How to Use Your Slow Cooker to Make Healthy Meals: Fall Edition

How to Use Your Slow Cooker to Make Healthy Meals: Fall Edition

As the leaves start to change and the weather cools down, there’s nothing quite like the smell of a warm, home-cooked meal filling your house. Fall is the perfect season for slow cooking, allowing you to prepare hearty, nutritious meals with minimal effort. Whether you're feeding a family, cooking for one, or hosting a crowd, slow cookers are the ultimate kitchen tool for delivering healthy meals without spending hours in the kitchen.

Select Brands offers a wide range of slow cookers, each designed to suit your cooking needs. From family-sized slow cookers to smaller options perfect for college students, we’ve curated 10 healthy, fall-inspired recipes to get you started. These dishes are nutritious, easy to make, and feature kid-friendly options, protein-packed meals for teens, and even crowd-pleasers for game day gatherings.

1. Hearty Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Perfect for: Mickey & Friends 5-Quart Slow Cooker

This kid-friendly recipe is packed with lean protein and veggies, making it a nutritious option for school nights. Throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning, after school drop offs, and by the time the kids get home, a healthy, hearty dinner is waiting for them.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 4 carrots (chopped)
• 2 celery stalks (chopped)
• 2 potatoes (diced)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place chicken, vegetables, and seasoning into the Mickey & Friends 5-Quart Slow Cooker.
2. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or until chicken is fully cooked.
3. Shred the chicken with two forks before serving.

2. Pumpkin Turkey Chili

Perfect for: Yellowstone 7-Quart Slow Cooker

This protein-packed chili is a great option for teenagers who need an extra energy boost. Teens often come home from a long day famished, starving for some food - especially if they play after school sports, this recipe will meet and exceed their needs! The fall flavors of pumpkin add a seasonal twist to this classic dish. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 can pumpkin purée (15 oz)
• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (14 oz)
• 1 bell pepper (chopped)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Brown the ground turkey on the stovetop, then transfer to the Yellowstone 7-Quart Slow Cooker.
2. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.
3. Cook on low for 6-8 hours and enjoy with a sprinkle of cheese or avocado slices.

3. Healthy Beef Stew

Perfect for: TRU 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker

This hearty and healthy beef stew is a protein-packed dinner perfect for chilly fall nights. It’s a great option for families with growing kids/teens or when you’re looking to meal prep for the week. This is also a great recipe if you are hosting friends for dinner. This is also a great meal on those family movie night evenings, everyone grabs a bowl, cuddles on the couch and enjoys a hearty stew while watching a fall inspired movie. 

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs lean beef stew meat
• 4 carrots (sliced)
• 3 potatoes (diced)
• 1 onion (chopped)
• 2 cups beef broth (low sodium)
• 1 tsp thyme
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the TRU 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker.
2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours, until the beef is tender.
3. Serve with a side of whole-grain bread for a complete meal.

4. Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal

Perfect for: The Nightmare Before Christmas 7-Quart Slow Cooker

Nothing says fall like warm apple-cinnamon oatmeal. This healthy breakfast can be made overnight, so you can wake up to a delicious, nutritious start to your day. This is a winner for busy mornings with the kids, as each one is running through the house getting ready, they can pour themselves a warm bowl, and have a hearty meal before they head off to school. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups steel-cut oats
• 4 cups almond milk
• 2 apples (peeled and diced)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients into the Nightmare Before Christmas 7-Quart Slow Cooker.
2. Stir and cook on low for 7-8 hours overnight.
3. Serve with nuts or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.

5. Chicken & Quinoa for Protein-Packed Lunches

Perfect for: Mickey Mouse 5-Qt Slow Cooker with 20 oz Dipper

This meal is perfect for teenagers who need protein-packed meals to keep them going throughout the day. The quinoa adds fiber and extra protein, while the chicken is the star of the dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
• 1 cup quinoa (rinsed)
• 1 cup carrots (chopped)
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the chicken, quinoa, and vegetables into the Mickey Mouse 5-Qt Slow Cooker.
2. Add the broth and seasonings.
3. Cook on low for 4-5 hours, then shred the chicken and fluff the quinoa.

6. Classic Pulled Pork

Perfect for: Triple Slow Cooker with Three 2-Quart Inserts

Planning to host a fall get-together or watch party? This crowd-pleaser recipe for pulled pork allows you to make different varieties of slow-cooked meat simultaneously. Add your favorite carb and some coleslaw, and now everyone can make their pulled pork sandwich, their way. This can include low card buns, sourdough bread, gluten free wraps, or even tortilla chips or pretzel chips to dip and go. 

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lbs pork shoulder
• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 1 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Divide the pork shoulder into three parts and place each part into one of the Triple Slow Cooker’s 2-quart inserts.
2. Add your favorite BBQ sauce to one insert, apple cider vinegar and brown sugar to the second, and paprika with garlic powder to the third.
3. Cook on low for 8 hours and serve with slider buns.

7. Vegetarian Lentil Stew

Perfect for: 1.5-Quart Color Slow Cooker

This recipe is ideal for college students or those cooking for one. Packed with plant-based protein and fiber, this stew is filling and healthy. This is packed with nutrients, fiber, protein and more - and if you want to share, you can grow this recipe and use a larger slow cooker to make for a crowd or a date night. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dried lentils
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 carrot (diced)
• 1 potato (diced)
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the 1.5-Quart Color Slow Cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6-7 hours until lentils are soft.
3. Serve with crusty bread or over rice for a complete meal.

8. Slow Cooker Stuffed Bell Peppers

Perfect for: Mickey & Friends 5-Quart Slow Cooker

This healthy, kid-friendly meal is packed with lean protein and vegetables, making it a nutritious option that can be prepped in the morning for an effortless dinner after a long day of work or school. 

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers (tops cut off and seeds removed)
• 1 lb ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix turkey, quinoa, tomatoes, and spices in a bowl.
2. Stuff the peppers and place them in the Mickey & Friends Slow Cooker.
3. Cook on low for 5-6 hours, until the peppers are tender.

9. Healthy Vegetable Curry

Perfect for: The Nightmare Before Christmas 7-Quart Slow Cooker

This rich and creamy vegetable curry is perfect for chilly fall evenings, offering a warming and healthy meal for the whole family. Add your favorite store bought naan bread, and some rice, and you have a filling meal that will make your tummy happy!

Ingredients:

• 1 sweet potato (diced)
• 1 can coconut milk
• 2 cups cauliflower florets
• 1 can chickpeas (drained)
• 2 tbsp curry powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Add all ingredients to the Nightmare Before Christmas 7-Quart Slow Cooker.
2. Cook on low for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Serve with brown rice or quinoa.

10. Epic Fall Roast with Root Vegetables

Perfect for: TRU 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker

If you're hosting a big family dinner or a fall get-together, nothing beats a perfectly cooked roast. This slow-cooked fall roast is hearty, flavorful, and packed with healthy vegetables. And, bonus, this will make you look like you spent the whole day in the kitchen cooking. You can serve this with mashed potatoes or on top of your favorite carb, like rice or grits. 

Ingredients:

• 3-4 lb beef chuck roast
• 4 carrots (chopped)
• 3 potatoes (quartered)
• 2 parsnips (chopped)
• 1 onion (sliced)
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp rosemary
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place the vegetables at the bottom of the TRU 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker.
2. Rub the roast with garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper, and place it on top of the vegetables.
3. Pour in the beef broth, cover, and cook on low for 8-9 hours.
4. Serve the roast with the tender root vegetables on the side for a perfect fall feast.

Conclusion: Enjoy Nutritious Fall Meals with Select Brands Slow Cookers

Fall is the ideal season for warm, hearty, and nutritious meals made effortlessly in a slow cooker. With the versatile selection of slow cookers from Select Brands, you can prepare everything from family-sized meals to college-friendly dishes with ease. Whether you're looking to feed a large group or just make a healthy dinner for your kids, these slow cooker recipes are designed to help you enjoy delicious, wholesome meals all season long.

From the Nightmare Before Christmas 7-Quart Slow Cooker to the TRU 6-Quart Digital Slow Cooker, Select Brands has a slow cooker for every occasion. So, gather your ingredients, set your slow cooker, and let it do the work while you enjoy more time with your family and friends this fall!