You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (1)

A good vegetarian slow cooker dinner that the whole family loves is one of those recipes you hold onto dearly. It's essential for busy weeknights when you know you're going to come home exhausted and hungry, and will just want something to eat that's warm, comforting, and healthy. Let us help make your weeknight meal prep a little easier with these tasty, kid-friendly, and most importantly easy vegetarian slow cooker recipes, including stews, chili, soups, and more.

1

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

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One of the things we love most about this hearty, filling weeknight soup is just how good it makes you feel. It's a great hands-off dinner that you can whip up on a weeknight and feel good eating leftovers the next day for lunch.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Potato Soup.

2

Spiced Sweet Potato and Peanut Purée

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (4)

This rich, spicy soup is great for cold nights all by itself — but don't sleep on the smokey pita chip garnish. They're delicious!

Get the recipe for Spiced Sweet Potato and Peanut Purée.

3

Chili with Grains and Beans

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (5)

Packed with toothsome wheat berries, hearty beans and kicky poblano peppers, this chili is so flavorful you may not notice it's missing the meat. Let it simmer away in the pot all day until you're ready to eat.

Get the recipe for Chili with Grains and Beans.

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4

Black Bean and Chile Soup

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (6)

Skip the called-for ham hock, and swap the water for vegetable broth to keep this spicy black bean soup vegetarian.

Get the recipe for Black Bean and Chile Soup.

5

Slow Cooker Mac-N-Cheese

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It's rich and delicious, but the real genius of this recipe is that you literally dump everything into the pot and turn it on. What could be easier?

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Mac-N-Cheese at Brown Sugar.

6

Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Potatoes

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (8)

Potatoes are a go-with-anything side dish. Make a big batch extra flavorful with this delicious buttery recipe.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Potatoes at Clean Foodie Cravings.

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7

Vegetable Slow Cooker Lasagna

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (9)

Get your lasagna fix with this slow cooker version that's full of veggies and plenty of cheese.

Get the recipe for Vegetable Slow Cooker Lasagna at Pinch of Yum.

8

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Dal

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (10)

This dish is also vegan, yet is still so creamy from the coconut milk and mashed lentils. It's best served over some fluffy basmati rice.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Dal at The Girl on Bloor.

9

Slow Cooker Quinoa Minestrone Soup

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (11)

Minestrone soup never fails to satisfy. This recipe adds in quinoa for an extra boost of protein and flavor.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Quinoa Minestrone Soup at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

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10

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (12)

You can't go wrong with a classic mac and cheese recipe—especially this one that's extra cheesy and rich.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese at Dinner at the Zoo.

11

Slow Cooker Thai Butternut Squash Curry with Noodles

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This Thai curry dish is full of bold flavors such as butternut squash and a nutty curry served over egg noodles.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Thai Butternut Squash Curry with Noodles at Half Baked Harvest.

12

Lentil Tortilla Soup

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (14)

Finish off each bowl of this tortilla soup with your favorite taco toppings. This blogger recommends garnishing with diced jalapeños, chopped red onion, and sliced avocado.

Get the recipe for Lentil Tortilla Soup at Peas and Crayons.

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13

Chipotle Black Bean Chili

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (15)

If your family isn't a fan of too much spice, go easy on the chipotle chili powder in this one.

Get the recipe for Chipotle Black Bean Chili at One Lovely Life.

14

Pinto Bean Enchiladas

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (16)

Once you whip up these enchiladas, you might never be back to your favorite Mexican restaurant. Loaded with onions, corn, and green chiles, and topped with avocado, cilantro, and scallions, this vegan option packs in lots of flavor

Get the recipe for Pinto Bean Enchiladas at Oh My Veggies.

15

Thai Pineapple Curry

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (17)

Fresh pineapple adds a refreshing bite to this nourishing bowl.

Get the recipe for Thai Pineapple Curry at Don't Waste the Crumbs.

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16

Mexican Quinoa Tacos

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In a rut with your typical taco Tuesday recipe? The combination of quinoa, corn, and black beans is one that won't leave you hungry.

Get the recipe for Mexican Quinoa Tacos at Chelsea's Messy Apron.

17

Lentil Soup with Sweet Potatoes, Coconut, Spinach, and Lime

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Cayenne pepper adds a kick to this hearty soup. If you don't like a lot of spice, don't worry: A dollop of coconut milk yogurt balances out the heat.

Get the recipe for Lentil Soup at The First Mess.

18

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (20)

Top this creamy vegan soup with a splash of coconut milk and a dash of paprika.

Get the recipe for Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup at Gimme Some Oven.

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19

Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa Bake

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Pinto beans, black beans, and quinoa pack in plenty of protein without sacrificing any of the classic Tex-Mex flavors.

Ge the recipe for Enchilada Quinoa Bake at Cooking Classy.

20

Crock-Pot Low Carb Lasagna

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (22)

Replace noodles with eggplant and zucchini for a healthy twist on the classic comfort food.

Get the recipe for Crock-Pot Low Carb Lasagna at Well Plated by Erin.

You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best meat to slow 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.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a 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.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Does meat get more tender the longer it cooks in a slow cooker? ›

Collagen makes meat tough when cooked quickly, but when slow-cooked, it breaks down into gelatin, giving you that juicy, tender mouthfeel. Fattier — and cheaper — cuts of beef can also be good for slow cooking, because the fat helps to ensure the beef won't dry out while adding extra flavour.

What is the healthiest meat to slow cook? ›

common lean roasts found in the grocery store
  • chuck tender roast. A lean roast that requires slow cooking to tenderize.
  • shoulder roast. An inexpensive chuck cut with good flavor and good for roasting or slow cooking.
  • rump roast. A boneless and lean cut ideal for slow cooking.
  • eye of round roast.

Why putting a tea towel over a slow cooker? ›

Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.

Why put paper towel under crockpot lid? ›

The paper towel will absorb excess moisture and prevent any condensation from dripping back onto the food. Be sure to reach for a good-quality, sturdy paper towel that can absorb moisture effectively without falling apart.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

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 beans should not be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

Turns out cooking dried red kidney beans and cannellini beans in your slow cooker can make you sick. Find out how to eliminate the toxin that can make you ill and how to safely prepare and cook these commonly used legumes.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›

Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.

What meats are best for low and slow cooking? ›

What Are the Best Meats for Slow Cooking?
  1. Pork Shoulder. Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork. ...
  2. Beef Chuck Roast. Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast. ...
  3. Lamb Shanks. Rosemary Braised Lamb Shanks. ...
  4. Beef Short Ribs. Short Ribs Braised with Mushrooms and Tomatoes.
Sep 9, 2020

What is the best cut of beef for slow cooking and shredding? ›

Chuck roast is arguably the best cut to use for pulled beef. Similar to the front shoulder of pork (or the pork “butt”) chuck roasts, being from the front shoulder of the steer, are chock full of fat, collagen, and marbling. This is the stuff we need to make delicious juicy pulled beef.

Which cuts of meat are most suited to slow methods of cooking? ›

Chuck (neck), shin (shank, osso bucco or gravy beef), brisket (ribs and short ribs), flank, knuckle, cheek, ox tail, silverside and topside are ideal for long, slow cooking. Secondary cuts like chuck and brisket have layered fat in the meat, which gives a soft and rich result after cooking.

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