13 Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

By Candace Braun Zafirellis

Updated 10/6/2026

In This Article

Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Chili, Stew, Pot Roast, and More
FAQs About Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes
More Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Meals

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

With the magic of a slow cooker or crockpot, you can embrace a heart-healthy diet while still enjoying nourishing, delicious meals.

From comforting stews to savory chilis, these 13 heart-healthy slow cooker recipes make wholesome eating effortless and enjoyable. Each dish uses lean proteins, vibrant vegetables, and aromatic herbs and spices in low sodium, low fat recipes.

Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Chili, Stew, Pot Roast, and More

Each of these recipes was developed by our team of chefs and dietitians in the Health eCooks Test Kitchen to balance taste and nutrition. Add your ingredients in the morning, and dinner will be ready when you are.

01

Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

200 mins

Total time: 3 hours 20 minutes | 134 calories | 20 g protein | 5 g fiber | 108 mg sodium

Lean ground turkey, hearty vegetables, and flavorful spices meld together in this low-sodium chili, offering a comforting bowl that's perfect for meal prep or a cozy dinner.

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02

Lasagna Soup

Photo Credit: Adam Fisher, Baldwin Publishing

60 mins

Total time: 6 hours 15 minutes | 217 calories | 20 g protein | 2 g fiber | 140 mg sodium

Enjoy the classic flavors of lasagna in a lighter meal with this slow cooker soup recipe. This dish combines lean ground beef, whole-grain noodles, and a rich tomato broth for a satisfying, heart-friendly meal.

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03

Beef Brisket and Vegetables

Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

240 mins

Total time: 4 hours | 186 calories | 20 g protein | 1 g fiber | 143 mg sodium

Slow-cooked to perfection, this lean beef brisket is paired with a medley of vegetables and fresh herbs, creating a succulent, low-fat dish that's sure to please everyone at the dinner table.

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04

Turkey Stew

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

270 mins

Total time: 4 hours 30 minutes | 215 calories | 17 g protein | 4 g fiber | 193 mg sodium

This high-protein, low-fat stew features lean turkey and a variety of vegetables, all simmered together for a warm, comforting and nutritious meal.

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05

Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock

250 mins

Total time: 4 hours 10 minutes | 138 calories | 10 g protein | 5 g fiber | 228 mg sodium

A little diced ham goes a long way in this cozy soup. Cannellini and kidney beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, carrots, and peas simmer all afternoon in unsalted chicken stock with Italian seasoning and fresh thyme, and a couple of handfuls of baby kale or spinach wilt in at the end. Every can in the pot is no-salt-added, which helps keep the sodium in check (it's a great way to use up leftover holiday ham, too).

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06

Crockpot White Chicken Chili

Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

375 mins

Total time: 6 hours 15 minutes | 329 calories | 34 g protein | 10 g fiber | 286 mg sodium

This creamy chili brings together tender chicken, white beans and a blend of spices, offering a hearty and heart-healthy option for chili lovers.

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07

Pot Roast

Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing

275 mins

Total time: 4 hours 35 minutes | 274 calories | 31 g protein | 2 g fiber | 156 mg sodium

Lean cuts of beef are roasted slowly with carrots, potatoes and onions to absorb rich flavors for a classic, heart-healthy comfort food meal.

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08

Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

120 mins

Total time: 2 hours | 281 calories | 19 g protein | 3 g fiber | 540 mg sodium

Indulge in a lighter version of this comfort food classic, featuring whole-grain pasta and reduced-fat cheese, all cooked to creamy perfection in the crockpot.

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09

White Bean Chili

Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

255 mins

Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes | 246 calories | 12 g protein | 13 g fiber | 167 mg sodium

This vegetarian chili combines white beans, corn and spices, creating a hearty, fiber-rich meal that's gentle on the heart.

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10

Pork Tostadas

Photo Credit: Kara Foran Photography, Baldwin Publishing

270 mins

Pork Tostadas: Total time: 4.5 hours | 275 calories | 28 g protein | 0 g fiber | 269 mg sodium

Lean pork is slow-cooked and served atop crisp tostadas, garnished with fresh vegetables and a sprinkle of cheese, for a delightful, heart-friendly meal.

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11

High Protein Vegetable Soup

Photo Credit: Baldwin Publishing Staff Photographer

300 mins

Total time: 5 hours | 237 calories | 16 g protein | 12 g fiber | 469 mg sodium

A medley of fresh vegetables simmered together creates a nourishing, low-calorie soup that's perfect to serve for a lighter meal.

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12

Crock Pot Irish Beef Stew

Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing

235 mins

Total time: 3 hours 55 minutes | 282 calories | 27 g protein | 4 g fiber | 165 mg sodium

Tender chunks of beef, Yukon gold potatoes, carrots, and celery simmer in unsalted beef broth with fresh thyme, rosemary, and a bay leaf until everything is meltingly soft. It's the kind of hearty, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that makes a chilly evening feel cozy, and it has just 165 mg of sodium per serving.

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13

Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin

Photo Credit: Jessica Kielman, Baldwin Publishing

150 mins

Total time: 2 hours 30 minutes | 202 calories | 32 g protein | 0 g fiber | 135 mg sodium

A Dijon and thyme rub with a pinch of cayenne gives this lean pork tenderloin plenty of flavor before it ever goes into the slow cooker. It simmers in unsalted chicken stock with a splash of red wine, and that cooking liquid doubles as a light au jus when you slice and serve it. With 32 grams of protein and just 135 mg of sodium per serving, it's special enough for a holiday dinner and easy enough for a weeknight (try it with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables).

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FAQs About Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes

Most of the sodium in a slow cooker meal comes from broth, canned beans and tomatoes, and seasoning packets, so those are the places where small swaps make the biggest difference. Choose unsalted or low sodium stock, look for no-salt-added canned goods, and drain and rinse canned beans before you add them. Skip the seasoning packets and build flavor with onion, garlic, dried herbs, and spices. Long cooking times can mellow flavors, so stir in a squeeze of lemon, a splash of vinegar, or a handful of fresh herbs at the end to brighten the dish without adding salt. You'll find more tips in our low sodium diet guidelines.
Most slow cooker meals freeze well, especially soups, stews, and chilis like the turkey chili and white bean chili in this collection. Let the food cool, then portion it into airtight freezer containers, leaving a little room at the top so it can expand. For the best quality, use frozen meals within 2 to 3 months. Pasta dishes like mac and cheese can turn soft after freezing, so for the lasagna soup, freeze the soup base on its own and add freshly cooked noodles when you reheat it. Thaw frozen meals in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat them on the stove or in the microwave until they reach 165°F. (Don't reheat leftovers in the slow cooker, because it warms food too slowly to be safe.)
Raw meat and poultry are safe to cook in a slow cooker as long as they're fully thawed first. Frozen meat can spend too long in the temperature range where bacteria grow, so move it to the refrigerator to thaw the night before. Try to keep the lid on while it cooks, since every peek lets out heat and adds to the cooking time. Before serving, check the temperature with a food thermometer. Pork should reach 145°F and rest for at least 3 minutes, ground beef should reach 160°F, and chicken and ground turkey should reach 165°F.
Both settings bring food to the same final temperature, but the low setting takes longer to get there. Low is best for tougher cuts like beef brisket and pot roast, because the long, gentle cooking breaks them down until they're fork tender. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin and chicken breast can dry out if they cook too long, so it's a good idea to stick to the recipe's timing. As a general rule, 1 hour on high equals about 2 hours on low. Our Slow Cooker Pork Tenderloin, for example, cooks for 4 hours on low or 2 to 2½ hours on high.

More Heart-Healthy Slow Cooker Meals

Add these heart-healthy slow cooker recipes to your low sodium meal plan this week. These low sodium recipes make it easier to enjoy flavorful, nutritious dishes with minimal effort. Let your crockpot do the work while you savor meals that support your heart health and delight your taste buds.

Looking for more ways to put your slow cooker to work? If you want meals that keep you full, try our favorite high protein slow cooker meals. When the weather warms up, these healthy summer slow cooker recipes keep the heat out of your kitchen. And for the busiest cooking day of the year, these slow cooker Thanksgiving recipes help you save oven space for the turkey.

Watching your salt? These 8 low sodium crock pot meals are all made with heart health in mind.