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.
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.
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.
What company makes the best Crockpot? ›
The best slow cookers in 2024, tried and tested
- Best overall slow cooker: Cuisinart 3-in-1 Cook Central Multicooker.
- Best luxury slow cooker: All-Clad Gourmet Plus 7-Quart Slow Cooker.
- Best budget slow cooker: Hamilton Beach Portable 6-Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker.
Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people.
Do slow cookers use a lot of electricity? ›
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a slow cooker is one of the most energy efficient kitchen appliances. On average, a slow cooker draws about the same amount of energy as a standard electric light bulb. This means that despite being on for a longer period of time, a slow cooker actually uses very little energy.
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.
Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker? ›
Yes! that is one of the best way to cook meats! Put in some raw beef brisket, leave it in for the 6+ hours, and once it is ready…it is so tender! Slow cookers are so great as you can just throw everything in and no need to worry about it.
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.
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 is the German brand of slow cooker? ›
- Syntrox Germany Slow Cooker with 4.5 L Slow Cooker with 3 Heat Settings and Warming Function and 200 Watts. ...
- Syntrox Germany Digital Slow Cooker Slow Cooker 7.5 L with 3 Heat Settings, Timer and Warming Function - Power 320 Watt.
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.
Is it better to slow cook on low or high? ›
Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.
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 it worth using a slow cooker? ›
So, in conclusion, slow cookers are great. They're a convenient, cost-effective, and versatile kitchen appliance that can be used to make a wide range of delicious meals with minimal effort. Whether you're cooking for your partner or entertaining guests, a slow cooker is nice to have in any kitchen.
