Make your very own cheap crockpot meals. Nothing better than just throwing everything into your slow cooker and making a dinner that’s truly special. These recipes are nutritious, flavorful, and family-friendly.

Do you know how much the average person spends on meals?  About $2640 a year.

And that’s just for one person. Add in one extra adult and at least one kid – and you’re looking at about $6600 a year.

Now that’s a whole lotta money!

And a lot of that money is spent eating out – at least 40% of our food budget.

So, what’s one way you can cut down on your food budget? Make more meals at home.

When you cook meals at home, you can save some serious coin. And as an added bonus, homecooked meals are much healthier.

But cooking more meals at home can be challenging. That’s because we all lead busy lives.

So, what can you do? Make Cheap Crockpot Meals.

Crockpot meals are a convenient way to make meals. A lot of times, you can just dump your ingredients in the crockpot and go.

Then you come home to a healthy, homecooked meal. Plus, crockpots are a great way to cook cheaper but tougher cuts of meat.

So, you save even more money.

Today, I’m sharing 27 Cheap Crockpot Meals. They’ll not only save you money but time as well.

1. Hamburger Stew

Source: cookathomemom.com

When it’s freezing outside, nothing warms you up like Stew. But on a budget, stews can be expensive.

That’s because a lot of stews use expensive cuts of beef. Think chuck roast or round.

This Hamburger Stew costs less than $2 a serving. That’s because you’re using ground beef instead.

And it tastes just as delicious as a regular stew. The carrots, onions, and potatoes make this stew hearty and flavorful.

And the beef broth adds extra depths of flavor. Meanwhile, the frozen peas add extra sweetness.

Besides being delicious, this stew is great for you too. It has plenty of Vitamins A and C.

So, it’s good for your immune system. And it’s rich in fiber.

In fact, one serving provides close to a third of your daily fiber needs.

What’s more, this stew is tastier the next day. And it keeps in the freezer for up to 2 months.

So, it’s great for meal prep. Just be sure to store in glass meal prep containers.

They’re oven safe, dishwasher safe, and freezer safe. And they’re a good choice for the environment as well.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 474
• Fats: 18g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 52g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 10g

Recipe

2. Chipotle Chicken Soup

Source: atastefortravel.ca

Looking for some Mexican Flava? You’ll want to try this Chipotle Chicken Soup.

It’s bursting with Mexican flavors, from corn, jalapeno peppers, and green chiles.

The chipotle pepper adds a smoky heat. This is toned down by the sour cream – it’s definitely a fiesta in your mouth.

To add texture, you’ll be shredding your chicken. You can do this using two forks.

Or, to make it even easier, just use a meat shredder.

Besides being tasty, this soup is nutritious. It contains Vitamin C.

And it’s a good source of iron. This keeps your energy levels up.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 251
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 26g
• Carbs: 17g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 6g

Recipe

3. Crispy Whole30 Keto Pork Carnitas

Source: organicallyaddison.com

Looking for even more Mexican eats? You can’t go wrong with these Pork Carnitas.

They’re tender, juicy, and extra-yummy. The savory of the pork is offset by the sweetness of the orange juice.

And the lime juice adds a pleasant freshness. Your stomach and taste buds will be doing a happy dance.

These Pork Carnitas are good for you too. They’re brimming with Vitamins A and C.

They also contain potassium which is essential for healthy blood pressure. As an added bonus, these Pork Carnitas are keto-friendly too.

To make it a meal, you can serve these carnitas with tortillas.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 245
• Fats: 10g
• Protein: 33g
• Carbs: 4g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

Recipe

4. Sweet Potato Chili

Source: namelymarly.com

I enjoy meat as much as you probably do. But sometimes, it’s good to have a little break.

And this Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Chili helps you do that. It’s chunky and tasty.

The sweetness of the sweet potatoes balances the aromatics of the garlic. And the black beans and veggie crumbles make this chili filling.

You won’t be missing the meat. Meanwhile, the nutritional yeast flakes add a pleasant umami flavor.

Nutritional yeast flakes are nutritious too. Unlike a lot of vegan protein sources, nutritional yeast flakes are a complete protein.

This means they provide all the amino acids your body needs. Nutritional yeast flakes also contain beta-glucans which may boost your immunity.

Besides adding nutritional yeast to chilis, you can add it to soups. You can even add it to popcorn or pasta.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 99
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 6g
• Carbs: 15g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

5. Keto Crockpot Chicken Thighs

Source: cleaneatingkitchen.com

On a keto diet, you can lose weight pretty fast. But it can be kind of expensive.

With this keto dish, you can eat low carb – and save money. Yes!

You have tender, juicy, flavorful chicken thighs. And they’re nestled on a bed of chicken-broth-infused cauliflower rice and cabbage.

This is healthy eating at its best.

One serving contains less than 5 grams of net carbs. And it’s low in calories too.

What makes it low-carb is cauliflower rice. Cauliflower rice is low in carbs and very nutritious as well.

One cup of cauliflower rice contains almost 60% of your daily Vitamin C needs. And it’s a good source of folate, which you need to make DNA.

As an added bonus, cauliflower rice is really low in calories.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 286
• Fats: 9.3g
• Protein: 41.5g
• Carbs: 8.1g
• Fiber: 2.7g
• Sugar: 3.8g

Recipe

6. Vegetable Beef Soup

Source: mindeescookingobsession.com

We could all do with more veggies on our plates. But veggies can be pretty expensive – particularly when they’re out of season.

Plus, veggies can be so much work to chop.

Frozen veggies are a convenient way to add more veggies to your diet. And they’re often cheaper than fresh veggies.

This Slow Cooker Vegetable Beef Soup is chock-full of frozen veggies. And it tastes great, too – you’ll definitely want more than one bowl.

Yet, one bowl contains only 107 calories. So, you can have a few bowls – and not feel guilty. This soup is also very nutritious. One bowl provides about a quarter of your daily protein needs.

And it contains immune-boosting Vitamins A and C.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 107
• Fats: 1.8g
• Protein: 12.2g
• Carbs: 11.5g
• Fiber:
• Sugar: 6.2g

Recipe

7. Teriyaki Chicken

Source: littlesunnykitchen.com

Could you use some Japanese takeout? Save money by making this Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken instead.

It’s melt-in-your-mouth good. And the homemade Teriyaki sauce adds sweet, savory, and umami notes. Yum!

Besides being tasty, this Teriyaki Chicken is also good for you. It contains potassium which supports healthy blood pressure levels.

And it’s high in protein which fills you up. To make it a meal, serve with brown rice or fried rice.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 348
• Fats: 7g
• Protein: 37g
• Carbs: 35g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 27g

Recipe

8. Thai Peanut Chicken

Source: thegayglobetrotter.com

Craving even more Asian eats? Try this Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken.

On the menu are tender chicken thighs bathed in a creamy peanut sauce. All topped with crunchy roasted peanuts and fresh cilantro.

The sriracha sauce adds tons of spiciness. And the coconut milk provides some relief from the heat.

Meanwhile, the peanut butter adds sweetness and added creaminess. This dish is an explosion of flavor.

What I love about this dish is the low sugar content. In fact, one serving contains only 3 grams of sugar.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 560
• Fats: 47g
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 11g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

9. Crockpot Vegetable Chicken Potato Soup

Source: therusticfoodie.com

When the cold weather arrives, you just want to hunker down. And you want to warm up with a big bowl of soup.

This soup is just what the doctor ordered. It’s chunky, comforting, and full of veggies.

So, it’s pretty nutritious. In fact, it’s packed with Vitamins A, C, and potassium.

So, it’s not only good for your immune system but heart health too.

To make the soup chunky, you’ll be shredding your chicken. You can do this by using two forks.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 334
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 49g
• Carbs: 19g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 5g

Recipe

10. 3-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken Tacos

Source: twohealthykitchens.com

Looking for an easy dish for Taco night? These 3-Ingredient Crockpot Chicken Tacos are an excellent option.

They’re so simple to make – yet, oh, so delicious. All you need to make it are skinless chicken breasts, low-sodium taco seasoning, and jarred salsa.

Then you dump your ingredients into your slow cooker – and go. What you come back to are chicken tacos that are bursting with flavor.

Besides being delicious, these tacos are high in protein. So, one serving will fill you up.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 137
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 5g
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 2g

Recipe

11. Chicken Burrito Bowls

Source: twohealthykitchens.com

Craving even more Mexican flavors? Try these Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls.

You’ve got creamy black beans, corn, green chiles, and taco-seasoned chicken. They’re a Mexican fiesta in your mouth.

Want even more big Mexican flavors? Top with avocados, guacamole, or hot sauce.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 314
• Fats: 5g
• Protein: 38g
• Carbs: 31g
• Fiber: 8g
• Sugar: 5g

Recipe

12. Shredded Mexican Chicken Thighs

Source: kidgredients.com.au

Here’s more Mexican food. After all, you can never get tired of Mexican food, right?

These Chicken thighs are saucy and flavorful.  The cumin and chili powder add a pleasing warmth.

And the coriander adds some freshness. Meanwhile, the passata adds some acidity.

Your tastebuds will be super happy.

Now you will be using several spices – 6 to be exact. So essential to have a good set of measuring spoons.

So, they’ll last you a very long time. Check out more 400 calorie recipes.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 380
• Fats: 24g
• Protein: 41g
• Carbs: 1g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g

Recipe

13. BBQ Pineapple Meatballs

Source: saltandbaker.com

Workdays can be very stressful. And after a stressful day, cooking is the last thing you want to do.

That’s where these BBQ Pineapple Meatballs come in handy. All you do is dump some store-bought frozen meatballs, BBQ sauce, and crushed pineapple in your slow cooker.

Then you come back to saucy, tender, yummy meatballs. And the sweetness of the pineapples complements the savory of the meatballs.

And they add a tropical flavor. So, you can dream you’re on a relaxing Caribbean island.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 56
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 2g
• Carbs: 4g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

14. Lentil Sloppy Joes

Source: delightfuladventures.com

Looking for some vegan comfort food? These Lentil Sloppy Joes are an excellent option.

They’re tasty, saucy, chunky, and so comforting. They’re also very messy.

So, get out your napkins.

They’re also very filling.  That’s because of the brown lentils.

Lentils are a good source of plant-based protein. They also promote bone health.

That’s because they contain bone-building minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, and magnesium.

So, eat up those lentils. Check out more 200 calorie meals here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 166
• Fats: 1g
• Protein: 9g
• Carbs: 30g
• Fiber: 11g
• Sugar: 7g

Recipe

15. Thai Pumpkin & Red Lentil Soup

Source: scrummylane.com

Want even more vegan comfort? I have just the dish for you.

This soup is as soothing as they come. It’s creamy, delicious, and delicious.

The ginger and Thai red curry paste add spiciness. And the coconut milk tones down some of the heat.

Meanwhile, the pumpkin makes it nice and sweet.

This soup is also silky smooth. That’s because you’re blending the soup once it’s done.

So, you can’t see a hint of the veggies or lentils.

Do make sure you don’t use a regular blender to blend your soup. That’s because hot liquids may cause your blender to explode.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 365
• Fats: 17g
• Protein: 14g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fiber: 12g
• Sugar: 11g

Recipe

16. Korean Chicken

Source: scrummylane.com

Are your chicken dinners getting a bit boring? Change things up with this Slow Cooker Korean Chicken.

It’s packed with Korean flavors. The chiles add just the right amount of spice – perfect if you like it spicy, but not water-chugging spicy.

The oyster sauce and soy sauce add umami. This is complemented by the sweetness of the dark brown sugar. Yum!

What’s more, this dish is packed with veggies. In fact, you have potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.

So, this Korean Chicken not only tastes good but is also good for you too. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 742
• Fats: 42g
• Protein: 45g
• Carbs: 43g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 16g

Recipe

17. Navy Bean Soup

Source: livinglou.com

One way you can save money is to have Meatless Mondays. That’s because unprocessed plant-based proteins are cheaper than, say, beef.

Take, navy beans for instance. A bag of dried navy beans is pretty affordable.

This Slow Cooker Navy Bean Soup is hearty and yummy. You’ve got the sweetness of the carrots and the aromatics of the fennel.

The bay leaf adds a pleasant freshness. You’ll be licking your bowl.

This soup is pretty filling too. That’s because this dish contains 17 grams of protein.

It also has a ton of fiber. One serving provides close to 80% of your daily fiber needs.

So, it’s not only good for your tastebuds but for your tummy too.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 309
• Fats: 6g
• Protein: 17g
• Carbs: 50g
• Fiber: 19g
• Sugar: 6g

Recipe

18. Vegetable Beef Barley Soup

Source: pinchandswirl.com

Are you more of a meat-lover? Then definitely give this soup a try.

It’s earthy, hearty, and stick-to-your-ribs good – perfect for the meat lover in you.

Yet, it contains veggies too. These include celery, potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms.

So, it’s pretty nutritious. In fact, it contains Vitamins A, C, and potassium

Per Serving:

• Calories: 385
• Fats: 9g
• Protein: 40g
• Carbs: 33g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

19. Ham Bone Split Pea Soup

Source: thegoodheartedwoman.com

Thanksgiving is the perfect time to enjoy ham. But you’re often left with leftovers.

And after a while, you get tired of eating ham sandwiches. So, what can you do instead?

Make this Ham Bone Spit Pea Soup. It’s creamy, soothing, and full of flavor.

The freshness of the carrots and celery offsets the heaviness of the soup. This soup makes the healthy eating taste so yummy.

What I love most about this soup is its low sodium content. It contains only 267 mg per serving.

So, it’s way healthier than the canned stuff.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 194
• Fats: 1g
• Protein: 12g
• Carbs: 37g
• Fiber: 13g
• Sugar: 11g

Recipe

20. Sweet and Sour Chicken

Source: simplylowcal.com

Are you craving Chinese takeout? This Sweet and Sour Chicken will definitely satisfy your cravings.

It has a nice balance of sweet, tangy, and umami. And the green and red bell peppers add freshness and nutrition.

So, it’s much healthier than takeout.

To sweeten this dish, you’ll be adding orange juice and pineapples. You’ll also be using monk fruit sweetener.

Monk fruit sweetener is a natural sweetener that doesn’t spike blood sugars. Need to stock up on some?

Per Serving:

• Calories: 175
• Fats: 2g
• Protein: 16g
• Carbs: 33g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 23g

Recipe

21. Easy White Bean Chicken Chili

Source: eatbeautiful.net

Are you tired of beef chili? Try this Easy White Bean Chicken Chili instead.

It’s chunky, creamy, and delicious. The mildness of the white beans is offset by the richness of the bone broth and the heat of the green chilies.

And it’s all topped with cheese and green onions. You may never want to eat beef chili again.

Besides adding flavor, bone broth is nutrient-packed too.

Love the recipe? Check out more healthy college dinners like this here.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 494
• Fats: 33g
• Protein: 29g
• Carbs: 20g
• Fiber: 6g
• Sugar: 3g

Recipe

22. Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

Source: xoxobella.com

Are you down with a cold? Make this Greek Lemon Chicken Soup.

It’s packed with tender, shredded chicken, as well as carrots, spinach, and onions. So, it’s a great source of Vitamins C, K, and antioxidants.

These nutrients boost your immune system to combat viruses. What’s more, carrots are packed with beta-carotene, which is anti-inflammatory.

But best of all, this soup tastes amazing. So, it’s a winning combination.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 184
• Fats: 4g
• Protein: 27g
• Carbs: 12g
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 4g

Recipe

23. Chicken Tacos

Source: flavormosaic.com

Want to simplify Taco Night? Make these Chicken Tacos.

They’re straightforward to make. Just dump your chicken, taco seasoning, and pico de gallo in your crockpot.

And come home to tasty Chicken Tacos ready to be devoured.

Besides being tasty, pico de gallo is nutritious too. It provides a nice dose of Vitamin C.

And it contains lycopene which has health benefits. It also includes jalapenos which help you burn fat.

Now, these Tacos use homemade pico de gallo.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 197
• Fats: 3g
• Protein: 18g
• Carbs: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 7g

Recipe

24. Salsa Verde Chicken

Source: swirlsofflavor.com

Family get-togethers can be a great time to connect. You get to catch up and maybe have some friendly (or not) board games.

But sooner or later, you need to feed that hungry crowd. That’s where this Salsa Verde Chicken comes in handy.

It’s comfort food made easy. All you need are 4 simple ingredients: chicken thighs, taco seasoning, salsa verde, and taco seasoning mix.

What you get is a yummy, comforting dish your guests will gobble up. Now that’s how I like to roll.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 271
• Fats: 9g
• Protein: 44g
• Carbs: 1g
• Sugar: 1g

Recipe

25. Lentil Sweet Potato Chilli

Source: delightfuladventures.com

Do you have plant-based eaters coming for dinner? Serve them this Lentil Sweet Potato Chili.

It’s seasoned to perfection. The sweetness of the corn and sweet potatoes is balanced by the savory of the garlic and onions.

And the cumin and chili powder add a pleasant warmth. Meanwhile, the red kidney beans and green lentils make this chili super filling.

This chili is fantastic as is. But if you like, you can serve this chili with some cornbread. Yum!

Per Serving:

• Calories: 407
• Fats: 1g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 78g
• Fiber: 9g
• Sugar: 15g

Recipe

26. Stuffed Cabbage Rolls

Source: thegoodheartedwoman.com

Having regular date nights keeps the romance alive. But dinners at fancy restaurants can get pretty expensive – quick.

Having date nights at home is way more affordable. But date night dinners at home can be just as fancy.

These Stuffed Cabbage Rolls prove just that. They look and taste amazing.

You’ll definitely earn extra brownie points with this dish.

Now, they do take a lot of time to prep – one hour, to be exact. But they’re definitely worth the extra time and effort.

Want to make date night even fancier? Serve your stuffed cabbage rolls on elegant dinner platters.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 183
• Fats: 6.5g
• Protein: 12.7g
• Carbs: 18.7g
• Fiber: 2.2g
• Sugar: 8.9g

Recipe

27. Lentil and Ham Soup

Source: livinglou.com

Looking for some good old-fashioned soup? This Lentil and Ham Soup is a great option.

It’s tasty and nourishing. The heaviness of the ham is balanced by the freshness of the carrots, spinach, and celery.

And the addition of the lentils makes this soup quite hearty. So, you’re getting tons of protein, as well as vitamins and minerals.

In fact, one serving of this soup provides more than half of your daily Vitamin A needs. And it provides about a quarter of your daily Vitamin C needs.

Nice! Love the recipe? Check out these healthy fall recipes! On top of it, you might like these 300 calorie meals.

Per Serving:

• Calories: 307
• Fats: 9g
• Protein: 22g
• Carbs: 37g
• Fiber: 13g
• Sugar: 8g

Recipe