10 Holiday Slow-Cooker Recipes Under 400 Calories (2024)

Holidays are a joyous time for family and friends to gather. That’s why we’ve rounded up 10 easy, healthy slow-cooker recipes so you can just set it and forget it. Less time in the kitchen, plus more time with your special ones? It’s a win-win scenario!

SIDES& STARTERS

1. SLOW COOKER ITALIAN TURKEY MEATBALLS | SKINNYTASTE

Want the secret to making the juiciest turkey meatballs ever? Add shredded zucchini. Rather than frying or baking the meatballs first, this recipe cuts down on prep time by plopping the meatballs right into the sauce and lets them slow-cook together. Recipe makes 6 servings at 4 meatballs and 2/3 cup sauce each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 235; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 104mg; Sodium: 471mg; Carbohydrate: 10g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 22g

2. CROCK POT PUMPKIN RED LENTIL CHILI | KITCHENTREATY

Thick and hearty, this vegetarian chili radiates comforting vibes with every spice-infused bite. For the cherry on top, this hassle-free recipe requires only 10 minutes of prep! Cooking Tip: Use reduced-sodium ingredients whenever possible, so that you can control the amount of salt in your dish. Recipe makes 6 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 221; Total Fat: 1g; Saturated Fat: 0g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 304mg; Carbohydrate: 40g; Dietary Fiber: 12g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 13g

Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Potatoes | Damn Delicious

3. SLOW COOKER GARLIC PARMESEAN POTATOES | DAMN DELICIOUS

MAIN DISHES

4. SLOW COOKER HOLIDAY POT ROAST | EVERYDAY GOOD THINKING

It’s easy to see why slow-cooker meats are popular weekday entreées — just dump ingredients into a pot and come back in a few hours. This holiday season, make a holiday roast that’s as easy as any weekday dinner, but with all the thoughtful touches that makes the season special. Recipe makes 8 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 396; Total Fat: 13g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 100mg; Sodium: 302mg; Carbohydrate: 36g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 23g; Protein: 34g

5. SLOW COOKER GARLIC CHICKEN | COOKING LIGHT

This pan-fried garlic chicken is slow-cooked to perfection in wine, cognac and thyme. Don’t let those creamy cloves of garlic go to waste — spread them on chunks of crusty baguette or mix into brown rice and soak up the fabulous sauce as you enjoy every morsel of this super-tender chicken. Recipe makes 5 servings at 4 ounces chicken, 3 tablespoons sauce and 8 garlic cloves each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 265; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 80mg; Sodium: 264mg; Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Sugar: 1g; Protein: 30g

6. CROCK POT QUINOA PILAF | COTTER CRUNCH

DESSERTS

7. CLEAN EATING SLOW COOKER BROWNIES | THE GRACIOUS PANTRY

If you didn’t think desserts could be made in a slow cooker, check out this recipe. Chocolaty brownies take a clean-eating turn with simple pantry staples and fruit, a perfect respite from the sugar overload of the season! Recipe makes 32 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 95; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 25mg; Carbohydrate: 17g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 3g

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Streusel Coffee Cake | Amy’s Healthy Baking

8. SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN STREUSEL COFFEE CAKE | AMY’S HEALTHY BAKING

A moist, tender pumpkin coffee cake with a thick cinnamon oat streusel topping? And made without refined flour or sugar? Yes, please! Serve this comfort food with tea at your next holiday gathering — you won’t have any leftovers. Recipe makes 12 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 171; Total Fat: 4g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 8mg; Sodium: 169mg; Carbohydrate: 31g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 4g

DRINKS

9. CREAMY CROCKPOT HOT CHOCOLATE | PRACTICAL STEWARDSHIP

Creamy, rich hot chocolate is a must during cold weather. Skip the packaged hot cocoa packs for this easy-peasy slow-cooked holiday drink that’s made with less fat, sugar and additives. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, top your hot cocoa with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 124; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 41mg; Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 16g; Protein: 1g

10. SLOW COOKER PUMPKIN LATTE | FAMILY FRESH MEALS

Forgo the classic PSL at Starbucks, and save yourself 14 grams of sugar with this recipe. A warm cup of homemade spiced pumpkin latte certainly hits the spot during the holidays! If you’re on a strict sugar limit, reduce the amount of sugar in the recipe by one-third (it doesn’t ruin the taste). Recipe makes 10 servings at 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 119; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 24mg; Sodium: 48mg; Carbohydrate: 12g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugar: 12g; Protein: 4g

About the Author

MyFitnessPal’s Recipes

Healthy, delicious and simple: That’s what we’re about at MyFitnessPal! We make ourrecipes in our own test kitchen or our registered dietitian hand-selects them personally. Look for nutrition information at the bottom of the recipe or log it directly to MyFitnessPal through the “Log-It” button. Check out our entire collection or explore: low-carb,high-protein • high-fiber • gluten-free • dairy-free • vegetarian • vegan • low sodium

10 Holiday Slow-Cooker Recipes Under 400 Calories (2024)

FAQs

How do you cook small amounts in a large slow cooker? ›

Size Matters: Choose an oven-safe bowl that fits inside your slow cooker. This bowl should be big enough to hold your meal but small enough to allow space around it. Filling Right: Aim to fill the oven-safe bowl two-thirds to three-quarters full to ensure even cooking.

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How do you imitate a slow cooker? ›

Opt for a heavy, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid, like a Staub or Le Creuset Dutch oven, to mimic the moisture retention of a slow cooker. This ensures even heat distribution and prevents excessive drying out.

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How much liquid in slow cooker recipes? ›

How much liquid do I add? Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.

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What will happen if I only eat 400 calories a day? ›

Eating only 400 calories a day is a very low calorie diet and would likely lead to significant weight loss. However, it is not a sustainable or healthy way to lose weight. Such a low calorie intake can cause fatigue, irritability, and weakness.

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Is a 6-quart slow cooker too big for one person? ›

The size of the cooker you need depends on what you're planning to cook, as well as whether you want to make multiple meals at once (for instance, meal prepping for the week) or just single meals. For a slow cooker or crockpot, a 1.5 to 3-quart cooker should be sufficient for one person.

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Can you overdo a slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers are specially designed to cook food for long periods of time, but yes, you can still overcook in a slow cooker if something is left on the wrong setting for longer than it's supposed to be.

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What size slow cooker for most recipes? ›

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

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What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? ›

They are essentially two terms for the same thing. Crock Pot is just a trademarked name for a certain brand of slow cooker that uses a crockery insert as a cooking vessel. Agree with most of the answers. “Crock Pot” is a brand name, and the brand name of the first popular slow cooker.

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What is a healthy alternative to a crockpot? ›

Best crockpot substitutes

Electric pressure cookers (Instant pots) The electric pressure cooker is often called an Instant-Pot or Insta-pot. ...
Rice cooker. A rice cooker can often be used as a slow cooker, depending on the model. ...
Dutch oven. ...
Covered casseroles.

Nov 7, 2023

Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

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What liquid is best for slow cooker? ›

To ensure the dinner cooks correctly and doesn't get soggy, decrease the amount of liquids you add. Usually only ½ to 1 cup of liquid does the trick. And, for extra flavorful results, try using liquid like broth, wine, or juice, instead of just plain water.

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Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level.

What snack is 400 calories? ›

The following 400-calorie snacks are options you can enjoy wherever you are, from the vending machine to happy hour, and everywhere in between.

Popcorn Party Trail Mix. ...
Chocolate-Vanilla Twist Ice Cream.
Mediterranean Munchies. ...
Brownie Bites + Milk. ...
Peanut Butter Break.
Cheese Lover's Snack. ...
Beer + Nuts At The Bar.

More items...

Jan 29, 2015

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Is 400 calories enough for a meal? ›

Every day, to lose weight, you should eat between 200 and 400 calories for breakfast, 500-700 calories for lunch, and 500-700 calories for dinner. You should also incorporate a morning and evening snack for a total of about 400-500 more calories.

Is 400 calories in one meal a lot? ›

Although every person's daily caloric intake is individual, based on their personal goals and needs, nutrition experts estimate that average daily consumption at each meal should be broken down as follows: 300 to 400 calories for breakfast, and 500 to 700 calories each for lunch and dinner.