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Crock pots are wonderful – you can make a healthy, delicious meal without having to do anything except prep, pour, and turn it on. They’re especially great for those busy days when all you have time to do is click go before you leave.
There’s nothing better than getting home from work and smelling the wonderful dinner that’s all ready!
If you’re thinking “YIKES – my mom used to have one of those and it was impossible to clean” times have changed. Most new models have a removable, dishwasher-safe cooking bowl so the time you saved by cooking in a crock pot isn’t taken back by the cleaning process. Even the stickiest of meals comes off easy.
Vegan Meal Planning… In a Crock Pot?
One of the great things about going vegan is getting to try new recipes and break away from the traditional “meat, starch, veggie” plate that made up the food pyramid in the 1980’s.
There’s a whole new world of spices and flavors just waiting for you! Not to mention you’ll feel better, sleep better, have more energy, to name just a few!
In the spirit of new and exciting recipes – let’s get to the good stuff!
Whiskey Pineapple Vegan Pulled Pork
Whiskey!? Yes, there’s booze in this one, but slow your roll and don’t get too excited. It’s only a quarter cup and the alcohol cooks off.
Seriously, though, this recipe is great for game day or converting your non-vegan friends to veganism (because that’s our secret quest, right?).
This recipe uses jackfruit to act and taste like pulled pork. When you add in the BBQ sauce and coleslaw you can’t even tell the difference. BOOM!
Get the recipe here
Tofu Tikka Masala
Tofu gets an unfair bad wrap but this recipe will change anyone’s option of it! Tons of flavor is packed into this dish. Tofu tikka masala also has an Indian flair to it that gives your meal planning a nice mix-up.
This one has a few variations, so be sure to read all of the fine print so you don’t inadvertently make the *gasp* non-vegan version.
Get the recipe here
Vegan Irish Stew
*alert* This recipe isn’t for a slow cooker, but we didn’t know where else it would go
Who says vegan food is all leaves and grass and leaves you starving? If you know someone who gives you a hard time about your crunchy vegan food, bring them a cup of this stew!
The broth in this recipe is based on a stout beer, so be sure to crack two (one for the stew and one for you of course!). Don’t worry – the alcohol cooks off. Or maybe that’s not a good thing…
Anyway, even for those of you who aren’t big stout beer fans, the broth doesn’t end up tasting beer-y. It’s just a base.
This stew is chock-full of veggies and hearty goodness, so if you can handle a little chopping and stirring it’s well worth your time.
Get the recipe here
Slow Cooker Lo Mein
Can I include this with a caveat?
Ok so don’t get angry with me at this one, the recipe calls for pork BUT if you omit the pork and add in edamame instead it becomes one of my absolute favorite vegan crock pot meals.
It is SO full of wonderful Chinese goodness my husband actually said he preferred this dish to Chinese take out from the restaurant! And you will feel so much better after eating this veggie filled dish than you would eating take out.
Get the recipe here
Vegan Chili
Chili – it’s a classic. Need I say more?
No, but I will anyway!
This is another one of those recipes that you can serve your non-vegan friends when you’re afraid of offending them but still want to stick to your guns and eat vegan. There’s even a mention of adding in some veggie crumbles to give it a hint of meaty-ness. I’ve had this dish both with and without the crumbles and each version is equally as delicious.
This one is also not exactly a crock pot recipe, but any time you’re making chili you’re good to let it sit and simmer a while to let the flavors come together before serving it for the big game or chili cook off.
Get the recipe here
Saag Paneer
Don’t know what Saag Paneer is? Neither did I. Turns out it’s Indian.
The link below starts with the phrase “ugly delicious” and I couldn’t agree more.
This is a rich, healthy version of Indian food for the adventurous vegans out there. Wait – who am I kidding? Your friends probably already think you’re nuts for eating vegan so you’re probably at least a little adventurous.
Get the recipe here
Jambalaya
No definition needed here – just good ol’ southern cooking. Typically jambalaya has sausage, shrimp, or other meat in it but with such an amazing flavor profile and addition of beans you don’t need it.
The instructions with this one are pretty easy: Throw most of the ingredients in your crock pot and let simmer. Add the rice later. Add the beans shortly before serving.
That’s another reason this recipe made the list. Any crock pot recipe that is full of flavor and can be dumped in without prep is going to make it to the top of my favorites list.
Get the recipe here. Warning: this site is ugly
Crock Pot Quinoa and Vegetables
The great thing about this dish is the quinoa. It acts and tastes like a normal starch like rice, but it’s PACKED with protein. So with this dish you get the hearty flavors from the veggies and stock along with the fullness of eating a rice-like starch, but with a ton of protein.
This one may trend toward the “side dish” category, but with the quinoa it’s very filling for dinner. However, if you want to use it as a side dish at your next potluck it would definitely be a crowd pleaser.
Get the recipe here
Beans and Rice
No, there’s nothing clever about the name. This one is exactly what it sounds like. And hopefully this beans and rice won’t miss ya (any Sir Mix a Lot fans?)
Before you write this off as “vegan filler” or “poor person food” check this out, this dish is:
Basic
Healthy
Easy
Those are my basic rules for cooking! This dish is comfort food at its finest, but without the cream, butter, and general unhealthy-ness that usually comes with the comfort food
Oh, and did I also mention it takes about 5 minutes to prep? Hallelujah!
Get the recipe here
Mexican Stuffed Peppers
If you thought the last dish was too basic and too bland, then this one is the dish for you.
It has beautiful bell peppers for color, crunch, and flavor along with protein packed quinoa for heartiness.
It also has the rich, bold Mexican flavors you’d expect from your favorite Tex-Mex restaurant, but without the guilt and upset stomach.
So put on your favorite Pitbull or Enrique Iglesias song and get to work on this crock pot version of an amazing dish.
Get the recipe here
So there you have it. Foods that are vegan don’t have to be complicated or time consuming. Break out your crock pot and you can have amazing, healthy, meals without taking all day or sacrificing your eating goals.
