Easy Vegetarian and Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes

Family tested easy slow cooker recipes for vegetarians and vegans.

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. If you're not an early riser (like me), prepare your ingredients in the evening and pop them in the fridge, then in the morning just place them in the slow cooker at low for 8 hours and head to work. Dinner will be ready when you get home.
2. If you're converting a cooker-top recipe, cut the liquid by a third when you cook it in the slow cooker.
3. You use less liquid in a slow cooker, but this won't help a sauce thicken. Instead you should add a little cornflour, dissolved in warm water.
4. Avoid the temptation to keep having a peep or stir. Every time you open your slow cooker lid, you reduce the temperature and have to add another 20 minutes to the cooking time, so don't do it!
5. If you are baking in your slow cooker, pop a tea towel under the lid and wrap up towards the handle on the outside, it will prevent the steam dripping back into the dish. (Thanks to Baking Queen 74 for that tip!)
6. If you are lacking in time, cook on high for 4-6 hours, but if you have the time, do cook on low for between 6-8 hours as you will end up with more flavour this way.
7. Don't over-fill your slow cooker. Only fill it to the two/
8. When adding herbs, choose dried herbs. Fresh herbs don't fair well in the slow cooker unless added at the last minute.
9. If you suspect a dish might stick (perhaps one with no or little sauce), then spray your slow cooker pan with non-stick spray.  I use a non-stick baking spray.
10. 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.

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

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.

SLOW COOKER CURRY

Slow Cooker Aubergine and Onion Masala

A masala spiced 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.

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.

SLOW COOKER PASTA

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. Vegetarian recipe and vegan recipe.

Vegan Spinach & Cream Cheese Stuffed Pasta Shells

A simple recipe for a stuffed pasta recipe made in a slow cooker. The perfect midweek meal for vegans or vegetarians.

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.

Slow Cooker Extra Vegetable Pasta

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

SLOW COOKER SOUP

Slow Cooker Carrot & Coriander Soup

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

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.

Slow Cooker Lentil and Peanut Butter Soup

 Hearty winter soup with gutsy flavours made in the slow cooker. The peanut butter is optional but gives a lot of flavour.

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 are sweeter.

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

SLOW COOKER STEWS

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.

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.

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 makes 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.

Slow Cooker Vegan Savoury Mince

A simple recipe for vegan savoury mince in a rich gravy cooked in a slow cooker. This mince can be frozen.

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.

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.

Slow Cooker Vegan Sausage Birra

A slow cooked veggie sausage stew cooked in the slow cooker with a spicy tomato and beer sauce. Serve with mashed potatoes and vegetables for an excellent Sunday dinner.

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 VEGETABLES

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.

SLOW COOKER HOT DRINKS

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