Slow Cooker Dishes Under 500 Calories for Easy, Healthy Eating

Published: November 17, 2024 by Melissa Bauernfeind | Leave a comment

It's not always easy to prepare a healthy, nutritious meal for yourself especially when you have a busy schedule and are limited on time. When you factor in a family and need to make the meal for more people, it can be even more daunting.

But with a slow cooker, preparing homemade, flavorful, and most importantly, healthy meals can be an excellent solution. Slow cookers allow you to simply toss in all your ingredients, set it, and let the appliance do the cooking. Our guide presents some of the best slow cooker recipes for guilt-free eating and also offers tips for creating your own low-calorie slow cooker meals.

How to Prepare Low-Calorie Slow Cooker Meals

What goes into a low-calorie slow cooker meal? Here are some tips for creating your own low-calorie recipes. Always start by choosing lean proteins such as chicken breast, turkey, or tofu. Next, load up your crockpot with healthy vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, and spinach. Herbs and spices are great ways to add taste to your meals without adding extra calories.

Additionally, opt for low-calorie liquids such as broth or unsweetened almond milk instead of high-calorie options like cream. You can also substitute cauliflower rice for regular rice and Greek yogurt for sour cream. Lastly, if you have time, cook your slow cooker meal at lower temperatures to keep the meat tender and the flavors rich without the need for any excess fat or oil.

Using a slow cooker also helps food retain nutrients. With a few simple adjustments and smart ingredient choices, you can enjoy delicious and satisfying crockpot meals while meeting your calorie targets.

Calories counting , diet , food control and weight loss concept. woman using Calorie counter application on her smartphone at dining table with salad, fruit juice, bread and vegetable — ©asiandelight/Shutterstock.com

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

162 calories per serving

Made with teriyaki sauce and cashews, this simple slow-cooker Asian chicken dish contains just 162 calories per serving. In your slow cooker, combine chicken, garlic, bell pepper, carrots, onion powder, salt, teriyaki sauce, soy sauce, chicken broth, and cashews. Cook on high for four to five hours or low for six to eight hours. Shred the chicken and serve on lettuce leaves, topped with green onions. That's it!

Balsamic Chicken with Carrots

492 calories per serving

Once plated, no one will believe you made this low-calorie meal in a crockpot. While it is a good idea to brown the chicken thighs on the stove before adding them to the crockpot, this recipe is incredibly easy. Add your sauce, chicken, whole carrots, and herbs to the crockpot. Then, cover and cook on high for three hours or on low for six to eight hours.

Healthy Chicken and Dumplings

243 calories per serving

With only 243 calories per serving, this hearty, satisfying recipe is incredibly easy to make. While you can prepare it in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, we recommend using the slow cooker for convenience. It takes 10 minutes to add everything to the crockpot. Then, simply cook on high for three hours or on low for six hours.

Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken

210 calories per serving

This low-calorie recipe can be quickly assembled with ingredients found in most kitchens. Its creamy tomato flavor always hits the spot, especially as a stand-alone meal with a side salad. However, you could add this to a plate of spaghetti and not feel guilty because this flavorful chicken dish has only 210 calories per serving.

Healthy Crockpot BBQ Wings

432 calories per serving

To make these chicken wings, preheat the broiler to high or the oven to 450°F. Place the wings on a parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and broil for 10 minutes on each side. In a slow cooker, combine the sauce ingredients, add the broiled wings, and cook on low for four to six hours or on high for two to three hours. Enjoy this gluten-free, paleo-diet-friendly, and low-calorie option for game day or as a healthy dinner.

Healthy Crockpot Ragu

342 calories per serving

This dish is not only low in calories, but it also contains 32 grams of protein per serving. This is great because protein helps keep hunger at bay and makes you feel fuller. Additionally, this recipe has only 16 grams of carbs per serving, all of which come from the vegetables. Lastly, all the ingredients are gluten-friendly, dairy-free, and grain-free.

Lemon Garlic Chicken

210 calories per serving

Not only is this chicken recipe packed with flavor, but it is also a healthier option, containing just 210 calories per serving. Due to its versatility, it is perfect for meal prepping on Sunday. Precooked shredded lemon garlic chicken can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta and wraps. You can also serve it with rice or broccoli. However you choose to eat it, you will love the taste and not have to worry about calories.

Meal prep made easy! This fitness-minded woman knows the value of planning ahead for healthy, balanced meals all week long. — ©Asier Romero/Shutterstock.com

Low Calorie Slow Cooker Chili

160 calories per serving

If you are looking for a hearty recipe for busy weeknights, this low-calorie crockpot chili is perfect. With enough to serve 12, it is perfect for feeding the whole family. Furthermore, you can customize it according to your preferences, such as substituting ground beef with ground turkey or incorporating carrots into the recipe. Simply put all the ingredients in the pot, cover the slow cooker, and cook on low heat for six to eight hours or on high heat for four to five hours. The chili is ready when it is hot and bubbly.

Low Calorie Tomato Red Pepper Soup

38 calories per serving

Not only is this a delicious vegan soup option, but it is incredibly low in calories—just 38 calories per cup! The soup is made from fresh tomatoes and bell peppers, which not only adds to its health benefits but also enhances its exceptional flavor. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days. It also freezes well and will last for about a month. To reheat frozen soup, add to a medium or large saucepan and heat for 30 minutes on low. For defrosted soup, heat it for five to ten minutes over medium-low heat.

Skinny Veggie Crockpot Lasagna

351 calories per serving

This crockpot lasagna recipe may seem indulgent with its layers of vegetables, sauce, cheese, and thick, wavy noodles, but it is low-calorie. Simply layer the ingredients in the crockpot and cook on high for three hours or on low for five to six hours. After cooking, let the lasagna sit for at least one hour to firm up before serving.

Slow Cooker Taco Soup

Tasty chicken taco soup full of tender chicken, sweet corn, black beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, and the most delicious creamy broth close-up in a plate on the table. Horizontal — ©AS Foodstudio/Shutterstock.com

If you use Weight Watchers, this slow cooker taco soup has zero points when you make it with ground turkey. However, if you prefer ground beef, it only has two Weight Watchers points. This soup is filling enough to serve as a meal, but it also tastes great with tortillas, added cheese, and avocado. If you freeze the leftovers, they will remain good for approximately six months, making this soup a great option for preparing a large batch and freezing.

Final Thoughts

Using a slow cooker to prepare healthy, low-calorie meals is an excellent way to save time in the kitchen. Slow cookers allow you to multitask while cooking yet still enjoy flavorful and nutritious meals.

This method of cooking also helps retain the nutrients in the food, making it a great choice for anyone seeking a convenient and healthy meal preparation option. Whether you try the low-calorie, gluten-free pot roast or the low-calorie chicken and dumplings recipe, all of these meals will help you meet your calorie goals while enjoying delicious and hearty food.