Slow Cooker Meal Prep Recipes

We can't think of many things better than walking through the door after a long day and knowing that a warm, home-cooked, meal awaits us.

These easy to prepare slow cooker meal prep recipes take just a little bit of prep work in the morning, or the night before, and then rely on the slow cooker to do the rest of the work. Your future self will thank you...and us for this post! =)

Because there are so many dietary restrictions and needs, we broke these slow cooker recipes down by dietary preference;

Table of Contents

Benefits of using a Slow Cooker
Our Favorite Slow Cooker
Gluten Free Slow Cooker Meals
Low-Calorie Slow Cooker Meals
Low Carb Slow Cooker Meals
Paleo Slow Cooker Meals
Vegetarian Slow Cooker Meals

Benefits of using a Slow Cooker

The extended cooking times allow better distribution of flavors in many recipes.
The lower temperatures lessen the chance of scorching foods that tend to stick to the bottom of a pan or burn in an oven.
Less expensive or tough meats, such as chuck steaks, roast, and less-lean stewing beef, are tenderized through the long cooking process. The slow cooker is an excellent choice for cooking many venison dishes.
The slow cooker frees your oven and stove top for other uses, and it is a splendid choice for large gatherings or holiday meals. Many people swear by their slow cooker dressing or mashed potatoes.
There's no need to scrub several pots and pans. In most cases, you'll only have to wash the slow cooker and maybe a few prep utensils.
Slow cookers use less energy than a standard electric oven.
The slow cooker won't heat the kitchen up the way a large oven will, a real plus on a hot summer day.
A slow cooker travels well. Take it from your kitchen to the office or party. Just plug it in and serve.
Convenience! A slow cooker can usually be left unattended all day for many recipes.* You can put recipe ingredients in it before going to work and come home to a meal. A slow cooker meal is an excellent choice for a busy day, whether you work in or out of your home.

*Note: Whenever you purchase a new slow cooker, use it a few times on both HIGH and LOW settings before leaving it unattended.

More info here

Our Favorite Slow Cooker

Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer

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I have an old Crock-Pot and it still works, but is too small for a roast, etc. So I got this one for two reasons: 1) bigger, 2) can program the time and temperature setting. I've only used it twice and, at this point, I am extremely satisfied. Should things change, I most definitely will update.

The programmable feature is really nice because you can set the cooking temperature on LOW or HIGH and set the cooking time in 30-minute increments all the way up to 20 hours. Some other "programmable" slow cookers have a few time/temp combination options but they are quite limited - this one gives you total control.

Once the programmed cooking time is finished, the Crock-Pot automatically turns to "warm." The controls are touch (instead of turn dials) and very user-friendly. The user manual is small, but complete, and includes a couple recipes.

My first dish: Crockpot French Onion Soup. Very tasty and the Crock-Pot worked perfectly.

This Crock-Pot holds a LOT of food! I'm cooking for just me so I put some in the fridge and the rest in smaller containers in the freezer. And since I truly hate to cook, this is the best way to keep me out of the kitchen but still have good food to eat.

The food I prepared didn't stick to the stoneware and it was super easy to clean. Just hot, soapy water and rinse. You can also put the stoneware and the glass lid in the dishwasher. I will probably never use the "carry" function but I did try the locked lid and the rubber seal is tight and should make it easy to take your dish to the potluck, etc. Just don't lock the lid while you're cooking!

Ok... on to the recipes!