If you’re looking for the best, ridiculously easy, healthy vegetarian slow cooker recipes, you’re in the right place! From baked beans to creamy chowders, the crockpot recipes in this collection are all simple to prepare and perfect low-effort weeknight wins!

Collage of four images of vegetarian slow cooker recipes, ingredients shown in black crockpots with text over a pink background.

About these Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes

The crockpot is great for vegetarian cooking!

If you’re new to slow cooking, this curated list of easy recipes is the perfect place to start.

Cook your way through this list and you’ll be a crockpot pro in no time.

The dishes that work best for this type of cooking method are soups & stews, curries, chilis, beans, and even some dips – so you’ll see plenty of those recipes here for you to choose from.

Note: Some of the recipes may say “instant pot” in the title, but the recipe cards contain slow cooker instructions too!

Simplify Healthy Meal Prep with Plant-Based Crockpot Cooking

If you’ve read my book, then you know I’m all about simplifying things.

Less decisions = less stress!

So for at least one dinner a week, I make an easy vegetarian slow cooker recipe and these are some of my family’s all-time favorites.

The beauty of these plant-based meals is that each recipe only needs a few hands-on minutes of prep time and some of them contain as few as 5 ingredients.

Many of them are also designed as dump and go crockpot recipes – so all you need to do is add your real food ingredients to the crockpot, set the timer to cook, and let it do the rest of the work for you!

PS – These recipes make a lot of leftovers, making them great for weekly meal prep or whenever you need to feed a crowd simply & easily. Perfect for low-effort weeknight wins.

Table of Contents

These vegetarian slow cooker recipes are all super simple, gluten-free, dairy-free, and totally delicious – so everyone can enjoy them.

And, to make things even simpler for you, I’ve organized these plant-based one-pot wonders into five recipe categories – click on each category below to go straight to that section:

Soups, Stews & Chowders

Snacks, Sides, and Sauces

Chili & Main Dishes

Healthy Vegetarian Family Meals

Dump and Go Vegetarian Meals

What Makes These Recipes Healthy

The truth is, there isn’t a universally agreed upon definition of what makes a recipe healthy.

As an expert on healthy habits, I should know — I’ve interviewed over 200 health and wellness experts on the question of what it really means to be healthy, and have yet to uncover a definition of healthy eating that all experts agree on.

However, I did write the book on what it really means to be healthy, and when it comes to recipes I take a whole, real foods, research-based approach.

With that in mind, all of these recipes are made with whole food ingredients, without any added refined sugar, and do not include processed ingredients or oils.

They are also plant-forward, include whole grains, as well as plenty of colorful, health-filled veggies.

Finally, as a healthy habits expert, I know that a big part of eating healthy is making the process easy.

That’s why all these recipes are not only filled with good-for-you ingredients, but also incredibly simple to prepare.

As always, if you’re following a specific diet for health reasons, consult with your doctor or registered dietitian for specific health advice and check out our nutrition disclaimer for more information.

How to Freeze and Store Leftovers

All of these healthy vegetarian crockpot recipes will keep well in the fridge for up to 3-4 days, in a sealed container.

Many of these recipes also freeze well, store in a sealed freezer friendly container for up to 2-3 months.

Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Soups, Stews & Chowders

Minestrone soup with butternut squash, beans, and pasta in a bowl on a blue background.
5 stars (10 ratings)

Winter Minestrone

A delicious, nourishing winter season soup that’s beyond easy to make at home, this vegetarian winter minestrone combines a mixture of flavors and textures, resulting in a cozy and hearty dinner soup you'll love!
Ingredients: Chickpeas, white beans, butternut squash, diced tomatoes, kale, stock, onion, garlic, pasta.
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Three bowls of tomato soup topped with basil, parmesan, with crusty bread on the side.
5 stars (21 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Tomato Soup

Slow-cooked in the crockpot, this easy slow cooker tomato soup is made with of canned tomatoes and with no milk or cream.
Ingredients: canned tomatoes, sun dried tomatoes, tomato paste, stock, onion, garlic, raw cashews, Italian seasoning, salt.
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Pumpkin soup in a black slow cooker with fresh herbs on white background.
5 stars (20 ratings)

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Soup (with Canned Pumpkin!)

This easy slow cooker pumpkin soup recipe is so easy to prepare with canned pumpkin! It's a simple dump-and-go slow cooker meal that's perfectly rich, creamy and oh-so cozy.
Ingredients: canned pumpkin puree, vegetable stock, canned tomato sauce, cream or coconut milk, onion, garlic, cinnamon and salt.
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Overhead shot of bowls of creamy potato corn chowder with corn kernels and basil leaves. The bowl in the middle has a spoon in it.
5 stars (30 ratings)

Slow Cooker Corn Chowder (Dump and Go!)

This easy slow cooker corn chowder is a breeze to prep, and is a hearty vegetarian and vegan recipe that’s luxuriously creamy without a drop of cream. A surprisingly simple yet delicious dairy free meal to enjoy all year round! 
Ingredients: russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broth, coconut milk, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar and other spices
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Image of Slow Cooker Butternut Squash, Kale & Quinoa Stew
5 stars (19 ratings)

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash, Kale & Quinoa Stew

A simple and delicious plant-based meal, Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Stew is hearty, nourishing and packed with all the good stuff.
Ingredients: butternut squash, quinoa, kale, tomatoes, broth, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar, cumin, paprika, and other spices
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image of 10-Ingredient Slow Cooker Vegetable and Quinoa Stew
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker Vegetable and Quinoa Stew

Slow Cooker Vegetable and Quinoa Soup is a hearty, vegetarian meal that's easy to make and completely satisfying. Warm, nourishing, and so simple, you'll want to make this soup for dinner tonight!
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, white beans, chickpeas, carrots, diced tomatoes, quinoa, kale, onion, stock.
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White bowl filled with slow cooker potato leek soup topped with chives, with cut leeks and a napkin on the side, on top of a white background.
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup

Lusciously creamy (with no cream) this simple dump-and-go slow cooker potato leek soup is naturally vegan and packed with veggies for a tasty and sustaining, nourishing meal anytime. Can easily be made nut-free & dairy-free, with or without bacon, or on the stovetop!
Ingredients: leeks, potatoes, celery, carrots, garlic, vegetable stock, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, cashews (or cream / coconut milk), butter (traditional or plant-based) and salt.
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white bowl of soup with a spoon and striped blue napkin on white background
5 stars (12 ratings)

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

This comforting and easy slow cooker split pea soup is super simple to prep in just 5 minutes, and is a wildly easy dump-and-go slow cooker recipe that's bound to become your new go-to recipe!
Ingredients: split peas, vegetable broth, water, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, bay leaves, smoked paprika, red wine vinegar and salt.
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Overhead shot of a white bowl with pumpkin and sweet potato soup
5 stars (7 ratings)

Easy Pumpkin and Sweet Potato Soup

Creamy and warming, pumpkin and sweet potato soup is an easy, healthy, vegan soup that can be made with canned pumpkin on the stovetop or in the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, pumpkin puree, chipotle peppers, vegetable broth, coconut milk or cream, pumpkin pie spice, olive oil, onion, garlic powder, fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and salt.
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white bowl of crockpot butternut squash soup with apple
5 stars (6 ratings)

Slow Cooker Butternut Squash Soup

Cozy, warming, and wildly simple to prepare, this easy slow cooker butternut squash soup gets tons of flavor from sweet apple and doesn't contain any curry powder! Once you make it, this will become your new favorite butternut squash soup.
Ingredients: Butternut squash, apples, onion, carrot, turmeric, coconut milk, vegetable stock, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon and other spices.
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5 stars (17 ratings)

Glow Red Lentil Soup (Instant Pot, Crockpot, Stove Top)

Golden Glow Red Lentil Soup is an easy one-pot meal that’s bursting with nourishment. Simple to make in the Instant Pot, Crockpot, or stovetop, you’re going to love this gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian recipe.
Ingredients: red lentils, coconut milk, tomatoes, onion, lime juice, garlic, ginger, turmeric and other spices
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Image of Slow Cooker Sweet Potato, Apple, & Turmeric Soup
4.92 stars (23 ratings)

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato, Apple, & Turmeric Soup

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato, Apple & Turmeric Soup is a simple chop and drop recipe that yields creamy, nourishing results. It’s a hit with the entire family, plus is gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, paleo and Whole30 friendly!
Ingredients: sweet potato, apple, potatoes, stock, coconut milk, onion, garlic, apple cider vinegar, turmeric and other seasonings
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Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Snacks, Sides, and Sauces

Image of Easy-Prep Slow Cooker Baked Beans (Refined Sugar-Fee)
No ratings yet

Easy-Prep Slow Cooker Baked Beans (Refined Sugar-Free)

Baked beans are a simple side dish everyone loves. These Easy-Prep Slow Cooker Baked Beans are a cinch to make at home, contain no refined sugar, and require minimal prep time. They are perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or make an easy side dish any night of the week.
Did you know you can use your crockpot to cook dried beans too? I'll show you how to do it in this recipe for slow cooker refried bean tacos (another great vegetarian dinner option).
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bowl of artichoke dip with bread on white plate with striped napkin
5 stars (6 ratings)

Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)

Rich, creamy, and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free) will be the hit of your next party or gathering!
Ingredients: frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, raw cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, mayo or veganaise
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5 stars (3 ratings)

The Best Dairy-Free Salsa Cheese Sauce

Dairy-Free Salsa Cheese Sauce is an ooey-gooey, totally delicious alternative to traditional cheese sauce. Packed with veggies, and totally dairy-free, you’ve got to try this one to believe it!
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, carrots, chicken or vegetable stock, cashews, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, chunky salsa, and salt.
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close up of slow cooker baked potatoes in a black crockpot with chives and sour cream on top
5 stars (2 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

Yes, you can make perfect baked potatoes in the slow cooker! The easiest hands-off way to feed a crowd, create an effortless baked potato bar, or an easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil and salt.
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top down view of sliced carrots in a black crockpot on white background
5 stars (10 ratings)

Slow Cooker Carrots

Elevate everyday carrots with slow cooker carrots, an incredibly easy recipe that’s packed with flavor! Makes an elegantly simple side for every day dinners, brunch, and special holiday spreads.
Ingredients: carrots, butter, lemon zest, maple syrup and salt.
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top down view of slow cooker potatoes in a black crockpot topped with fresh parsley
4.92 stars (12 ratings)

Slow Cooker Potatoes

These slow cooker potatoes are the definition of simple and delicious. All you need are a handful of pantry ingredients and a crockpot. Easy prep for weeknight dinners, but this classic, cozy recipe makes a great addition to the holiday table too!
Ingredients: small potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.
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close up view of red cabbage on a white plate with fresh green herbs on top
5 stars (3 ratings)

Slow Cooker Red Cabbage

This easy sweet and sour slow cooker red cabbage combines red cabbage, onion and apple for a simple, flavorful vegetable side dish that goes with everything.
Ingredients: red cabbage, onions, apples, water, red wine vinegar, brown or coconut sugar, butter.
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Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Chili & Main Dish Meals

Image of Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpeas
5 stars (7 ratings)

Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpeas

Traditional flavors combine in this Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpea recipe, a satisfying and completely plant-based twist on classic barbecue.
Ingredients:  chickpeas, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, tomato paste, maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and water.
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4.89 stars (17 ratings)

Slow Cooker Turmeric Lentil Chili

Made with pantry staples, Slow Cooker Turmeric Lentil Chili is incredibly simple to prepare and is packed with good-for-you ingredients. A vegetarian crockpot meal perfect for any night of the week!
Ingredients: kidney beans, lentils, stock, onion, tomato paste, coconut milk, cumin, turmeric and other spices
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5 stars (6 ratings)

Slow Cooker Veggie Coconut Curry

Bursting with vibrant vegetables, Slow Cooker Veggie Coconut Curry is easy to pull together and is the perfect dinner, any night of the week.
Ingredients: baby potatoes, carrots, chickpeas, stock, asparagus, peas, coconut milk, red Thai curry paste, lime juice and cilantro.
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4.86 stars (7 ratings)

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes are easy to prepare in the slow cooker and make for a filling, festive and delicious meal.
Ingredients: black beans, sweet potatoes, salsa, garlic powder and smoked paprika.
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Image of Slow Cooker Refried Bean Tacos
No ratings yet

Slow Cooker Refried Bean Tacos

With just 2 ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up a batch of homemade refried beans. Fold into a warm tortilla, pile on the toppings, and you’ll have yourself quick and delicious Slow Cooker Refried Bean Tacos for dinner in no time!
Ingredients: dry pinto beans, water, salt and any taco toppings you like.
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Image of Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Apple Cider Chili
5 stars (2 ratings)

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Apple Cider Chili

Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Apple Cider Chili is a hearty sweet and savory vegetarian chili, combining a few simple ingredients into a quick, easy, and filling meal.
Ingredients: sweet potato, black beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, onion, stock, apple cider, chili powder, and other spices
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Image of Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)
5 stars (18 ratings)

Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)

A simple drop, stir, cover, and go recipe; Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free) is so easy to prepare, tastes amazing, and packs well for lunch the next day.
Ingredients: quinoa, canned black beans, bell pepper, onion, cumin, garlic powder, mild chili powder, tomato sauce, diced fire-roasted tomatoes, green chilis, lime juice and salt
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Healthy Vegetarian Family Meals

close up of crockpot vegetarian chili in a white bowl with toppings
5 stars (99 ratings)

Crockpot Vegetarian Chili

This easy crockpot vegetarian chili recipe tastes delicious and is easy to make with basic pantry ingredients, three beans, vegetables, and spices. Gluten free and vegan!
Ingredients: black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, bell peppers, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, cumin, chili powder, lime juice, and other spices
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Overhead shot of a bowl of sweet potato black bean chili garnished with avocado slices and sliced green onions. You can see a second bowl of chili, a lime wedge, cilantro, and a kitchen towel in the background.
5 stars (25 ratings)

5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili (Slow Cooker, Instant Pot)

5-Ingredient Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili is simple to prepare, totally nourishing, and absolutely delicious.
Ingredients: sweet potatoes, black beans, salsa, vegetable stock, cumin, smoked paprika and salt
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Top down image of a white bowl filled with slow cooker creamy potato soup, topped with bacon and chives, on a white background.
5 stars (5 ratings)

Slow Cooker Creamy Potato Soup

This easy, healthy slow cooker creamy potato soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe, requiring just a short list of simple ingredients and can be topped with just about anything for a warm, nourishing meal any night of the week.
Ingredients: Yukon gold potatoes, onion, vegetable stock, raw cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, and salt.
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Image of Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Fire Roasted Marinara
5 stars (1 rating)

Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Fire Roasted Marinara

Make your own pasta sauce at home the easy way with this simple recipe for Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Fire Roasted Marinara. You’ll love the homemade flavor, how easy it is to prepare, and that there’s none of the processed stuff!
Ingredients: fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onion, smoked paprika.
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Dump and Go Vegetarian Meals

top down view of white bowl of vegetable soup with striped blue napkin
5 stars (21 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup (Dump and Go!)

This easy, hearty slow cooker vegetable soup is made with a mix of cut veggies that stand up well to a longer cook time, such as carrots, potatoes, and celery (no mush veggies here!) Best of all, you can make it without sautéing the vegetables first, which is a nice time-saver, too! 
Ingredients: potatoes, celery, carrot, onion, fire roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, peas, corn, green beans, stock, garlic powder, smoked paprika, bay leaves and salt.
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white bowl filled with slow cooker vegetable curry with a striped blue napkin on the side
4.96 stars (25 ratings)

Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry

Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry combines sweet potato, chickpeas, cauliflower, spinach, coconut milk, and curry powder for a hearty vegetarian and vegan meal.
Ingredients: chickpeas, sweet potato, cauliflower, onion, vegetable broth, peas, spinach, coconut milk, curry powder, turmeric, ginger, garlic powder, tomato paste, lime juice, and salt
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white bowl of crockpot lentil soup with fresh herbs and crusty bread on the side
5 stars (29 ratings)

Easy Slow Cooker Lentil Soup

This easy slow cooker lentil soup is made with simple pantry ingredients like green lentils, celery, carrot and spinach making for a hearty vegan and vegetarian meal. Plus instant pot and stovetop directions!
Ingredients: Green (or brown) lentils, stock, onion, celery, carrot, diced tomatoes, garlic, red wine vinegar, spinach, salt and bay leaves.
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Image of Slow Cooker Enchilada Quinoa (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)
5 stars (2 ratings)

30+ Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes: Enchilada Quinoa

A simple drop, stir, cover-and-go recipe, this slow cooker Enchilada Quinoa is so easy to prepare, tastes amazing and packs well for lunch the next day. Plus 30+ more easy vegetarian slow cooker recipes that I guarantee you'll love!

Ingredients

  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon mild chili powder
  • 2 15-ounce cans black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 15-ounce can diced fire-roasted tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 1-3 teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
  • 1 4-ounce can chopped green chilis
  • Juice of 1 small lime

Instructions 

  • Combine the onion, bell pepper, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, beans, tomato sauce, fire-roasted tomatoes, water, salt (taste the mixture prior to adding the quinoa, adding salt to taste), and quinoa to a 6-quart slow cooker, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6 hours, or until the quinoa is cooked through.
  • Uncover and stir in the green chilies and lime juice. Taste and add additional salt or lime juice if you like.
  • Serve with any toppings you like such as avocado, chopped green onions, cilantro, grated cheese, sour cream, hot sauce, or sliced limes. If you want crunch, go for crushed corn chips and chopped white onion.

Notes

This recipe serves 6-8
Pull aside a portion prior to adding the green chilis if you’re serving someone sensitive to heat.
Top with avocado and chopped green onions, or sprinkle with cheese and dollop with sour cream.
Since the consistency of this dish is decidedly creamy, feel free to top with crushed corn chips or chopped white onion to add crunch.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 169kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 909mg, Potassium: 665mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 861IU, Vitamin C: 31mg, Calcium: 65mg, Iron: 4mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!

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