7 Mediterranean Diet Recipes to Make in Your Slow Cooker

If you’re a fan of the Mediterranean diet, you’ll love these slow-cooker Mediterranean diet recipes that are so easy to make. Originating in areas around the Mediterranean Sea, more specifically Greece and southern Italy, this diet is famous for its focus on plant-based ingredients, like fruits, vegetables, lentils, whole grains, olive oil, and beans. It also includes moderate amounts of dairy, cheese, and fish, small amounts of poultry, and little to no sweets. Beyond being flavorful, the Mediterranean diet is associated with a slew of health benefits, including a lowered risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers, slowing the decline of brain function, and supporting healthy blood sugar levels.

From hearty plant-based soups full of fiber-rich ingredients and an aromatic tagine that makes for a great dinner option, here are some of the best slow-cooker Mediterranean recipes out there that are overflowing with flavor. Many of these picks are also easy to customize, so go ahead and make them your own.

Related: Sign up to receive delicious recipes, expert advice, and shopping tips in your inbox!

1. Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

This tasty soup is perfect for whipping up during chilly winter nights — each recipe makes six hefty servings, which is excellent if you need to feed a whole family or like to meal prep. It’s packed with nutrient-packed ingredients, like carrots, onions, fresh dill, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and celery, and calls for lean and hearty chicken breast. Switch out the orzo pasta and use low-sodium chicken broth if you want an even healthier dish.

Try the recipe at Well Plated.

2. Moroccan Vegetable Tagine

Veggie lovers gather around — this is one recipe you don’t want to miss out on. Requiring only 15 minutes of prep time, this next-level delicious Moroccan vegetable tagine perfectly combines taste and texture.

It’s made using vitamin-packed ingredients, including carrots, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, onion, and garlic, and a dash of cinnamon for an exciting flavor kick. If you’re not in the mood for chickpeas, swap them out for other fiber-rich legumes, such as white kidney beans or even lentils. Serve this tagine over steamed couscous or another hearty grain, and “voila!” a delicious dinner that requires little to no effort.

Try the recipe at The Endless Meal.

3. Detox Crockpot Lentil Soup

Easily add some more fiber into your diet by making this detox crockpot lentil soup that calls for a handful of easy-to-find ingredients like kale, butternut squash, garlic, carrots, and lentils, of course. Lentils are satisfying and full of fiber, making them a great addition to any meal. In fact, according to a 2017 review in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, lentils can help reduce the risk of various cancers, including cancers of the breast, thyroid, and liver. They can also aid in protecting against other health issues, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. This simple, warming soup tastes great served alongside vinaigrette-dressed salads or gluten-free bread.

Try the recipe at Pinch of Yum.

4. Slow Cooker Vegetarian Chili

Red meat, such as chopped meat, is rarely eaten with the Mediterranean diet, making this slow cooker vegetarian chili an excellent choice if you love chili but want to stick to a Mediterranean diet. This dish features a medley of vibrant veggies and additional healthy ingredients, such as red bell peppers, celery, carrots, garlic, kidney beans, white beans, and tomatoes. This chili is delicious served over steamed quinoa, chopped sweet potatoes, or brown rice.

Try the recipe at The Endless Meal.

5. Spicy Vegan Black Bean Soup

This spicy black bean soup is another great bean-filled dish that excels in the flavor and texture department — it’s so good it may just become part of your permanent recipe rotation. Requiring just ten minutes of prep time, this hearty recipe uses extra-virgin olive oil, thinly sliced carrots, canned black beans, low-sodium vegetable broth, ground cumin, and chopped onions to create an unforgettable dish that can easily be served for lunch, dinner, or as a snack. This soup can be prepared either on the stovetop or with the slow cooker — it’s your choice.

Try the recipe at Cookie and Kate.

6. Greek Chicken

Although the Mediterranean diet includes only small amounts of poultry, this slow-cooker Greek chicken recipe is perfect for those days when you want a protein boost. It’s made with extra-virgin olive oil, kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, minced garlic, chopped herbs like parsley and thyme, and a sprinkling of feta cheese. Even better? This dish stays good in the refrigerator for up to four days, which comes in handy when you’re meal prepping.

Try the recipe at Well Plated.

7. Instant Pot Wild Rice Soup

There’s nothing like a bowl of good soup. This one is 100% plant-based and made with a combination of nutrient-rich ingredients, such as carrots, baby bella mushrooms, olive oil, raw cashews, celery, and hearty wild rice. What’s more? It requires only 15 minutes of prep and one hour of cooking time so that you can whip this soup up in a jiff. A stovetop version is also available if you’d rather not pull out your slow cooker to make this one.

Try the recipe at A Couple Cooks.

Read next: 8 Mediterranean Diet Cookbooks That Make This Diet Easier