In this post we’ll briefly discuss what to look for in diabetes slow cooker recipes. Then, I’ll show you 11 of my favorite slow cooker and crockpot recipes that are perfect for people with diabetes!
Slow cooker recipes for diabetes
Slow cooker recipes tend to focus on two things: proteins and veggies… which are ideal for people with diabetes. They can also be an incredibly helpful tool for making cooking and meal prep less stressful. And let’s be real: people with diabetes already deal with enough stress and confusion around food. A good diabetes slow cooker recipe can be incredibly helpful!
What to look for in easy diabetes slow cooker recipes
When you’re looking online or in your favorite cookbooks for diabetes slow cooker recipes, seek out recipes that provide the following:
- A quality protein source: chicken, lean beef, lean pork, tofu, beans, etc.
- At least 1-2 veggies (or ideas on how to pair the dish with veggies)
- Low amounts of added sugar (<10-15g) and sodium (<600-800mg)
- Higher amounts of fiber (>5g) and protein (>20g)
- Full nutrition information with portion sizes*
*Counting carbohydrates for diabetes slow cooker recipes can be difficult if nutrition information or serving sizes aren’t provided. While you don’t have to stick to their recommended serving size, make sure you have enough information to accurately track carbohydrates if needed.
Diabetes crock pot cooking tips
Whether you have diabetes or not, slow cooker recipes and crockpot meals can be incredibly helpful and reduce the stress that can often come with getting a healthy meal on the table.
Slow cooker meals are great for batch cooking and freezing, or weekly meal prep on the weekend so you’re good to go.
Here are a few tips I’ve learned over the years with slow cooker recipes:
- Use canned ingredients if/when appropriate. This not only saves on cost but can also save time so you’re not prepping fresh veggies.
- Use low/no added sugar condiments. Many slow cooker recipes will call for sauces or marinades which can be higher in sugar. Look for options that are lower in sugar.
- Don’t be afraid to double or triple a recipe if the size of your slow cooker will allow it. Freeze the extras for an easy weeknight meal in the future!
Diabetes crock pot recipes and slow cooker meals
Keep reading for some of my favorite diabetes slow cooker recipes from Milk & Honey Nutrition and some of my other favorite dietitians!
- Slow Cooker Lentil Vegetable Soup
- Crockpot Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
- Gluten Free High Protein Turkey Chili
- Homestyle Beef and Bean Chili
- Low Sugar Crockpot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
- Vegetarian Chili with Butternut Squash and Cauliflower
- Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
- Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Vegan Slow Cooker Pumpkin Curry
1. Slow Cooker Lentil Vegetable Soup
If you’re in need of a delicious diabetes-friendly meal, look no further than our flavorful protein-rich slow cooker lentil vegetable soup.
- Serving size: 1 cup soup
- Calories: 175
- Total Carbohydrate: 23g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 3g
- Total Fat: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Sodium: 590mg
2. Crockpot Grape Jelly BBQ Meatballs
Get your crockpot ready, because you’re going to love these crockpot grape jelly BBQ meatballs! We use fresh grapes instead of grape jelly which has excessive amounts of added sugar. Pair these with your favorite non-starchy vegetable for additional fiber.
- Serving size: 8 meatballs
- Calories: 510
- Total Carbohydrate: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 26g (no added sugar)
- Total Fat: 32g
- Protein: 22g
3. Gluten Free High Protein Turkey Chili
This recipe can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker and thanks to lots of beans and veggies, it makes a great blood sugar-friendly meal!
- Serving size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 318
- Total Carbohydrate: 29g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 9g
- Total Fat: 11g
- Protein: 28g
- Sodium: 634mg
4. Homestyle Beef and Bean Chili
I’m a big believer that beans belong in chili! Largely because they add protein and fiber which help promote stable blood sugar levels. Diabetes-friendly chili recipes in the slow cooker make dinner time so much easier!
- Serving size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: 310
- Total Carbohydrate: 36g
- Fiber: 11g
- Sugar: 21g
- Total Fat: 8g
- Protein: 27g
5. Low Sugar Crock Pot Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Now, I know this recipe is very different from all of the other recipes on this list, but I had to include it! Like many of these recipes, it can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. This is a perfect higher-fiber beverage for fall and winter gatherings.
- Serving size: 8 fl oz.
- Calories: 188
- Total Carbohydrate: 17g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 9.5g
- Total Fat: 14g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 109mg
6. Chicken Noodle Veggie Soup
When it comes to diabetes-friendly slow cooker chicken recipes, I love this chicken noodle soup recipe! We use my go-to pasta: chickpea pasta, for better blood sugars… and it can be made on the stovetop or in the slow cooker. be sure to use low-sodium chicken broth or stock.
- Serving size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 339
- Total Carbohydrate: 46g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 5g
- Total Fat: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Sodium: 955mg
7. Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup
A hearty pumpkin soup perfect for chilly fall days and anyone looking for slow cooker diabetes soup recipes. Throw the ingredients in the slow cooker & come back later for a tasty meal! Each serving offers 6g of fiber which helps promote stable blood sugar levels.
- Serving size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 200
- Total Carbohydrate: 43g
- Fiber: 6g
- Sugar: 7g
- Total Fat: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Sodium: 147mg
8. Vegetarian Chili with Butternut Squash and Cauliflower
Vegetarian chili with butternut squash and cauliflower is a tasty spin on a traditional chili recipe. It’s filled with beans, and veggies like sweet potatoes, pumpkin, tomatoes, peppers, onions, quinoa, and spices, which all work together to help promote stable blood sugar levels.
- Serving size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 189
- Total Carbohydrate: 38g
- Fiber: 9g
- Sugar: 7g
- Total Fat: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Sodium: 123mg
9. Green Enchilada Chicken Soup
This green enchilada chicken soup is a PCOS-friendly (and diabetes-friendly!) soup recipe that is delicious and so easy to make! It combines healthy ingredients like chicken, beans, and vegetables in the slow cooker to make healthy eating easier.
- Serving size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 464
- Total Carbohydrate: 36g
- Fiber: 10g
- Sugar: 11g
- Total Fat: 16g
- Protein: 44g
- Sodium: 732mg
10. Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup
For a healthy, comforting soup that comes together with minimal effort, try this slow-cooker stuffed pepper soup! And, it only has 17g total carbohydrate per serving, but 24g protein!
- Serving size: 1/5 recipe
- Calories: 211
- Total Carbohydrate: 17g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 6g
- Total Fat: 5g
- Protein: 24g
- Sodium: 688mg
11. Vegan Slow Cooker Pumpkin Curry
This pumpkin curry soup is full of high-fiber, blood-sugar-friendly ingredients! The nutrition information is not provided with this recipe, but the high fiber ingredients paired with some additional protein sources will make for a delicious and blood sugar-friendly meal.
More delicious diabetes-friendly recipes
Looking for more delicious blood sugar-friendly and diabetes-friendly recipes? Check out these posts:
