The crock pot is an invaluable appliance to have in your kitchen. Not only does it simplify meal prep, but you can also cook nutritious meals that are packed with protein.
Protein is essential for your health and wellbeing. Not only does it keep you fuller for longer, but it also aids in muscle building and provides a sense of satiety.
Red Wine Braised Short Ribs
Red wine is one of my go-to ways to add big flavor and tenderness to beef short ribs. The wine breaks down the tough connective tissues of the meat, making it melt-in-your-mouth tender and delicious!
Slow cooking allows the meat to absorb all of the wonderful flavors present in the pot. I often turn to this method when making beef that tends to be tougher than others, like short ribs.
Short ribs made with red wine braised tender and melt-in-your-mouth perfection in just a few hours! Perfect for special occasions when you want to wow guests!
To achieve optimal results, begin by browning the short ribs in a little oil in a Dutch oven. This helps caramelize the meat slightly and allows the amazing flavor that these short ribs are known for to seep deep into the beef!
Once the ribs have browned, deglaze the pan by adding some liquid to loosen any stuck-on bits at the bottom. Doing this helps create what we’ll use in this recipe as gravy!
Stir in the onions, carrots, and celery and cook until vegetables are softened. Deglaze the pan with red wine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
Put the liquid into a large saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer until your sauce has thickened. Serve this delicious sauce alongside your favorite mashed potatoes or polenta!
If you’re serving these red wine braised short ribs to a crowd, I suggest making them ahead of time. This allows the meat to absorb the sauce and get even more flavor from the red wine and other ingredients used.
Leftover short ribs in sauce can be stored airtight food storage containers and kept refrigerated or frozen for up to 3 days, or frozen up to 2 months. To reheat the sauce, preheat your stovetop or oven and cover until hot and bubbling – about 20-30 minutes before serving.
Teriyaki Meatballs
Are you searching for a high protein, slow cooker recipe that will please the whole family? Look no further than these flavorful teriyaki meatballs. These easy to prepare ahead of time can be great for dinner parties, game day or when you need an unexpected quick meal on the go.
These homemade teriyaki meatballs are extra tender and juicy due to the addition of milk and soy sauce. Plus, they’re packed with flavor from freshly grated ginger and garlic. Served over rice with green onion and sesame seeds garnish, these low carb options make a perfect lunch or dinner dish!
To make the teriyaki sauce, whisk together soy sauce, pineapple juice, beef broth, rice wine vinegar, brown sugar, honey, minced garlic and grated ginger, red pepper flakes, sesame oil and cornstarch until thoroughly mixed. Finally add in meatballs and toss to coat evenly in sauce.
Once the meatballs are cooked, place them in a slow cooker with the teriyaki sauce. Heat on low for 1-2 hours, then turn up the heat to warm so that the meatballs can continue to soak up all of the sauce and get all glazed and delicious!
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheating them on the stovetop in a pot or pan until you’re ready to enjoy is simple – simply store in an airtight container!
Serve these teriyaki meatballs with some fresh edamame, fresh sliced veggies and rice to complete the meal – they’re sure to please both kids and adults!
These delicious teriyaki meatballs are made with ground beef and seasoned with an irresistible homemade teriyaki sauce. They make for a great low carb lunch or weeknight dinner – perfect for when you don’t feel like cooking!
These meatballs can be prepared ahead of time and cooked in the crockpot for a fast and flavorful lunch or dinner. They’re also perfect to serve as an appetizer at parties; simply bake them before serving!
Chicken Fajitas
If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, fajitas make for an ideal healthy dinner choice. Not only are they simple to prepare and packed full of lean protein, but they make for a fun family meal everyone will enjoy!
Fajita seasoning blends come in a variety of flavors and ingredients; some contain spices like chili powder or paprika, while others only use garlic powder and onion powder. Most fajita seasoning mixes include some white sugar to balance out flavors and add an extra sweetness to the dish.
Another great option is using a homemade fajita seasoning blend. Homemade seasonings are simple to make with ingredients already in your pantry, plus they usually cost less than buying ready-made from the store!
Making homemade fajita seasoning is easy: simply mix together chili powder, cumin, paprika and garlic powder until well combined. Coating chicken breasts with this seasoning helps them remain moist and tender when they’re cooked.
Once marinated, add the chicken to your slow cooker with all other ingredients and cook on high for 15-30 minutes.
Once your chicken is done cooking, remove it from the slow cooker and top off with your desired toppings. Guacamole, sour cream, cheese, sliced green onions, tomato salsa and cilantro make great additions.
This dish is ideal for a weeknight dinner and also makes an outstanding lunch or dinner the next day. Packed with protein and vegetables, it’s ideal for anyone trying to eat healthily while avoiding carbohydrates.
This dish is low in carbohydrates and packed with 28 grams of protein per serving, making it the ideal crock pot recipe for those on the go. The slow cooking method creates a dish that’s hearty, flavorful, and filling without sacrificing any health benefits.
Crock Pot Chicken Tacos
Crock pot recipes are an economical and healthy way to feed the family. One of my go-to crock pot recipes is this chicken taco recipe; it takes only minutes to prep and bake!
This dish is super straightforward and perfect for a weeknight dinner. All you need are some chicken thighs and salsa.
First, add the shredded chicken to your slow cooker. Next, pour some of the salsa over top and sprinkle on taco seasonings. For extra moisture, you can add a splash of chicken broth if desired.
Next, cook the chicken for several hours on either high or low until it reaches 165 degrees internal temperature. Once that’s done, shred it with two forks.
If you’re not in a rush, leave the chicken in the crock pot for an additional 30 minutes to make it extra tender. Once cooked, enjoy it on soft tortillas or lettuce wraps topped with your favorite taco toppings.
This is an effortless and delicious crock pot meal the whole family will love! Try it out on a busy night and be sure to check out our other high protein crock pot recipes for even more deliciousness!
If you’re searching for more crock pot recipes, our Hawaiian Meatballs or Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala are great options. Both high protein dishes make perfect freezer meals.
