Pepper, date and harissa tagine in a serving bowl

Looking for healthy slow cooker recipes? Want to use your slow cooker to make well-balanced, nutritious meals? Try our recipes below, then check out even more of our favourite slow-cooker recipes.

Slow cooking is a convenient and often healthier way to cook, as you can load the slow cooker with lots of protein, vegetables and good carbohydrates. It's a much lighter alternative to a ready-meal, and one that's typically lower in calories. It can also be easier on your digestion due to the longer cooking time – this makes food softer to eat and eases the work of the digestive system.

We've also got more healthy comfort food recipes and healthy one-pot recipes to try and tested the best slow cookers for you.

Easy healthy slow cooker recipes

Healthy slow cooker chicken curry

This slow-cooked, gluten-free curry is healthier than your everyday chicken curry, but doesn’t compromise on big, punchy flavours: expect cumin, coriander and chilli.

Two bowls of chicken curry with a white linen napkin and wooden-handled cutlery

Slow cooker dhal

Low in salt and sugar, this dreamy dhal is flavoured with ginger, cardamom and kashmiri chilli powder. Cooked low and slow, finish with a sizzling homemade tarka for extra flavour.

Slow cooker winter vegetable stew

Protein-packed pearl barley adds both nuttiness and texture to this wholesome, steaming bowl of winter veg, simmered in a herby broth. It's also low in salt.

Bowl of winter vegetables stew next to some bread and a bowl of black pepper

Healthy chilli

Brisket chilli is a joy to eat. We’ve upped the veg and beans in this simple slow cooker dish and avoided guacamole and soured cream to make a hearty bowl that's a little bit healthier.

A plate of beef brisket with rice and lime wedges

Slow-cooker cashew and potato curry

A creamy, aromatic Sri Lankan curry, made simply in a slow cooker. This recipe doesn't require any fancy ingredients, and is also suitable for vegans.

Sri Lankan cashew and potato curry served in bowls

Slow cooker sweet potato, chickpea and coconut one-pot

This high-fibre, vegetarian one-pot is great for warming you up on chilly nights – it’s creamy, spicy and zingy. It freezes brilliantly, too.

Slow cooker easy butter chicken

Cooked in the slow cooker until perfectly tender, this butter chicken is cosy, creamy perfection – serve scattered with coriander for a pop of colour. It's freezable, high in protein and low in carbs.

Plate of rice and butter chicken topped with coriander

Slow cooker sweet and sour chicken for easy entertaining

Make this low-calorie version of a popular takeaway dish your next Friday night, with extra instructions to make the recipe using a slow cooker.

Black bean slow cooker chilli

Check out our easy slow cooker chilli with fibre-rich black beans and fiery chipotle chilli paste. This is a hearty veggie recipe that the whole family will love.

Pepper, date and harissa tagine

This tagine makes a feature of meltingly soft peppers, but you could add any summery veg to the base sauce – chunks of squash or courgette work well, or switch it up according to what's in season.

Chickpeas with dates, turmeric, cinnamon and almonds

Check out our easy chickpea stew packed with dates, crunchy almonds and vibrant turmeric. Slow cooking chickpeas with a heady selection of spices really ramps up the flavour in this frugal dish. Try to get hold of the extra-large chickpeas in jars for a superior texture.