As a frequent user of my trusty slow cooker, I’ve been on a mission to incorporate more plant-based dishes into our meal plans. While scouring for delectable vegan recipes, I was thrilled to discover that they far exceed the usual suspects of vegetable soups and broths! In fact, this collection of 30 mouth-watering vegan slow cooker creations boasts an impressive range, from Indian-inspired vegetable tikka masala to spicy jambalaya, rich lasagna, and even a plant-based take on classic pot roast.
What’s more, these dishes are not only satisfying and heartwarming but also incredibly easy to prepare and utterly irresistible. And why stop at dinner? Why not top it off with an unforgettable vegan slow cooker chocolate cake, the perfect way to cap off a meal that’s sure to become a new favorite.
Vegan Crockpot Chinese Hot Pot
In Chinese culture, hot pot has been a beloved communal dining experience for centuries. At its core, it’s a simple yet elegant concept: gather around the table and cook your meal together in a shared pot of savory broth.
The traditional setup features a large soup pot placed at the center of the table, where family members and friends come together to add their choice of proteins and vegetables.
This collaborative approach not only fosters social bonding but also allows each person to customize their meal to suit their taste preferences.
To give this timeless tradition a modern twist, some enthusiasts like to incorporate Western flavors into their hot pot creations. A drizzle of ginger soy sauce at the end of the meal, for instance, adds a delightful depth of flavor.
Simplifying the preparation process while enhancing the overall taste experience is where ingredients like garlic and ginger paste come in handy. These pantry staples are easily accessible at your local supermarket or online, making it easy to get started with this delicious and social culinary activity.
Vegan Slow Cooker Pot Roast With Tempeh
Tofu, crafted from soy milk, has a silky consistency and a subtle flavor profile. In contrast, tempeh, derived from entire soybeans, boasts a rich nutty taste and firm texture. To preserve the texture of the tempeh, it’s pan-seared before being slow-cooked with vegetables in a flavorful medley. The sauce plays a crucial role in this recipe, as its similarity to a genuine beef stew is achieved through the use of red wine and plant-based ‘beef’ broth.
Vegetarian Crock Pot Taco Soup
While not drastically different from its cousin, chili, taco soup presents itself as a lighter, more brothy version. It’s only natural then that many of the same fundamental components would be present in both recipes. Indeed, beans, corn, tomatoes, and peppers are common denominators in this culinary family, with their flavors blending harmoniously to create a deliciously hearty soup.
Vegan Spaghetti Sauce from the Slow Cooker
When it comes to getting kids to eat their veggies, creative meal prep can work wonders. One such approach involves whipping up your own spaghetti sauce, allowing you to seamlessly incorporate an array of vegetables into the mix. This method has the added benefit of making it easy to blend the sauce later on, eliminating the need for precise dicing. Simply chop the veggies into manageable chunks and let them simmer in the pot until they’re tender enough to blend.
For instance, even a half onion can be fully cooked after just six hours, at which point you can easily puree it into your sauce without any lingering texture issues.
Crockpot Spiced Chickpea Stew
Rich in fiber, B vitamins, iron, potassium, and magnesium, chickpeas offer a unique nutritional profile that’s not only cholesterol-free but also heart-healthy. Their subtle flavor and satisfying texture make them a versatile ingredient for various dishes. Additionally, they’re widely available in both canned and dried forms, providing endless possibilities for culinary creativity.
When paired with quinoa, as previously mentioned, chickpeas can form the foundation of a delicious plant-based meal that’s both nutritious and filling.
Vegan Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes
Mashed potatoes have a timeless appeal that transcends age groups, making them a staple in many households. However, adapting this classic dish to suit vegan dietary preferences demands some clever substitutions. A key strategy for infusing flavor into your mashed spuds is to cook them in vegetable broth instead of traditional milk or water.
This approach not only enhances the overall taste but also simplifies the process of achieving the ideal consistency by utilizing the same broth and a dairy-free alternative to butter.
Slow Cooker Lentil Bolognese
When it comes to vegan bolognese, achieving a meaty texture can be a challenge. While vegetables and a rich sauce certainly contribute to the dish’s overall flavor profile, incorporating lentils can provide a more satisfying mouthfeel. In particular, French puy lentils are an excellent choice due to their renowned reputation for adding depth and complexity.
If puy lentils are not available, brown or masoor dal lentils can serve as a suitable substitute, still providing a welcome textural element that complements the dish’s hearty character.
Slow Cooker Ratatouille
Combining fresh vegetables with a savory sauce infused with herbs and spices, ratatouille has earned its reputation as a popular vegan side dish. The beauty of this recipe lies not only in its flavorsome outcome but also in its versatility, allowing for convenient cooking methods. Using a slow cooker is an excellent way to cook ratatouille, as it not only saves time but also enhances the overall taste experience.
This is largely due to the even heat distribution that occurs when using a slow cooker, which results in a more tender and balanced final product. To ensure optimal results, simply remove the lid during the last hour of cooking to allow any excess moisture to evaporate, resulting in a richer, thicker sauce.
Black Bean & Butternut Squash Chili
When it comes to adding depth and complexity to chili recipes, incorporating potatoes or squash can be an excellent way to enhance flavor without breaking the bank. Sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and similar varieties bring a delightful sweetness and pop of color to the dish. Meanwhile, the addition of cocoa powder takes the flavor profile to new heights, much like it does in mole sauces, where its rich, velvety texture harmonizes with other spices.
By combining these ingredients, you can create a hearty, satisfying chili that’s sure to become a favorite.
Vegan Corn Chowder Soup
Indulge in this scrumptious corn chowder soup at your own risk – its irresistible flavor may just prompt you to make a double batch, reserving some for your personal enjoyment. As an added convenience, larger grocery stores often carry prepackaged soup base mixes that include carrots, celery, and onions, streamlining the shopping process and eliminating the need for separate bunch purchases.
Vegan Crockpot Hot Chocolate
For those seeking the ultimate hot chocolate experience, it’s essential to strike the right balance between milk and water. Excess hot water can lead to a lackluster, watery drink that falls short of expectations. This recipe cleverly circumvents this issue by incorporating almond milk and canned coconut milk, the latter boasting a thicker consistency that contributes to an incredibly rich and creamy beverage.
Furthermore, sweetened condensed coconut milk adds an extra layer of indulgence, further elevating the overall flavor profile.
Slow Cooker Irish Oatmeal
Steel-cut oats, with their coarser texture and longer cooking time, make them an excellent choice for slow cooker recipes. Unlike instant or quick oats, which can become mushy, steel-cut oats retain their structure even after cooking. When prepared, they offer a creamy and chewy texture that still maintains some of its natural firmness. The subtle nutty flavor they impart adds depth to the dish’s overall taste, making them an excellent addition to many recipes.
Crockpot Quinoa and Vegetables Recipe
While rice may have its own set of benefits, quinoa stands out as a nutritionally superior option that’s also remarkably easy to prepare. One of its most impressive features is its ability to absorb flavors seamlessly. When cooked in vegetable broth, quinoa can quickly assimilate the flavors, making it an ideal base for a wide range of dishes.
Vegan Butter Chickpeas
Unlike its initial reputation as chickpea butter, this vegan take on butter chicken impresses with a remarkably similar flavor profile. What’s more, creating your own blend of spices is surprisingly straightforward and requires fewer ingredients than the popular tikka masala recipe. By combining this homemade spice mix with coconut milk and tomato puree, you’ll be left with a delectable sauce that’s sure to please.
White Bean and Kale Soup
At first glance, using slow cooker liners for food might seem counterintuitive, as it’s unconventional to see ingredients wrapped in plastic. Yet, the ease of clean-up is a game-changer that will win you over. If kale isn’t your cup of tea due to its bitter taste, spinach offers a palatable alternative. It’s worth noting, however, that spinach tends to wilt more quickly than kale, so be prepared to adjust the quantity accordingly.
Tofu Tikka Masala
Once, I had a negative perception of vegan recipes due to tofu’s unappealing texture. However, after learning proper preparation and cooking techniques, I’ve become a frequent user of this versatile ingredient. The secret to achieving high-quality, intact tofu lies in using extra-firm tofu and applying gentle pressure to remove excess liquid. A dedicated tofu press is an excellent investment for those who regularly work with this protein-rich foodstuff.
Alternatively, placing the tofu between paper towels with a heavy object on top serves as a simple yet effective method for transforming it into a firm, cookable form that’s perfect for incorporating into your favorite recipes.
Vegan Slow Cooker Minestrone
Minestrone soup is often characterized by its plant-based profile, typically comprising vegetables and pasta. While some recipes may incorporate meat, it’s common to find vegetarian or vegan versions at restaurants, where the focus remains on a harmonious balance of vegetables and pasta. The key to preparing this dish lies in using vegetable stock as a flavorful foundation. With a range of delectable ingredients at your disposal, you can create a truly satisfying meal.
Two popular options for adding texture and creaminess are navy beans, prized for their velvety consistency, or kidney beans, which offer a similarly pleasing alternative.
Vegan Slow Cooker Pinto Bean Enchiladas
Enchiladas share striking similarities with their larger-than-life taco counterparts, boasting an abundance of flavorsome fillings and smothered in rich tomato sauce. This delightful, filling meal is nothing short of perfect for dinner gatherings.
Assembling the dish involves a straightforward recipe that guides you through the process of crafting your own homemade enchilada sauce from scratch.
Yet, for those seeking a more convenient approach, store-bought sauce provides an equally satisfying alternative.
Slow Cooker Vegan Butternut Squash Soup
Crafting a vegan butternut squash soup is an effortless endeavor, leveraging the natural sweetness and nutty flavor of its primary ingredients. The addition of coconut milk amplifies this characteristic, while a Granny Smith apple introduces a refreshing, tangy contrast to the rich and creamy texture that unfolds.
To ensure a harmonious blend, it’s essential to temper the coconut milk by gradually incorporating some of the warm soup before adding it to the pot, thus preventing any potential curdling.
Vegan Slow Cooker Peanut Stew
Maafe, a rich West African culinary staple, relies heavily on two primary ingredients: tomatoes and ground nuts. As the flavors meld together during cooking, sweet potatoes tenderize and partially break down, enriching the sauce with their natural sweetness. While peanuts are traditionally used in this recipe, almond butter can be effectively substituted as a peanut butter alternative if needed.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Lasagna
While traditional lasagna recipes often rely on rich cheese and lengthy preparation times, this comforting dish can be easily tweaked to cater to various tastes and dietary needs. To get started, cook your vegetables until tender, opting for pan-frying or roasting based on personal preference. What’s more, this recipe cleverly utilizes uncooked lasagna sheets, skipping the need to boil water altogether.
Simply layer these sheets between your chosen sauce and cashew cream for a satisfying and streamlined meal. For an added bonus, consider substituting cashew cream with tofu ricotta for a nut-free alternative that still delivers on flavor.
Vegan Slow Cooker Lentil Tacos
While undercooked lentils can be a culinary disappointment, overcooking them can lead to an unappetizing mushy texture – especially when it comes to red lentils, which tend to lose their shape with excessive heat. Fortunately, this recipe employs green or brown dry lentils, renowned for retaining their structure even after cooking.
Moreover, the absence of pre-cooking or soaking requirements simplifies the process, allowing you to simply combine all ingredients and let your slow cooker do the rest.
Easy Slow Cooker Vegan Stew
When it comes to stew, the traditional image is of tender chunks of beef simmered in a rich red wine sauce alongside hearty root vegetables. But what if you were to swap out that beef for some mighty fine mushrooms? Chestnut mushrooms, for instance, offer a meat-like texture and an earthy flavor profile that can easily fill the void left by the beef. And if you’re looking for an even more robust option, portobello mushrooms are sure to deliver a meaty punch.
Vegan Crockpot Chili
In essence, chili is already a plant-based dish when it comes to its core ingredients. Typically, it consists of beans, tomatoes, corn, and peppers – all sans dairy products like milk or cream. To give your favorite chili recipe a vegan makeover, the key is simplicity: simply eliminate the meat and avoid adding any non-vegan toppings such as sour cream or shredded cheese.
If you’re looking to replicate that rich, meaty texture, consider substituting with a vegan ground beef alternative – a clever trick that can elevate your plant-based chili game.
Slow Cooker Vegetable Bean Soup (Vegan)
Slow cookers are a culinary game-changer when it comes to soups and stews. This delectable gluten-free and vegan recipe is a prime example of just how versatile they can be. With a medley of wholesome ingredients, including beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and sage, you’ll be on your way to creating a rich, velvety soup that’s as easy to make as it is delicious.
To add a depth of flavor reminiscent of ham or bacon, liquid smoke can be used – just be sure to use it sparingly, as its potency can quickly overpower the dish. With these simple yet effective ingredients and techniques, you’ll be enjoying a mouthwatering soup in no time.
Slow Cooker Potato & Chickpea Tikka Masala
While it’s convenient to purchase tikka masala spice, crafting your own blend yields a superior flavor experience. To create a nut-free alternative, substitute coconut cream for blended cashews towards the end of the recipe.
Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
While cashew cream is a popular choice for plant-based mac & cheese recipes, it can be a time-consuming process to prepare. In contrast, this slow cooker recipe requires minimal effort, relying on the device’s gentle heat to blend flavors together. To create the vegan cheese sauce, simply combine your preferred unsweetened plant milk with vegan cheddar and mozzarella, nutritional yeast, and paprika. The result is a rich and creamy sauce with a fraction of the preparation time.
Vegan Jambalaya
While traditional jambalaya recipes rely on andouille sausage, chicken (or pork), and seafood elements like shrimp or crawfish, the absence of these components doesn’t necessarily mean a lackluster dish. In fact, vegan alternatives can bring an incredible amount of flavor to the table. One key element is the incorporation of vegan sausage, which offers a great depth of taste.
Taking it a step further by making your own vegan sausage from scratch allows for unparalleled customization and control over the flavors involved.
Vegan Slow Cooker Black Bean Soup
The subtle yet rich flavor profile of black beans is characterized by hints of butterscotch, making them an attractive addition to any meal. Furthermore, these nutrient-dense legumes are an excellent source of antioxidants, essential vitamins, and calcium, all while being a budget-friendly option. For this recipe, dried black beans have been chosen for their superior texture and flavor, although canned alternatives can be seamlessly substituted to accommodate any preference.
Slow Cooker Creamy Chili Dip
The unassuming appearance of this dip belies its extraordinary flavor profile. By employing vegan cream cheese that effortlessly melts in the pot, you can craft a cheesy consistency reminiscent of traditional nacho dips. The addition of spicy salsa injects an instant boost of flavor, resulting in a truly scrumptious and satisfying snack. Optional yet effective is the inclusion of nutritional yeast, which amplifies the cheesy undertones without overpowering the dish.
What’s more, this dip boasts a delightful texture and warm, comforting temperature that’s sure to please even the most discerning palates. Whether you’re an ardent vegan or simply seeking innovative ways to spice up your meal routine, this slow-cooked delight is certain to become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
Instructions
Discover the ease and convenience of vegan cooking with these delicious Crockpot recipes. Simply click on the link below each photo to access the full recipe and instructions. Share your own creations by posting a photo under my pin on Pinterest! Enjoy exploring this collection of American-style Easy Vegan Crockpot Recipes.