Serve up these crockpot recipes if you are looking for easy healthy holiday ideas. This is a round up of the best healthy holiday crock pot recipes. There are options for everyone, all made simple and quick by using a crock pot.
During the holiday season, it can be hard to stay on track of your health and weight loss goals, but a little planning ahead is key to staying consistent.
Healthy slow cooker recipes are a great way to stay on track of your goals because they are lighter in calories, sodium, and fat, and they’re also delicious. Holiday recipes can be made a little healthier by adding some vegetables and protein. Easy holiday crock pot recipes are the way to go if you get overwhelmed with the holiday meal prep.
Healthy Crock Pot Recipes For The Holidays
Enjoying the holiday does not mean you need to ignore your health goals. It is actually a great time to get to know yourself and your eating habits. This is when most people will give up on their goals because of all the temptations. But please remember that you can enjoy the season without feeling physically ill from overeating. Take it slow and keep in mind how far you’ve come.
Here are some reasons to use your slow cooker this holiday season:
1. It simplifies your hectic holiday cooking to almost completely hands-off.
2. The slow cooker or crock pot is a great way to prep all the ingredients ahead of time and add them all to the crock pot. The crock pot will do most of the work for you.
3. There is a keep-warm setting that keeps the food warm and ready for when the party or holiday dinner starts.
4. It saves you space on the stovetop or oven for other food items you want to prepare.
5. Makes sticking to your health goals easier. Healthy slow cooker recipes for weight loss are everywhere and most of the recipes are extremely versatile. You can use less oil, substitute a high fat meat with a lower fat meat, add more vegetables to the recipe, and more.
The holiday slow cooker I recommend:
I have a few favorite crock pot slow cooker.
This one is my main one and I use it for everything. It makes good crockpot meals. This crockpot is high quality and makes healthy eating on a tight schedule a breeze.
Click here for the smaller-sized one that I like to use for soups, dressings and side dishes.
Feel free to use these recipes as Christmas crockpot recipes, add them to your meal plans, add them to your list of holiday party crock pot recipes, or in your healthy crock pot thanksgiving recipes. These super easy slow cooker recipes are so versatile that you can use them all year round for any occasion.
35 Best Healthy Holiday Crock Pot Recipes
Healthy pulled pork crock pot recipe
Made with simple, healthy ingredients. This is one of those healthy recipes that only needs a few ingredients. Combine it all and cook it in the crock pot for 8-10 hours.
Healthy crock pot chicken pot pie recipe
This healthy recipe is quick and easy and a great addition to Holiday meals. Add all of the ingredients and combine, leave it to cook for 4-5 hours while you go about your day. This is also one of my favorite slow cooker chicken recipes because it is easy, delicious and the family loves it.
Healthy crock pot bbq pulled chicken
This delicious recipe has a homemade bbq sauce that uses simple, healthy ingredients. Combine the sauce ingredients, then add them to the crock pot with the chicken and onion and stir. Then leave it to cook on high for 3-4 hours, or on low for 6-7 hours.
Healthy crock pot pulled chicken
This is an easy crock pot recipe using only 4 simple ingredients. Add the chicken, water, salt, and pepper to the crock pot and allow it to cook on high for 3-4 hours. Enjoy adding this pulled chicken to all of your favorite recipes or enjoy it on it’s own.
Healthy crock pot lasagna recipe
Lasagna is typically known for being time-consuming, however, this flavorful recipe only takes 30 minutes for prep time and the other 2 hours is done by the crock pot.
Healthy crock pot meatballs
If you are looking for healthy slow cooker recipes with ground beef and tomato sauce, you’re going to love this one. This quick and easy recipe uses only 4 ingredients. Combine all of the ingredients and cook it for 3-4 hours on high.
Healthy broccoli soup crock pot
This yummy recipe is great way to warm up friends and family for the Holidays. Cook for about 4 ½ hours and enjoy.
Healthy bbq chicken crock pot
This healthy recipe practically makes itself in the crock pot. Combine all ingredients and leave it to cook on high for about 3-4 hours.
Slow cooker roast potatoes
This recipe makes the perfect holiday side dish. If you love crispy potatoes that are creamy on the inside and crunchy on the outside, you need to add this to your recipe holiday list.
You can even substitute white potatoes for sweet potatoes if you prefer one over the other.
Garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes
These potatoes make the ideal side dish to any recipe. These garlic and rosemary roasted potatoes are perfect for a crowd and can be made with different toppings like parmesan cheese, sour cream, or parsley making it perfect for the holiday season!
Recipe below.
Green Bean Casserole
This is an easy recipe and is always a crowd pleaser. And what is better than a casserole on Christmas? This dump-it-and-forget-it method saves so much time and energy and is the perfect comfort food.
Slow-Cooker Sweet Potato-Black Bean Chili
Slow cooked sweet potato recipe is the ultimate comfort and hearty choice especially if you live in a cold climate and have chilly winters.
Cranberry Sauce
This slow cooker cranberry an easy recipe, so make sure to save it! You can even use this for Thanksgiving and it will be on repeat for the entire holiday season.
This recipe combines an orange, a cinnamon stick, bay leaves and sugar to create a delicious sauce that also leaves your house smelling amazing! I also add in a few tablespoons of fresh orange juice which gives it an extra boost of orange flavor.
Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
This easy recipe is a must for your holiday dinner. It is so easy, looks beautiful and it helps you get in some nutrients.
Slow-Cooker Cider
This slow cooker apple cider recipe is one that I add to the menu for my annual holiday party. Whenever we attend holiday parties, I also like to take this recipe with me. I love that it is warm and it’s non alcoholic.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Is it even a Christmas dinner without a pot roast! This slow cooker pot roast is a must and it adds variety to your holiday table. I like to add different meat options to cater to everyone’s preference.
Slow Cooker Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Prep time for this recipe is less than 10 minutes! And if you love Brussels sprouts, this is a must try and is always a crowd pleaser. I also love that it adds festive colors to your holiday table.
Slow Cooker Turkey Breast
This recipe always comes out juicy, moist and tender! I have tried so many recipes in the past and I find that my turkey comes out dry. This is one of those few recipes I always go back to. Make sure to use the drippings to make a delicious gravy!
Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes are a classic Christmas side dish that everyone loves. This is a recipe that is on repeat during the holiday recipe and it is one of my favorite side dishes.
Crockpot cheesy potatoes
This is a great side dish for any get-together, the kids will also love this simple recipe. Combine the ingredients and cook on low until the potatoes are tender, about 3-4 hours.
Crock Pot Mashed Potato Cabbage
This delicious recipe is a great side dish for holiday get-togethers especially St. Patrick’s Day. Combine ingredients, cook on low for 7 hours, mash with a hand blender and serve.
Healthier Crockpot Mashed Butternut Squash
This colorful dish will be a real crowd pleaser at Holiday dinners. With only 4 simple ingredients it makes a great healthy side dish.
Crock Pot Monkey Bread
A perfect way to start the morning with some ooey-gooey monkey bread. This delicious recipe only takes 2 hours in the crock pot and will be a hit with the family.
Crock Pot Split Pea Soup
Use this recipe at your Holiday dinners, or with your leftover Holiday ham bones for a warm and cozy soup. Combine all ingredients, cook for 4-5 hours, garnish with the parsley and serve.
Crock Pot Broccoli Casserole
Broccoli casserole is a yummy addition to Holiday parties and will be a real crowd pleaser. This simple recipe is quick and easy only taking 15 minutes of prep time.
Crock Pot Baked Apples
Holiday slow cooker recipes would not be the same without including this festive recipe.
Crock pot baked apples are great for a tasty side-dish or as a sweet dessert. Add all of the ingredients to the crock pot and cook on low for 6 hours with the lid slightly ajar.
Crock Pot Lamb Shanks
This appetizing dish is a great hit for holiday get-togethers. With 7 simple ingredients, it takes only 10 minutes to prep before letting it cook for about 4 hours.
Crock Pot Holiday Dressing
This classic stuffing dish is a great addition to your best crock pot holiday recipes. It takes about 4 hours to cook and is very flavorful.
Crock Pot Italian Chicken
This creamy chicken can be served over anything your heart desires, like rice and pasta. An easy dish that is always a crowd pleaser and will have everyone asking for seconds.
Crock Pot Brilliant Red Pears
This bright and tasty treat is a great dessert for any Holiday evening, especially Valentines day with its vibrant red color. Cook on high for 3-4 hours and serve warm with icecream, chilled with syrup, or just eat it as is!
Crock Pot Beef Stew
This hearty slow cooker stew has a great selection of fresh ingredients and is so flavorful. Combine ingredients and cook on high for 4-6 hours or until beef is nice and tender.
Easy Christmas pudding recipe slow cooker
Slow cooker holiday recipes need to have a delicious pudding added to it. This sweet dessert takes about 8 hours in the slow cooker on low.
Cube steak slow cooker recipes easy
This tender cube steak recipe is comfort food at its finest and is a wonderful addition to any get-together. These simple ingredients are added to the crock pot and heated on low for about 6-8 hours.
Mulled wine
This cozy drink is perfect to enjoy with your other christmas crock pot dishes, and so easy to make. Combine all ingredients to a slow-cooker on low until hot, which takes about 1 hour.
Scalloped potatoes
This easy and cheap crock pot meal is a yummy side dish that can be enjoyed at any family get-together.
FAQ
Is slow cooker and rice cooker the same?
They are not the same. These two appliances work differently. A slow cooker distributes slow and even heat which is why you can leave a large piece of meat, like a roast, cooking for hours and not have it burn. On the other hand, rice cookers work fast to boil the ingredients quickly. This helps to bring out the intense steam needed to create fluffy rice or steamed vegetables.
Is cooking in the crock pot healthy?
Cooking in the crock pot is healthy. They use slow, low heat that retains the nutrients. Crockpots are also healthy because most slow cooker recipes rely on the use of vegetables, meats, and broths.
Can I cook Christmas dinner in the slow cooker?
Crockpot recipes for Christmas are very common. You can actually cook up the turkey or Thanksgiving bird in the slow cooker to help save you lots of space and time on the stovetop and oven.
How do I convert a crock pot recipe to an oven?
You can convert a crock pot recipe to an oven, however, you will need to adjust the temperature. These are the steps needed to convert a crock pot recipe to an oven:
Preheat the oven to about 350 F. Follow the slow cooker recipe, but use a baking dish with a lid instead of a crockpot or slow cooker.
If the recipe calls for a slow cooker setting, then divide the cooking time by 4.
For example, 8 hours on low becomes 2 hours in the oven at 350 F. Slow cooking in the oven is done at a higher temperature. Therefore, to prevent overcooking, you will have to regularly check the core temperature. Use a meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the meat, not too close to any bone. If the desired temperature has not yet been reached, wait 15 minutes and then check again.
You may also like:
- Easy Strategies to Staying Healthy During the Holidays
- 21 Tips on How to Start a Healthy Lifestyle and Stick to it
- Meal Prep Ideas for Weight Loss (Healthy Recipes)
- The Best Fruit Salad Recipe for a Crowd With Honey Lime
Garlic and Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 3 lbs yellow potatoes
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tsp dried Rosemary
- 2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Half the yellow potatoes.
- Place potatoes, olive oil, garlic, rosemary, salt into bowl and toss to mix.
- Place the mix in the crockpot.
- Set the crockpot on low heat and cook for 4-5 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours.
- Sprinkle Parmesan cheese.