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

I don’t know if it’s because I have a kid now or what, but August isn’t quite the uber-lazy hazy summer extravaganzathat it used to be. As soon as July closed up shop, my thoughts turnedinvoluntarily to fall, fresh starts, back-to-school, and getting organized. I’ve been wanting to stock my freezer with easy dinners, and – yep – I’ve been thinking about all the wonderful ways in which I’m going to harness my Crock Pot come fall.

Let’s be honest, though – I never really put the slow cooker away. We’ve been enjoying Crock Pot casseroles, stews, sauces, sides – even cake! – all summer long. It’s the perfect summer appliance – no laboring over a hot stove in an even hotter kitchen. And then there’s the ever-awesome “dinner’s ready yet Ihardly lifted a finger” aspect we all love about slow cookers.

Sometimes, though, it can be a bit of a challenge to come up with satisfying, wholesome, and easy vegetarian slow cooker recipes. But I asked some of my blogger friends for some ideas, and they had a ton. And then I went out and visited a few more of my favorite blogs and found some great ideas, as well. Plus, you know I had to include some of my very own favorite go-to recipes too.

And so, here are 25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes for you to try now, this fall, and all year long. It’s a dinner extravaganza!

25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (1)

25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (2)

Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dal from Cafe Johnsonia

25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (3)

Slow Cooker Vegan Tomato Sauce with Fennel from Cafe Johnsonia

25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (4)

Hearty Slow Cooker Bulgur Chili

25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (5)

Fire-Roasted Slow Cooker Chili from Beard & Bonnet

And that’s a wrap!

Do you have a favorite easy and hearty slow cooker vegetarian recipe? Share and/or link up in the comments below. Happy Crock Potting!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a portion of the proceeds. More about this here.

Dinner Entrees Meal Round-Ups Slow Cooker Slow Cooker Dinners

25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes (6)

About the AuthorKaren Troughton

Karen is a vegetarian home cook living among carnivores. She loves creating irresistible and flexible recipes that help multi-vore families like hers keep the peace - deliciously.

More About Karen »

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12 Comments on “25 Easy & Hearty Vegetarian Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes”

  1. Julia Reply

    I’m saving this bad boy for when it gets cold, which is juuuust around the corner! All of these recipes look so tasty and healthful! Absolutely love them!

    • Karen Raye Reply

      Oh my gosh, fall is SO in the air! For the most part, I am in that place though where I am trying to deny it. Kind of unsuccessfully … sigh.

  2. KalynsKitchen Reply

    What a great post; great slow cooker recipes that are vegetarian are so hard to find compared to those with meat!

    • Karen Raye Reply

      Thanks, Kalyn! 🙂 They really can be tough to find.

  3. Katherine Reply

    I like to make a sort of pudding with silken tofu. I dissolve 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in 1 cup of warm water. I put this in the crockpot and add some grated ginger and orange zest. Then I put in a package of silken tofu and set it on low for about 2 or 3 hours, usually right before I start dinner. Then after dinner I have this warm and tasty high protein pudding. It also makes a nice breakfast on a cold morning. I have a small crockpot that works well for this. I have never tried it in a large crockpot.

  4. Kirsten Reply

    Karen,
    Thanks for including my Easy Celery Rice Soup! I’ve pinned this to Rockin’ Recipe Round Ups Pinterest board since I think this rocks.

  5. Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche Reply

    LOVE THIS!! I definitely agree that veggie ideas for the slow cooker can be tricky – so often it’s just used for meaty stews – but I love trying new things so will definitely be settling down to look through this list 🙂 thanks so much for featuring my Mexican casserole!

  6. Kimberly Ann @ Bake Love Give Reply

    What a delightful roundup! Perfect for weekday meals during these chilly months.

  7. Valerie Reply

    These look so amazing and I’m not even a vegetarian! Pinning for sure!

  8. Deeksha Reply

    I’m really trying to turn vegetarian (slowly easing into it) and this is such a great post for people like me who can only find meaty slow cooker recipes! Already dreaming of tonight’s cauliflower bisque dinner 🙂

  9. Niki Reply

    Hey Karen, thanks for all the awesome ideas!! Question for you… What is the chili that is in all the pictures? I tried clicking through the links that sounded like they could be it, but didn’t see one that sounded right. It looks so good!!! ☺️

    • Kare Reply

      My pleasure! 😀 That is the Buffalo Cauliflower Chili. 🙂

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

FAQs

Are slow cookers good for vegetarian meals? ›

Indulge in a bowl of creamy vegetarian korma, cheesy lasagne or veg-packed stew with our top vegetarian slow cooker recipes. Perfect for no-fuss suppers, fun warming drinks and classic puds.

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker.

What is slow cook high? ›

Knowledge Article. Most cookers have two or more settings generally operate between 170° and 280° F. If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used.

How to slow cook at home? ›

Just plug in your slow cooker, add your chosen recipe's ingredients, set the cooker to low or high, depending on the recipe's instructions, add the lid and let it cook. Once your dish is done cooking, you can either switch the slow cooker off to turn off the heating element, or warm if you're not ready to enjoy it yet.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  • Raw Meat.
  • Seafood.
  • Pasta.
  • Rice.
  • Delicate Vegetables.
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  • Dairy.
  • Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

Food texture changes: Canned foods, such as vegetables, can become too mushy in a slow cooker. It's better to use them fresh or frozen. But, frozen veggies tend to make the texture of the dish more “watery”. Defrosting and draining the extra liquid before cooking can help minimize this.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

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).

Should liquid cover vegetables in slow cooker? ›

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well.

Can you put frozen veg in slow cooker? ›

As long as you thaw the frozen vegetables first, either is fine. But dumping frozen vegetables into a slow cooker can keep it from reaching a safe food temperature for too long a time, allowing bacterial growth to start.

What's the difference between a crockpot and a slow cooker? ›

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off? ›

On some occasions, you'll want to leave food in the slow cooker to keep warm, during Thanksgiving or Christmas Dinner, for example, or any other event or holiday. While it's perfectly ok to use your crock pot in this way, try to avoid leaving food on the warming setting for more than four hours.

What vegetables are good in a slow cooker? ›

The best vegetables for a slow cooker are sturdier veggies like celery, carrots, tomatoes, onions, peppers and green beans, like we used in this recipe. Also, cauliflower, corn, beets, potatoes (both Russet and sweet), mushrooms and squash are all great contenders, too.

Should vegetables go on top or bottom of roast? ›

By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of roast? ›

directions. Put potatoes, carrots and onion on bottom of crockpot. Place the roast on top, fat side up. Pour in water or beef broth.

Is slow-cooking good for vegetables? ›

Answer: Done right, veggies prepared in slow cookers can deliver disease-fighting nutrients and a delectable meal all in one bowl. The key is to feature the right vegetables and to shut down all nutrient escape routes. Here's how to make your crockpot cooking healthier: Trap steam.

Is a pressure cooker worth it for vegetarians? ›

Pressure cookers are amazingly useful kitchen appliances that can dramatically expand your vegan cooking possibilities. They let you cook any number of meals that would otherwise be prohibitively time-consuming. If you cook beans often, or live in a place with long winters, you should strongly consider purchasing one.

Do vegetables go under meat in slow cooker? ›

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).

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