8 Low-Carb Slow Cooker Recipes

Whether you're cutting carbs for weight loss or other health reasons, there's no shortage of low-carb recipes to keep you satisfied. But if you're looking to save time in the kitchen — or you're just tired of your go-to meals — the slow cooker is here to help.

The handy kitchen tool can help you make an entire meal almost effortlessly: All you have to do is dump all your prepped ingredients into the basin and set it and forget it.

To keep your eating plan healthy and interesting, try these low-carb slow cooker recipes that require minimal prep time. These slow-cooked meals pack no more than 20 grams of carbohydrates, so be sure to pair them with a side of veggies for more nutrients.

• ‌Calories:‌ 299
• ‌Carbs:‌ 8 grams

A traditional Italian dish, chicken cacciatore is a healthier option compared to some other Italian-inspired meals like chicken parmesan, which is typically fried and high in saturated fat and calories. Chicken cacciatore is breading-free, naturally making it lower in carbs. It swims in a stew of tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms and garlic.

• ‌Calories:‌ 258
• ‌Carbs:‌ 17 grams

Lasagna is another traditional Italian dish that is typically higher in carbohydrates. This lightened-up version substitutes zucchini (sliced lengthwise) for sheets of pasta, drastically reducing the carb count in this dish. Even if you're not trying to cut down your carb intake, using zucchini instead of pasta increases the veggie offerings and fiber content.

• ‌Calories:‌ 269
• ‌Carbs:‌ 16 grams

Sloppy joe is a popular comfort food, but our version offers a healthier twist. Turkey is subbed for ground beef because it's lower in saturated fat and calories. The dish is also chock-full of vegetables including carrots, tomatoes, bell pepper and onion. Instead of using brown sugar, which is commonly used to make the sloppy joe sauce, our recipe calls for Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar.

• ‌Calories:‌ 406
• ‌Carbs:‌ 13 grams

If you're hosting a weekend brunch or just want to enjoy a filling and savory breakfast any day of the week, this healthy casserole recipe is for you. The egg, onion, chicken sausage and cheese combo will not disappoint. It also calls for a sweet potato, so you get a nice addition of carbohydrates while still keeping the overall count low at just 13 grams per serving.

• ‌Calories:‌ 259
• ‌Carbs:‌ 18 grams

This Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken features tomatillos, which are a tart, tomato-like fruit. The recipe calls for tortillas to make tacos, but you could also add it to a bed of cauliflower rice or enjoy on top of a salad. Calling for just six ingredients, this is one of the easiest low-carb slower cooker recipes you can make.

• ‌Calories:‌ 281
• ‌Carbs:‌ 19 grams

This low-carb taco recipe calls for flank steak, which is a leaner cut of beef, keeping the saturated fat and calorie content low. Slow-cooking keeps the meat moist and allows the spices and herbs to gently work their way into the meat. Bell peppers would be a great addition to the dish, or, try topping your taco with fresh tomatoes.

• ‌Calories:‌ 138
• ‌Carbs:‌ 7 grams

Traditional barbecue sauce is heavy in brown sugar, making the dish high in added sugar and carbohydrates overall. Our Healthy Pulled Barbecue Chicken recipe calls for a low-carb sauce, which you can find at your local grocery store or online. Instead of piling the chicken on top of a bun, try using romaine lettuce leaves and topping with shredded cabbage or your favorite slaw recipe.

• ‌Calories:‌ 281
• ‌Carbs:‌ 20 grams

Chili can be so nutritious — it's packed with a variety of beans and various vegetables like tomatoes and onion. This recipe uses lean beef shank, which offers a twist on traditional ground meat. The total carbohydrate offering is kept low by limiting the beans to just one cup and adding more peppers (Anaheim and jalapenos) instead.