Satisfying Slow Cooker Recipes

There's nothing better than coming home to the smell of something delicious cooking on the counter. You can let these recipes simmer all day—and with just a bit of prep work, you'll have a hot and healthy dinner for a crowd (or leftovers for a week).

Vegetable-beef soup
While most beef soups are laden with fat and sodium, this recipe serves up a bowlful of lean protein and savory herbs. Garlic provides a dose of manganese, which keeps your bones strong, while the onions boost heart-healthy vitamin B6. Serve with Cornbread Crumbs, hot out of the oven.

Try this recipe:Vegetable-Beef Soup

Get the tangy taste of barbecue for about 200 calories less than restaurant recipes. Cider vinegar and brown sugar combine to create a salty-sweet flavor, and Mexican spices add a kick to the lean-meat pork. Slow cooking helps lock in the flavor, making the meat tender and easy to shred. Spoon this into a whole-wheat bun with at least 3 grams of fiber, and enjoy each bite of southern comfort. Try Sweet and Sour Slaw as a side dish.

Try this recipe:BBQ Pork Sandwiches

Not only is this chili delicious, but it's also budget-friendly. Chuck steak is an economical and leaner cut of beef, adding a nice flavor to the beans and veggies. Pinto beans are virtually fat-free, and packed with fiber and folate. They make a great—and tasty—addition to the lycopene-rich tomatoes and red bell peppers. But, unlike other recipes, this chili is contains less than 300 mg of sodium.

Try this recipe:Smoky Chipotle Chili

Perfect for spring, this Thai dish will satisfy your craving for a hearty meal. Though lamb is relatively high in saturated fat, it is packed with satiating protein and is a good source of immunity-boosting zinc. Tart apple cider helps bridge the gap between sweet mango and spicy curry powder to make a hot, flavor-packed dish.

Try this recipe:Curried Lamb and Carrots