Five healthy slow cooker recipes for winter

Take your comfort food to the next level with these easy meals, cooked low and slow, during the chilly season.

The colder months are officially upon us, and the drop in mercury always signals some lifestyle changes: bathing suits and sandals are replaced by coats and boots; days outside are swapped for time spent indoors; and the summer barbeque makes way for warming, hearty food and slow-cooking Sundays.

But comfort eating doesn’t mean you need to neglect your nutritional needs. Here are five recipes that tick all of the boxes – nutrients, taste and warmth. All you need is a trusty slow cooker. Dig in.

Boasting seven servings of vegetables, this vegetarian curry from Taste takes between one-and-a-half to three hours to prepare in the slow cooker, and packs a real nutritional punch. Eat it hot, and take the leftovers to work.

This easy-to-make recipe from BuzzFeed combines boneless pork shoulder with a rich mix of spices and lets the slow cooker work its magic for eight to ten hours. The resulting meat pulls apart easily and just needs to be grilled for ten minutes to crisp up. The shredded pork is great in tacos, salads, or served with rice, beans and vegetables. There’s an instructional video on the recipe page, too.

Equal parts healthy and hearty, this vegetarian recipe turns the traditional comfort dish of chilli into a nutritional winter warmer, with a hit of smoky heat care of the roasted poblano chillies. Quinoa and Cannellini beans work to thicken the chilli into a rib-sticking dinner, which can be enjoyed without taking a hit to your health.

This slow-simmered chicken from Tori Avey is traditionally made in a tagine, but the slow cooker version is no less special. Heady spices and salty olives match the complex flavours provided by preserved lemons. If you’re conscious of your salt intake, use low-salt chicken stock.

Rich in protein and fibre, lentils are an easy and cheap way to eat well during winter. This simple Taste soup takes three hours in the slow cooker, and is given extra bite when served with a slide of goat’s cheese toast – opt for whole wheat, grainy bread for extra nutrients.

Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.

Disclaimer:
The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional, tax or other advice. It does not take into account any individual’s personal situation or needs. You should consider obtaining professional advice from a financial adviser and/or tax specialist, or medical or health practitioner, in relation to your own circumstances and before acting on this information.