›
Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned.
Can you just throw everything into a slow cooker? ›
For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in. It can be nice to cook the onions beforehand, as the flavour is different to when you put them in raw, but experiment both ways as you may find you prefer one.
Is it safe to put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›
Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker.
Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›
You certainly can add raw ground beef to the crockpot. As a matter of fact, many (if not most) slow-cooker chili recipes ask for the meat to be added raw.
Can you throw raw meat in a slow cooker? ›
Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.
