21 Mediterranean Diet Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2025)

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21 Mediterranean Diet Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (1)Katie BandurskiUpdated: Feb. 05, 2024

    Hungry for a healthy meal? These Mediterranean Diet recipes are perfect for your Crockpot. Find dishes inspired by Greece, Italy, Morocco and more.

    1/20

    Taste of Home

    Red Clam Sauce

    This recipe tastes like an Italian restaurant specialty and cooks while you take care of other things. What a marvelous way to jazz up pasta sauce! —JoAnn Brown, Latrobe, Pennsylvania

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    2/20

    Greek-Style Lentil Soup

    This healthy, warming soup is a satisfying vegetarian recipe, but you can use chicken broth or add cooked meat if you like. —Mary E. Smith, Columbia, Missouri

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    3/20

    Chunky Chicken Cacciatore

    This healthy pasta recipe is so versatile! Look in your fridge for anything else you want to throw in, like red pepper, mushrooms, extra zucchini—you name it. And if you're a vegetarian, go ahead and leave out the chicken. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, Utah

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    4/20

    So-Easy Coq au Vin

    Here’s my adaptation of the beloved French dish. I substituted boneless skinless chicken breasts for a lighter, easy coq au vin that still showcases the traditional and memorable taste. —Sonya Labbe, Los Angeles, California

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    5/20

    Years ago, I fell hard for a lemony Greek soup at Panera Bread. It was just a special back then, but I re-created it at home so we could eat it whenever a craving hit! —Kristin Cherry, Bothell, Washington

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    6/20

    Oregano Green Beans with Toasted Pine Nuts

    This super easy side dish is a wonderful picnic or potluck recipe. It’s a beautiful, surprising mix that leaves guests and family raving. You can substitute any kind of nut for the pine nuts or even replace them with fresh berries. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, Florida

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    7/20

    Healthy Greek Bean Dip

    This crowd-pleasing appetizer is healthy to boot! Folks will love to eat their veggies when they can dip them in this zesty, fresh alternative to hummus. —Kelly Silvers, Edmond, Oklahoma

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    8/20

    A rich blend of spices adds flavor to tender, nutritious bulgur and garbanzo beans in this tangy dish that has just the right amount of heat. A hint of sweetness from golden raisins is the perfect accent. —Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

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    9/20

    Slow-Cooker Ratatouille

    Not only does this classic recipe make a phenomenal side dish, you can also serve it with sliced French bread for a warm and easy appetizer. Try it in the summer with your garden-fresh vegetables. —Jolene Walters, North Miami, Florida

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    10/20

    Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions

    I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as its ease of preparation with my slow cooker. Everyone always enjoys roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese. —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida

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    11/20

    Herbed Slow-Cooker Chicken

    I use my slow cooker to prepare these well-seasoned chicken breasts that cook up moist and tender. My daughter, who has two young sons to keep up with, shared this great recipe with me several years ago. I now rely on cooking chicken in a Crock Pot many days a week.—Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

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    12/20

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    Slow-Cooker Salmon

    I love this slow-cooker salmon recipe because it's healthy and almost effortless. The salmon always cooks to perfection! —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New York

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    13/20

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    French Lentil and Carrot Soup

    It’s crazy how just a few ingredients can make such a difference. Using finely chopped rotisserie chicken in this recipe makes it perfect for a busy weeknight meal, but you can leave the chicken out if you prefer. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia

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    14/20

    Slow-Cooked Greek Chicken Dinner

    I got this recipe from my sister and my family really likes it a lot. It makes the house smell so good! The amount of garlic might seem high, but it's just right. You get every bit of the flavor without overpowering the other ingredients. —Terri Christensen, Montague, Michigan

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    15/20

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    Lamb Pitas with Yogurt Sauce

    The spiced lamb in these stuffed pita pockets goes perfectly with cool cucumber and yogurt. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia

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    16/20

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    Slow-Cooker Marinated Mushrooms

    Here's a healthy and delicious addition to any buffet spread. Mushrooms and pearl onions seasoned with herbs, balsamic vinegar and red wine are terrific on their own or alongside a tenderloin roast. —Courtney Wilson, Fresno, California

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    17/20

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    Slow-Cooked Lemon Chicken

    Garlic, oregano and lemon juice give spark to this memorable main dish. It's easy to fix—just brown the chicken in a skillet, then let the slow cooker do the work. I like to serve this dish to company. —Walter Powell, Wilmington, Delaware

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    18/20

    Slow-Cooked Moroccan Chicken

    Herbs and spices really work their magic on plain chicken in this dish, and the dried fruit adds an exotic touch. —Kathy Morgan, Ridgefield, Washington

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    19/20

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    Seafood Cioppino

    If you're looking for a great seafood recipe for your slow cooker, this classic fish stew is just the ticket. It's brimming with clams, crab, fish and shrimp, and it is fancy enough to be an elegant meal. —Lisa Moriarty, Wilton, New Hampshire

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    20/20

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    Shredded Chicken Gyros

    Our family always has such a wonderful time at the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival. One of my favorite parts is all the awesome food. This meal is a good way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah

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    Originally Published: August 04, 2020

    21 Mediterranean Diet Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (22)

    Katie Bandurski

    As Senior Shopping Editor, Katie connects Taste of Home readers with the best gifts, deals and home products on the market. An avid foodie and a holiday enthusiast, Katie is an expert at cultivating meaningful moments.When she’s out of the office, you’ll find her exploring Wisconsin, trying out new vegetarian recipes and watching Christmas movies.

    21 Mediterranean Diet Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2025)

    FAQs

    What are examples of Mediterranean diet meals? ›

    7-day meal plan
    BreakfastVegetable and egg frittata served with sliced avocado on top of whole grain toast For extra calories, add another egg.
    LunchLentil and tuna salad
    DinnerMediterranean pasta
    BreakfastChia pudding topped with fresh berries and almond butter
    LunchMediterranean white bean soup and a Greek salad
    16 more rows

    Is there anything you Cannot cook in a slow cooker? ›

    Fish, shellfish, oysters and clams need to be cooked quickly. Obviously, slow cooking isn't quick, and it will obliterate these delicate proteins. The only seafood exceptions are squid and octopus because they tend to be tough meats and slow cooking makes them tender.

    What foods should be slow cooked? ›

    The Best Foods to Cook in Your Slow Cooker
    • Long-Cooking Cuts of Meat. Tough cuts of meat that turn out meltingly tender when cooked low and slow are made for this appliance. ...
    • Whole Chicken & Chicken Thighs. ...
    • Soups, Stews & Chilis. ...
    • Dips.
    Jan 6, 2020

    How do you make a Mediterranean diet? ›

    How to bring the Mediterranean diet to your plate
    1. Switch from whatever fats you use now to extra virgin olive oil. ...
    2. Eat nuts and olives. ...
    3. Add whole-grain bread or other whole grains to the meal. ...
    4. Begin or end each meal with a salad. ...
    5. Add more and different vegetables to the menu.
    Mar 22, 2023

    What is not allowed on a Mediterranean diet? ›

    The Mediterranean diet is high in plant-based foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Foods not allowed include processed red meats, heavily processed foods, refined grains, alcohol, butter, and refined/processed/hydrogenated oils.

    What beans should not be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

    Raw white (cannellini) kidney beans contain about one-third as much PHA as kidney beans. Slowly heating raw kidney beans in a slow cooker may increase the toxicity of the beans. Studies have found slow cookers do not reach a high enough temperature to destroy the harmful bacteria in undercooked beans.

    What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

    Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

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

    A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

    What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

    What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

    What cooks best in a slow cooker? ›

    Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish. Bulk up with vegetables instead.

    What is the staple food of the Mediterranean diet? ›

    Mediterranean Diet Pantry Staples

    Fresh or frozen fish and seafood. Fresh, frozen or canned vegetables (aim for no salt added) and fruits (packed in its own juice or no sugar added)

    What is the fastest way to lose weight on the Mediterranean diet? ›

    If you want to lose weight following a Mediterranean diet here are my 5 tips that work.
    1. Eat your main meal early in the day. ...
    2. Eat vegetables as a main course cooked in olive oil. ...
    3. You should drink water mostly and sometimes tea, coffee and wine (for adults) ...
    4. Consume the right amount of olive oil. ...
    5. Move.
    Jan 17, 2024

    What are the top 10 foods on a Mediterranean diet? ›

    10 foods to add to your Mediterranean lifestyle
    • Extra virgin olive oil. ...
    • Walnuts. ...
    • Lentils. ...
    • Blueberries. ...
    • Wild salmon as a healthy animal protein. ...
    • Garlic for a reduced risk of cancer. ...
    • Oregano as an anti-inflammatory agent. ...
    • Mushrooms for a mental health boost.
    Feb 3, 2022

    What is an example of a food following the Mediterranean diet? ›

    The foundation of the Mediterranean diet is plant foods. That means meals are built around vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. Moderate amounts of dairy, poultry and eggs are part of the Mediterranean diet, as is seafood.

    What is the most popular Mediterranean dish? ›

    There are always Mediterranean food classics like shawarma, falafel, tomato cucumber salad that goes with everything, and the simple but delicious Greek salad, but there are also many brand-new recipes with exciting modern twists that have quickly become some of the most loved recipes on the site.

    What is a typical Mediterranean lunch? ›

    Lunch on the Mediterranean diet typically includes colorful ingredients — like vegetables and whole grains — that are flavorful and packed with nutrients. You can enjoy meals like falafel sandwiches, quinoa bowls, and tuna salads for lunch while following this diet.

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