Herbs and Spices: 3 Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes for Beginners

A slow cooker is very ideal for anyone who doesn’t have enough time to cook in the morning but still wants to come home to a delicious homemade meal. When using a crockpot, fresh ingredients are cooked in low temperature for hours and the natural juices of meats and produce are retained, resulting to a flavorful and nutrient-rich dish. Season with natural herbs and spices for added goodness!

Try these 3 easy herbs and spices slow cooker recipes:

Cilantro-Lime Slow Cooker Chicken

What you need:

• 1 1/2 kg. boneless and skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 lime, juiced
• 2 cups salsa
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 1/2 tablespoons dry taco seasoning mix

Mix together lime juice, salsa, cilantro and taco seasoning mix in a slow cooker. Stir until all ingredients are well-combined. Add the chicken breasts to the cooker and coat with the cilantro-lime mixture. Cover, set the cooker to low and cook for 6-8 hours. When ready, use a fork to shred chicken breasts. Serve with soft taco shells and a dressing of your choice if desired.

Slow Cooker Herbed White Bean Soup

What you need:

• 1/2 kg. dry navy beans (soaked overnight)
• 2 carrots, peeled and diced
• 1 potato, peeled and cubed
• 1 large onion
• 4 sprigs fresh parsley
• 1 sprig fresh lemon thyme, chopped
• 1 sprig fresh rosemary
• 1 sprig fresh savory
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 cups mushroom broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 cube vegetable bouillon

In a skillet, heat olive oil and cook carrot and onion over medium-high heat until tender. When ready, combine carrot, onion, beans, mushroom broth, bouillon and bay leaf. Tie together parsley, lemon thyme, rosemary and savory and add to the cooker. Set on low and cook for 6-8 hours. When ready, add potatoes and cook on low for 1 more hour. Remove tied herbs before serving.

Slow Cooker Herbs and Spices Spaghetti Sauce

What you need:

• 18 cups tomato sauce
• 2 1/4 cups tomato paste
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 tablespoons dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons dried parsley
• 3 tablespoons dried rosemary
• 3 tablespoons dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Mix together tomato sauce, tomato paste, garlic, onion, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf and red pepper flakes in a slow cooker. Stir to combine ingredients well. Cover and set on high and cook for 3-4 hours, stirring frequently. Serve on top of cooked pasta.

Come home to a healthy and fulfilling meal at the end of each day by cooking using your crockpot. Add more flavor and nutrition to the dishes with natural herbs and spices!