11 Low-Carb Slow Cooker Meals for Cozy Weeknight Dinners

Nothing beats coming home to the amazing smell of dinner already cooking in your slow cooker. These low-carb meals transform simple ingredients into hearty, satisfying dinners.

Each recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort, perfect for busy weeknights when you want something comforting and delicious.

01. Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Comfort Soup

Rich, creamy chicken soup packed with tender vegetables and hearty noodles. The addition of cream cheese creates an incredibly silky texture that’s pure comfort in a bowl.

Ingredients: 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, 8 ounces egg noodles, 2 large carrots (diced), 3 celery stalks (chopped), 1 medium onion (diced), 4 cups chicken broth, 4 ounces light cream cheese (softened), 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Creamy Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Comfort Soup

1. Place chicken thighs, diced carrots, chopped celery, and onion in your slow cooker. Pour chicken broth over everything, ensuring the chicken is mostly covered. Season with thyme, salt, and pepper, then stir gently to combine all ingredients.

2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours until chicken is tender and easily shreds with a fork. Remove chicken from the slow cooker and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.

3. Add egg noodles to the slow cooker and cook on high for 30 minutes until tender. Stir in softened cream cheese and shredded chicken, cooking for an additional 10 minutes until creamy and heated through.

02. Slow Cooker Spiced Beef with Root Vegetables

Tender braised beef enhanced with warm spices like cinnamon and allspice. This aromatic stew combines sweet and savory flavors for an unexpectedly delicious dinner experience.

Ingredients: 3 pounds beef chuck roast (cubed), 4 large carrots (chunked), 3 turnips (cubed), 1 large onion (sliced), 2 cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon allspice, ¼ teaspoon ground cloves, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Slow Cooker Spiced Beef with Root Vegetables

1. Season beef cubes generously with salt and pepper. If you have time, I recommend browning the beef in a hot skillet with oil for extra flavor, though you can skip this step if needed.

2. Combine cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and tomato paste in a small bowl to create a spice paste. This mixture will infuse the entire dish with warm, aromatic flavors throughout the long cooking process.

3. Layer beef, carrots, turnips, and onion in your slow cooker. Spread the spice paste over the meat, then pour beef broth around the edges. Cook on low for 8 hours until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are perfectly cooked.

03. Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Short Ribs

Fork-tender short ribs braised in rich balsamic sauce until they fall off the bone. This elegant dish is perfect for special occasions yet simple enough for weeknight cooking.

Ingredients: 4 pounds beef short ribs, ½ cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 cup beef broth, 3 garlic cloves (minced), 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 1 large onion (sliced), 2 sprigs fresh thyme, 2 bay leaves, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Slow Cooker Balsamic Glazed Short Ribs

1. Pat short ribs completely dry and season all sides with salt and pepper. For best results, brown the ribs in a hot skillet until deep golden on all sides, creating a rich foundation of flavor.

2. Whisk together balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, beef broth, minced garlic, and tomato paste until smooth. This creates the glossy, tangy sauce that will coat the ribs beautifully.

3. Place browned ribs in slow cooker with sliced onion, thyme, and bay leaves. Pour balsamic mixture over everything, ensuring ribs are well-coated.

4. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until meat is incredibly tender and pulls apart easily. Remove bay leaves and thyme stems before serving with the rich, glossy sauce spooned over top.

04. Slow Cooker Turkey Thighs in Herb Gravy

Juicy, fall-off-the-bone turkey thighs swimming in savory herb gravy. This comforting meal delivers all the flavors of a holiday dinner with minimal effort required.

Ingredients: 6 bone-in turkey thighs, 2 cups chicken broth, ¼ cup all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons butter, 1 packet onion soup mix, 2 teaspoons dried sage, 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Slow Cooker Turkey Thighs in Herb Gravy

1. Season turkey thighs thoroughly with salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Rub the seasonings into the skin for maximum flavor penetration during the long cooking process.

2. Whisk flour with ½ cup of chicken broth until completely smooth, creating a slurry that will thicken into rich gravy. Add remaining broth and onion soup mix, whisking until well combined.

3. Place seasoned turkey thighs in slow cooker and pour the broth mixture over them. The liquid should come about halfway up the thighs for proper braising.

4. Cook on low for 6-7 hours until turkey is tender and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Stir in butter during the last 30 minutes for extra richness in the gravy.

05. Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken with Broccolini

Tender chicken thighs paired with crisp-tender broccolini in bright lemon pepper sauce. This complete meal comes together with just 10 minutes of prep time.

Ingredients: 8 bone-in chicken thighs, 1 pound broccolini (trimmed), ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt.

How To Make Slow Cooker Lemon Pepper Chicken with Broccolini

1. Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Make sure to get seasoning under the skin for the most flavorful results.

2. Whisk together lemon juice and olive oil to create a bright, zesty sauce that will keep the chicken moist while adding incredible flavor throughout the cooking process.

3. Place seasoned chicken thighs in slow cooker and drizzle with lemon-oil mixture. Cook on low for 5 hours until chicken is nearly tender and juices run clear.

4. Add trimmed broccolini to the slow cooker during the last 45 minutes of cooking. This timing ensures the vegetables stay crisp-tender rather than becoming mushy.

06. BBQ Pulled Chicken for Sandwiches

Tender shredded chicken simmered in tangy barbecue sauce until perfectly saucy. This versatile dish works great for sandwiches, over rice, or even on baked potatoes.

Ingredients: 3 pounds boneless chicken breasts, 1½ cups barbecue sauce (divided), ½ cup chicken broth, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make BBQ Pulled Chicken for Sandwiches

1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place in slow cooker and add chicken broth to keep the meat moist during cooking.

2. Mix 1 cup barbecue sauce with brown sugar and apple cider vinegar. Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well-coated with the sweet and tangy sauce.

3. Cook on low for 6 hours until chicken shreds easily with a fork. Remove chicken and shred completely using two forks, discarding any cooking liquid that hasn’t been absorbed.

4. Return shredded chicken to slow cooker and stir in remaining ½ cup barbecue sauce. Cook on high for 15 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to meld perfectly.

07. Spicy Tomato Braised Pot Roast

Classic pot roast gets a spicy makeover with fiery tomato sauce and Calabrian chiles. The result is incredibly tender beef with a sauce that has just the right amount of heat.

Ingredients: 4 pounds chuck roast, 2 cups crushed tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped Calabrian chiles, 1 large onion (sliced), 4 garlic cloves (minced), ½ cup red wine, 2 tablespoons tomato paste, 2 bay leaves, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Spicy Tomato Braised Pot Roast

1. Season the chuck roast generously on all sides with salt and pepper. For the best flavor, sear the roast in a hot skillet until deeply browned on all sides before transferring to your slow cooker.

2. Combine crushed tomatoes, chopped Calabrian chiles, minced garlic, red wine, and tomato paste in a bowl. This spicy tomato mixture will create an incredibly flavorful braising liquid.

3. Place seared roast in slow cooker with sliced onion, bay leaves, and oregano. Pour the spicy tomato mixture over everything, making sure the roast is mostly covered with liquid.

4. Cook on low for 8-9 hours until the meat is fork-tender and easily pulls apart. Remove bay leaves and let rest 10 minutes before slicing against the grain and serving with the rich, spicy sauce.

08. Korean-Style Sweet and Spicy Short Ribs

Tender short ribs glazed in a sticky Korean-inspired sauce with gochujang and honey. The final broiling step creates irresistibly crispy edges that mimic grilled barbecue.

Ingredients: 4 pounds beef short ribs, ⅓ cup soy sauce, 3 tablespoons gochujang, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 Asian pear (grated), 4 garlic cloves (minced), 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 2 green onions (sliced).

How To Make Korean-Style Sweet and Spicy Short Ribs

1. Pat short ribs dry and season with salt and pepper. Brown them in a hot skillet until golden on all sides, which creates deeper flavor and better texture in the final dish.

2. Whisk together soy sauce, gochujang, honey, grated pear, minced garlic, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. This sticky sauce combines sweet, spicy, and umami flavors perfectly.

3. Place browned ribs in slow cooker and pour the sauce mixture over them, turning to coat completely. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until meat is tender and pulls apart easily.

4. Transfer ribs to a baking sheet and brush with cooking liquid. Broil for 3-4 minutes until edges are crispy and caramelized. Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.

09. Curried Chicken Stew with Vegetables

Aromatic chicken stew simmered in fragrant curry spices with tender vegetables. This hearty one-pot meal requires just 20 minutes of morning prep for a satisfying dinner.

Ingredients: 2½ pounds chicken thighs (cubed), 2 medium potatoes (diced), 2 carrots (sliced), 1 onion (chopped), 1 can coconut milk, 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1 tablespoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, 3 garlic cloves (minced), salt to taste.

How To Make Curried Chicken Stew with Vegetables

1. Cut chicken thighs into bite-sized pieces and season with salt. Layer chicken, diced potatoes, sliced carrots, and chopped onion in your slow cooker for even cooking throughout.

2. Whisk coconut milk with curry powder, garam masala, ground ginger, and minced garlic until smooth. This creamy, spiced base will infuse every ingredient with incredible flavor.

3. Pour the spiced coconut milk mixture over the chicken and vegetables, stirring gently to ensure everything is well-coated with the aromatic sauce.

4. Cook on low for 6 hours until chicken is tender and vegetables are perfectly cooked. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt as needed before serving over rice or with naan bread.

10. Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Classic comfort food with tender beef and mushrooms in rich, creamy sauce. This slow cooker version delivers all the traditional flavors with incredibly easy preparation.

Ingredients: 2 pounds beef stew meat, 8 ounces sliced mushrooms, 1 packet onion soup mix, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup sour cream, ¼ cup flour, 12 ounces egg noodles, 2 tablespoons butter, salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

1. Toss beef stew meat with flour, salt, and pepper until evenly coated. This flour coating will help thicken the sauce during cooking and create a better texture.

2. Place floured beef and sliced mushrooms in slow cooker. Sprinkle onion soup mix over everything, then spread cream of mushroom soup on top to create the creamy base.

3. Cook on low for 7-8 hours until beef is fork-tender and easily shreds. During the last 30 minutes, cook egg noodles according to package directions and drain well.

4. Stir sour cream and butter into the slow cooker until smooth and creamy. Serve immediately over hot egg noodles, garnishing with fresh parsley if desired for color and freshness.

11. Herb and Mushroom Braised Beef

Fork-tender beef braised with earthy mushrooms and fresh herbs until incredibly flavorful. This comforting dish freezes beautifully for easy weeknight meals when you need them most.

Ingredients: 3 pounds beef chuck roast, 1 pound mixed mushrooms (sliced), 2 onions (sliced), 3 carrots (chunked), 2 cups beef broth, ¼ cup fresh parsley (chopped), 2 tablespoons fresh thyme, 3 bay leaves, 4 garlic cloves (minced), salt and pepper to taste.

How To Make Herb and Mushroom Braised Beef

1. Cut chuck roast into large chunks and season generously with salt and pepper. Brown the beef pieces in a hot skillet until golden on all sides for maximum flavor development.

2. Layer sliced mushrooms, onions, and chunked carrots in the bottom of your slow cooker. These vegetables will create a flavorful base and absorb all the delicious cooking juices.

3. Place browned beef over the vegetables and add minced garlic, fresh thyme, and bay leaves. Pour beef broth around the edges, ensuring the liquid reaches about halfway up the meat.

4. Cook on low for 8 hours until beef shreds easily with a fork. Remove bay leaves and stir in fresh chopped parsley during the last 15 minutes for bright, fresh flavor.

5. Let the braised beef rest for 10 minutes before serving. The meat can be served in chunks or shredded for sandwiches, depending on your preference and occasion.

Final Thoughts

These slow cooker meals prove that low-carb eating doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor or comfort. Each recipe transforms simple ingredients into something truly special with minimal effort.

Your slow cooker becomes the hero of busy weeknights, delivering tender, flavorful dinners that satisfy everyone at the table.