25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is a slow cooker worth it for vegetarian? ›

Many of our meat-based recipes can be easily made vegetarian by removing or substituting the meat for a veggie alternative, and there are certain ingredients and recipes that are perfect for veggie slow cooking! You don't need to pre-cook any of your vegetables, the slow cooker will do it all!

Most slow cooker meals take 8-12 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high, but there are also recipes for slow-cooked meat that take up to 24 hours. If you want to avoid overcooking your dish, follow the given guidelines as closely as possible.

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.

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

Because your slow cooker will have a tightly sealed lid, the liquid won't evaporate so if you're adapting a standard recipe, it's best to reduce the liquid by roughly a third. It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

Take the lid off

Place the cooker on a high setting, and open the lid for 30-45 minutes to let excess moisture cook off. The liquid will reduce, leaving you with a thick and delicious gravy or sauce. (Tip: This trick can also be applied for thickening stews, or when you've accidentally added too much liquid.)

Never ever put liquid into the base of a slow cooker. It was not designed for that and clearly states not to immerse the base in water. The heating element and components are not in a waterproof environment. You will quickly ruin the heating element and risk injury from electrical leakage into the metal base.

If you are making a smaller recipe in a 6-quart, you can load the ingredients in and shorten the cooking time, or you can insert an oven-safe dish and then load the food into that. I recommend a Pyrex or Corningware-type dish, although a metal loaf pan or baking dish would work fine also.

Should you stir a slow cooker? ›

Should I stir ingredients in my Crockpot slow cooker while they're cooking? Although you may be tempted, resist the urge to check on the ingredients during the cooking process! Lifting the lid allows heat and steam to escape, which will cause you to have to increase the cooking time.

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Vegetables cooked in a slow cooker or crock pot retain more of their natural vitamins and nutrients than harsher cooking methods – such as boiling – because the temperatures are lower.

Crisp vegetables are often prized, but long-cooking them into tenderness can bring out their deepest flavors. Credit... David Malosh for The New York Times.

The Instant Pot is awesome at cooking some of our favorite vegetarian staples, from perfectly cooked dried beans to tender, well-seasoned spaghetti squash, and smooth and creamy hummus. And as we've learned, it has the potential to make meal prep sessions a little easier, and even save time in the kitchen.

The slow cooker isn't just an appliance for carnivores – it's perfect for plant-based eating, too. Need proof? Take a peek at our current favourite vegan slow cooker recipes – from soups and curries to delicious Mexican pulled veg.