18 healthy slow cooker meal prep recipes keep your oven off and let your slow cooker do all the hard work.
We are huge fans of using our appliances for meal prep! I've already shared 31 Instant Pot recipes for meal prep, and now I'm sharing slow cooker recipes as well.
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Benefits of using your slow cooker for meal prep
- it's hands off- you can leave the slow cooker unattended while prepping other meals or ingredients
- it's versatile- cook your meals ahead and portion out for 'reheat meals', or assemble freezer crockpot meals for busy weeknight dinners.
- it's energy efficient- using your slow cooker means you don't need to turn on your oven or stove, and this keeps your house cooler. Perfect for warm summer months!
Equipment- I use this 6 quart slow cooker, but it does cook big batches. For smaller batches I reach for my 2.5 quart slow cooker.
How to use these recipes
Most of the recipes in this post can be used for two different types of meal prep:
- Reheat meals- Cook the recipe, then portion out into meal prep containers (with rice and veggies if needed). Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze (when indicated on the recipe card that this is possible) for up to 3 months.
- Freezer crockpot meals- Do not cook the recipe- portion out into sturdy freezer bags, reusable silicone bags or meal prep containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you are ready to cook, thaw first (give it 24-48 hours to thaw completely), then cook as directed in the recipe card. Perfect for new moms!
Check out my favorite meal prep containers!
Chicken
7 Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
SEVEN simple slow cooker chicken recipes that have a lot of flavor for very little effort! Easy to prepare and made with wholesome ingredients, these crockpot chicken recipes are meal prep friendly and can be frozen as crockpot freezer meals!
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Slow Cooker Honey Lime Chicken
This honey lime chicken is an easy and delicious base slow cooker recipe with only 6 ingredients and takes only 10 minutes to throw together. Use it on sandwiches, tacos, salads and more. Gluten-free, meal prep- and freezer-friendly.
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The Best Dang Crock Pot Teriyaki Chicken
This crock pot teriyaki chicken recipe is seriously the BEST! With juicy chicken breasts simmered in a sticky sauce that is better than your favorite take out. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy!
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Slow Cooker Chipotle Honey Chicken Taco Salad Lunch Bowls
Make your meal prep hands off with this smoky chipotle honey twist on a taco salad. The chicken simmers in the slow cooker, with the sauce doubling as a dressing for the salad!
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Sticky Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
Sticky slow cooker honey garlic chicken thighs are simple to throw together and have a deliciously sticky sweet and savory sauce that is perfect for spooning over rice and vegetables. Great as a weeknight dinner or meal prep recipe.
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Crockpot Salsa Chicken (4 ingredients!)
Fall apart tender and perfectly seasoned, crockpot salsa chicken is a 4 ingredient recipe that is perfect for busy nights! Use it up in tacos, burrito bowls, or enjoy as is.
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Crockpot BBQ Chicken (Juicy + Tender!)
Fall apart tender, juicy and so flavorful, this crockpot BBQ chicken is perfect served on sandwiches, in wraps, or even on pizza. Just 5 simple ingredients required!
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Slow Cooker Sweet Chili Chicken
Fall apart tender, juicy, and loaded with flavor, this slow cooker sweet chili chicken requires just 6 ingredients! Perfect to use in quesadillas, rice bowls, tacos and more.
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Crockpot Chicken Fajitas
Hands off, yet filled with big Tex-Mex flavors, these crockpot chicken fajitas are a crowd-pleasing dinner. Made with a flavorful homemade fajita seasoning, fire roasted tomatoes, bell peppers and red onion.
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Beef, turkey, pork
Pulled Pork Meal Prep Bowls
Pulled pork meal prep bowls are full of summery flavors: spicy Instant Pot pulled pork, roasted sweet potatoes, corn and fresh tomatoes! Gluten-free, paleo, and perfect for lunches.
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Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Beef
A sweet and savory pulled beef recipe that takes only 10 minutes prep time! This beef is very versatile and can be used on sandwiches, salads, stir fries, or tacos!
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Slow Cooker Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps
A simple and easy slow cooker Korean beef lettuce wraps recipe with only 7 ingredients! Serve in lettuce wraps for a light and fresh dinner.
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Crock Pot Stuffed Peppers Recipe
These crock pot stuffed peppers are made with 5 simple ingredients and filled with delicious taco flavors. Easy to prep ahead (you can even freeze them), and cook in the slow cooker for a convenient and hands off dinner.
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Vegetarian
Vegan Slow Cooker Tikka Masala
This vegan slow cooker tikka masala is PERFECT for meal prep! It makes an easy freezer crockpot meal, and leftovers keep (and can be frozen) for healthy plant-based lunches.
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Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Lentil Curry
This slow cooker butternut squash lentil curry is creamy and flavored with warm spices, butternut squash, coconut milk and lime juice! Works great as a comforting vegan dinner, or for meal prep.
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Vegan Slow Cooker Peanut Stew (Maafe-Inspired)
Slow cooker peanut stew is vegan comfort food at it's finest! With chickpeas, sweet potatoes, and peanut butter, it's inspired by the West African peanut stew, maafe. You can assemble this ahead and freeze as a crockpot freezer meal.
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Vegan Crockpot Chili
Vegan crockpot chili that can be assembled ahead and frozen for a crockpot freezer meal! With sweet potatoes, corn, black beans and spices, this one seriously tasty chili recipe!
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Spicy Slow Cooker Chickpea Chili (+ Instant Pot)
An easy and delicious 8-10 hour slow cooker chilli packed with chickpeas and sweet potato, and flavored with chipotle and lime. Ready when you walk in the door from work!
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