Few things beat walking in the door at 6 p.m. to a dinner that’s already done. That’s the magic of a slow cooker, and the Instant Pot gets you there even faster.
These healthy crockpot recipes include my pot roast with potatoes and carrots, Italian beef sandwiches, shredded chicken, white chicken chili and two cozy lentil soups, plus a few Instant Pot favorites.
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot?
Use the slow cooker when you want to prep in the morning and come home to dinner. It’s best for tough cuts like chuck roast and for soups that benefit from a long simmer.
Use the Instant Pot when you forgot to plan ahead. Shredded chicken is ready in about 30 minutes, and dried beans cook without soaking. Several recipes here include directions for both.
11 Healthy Crockpot and Instant Pot Recipes
The Best Crockpot Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Mom’s Crockpot Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots is the ultimate healthy, cozy meal. It’s full of good nutrition, tender, juicy, and bursting with flavor. You’ll never want to try another pot roast recipe again.
Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe (Slow Cooker Style)
This Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe is juicy, tender, and packed with bold flavor from pepperoncini, giardiniera, and Italian spices. Made in the slow cooker for easy, hands-off cooking, it’s the ultimate comfort food for cozy nights or casual gatherings. Serve on crusty rolls with melty provolone for a crave-worthy sandwich that’s as fun to make as it is to eat.
Easiest Crockpot Shredded Chicken
This crockpot shredded chicken is one of those back-pocket recipes that makes healthy eating easy. With just a few minutes of prep, your slow cooker does all the work, turning simple chicken breasts into tender, juicy shredded chicken you can use all week. It’s perfect for meal prep, tacos, salads, soups, bowls, and wraps, and it freezes beautifully.
Chipotle Honey Chicken Tacos (Crockpot Recipe)
Chipotle Honey Chicken Tacos in a slow cooker are savory, slightly sweet, a little spicy, and very simple to make. A touch of honey balances smoky chipotle and creates a rich, flavorful sauce while the slow cooker does all the work. Perfect for tacos, burrito bowls, or salads, it’s a hands-off meal that’s great for weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd.
White Chicken Chili Recipe (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)
This easy White Chicken Chili is endlessly customizable with your favorite toppings, easy to make two ways (stovetop or slow cooker), and perfect for meal prep. It’s creamy without any cream, naturally gluten-free and dairy-free if you skip the cheese and sour cream, and packed with flavor from green chiles, cumin, and lime.
Red Curry Lentil Soup (Slow Cooker or Stovetop)
This Red Curry Lentil Soup is hearty, healthy, cozy, and full of flavor. Made with protein-rich lentils, creamy coconut milk, and fragrant red curry paste, it’s the perfect dump-and-cook soup for busy weeknights. You can make it in the slow cooker, stovetop, or Instant Pot, and it stores beautifully for meal prep.
Ham and Red Lentil Soup (Instant Pot or Slow Cooker)
This Ham & Red Lentil Soup is a cozy, nourishing meal made with simple pantry staples and rich, savory flavor. Red lentils break down as they cook, creating a naturally creamy texture without dairy or flour, while a ham bone adds depth and heartiness. Easy to make in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, this soup is comforting, protein-rich, and perfect for leftovers.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken (30 Minutes or Less!)
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken is fast, easy, and delicious. Use your chicken in tacos, salads, soups, and more. If you use this recipe to make tacos, start by getting the chicken in the Instant Pot then prepare your favorite taco toppings while the chicken cooks.
Instant Pot Ham and Wild Rice Soup (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
This Ham and Wild Rice Soup is a cozy, nourishing meal made easy in the Instant Pot. Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, it gets its velvety texture from blended potatoes and coconut milk, no flour or cream needed. A perfect way to use leftover ham, this hearty soup is deeply comforting, flavorful, and ideal for meal prep.
Healthy Refried Beans Recipe (Instant Pot, No Soaking)
Once you get the hang of it, (unfried) Healthy Refried Beans in the Instant Pot will become a new favorite in your house. The hands-on time for this dish is just a few minutes; the Instant Pot does almost all of the work for you. Please note the extra time for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure and release time in addition to the 35 minute pressure cooking time.
Easy Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs
Once you try Instant Pot Hard-Boiled Eggs, you’ll never want to prepare them any other way. This easy recipe yields perfectly cooked eggs every time for delicious snacks and on-the-go breakfasts. The time can vary depending on your altitude and climate, so read the details in this post and the note below until you get the hang of using your Instant Pot.
FAQs About Healthy Crockpot Recipes
Can I put frozen meat in the slow cooker?
No. The USDA recommends thawing meat before slow cooking, because frozen meat can sit too long at unsafe temperatures. Thaw it overnight in the fridge first. (The Instant Pot can cook frozen chicken; just add a few minutes.)
Can I convert a slow cooker recipe to the Instant Pot?
Usually, yes. Use about a third of the cooking time under pressure and make sure there’s at least 1 cup of liquid in the pot.
How long do slow cooker leftovers last?
Most keep for 3 to 4 days in the fridge, and soups, chili, pot roast and shredded chicken all freeze well for up to 3 months.
If you only make one, make The Best Crockpot Pot Roast this weekend. Leftovers make great sandwiches the next day.
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