Easy Vegetarian and Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes

Family tested easy slow cooker recipes for vegetarians and vegans. From soups and stews to curry and pasta, as well as chilli, veg packed dishes and drinks.

Slow Cooking

A slow cooker is such a time saver. You can make soups, stews, pasta dishes, rice dishes, hot drinks and desserts in it. The cooking itself isn't quick, but the method of cooking is.

Most recipes just need you to throw (dump) the ingredients in and turn the slow cooker on. Then you can get on with your day.

The slow cooker will even keep dinner warm until you are ready to serve your dish.

 10 SLOW COOKER TIPS

Here are a few tips to get you started and to get the best out of your slow cooker.

1. PREP AT NIGHT - Prepare your ingredients in the evening and pop in the fridge. In the morning, cook in the slow cooker at low for 8 hours and head to work. Dinner will be ready when you get home.
2. CONVERTING A RECIPE - If you're converting a cooker-top recipe, cut the liquid by a third when you cook it in the slow cooker.
3. HOW TO THICKEN - You use less liquid in a slow cooker, but it doesn't thicken as it cooks, so add a little cornflour, dissolved in warm water.
4. NO CHECKING - Avoid the temptation of having a peep or stir. Each time you open the slow cooker lid, you reduce the temperature and let water (condensation) drop from the lid.
5. BAKING - Baking in your slow cooker? Pop a tea towel under the lid and wrap up towards the handle on the outside, it will prevent steam from dripping back into the dish. (Thanks to Baking Queen 74 for that tip!)
6. COOK IT QUICKER - Short on time? Cook on high for 4-6 hours
7. DON'T OVER FILL IT - Don't overfill your slow cooker. Leave plenty of room above your ingredients.
8. USE DRIED HERBS - When adding herbs, choose dried herbs. Fresh herbs don't fare well in the slow cooker unless added at the last minute.
9. NON-STICK - If you suspect a dish might stick (perhaps one with no or little sauce), then spray or rub your slow cooker pan with a little oil.
10. LEFTOVERS - If you have leftovers, don't leave them in the slow cooker as it stays warm for a while and bacteria can build overnight. Instead, spoon the leftovers into a clean dish, cover and store in the fridge or freezer.

Family Tested Slow Cooker Recipes

Below are my family tested slow cooker or crockpot (it's just a brand, but a term often used) recipes. They are all easy to make and completely delicious.

I've divided the recipes into categories and all the recipes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Enjoy!

Slow Cooker Chilli Recipes

Chilli is one of the dishes that works so well in a slow cooker.

You can literally just chuck everything in and all the spices, herbs and other flavourings you add will slow cook into the most delicious flavours.

1. Slow Cooker Squash, Sweet Potato & Bean Veggie Chilli

Las Iguanas veggie chilli inspired this slow cooker squash, sweet potato & bean veggie chilli. 

Slow & easy with lots of flavour for a plant-based dinner.

My son loves this chilli and requests it a lot.

Slow Cooker Curry Recipes

Sometimes you just want a quick curry like a dahl, that's made in under half an hour, but sometimes it's good to let the slow cooker do the work and walk away from it.

In this section, you will find traditional home-style curry that has less sauce, as well as the more saucy curries that are popular in the west and we originally adapted to suit the British palate.

They are all good served with rice, naan bread and a good dollop of mango chutney.

1. Slow Cooker Aubergine and Onion Masala

A masala-spiced curry, which is more like a home-style Indian curry.

This Masala is made with aubergine (eggplant) and onion in a light creamy sauce. 

It's made in a slow cooker, but could be made in a pot on the hob too.

2. Slow Cooker Vegetable & Chickpea Curry

An easy vegetable and chickpea curry made in a slow cooker. 

Just chuck it all in and get on with your day.

Simples!

Slow Cooker Pasta Recipes

You may be thinking pasta in a slow cooker? Surely not?

I mean, it's not a time-saver, and it's not something that needs a slow cook to develop flavours.

So why cook pasta in a slow cooker or crockpot?

• The prep is quick
• Throw all the ingredients in at once - no pre-cooking pasta
• Less washing up
• You can put the ingredients in and walk away, no stirring
• Big batches are easy to make

You do have to be careful with the timings or you could end up with mush.

Of course, my recipes are well-tested, so just follow the recipe.

1. Luxury Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese

A dump recipe for the slow cooker. 

This luxury mac and cheese is the best you'll try. It's so rich, creamy and cheesy. 

It tastes totally sinful. 

Readers have told me this is the best macaroni cheese they have ever tried.

Make it vegetarian or vegan, tips included.

2. Vegan Spinach & Cream Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells

A simple recipe for a stuffed pasta made in a slow cooker. 

The perfect midweek meal for vegans or vegetarians.

This one is very popular.

If you are struggling to find the giant pasta shells, check in health food shops, farm shops, T K Maxx and Amazon.

3. Slow Cooker Triple Tomato and Spinach Pasta

A simple slow cooker pasta dish where the sauce and pasta are cooked together. 

Three types of tomato and spinach are the base of this delicious saucy pasta.

This is another popular one.

4. Slow Cooker Extra Vegetable Pasta

An easy vegetable pasta recipe, which is made in a slow cooker and packed with lots of vegetables.

If you want to make sure you are getting enough veg, then this is the recipe for you.

You can use fresh or frozen veg for this one, but frozen veg does introduce more water, so do add a little cornflour slurry (corn flour mixed with a little water) to help thicken the sauce.

Slow Cooker Soup Recipes

Soup is probably the first thing that everyone makes when they first get a slow cooker, and there is a reason or two for that.

You can make a big batch; it's easy and so nutritious.

It's also hard to go wrong when making soup, so it's a good place to start.

1. Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup

A glorious, flavour-packed carrot and coriander soup made in a slow cooker with no added oil.

I make this one every Christmas.

It frees up the cooker for other dishes and my family always ask for it.

2. Scottish Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup

A traditional Scottish winter root vegetable soup made in the slow cooker. 

Fat-free, low-calorie, satisfying and very tasty. 

A hug in a bowl.

3. Slow Cooker Lentil and Peanut Butter Soup

Hearty winter soup with gutsy flavours made in the slow cooker. 

The peanut butter is optional, but it gives a lot of flavour.

Trust the process!

4. Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

A comforting Scottish soup made with yellow split peas, which are also called field peas. 

You can also make this one with green split peas. 

The yellow split peas have an earthier flavour, while the green ones are sweeter.

This one is very low-calorie too, as a bonus and freezes well.

Slow Cooker Stew Recipes

Stew is another perfect style of dish to cook in the slow cooker.

It really benefits from that slow cook and the flavours having time to develop.

And there are so many different styles of stew.

Have a look and see what catches your fancy.

1. Slow Cooker Scottish Stovies

A traditional Scottish recipe for stovies, which are a tatties (potatoes) and mince stew with a delicious rich gravy. 

This recipe is made with veggie mince which is suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

You might not know this wee fact, but this is often served at weddings in Scotland with Scottish oatcakes.

2. Vegan Slow Cooker Sausage Stew with White Beans & Peppers

An easy vegan sausage stew with white beans and peppers. 

Slow-cooked in the crockpot with a rich sauce.

Very tasty and comforting.

3. Slow Cooker Potato and Haricot Bean Casserole

A lightly spiced vegan casserole made in the slow cooker. 

Potatoes, carrots and haricot beans in a spicy tomato sauce make a comforting family meal. 

Leftover portions can be chilled or frozen for another day. 

If you're making this in a casserole pot on the cooker top, remember you'll need more stock, and it won't take as long to cook. Just keep an eye on it.

4. Slow Cooker Vegan Savoury Mince

A simple recipe for vegan savoury mince in a rich gravy cooked in a slow cooker. 

Old-fashioned comfort food.

I like to serve it simply with mashed potatoes and peas and some buttered bread to mop up any leftover gravy.

This savoury mince can be frozen.

5. Slow Cooker Smoked Vegetable Stew

An Autumnal vegetable stew cooked in a slow cooker. 

If you don't have a slow cooker, saute the onion and garlic in a little oil until soft, then add the vegetables and cook a little, before adding the liquids and simmering until the sauce has thickened and the vegetables are tender.

6. Slow Cooker Vegan Irish Stew

A simple Irish stew full of flavourful winter vegetables and lentils in a rich gravy made in a slow cooker.

Serve it with crusty bread to sop up the gravy, and a beer to drink with it is rather nice too.

7. Slow Cooker Vegan Sausage Birra

A slow-cooked veggie sausage stew cooked in the slow cooker with a spicy tomato and beer sauce.

Serve it with mashed potatoes and vegetables for an excellent Sunday dinner.

8. Slow Cooker Veggie Sausage, Mushroom & Chickpea Stew

A tomato-based stew with a rich sauce, thick with mushrooms, sausages and chickpeas. 

This is a slow cooker (or crockpot) recipe, but it could be made on the hob too, it would just require more stock. 

Suitable for a vegan diet or dairy free diet.

Slow Cooker Vegetable Recipes

You can slow-cook vegetables too.

I don't slow cook them plain, though.

I like to cook them in layers or with a sauce.

Have a look and see what I mean!

1. Slow Cooker Pizza Potatoes

Potato and pizza all wrapped up in one delicious slow cooker recipe. 

Serve these pizza topped potatoes as a side or a comforting main with garlic bread and green salad.

Yum!

2. Slow Cooker Ratatouille

An easy slow cooker recipe for ratatouille, which is a classic French vegetable stew made with garden (or supermarket) summer vegetables, and added corn for a pop of sweetness (the corn is optional). 

Serve it tossed through pasta, with salad and crusty bread, with mashed potato and sausages or on a bed or creamy, herby polenta.

I love this recipe!

Slow Cooker Drinks

Did you consider heating drinks in a slow cooker?

Yes, you are heating them and not cooking them, but it's good for serving to family or at a party as the slow cooker keeps the drinks warm.

Just serve it with a soup ladle, so everyone can serve their own drink or top it up in a mug.

Think flavoured hot chocolate, hot fruit juice or hot drinks like mulled wine or cider.

1. Slow Cooker Mulled Wine with Orange Liqueur

A dump recipe for slow cooker mulled wine with added orange liqueur for a boosted orange flavour.

Serve warm from the slow cooker for your guests.

More slow cooker inspiration

27 Slow Cooker Recipes for Winter