20 Family-Friendly Plant-Based Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

Vegetarians, rejoice! Slow cookers aren’t just for pot roasts anymore. As plant-based diets become more and more popular, we’ve seen an explosion of vegetarian and vegan Crock Pot recipes among foodie types. We’ve rounded up an impressive list of plant-based recipes to make in your slow cooker, from vegetarian chili to shepherd’s pie. Whether you embrace the Whole 30 diet, love plant-based protein or just want to up your veggie intake, keep reading for all the healthy goodness.

Vegan Slow Cooker Chicken & Rice

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Healthy and gluten free, this "chicken" and rice recipe will pass muster with any kiddo. It takes just six ingredients (one of which is WATER) and three hours to get this tantalizing comfort food ready.

Find the recipe over at Plant Power Couple.

Slow Cooker Risotto with Butternut Squash

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White wine, goat cheese, butternut squash and shallots are just a few of the beyond delicious ingredients for this slow cooker dish. Perfect for a fall evening, this meal cooks in as little as three hours and makes for tasty leftovers.

Find the complete recipe at Well Plated.

Slow Cooker Vegan Saag Paneer

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Tons of tofu and spinach come together in this delicious dish that tastes much better than it looks. Once you get past the appearance, get ready to sink your teeth into crispy tofu in a savory saag sauce.

Find the complete recipe at Delish Knowledge.

Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili Mac

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Whether it's Meatless Monday or you're meal prepping for a busy week, this crock-pot friendly meal is a no brainer. With two types of beans, cheese and pasta, this hearty dinner can be enjoyed year round, and freezes wonderfully, too!

Get the full recipe at Kristine's Kitchen.

Quinoa Black Bean Crockpot Stuffed Peppers

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No chopping or pre-cooking? This quinoa black bean crockpot stuffed pepper recipe from Pinch of Yum couldn't be easier. The protein and fiber packed meal is easy to whip up and keeps you full until breakfast. Click here to get the full recipe.

Enchilada Bake

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This cheesy, saucy dish from Dizzy Busy & Hungry is almost like biting into an enchilada—but it’s way easier to make! Most of the ingredients are pantry staples you probably already have on hand. Click here to get the scoop on how it’s done.

Stuffed Pepper Soup

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We love this tasty twist on stuffed peppers from Peas and Crayons, made with plenty of bell peppers plus some lentils for added bulk. It’s hearty and healthy, making it the perfect weeknight meal. To grab the recipe, click here.

Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

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This recipe from Real Food Whole Life is so simple but so genius—cook up a delish black bean and salsa mixture at the same time as a few sweet potatoes, and dinner will be ready before you know it. Click here to get the recipe.

Sweet Potato Chili

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This sweet potato chili from Build Your Bite is the perfect meal for reluctant vegetarians because it’s so hearty, filling and delicious that no one will notice you skipped the meat. Get the recipe by clicking here.

Sloppy Joes

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Sloppy Joes aren’t just for meat eaters after all. This recipe from Peppers and Peaches uses unexpected ingredients to create a veggie sandwich rivaling the ones you remember from your childhood. To get the recipe, click here.

Tomato Soup

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Skip the canned soup and go for the real thing! It’s easier than you’d think, thanks to this recipe from Well Plated. Serve up grilled cheese sandwiches on the side and you’ve got the perfect meal. Click here to get the recipe.

Korean Quinoa Bowl with Chickpeas, Carrots & Potatoes

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This Korean-inspired dish from Veggies Don’t Bite is bound to be a favorite with your crew. Hearty veggies are flavored with a savory, not-too-spicy sauce and served over quinoa. To get all the details, click here.

Lentil Tacos

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It’s easy to overlook the humble lentil, but it can be the star of a meal when paired with the right ingredients. These lentil tacos from The Every Kitchen fit the bill: they’re bulked up with quinoa, flavored with just the right seasonings, and finished with whatever toppings your heart desires. Click here to snag the recipe.

Veggie Lasagna

20 Family-Friendly Plant-Based Slow Cooker Recipes (14)

This just might be the perfect lasagna: it’s assembled in the crock pot in less than 20 minutes, you can fill it with whatever veggies you like, and it’s perfectly saucy and cheesy. Click here to get all the details from Pinch of Yum.

Burrito Bowls

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Burrito bowls have never been easier, thanks to Easy Cheesy Vegetarian. Veggies, rice, black beans and spices come together to make a flavorful, healthy bowl that’ll put Chipotle to shame. Click here to get all the details.

Lentil Shepherd’s Pie

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Sunday dinner, vegetarian style! This shepherd’s pie recipe from Hey Nutrition Lady is comfort food at its finest, and it’s a breeze to make. Click here for the recipe, including Instant Pot instructions if you’re so inclined.

Pinto Bean Enchiladas

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These enchiladas from Oh My Veggies are about to become a permanent fixture in your dinner rotation. They’re filled with pinto beans and corn and smothered in a homemade enchilada sauce. Get the recipe by clicking here.

Mashed Potatoes

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The next time you’re cooking mashed potatoes, try this recipe from Food Fanatic. Not only will the potatoes turn out delicious, you’ll free up space on the stove for anything else you’re making. To get the recipe, click here.

Autumn Wild Rice Soup

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Warm up with a comforting bowl of wild rice soup from Gimme Some Oven. It packs in the nutrients with plenty of veggies, but the creaminess makes it feel a little indulgent, too. Click here to get the recipe.

Lentil Quesadillas

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We love this simple idea from Pinch of Yum. Just cook up a flavorful filling of lentils and brown rice in the slow cooker, then pile it into quesadillas when you’re ready to eat. It’s cheesy, crunchy and hearty—what’s not to like?! To grab the recipe, click here.

—Susie Foresman & Karly Wood

Feature photo: OksanaKiian via iStock

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20 Family-Friendly Plant-Based Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What size slow cooker do you need for a family of 4? ›

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.

What is the best size slow cooker for a family of 2? ›

“When cooking for one or two people, opt for a 2 to 3-quart slow cooker,” says Grainger. “While cooking larger cuts of meat like a roast may not be recommended, it is the ideal size for small meals, soups, and dips.

What size slow cooker do most recipes call for? ›

Many slow cooker recipes are written for 6-quart models and can simply be halved for this size. If you'd like a little more room for leftovers or the ability to cook for a few guests now and then, a 3 1/2 to 4 1/2-quart pot is big enough for most medium-sized dishes.

How do you make slow cooker meals taste better? ›

If you take an extra 10 minutes to sauté the aromatics before scraping them into the slow-cooker, the finished dish will have deeper flavor and better texture. (And some new slow-cookers allow you to sauté right in the insert, so you don't have to wash a separate skillet.)

What is the difference between a Crockpot and 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.

How many people will a 4.5 qt Crockpot feed? ›

The 4.5-quart capacity feeds 5+ people, making it perfect for family meals, soups, chilis, stews, and more. When you're finished cooking and serving, the removable stoneware pot and lid are both dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup.

What to do if your crockpot is too big? ›

If you're working with a big slow cooker and prefer not to scale a recipe up, an oven-safe baking dish provides an easy work-around. Add the recipe ingredients to the baking dish, sized so it's two-third to three-quarters full, then place the dish inside the bowl of the slow cooker.

What is the best small slow cooker for 2 people? ›

The Crock-Pot 2.4L Black Slow Cooker is the perfect slow cooker for 1-2 people and ideal for apartments or smaller kitchens.

Can you put a pyrex bowl in a slow cooker? ›

You will get better results with Pyrex and metal cooking containers in a lot of situations. Can you put a Pyrex dish in a slow cooker? Yes, of course.

What's better than a slow cooker? ›

✔️ Instant Pots are multi-functional.

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

What is too full for a slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

Is it better to do slow cooker recipes 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 I put raw onions in a slow cooker? ›

Never add onions to a slow cooker dish that you haven't sautéed first – I find you get that slight raw onion flavour throughout and it just ruins the dish for me. I really think it's worth the extra effort. It's the only ingredient I bother to pre-cook!

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.

Is a 3.5 L slow cooker big enough for a family of 4? ›

If you're cooking for one or two, a 1.5-3 litre pot should give you plenty of space to create some tasty meals. A cooker that's 3-5l will serve three or four people. Any more guests than that (or just big appetites) and you'll need a dish with room for 5-6l.

Is a 7 quart slow cooker too big? ›

⭐️ 5 to 7-quart slow cooker: The most common and popular size range. This capacity offers the most flexibility for most people. These pots accommodate large roasts or whole chickens. Find the best slow cooker for your needs and budget.

How many people will a 3.5 slow cooker feed? ›

Whether you're cooking for two, or making a meal for the whole family, the slow cooker's generous 3.5 litre capacity can easily cook up to 4 portions at a time. It even comes with a selection of recipe ideas to give you a little inspiration.

How many people does a 6 quart slow cooker serve? ›

6-quart capacity feeds up to 7 people—perfect for a family meal, a friendly get together, or meal prepping for the upcoming week.

References

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