How to roast vegetables in the slow cooker:
Some things in life are too good to be true.
That daily email informing me I’ve won the $100 million Swiss lotto?
Too good to be true.
Annoying Infomercial Guy who excitedly informs you there’s a way to make money while you sleep? And if you call in the next ten minutes, he’ll reveal the secret for just $19.99?
Too good to be true.
And the idea that one can make flavorful roast vegetables without turning on the oven, heating up the entire house, and watching fastidiously to ensure the crock pot vegetables don’t burn?
Much too good to be true.
This one is true.
Say hello to roasted vegetables in the slow cooker!
“But wait! There’s more! Call right now and we’ll double your order!” 
Below: the slow cooker vegetables and seasonings I used. Feel free to change it up.
Use more sweet potato, exchange carrots for the zucchini, cherry tomatoes for the garlic, add parsnips, add different herbs or spices to the crock pot vegetables…
Slow Cooker Roast Vegetables
How To Roast Vegetables In The Slow Cooker
Print This Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers, cut in large slices (as shown in the photos)
- 1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into cubes
- 3 small zucchini, cut in thick slices
- 1/2 cup peeled garlic cloves
- salt, herbs of choice, and oil (I probably used about 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, and 2 tbsp olive oil. I guess you could use oil spray if you don’t mind the taste of roasted vegetables without oil. But I like the crock pot vegetables much better with the olive oil.)
Instructions
How to cook crock pot vegetables in the slow cooker: Grease your crock pot, then add all the veggies. (I used a 4-quart slow cooker.) Season with the salt, herbs, and oil, then stir to evenly coat. Cook 3 hours on high (or longer on low), stirring just once every hour or so. At this point, you can open the lid and drain the liquid for another use. Don’t discard it; the liquid is seriously delicious! I just drank it like soup. The veggies will be a softer texture than oven-roasted veggies, but they are actually even more flavorful and sweet. Crockpots—thanks to their slow and steady heating—are known to heighten the flavor of whatever you’re cooking.
Do you ever fall for those tv infomercials?
Against my better judgment, I fall for them all the time! Then I have to remind myself, “It’s too good to be true. There must be a catch.” A cream that claims you can use it once and never shave again? Too good to be true. A CD that teaches you a new language in under 10 days? Too good to be true. A robotic vacuum cleaner you don’t need to push? Much, much too good to be true. A few years ago, one of my friends bought that vacuum… all it did was constantly crash into the wall!
Links Of The Day:
Single Serving Coffee Cake in a Mug
Clean Eating Almond Butter Fudge
Jordan @ Eat for Health, Eat for Fun says
What a brilliant idea for low-maintenance roasted vegetables! Since I already have a love affair with my crockpot I will definitely have to try this method!
As for the infomercials…several years ago before my wedding I made a poor 6am in the morning decision and spent nearly $100 on “the bean” – a piece of exercise equipment (if you could call it that!) promising to make all my woes disappear and sculpt me into a goddess. Moral of the story: beans are only for eating.
Gramma says
We bought the Roomba robot vacuum cleaner.. We loved it. It circled chair legs on bare floor, swept under the beds and couches. It wasn’t programmed to go back and forth like a lawn mower, but it covered one room if you gave it enough time. After eight or ten years the battery died and since our unit was so old and we lived in another we couldn’t replace it.
Donna Long says
You only bought 1 Bean exerciser? I bought 2…for my daughter and myself. I think the Goodwill Store is more than likely still trying to resell them…I thought Somone surely might want them so I donated them. After reading the reviews and statements…I suppose not! LOL
Erica {EricaDHouse.com} says
Mind:Blown:
I actually lecture on the psychology of inormercials in my Gen Psych class – such interesting theories!
Monica says
Yes! Thank you! I love this blog!
Michelle says
This looks so yummy! I’m always looking for new slow cooker recipes 🙂
eating 4 balance says
This will be so awesome! I’m sure you’ll get this question a lot, but what size crock pot did you use? We have a mini and a “normal” sized. Just don’t want to use the wrong size!
Eating 4 Balance says
Nevermind… 🙂 I’m guessing 4 Quart is pretty standard though?
Dana says
This post couldn’t have been timed better! I got a slow cooker for Christmas but have no idea how to do basic things (like veggies) in it. Thanks, I’m so excited to try this!
marilyn says
I want to use my slow cooker to cook my carrots (2 lbs) instead of on top of stove boiled.. I know putting any brown sugar, which I would love to include to carmalize themwould be so good but my son may not be able to enjoy them. The potatoes are enough heat coming from the top of the stove and the ham inside. My cabbage salad , apple sauce, and my apple pie will top it off. So this 90 yr. old mom will appreciate any advice concerning how to cook the carrots in my cooker as far as low or high and and how long I should cook them. I appreciate your help. Never did vegtables in my slow cooker except butternut squash and that was delish. Thank you so much Katie for your help and Merry Christmas.
sissy says
Go to google and type in crock pot cooking. Also ask for recipes. Besides that there should have been a manual in the box along with some recipes too. There should be millions of recipes on the internet. Pinterest has tons of stuff of everything.
I use my crockpot’s to make a rice hot dish, to keep mashed potatoes and stuffing warm. I am currently making a pot roast
with vegies.
lynn @ the actor's diet says
a revelation – thank you.
Jenny says
Katie – I have a 6 qt. slow cooker, so for the most even heating should I time-and-a-half the recipe or do you think your amounts will work? Also, what is the bowl of golden goodness underneath the veg? Please link to the recipe for that if you have one. It looks like polenta.
Steph says
I have a vacuum cleaner like that! It’s called a Rumba I think. It’s supposed to be for pet hair but it picks up crumbs/other small things pretty well. It rarely malfunctions and is surprising good at navigating the whole floor! You do have to empty it often and sometimes long hair gets tangled so you have to clean that out – yuck.
Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama says
This is interesting. Does the slow cooker give the same roasted flavor that the oven gives? I love the flavor of roasted vegetables and wouldn’t be willing to give that up. 🙂
Maurice Ciao says
Wow, a recipe that’s over 100 calories….. I don’t think I’m ready for such a dramatic change, Katie. 🙁
Joy @ Caspara says
That looks wonderful!! I like my roasted veggies to be soft and the leftover “juice” sounds delish!
Ragnhild says
Roasted veggies are my favorit thing! As I type, I actually eat the best snacky dinner ever; pieces of nice sourdough bread spead with avocado and topped with cold left over roasted veggies (zucchini, red onion, bell pepper and cherry tomatos). Amazing!
Anna @ The Guiltless Life says
I love this idea! And I have to say, I love that you’re incorporating more savoury recipes into your repertoire! We do, after all, have to eat things other than treats, and your recipes have always worked, so I don’t see why that would change for savoury ones!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
Oooo I love finding new ways to use my slow cooker! Thanks!
Anonymous says
This just blew my mind! I can’t wait to try it!
Lisa says
Ohhh, I absolutely love this idea! Trying it out tonight. Why have I never thought to roast my veggies in a slow cooker. I guess that makes things a lot easier when I’m gone the whole day.
Kimberly Slater says
Wonderful! I would have thought them to be too watery.
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur says
I don’t own a slow cooker because I never thought I’d have a use for it, but this method of roasting veggies is reason enough for me. This is such a great time and energy saver! Thanks for the great idea. Your pictures are beautiful, as well!
Jody says
I see a slow cooker ratatouille in my future.
Ali @ WHOLEistically Fit says
Great idea roasting the veggies in the crock pot! 😀 Haha, every time my husband and I see an infomercial on tv we always think of this Friends episode where Joey does an infomercial for this spout thing for milk cartons. We love to quote the line, “Now you can have milk everyday!”. Lol. It helps us to never take infomercials seriously. 😉
[email protected] SavyNaturalista says
Lol I never knew it could be done I am excited to try it; I hope my veggies do not dry out..
Ed says
Wow that is freaking awesome…may have to give it a go!
Nikki @ The Road to Less Cake says
I’ve never thought about “roasting” veg in the slow cooker. What a great idea. I don’t use my slow cooker nearly as much as I should do.
Allison @ Life's a Bowl says
This is absolutely fabulous! As long as the veggies don’t stick to the sides…
Nikita says
Genius! Roasted veggies are the most delicious way to prepare vegetables and I’m a pretty big fan of the slow cooker so I will be trying this out!
Sunnie says
YES!!! I JUST bought a mini (2-cup capacity – so cute!) slow cooker so that I can “cook” while I’m working the night shift. What a brilliant idea! 😀
P.S. Katie, Katie, Katie, you take the peel off of your sweet potatoes?? That’s the best part! LOL Kidding. 😉 (No, seriously, I actually ask for my dad’s sweet potato peels because he won’t eat them. I know I’m weird…)
Sunnie says
P.S. I just took a second look at your post (the first one was a semi-quick skim) and noticed the delicious whole cloves of garlic! If only I could roast JUST garlic and put JUST garlic over my rice or quinoa, or just on my plate. However, my family disowns me when I eat garlic…
Maya says
The peels of a lot of fruits/vegetables have a large portion of the nutrition!!!
[email protected] says
I absolutely love the idea of roasting my veggies in the slow cooker! Can’t wait to give it a try!
Stephanie says
I just got a slow cooker for christmas! This will be the first thing I make! I wish you had a croc pot category of recipes.
Melissa George says
You have no idea how excited I am about this!!! I love roasted veggies. But I don’t like heating up the house while I’m roasting them. This is perfect! I’ll be trying it this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
Analisa says
BUUUUUUTTTT you can’t put chocolate on these;)
Colleen (www.fresh-you.com) says
Katie! I just fell in love with your site EVEN more! You have such amazingly creative, simply, delicious, nutritious and beautiful ideas and creations (can creations be creative? Yours are!!)! Thank you! I am certain your cookbook (first of many!!) is going to be an actual best seller!! You totally deserve it! Have a good night! Colleen 🙂
Kyra (scribbles and sprinkles) says
Neat idea! And your photos always look good. I envy your photography skills.
Christi says
those veggies look sooo good! i love roasted veggies! i can’t wait til your cookbook comes out, i’m sure its going to be wonderful. will it just be a book of dessert/sweet recipes or will it includes savory dishes like these? i was also thinking, maybe you can make a vegan cannoli recipe… 🙂
Moni @ {Moni Meals} says
Works for me!! I love my veggies. 😉
Andrea says
Just discovered your website and amazing recipes! I am a sugar addict and cutting it out completely for a while before reintroducing in small amounts so as not to go crazy binging again. This is the perfect place for me 🙂 Tried the cookie dough dip and think that I can be a convert…tasted the chickpeas a little more than I would prefer, so I’ll buy some dry and cook myself, but I think I’ll need to upgrade on some of my kitchen equipment (i.e. food processor, and after seeing the above recipe, getting a slow cooker) in order to get a smoother texture. So thankful to have found you, though and can’t to start baking healthy 🙂
Andrea
Maddie @Glutendairyfreedom says
Roasted veggies, yum! 🙂
Charul @ Tadka Masala says
Wow, that is such a useful post. Thank you for sharing.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
What a beautiful rainbow of veggies! Great tip Katie. Thanks!
Alanna says
Love this idea! I really need to eat more veggies, but I get tired of the same frozen green beans and carrots all the time (and my tummy is much happier with cooked veggies than raw). Definitely going to try this one after I restock the vegetable drawer!
Tory says
Yum!! I just saw this on pinterest…I had some veggies on hand and decided to give it a try! They came out fantastic! I used butternut squash, half a green pepper, a red pepper and a zucchini with some oil, lots of garlic and italian seasoning, pink salt and a touch of fresh cracked black pepper…enjoying it over rosemary quinoa!
I love my crockpot, who knew this was possible! Thanks!!
Tanya @ Playful and hungry says
Seems like I have to get a slow cooker…
Angela says
I have two words for your infomercial question: magic bullet. I used to watch this infomercial EVERY time it was on. I even watched it a few times on YouTube. It worked so well on me I bought the Bullet TWICE! This infomercial has ruined me for all other infomercials, there’s only room for one in this girl’s heart.
Bek @ Crave says
I’ve never really fallen for them, except for that vacuum one! Damn- it’d be helpful haha. Ps. Yummy veges!
Laura says
These would be more like steamed veggies than anything… definitely not the same as roasted!!
Anonymous says
Nah steaming requires water..roasting is dry heat like the crockpot. Unless you dump water in there..but then they would be boiled! Lol
Laura says
Right. But if you were to pile a bunch of veggies in the oven, not laying them in a single layer, they would be mored steamed (they would get the moisture from themselves) than they would be roasted. Roasted veggies have water evaporated from them and also have browing involved. So I stand by what I said: cooking veggies in a crock pot =/= roasted; it’s more steamed than anything because the moisture is not allowed to escape as much as traditional roasting.
Alex @ Healthy Life Happy Wife says
Great idea!! Totally trying this!
Fdlafon says
Heading to the grocery for the week and we are trying this recipe tonight for dinner! I can’t wait!!! Stay tuned, I’ll let you know how they turn out.
Danica @ It's Progression says
I love the flavor of slowcooker-roasted veggies!
Herbivore Triathlete says
What a great idea to roast veggies in the crockpot, I love roasted veggies, this is perfect for hot summer days!
Also, I would totally drink the veggie liquid too, yummy!
Carol says
Thanks for this; it will be great in the summer. I wrote about my attempt on my blog. It will be published Monday. http://www.carolburris.com/life_with_nin/2013/01/roasted-veggies.html
Janet says
So delicious!
Thank you, Katie
Emily @ Hungry Delights says
wow wow wow. Mind blown! I am doing this as soon as I get home! I can’t believe I never thought of this! xo Emily @ Hungry Delights
sam says
DROOLING! yum! now i need a slow cooker asap! do you mind me asking what your eating your veggies over?! it looks delicious! is it quinoa?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
That’s polenta :).
Eva says
This is so yummy! I put yellow and zucchini squash, red peppers, garlic, onions and sweet potatoes in my mix. I then seasoned it with a bit of garlic powder and curry powder. Thank you for sharing 🙂
https://www.youtube.com/ says
Check current games for the best odds, as well as which games have the most available prizes left to be won.
Then there is the new furniture and gadget purchases that also
come into play with this new vulnerability trap that you now own.
Promises like that, where they are obviously too good to be true, ought to set
off a warning bell.
Kaitlyn says
made this recipe last night! added in carrots and used 1 tbsp oil + 1 tbsp chicken broth. so good! i will be making my veggies in the crock pot forever now! thanks so much 🙂
Dhanyo says
Great tip! Thank you!
Jaime says
I used different vegetables, but this is SPECTACULAR. It’s such a filling meal and so easy! My husband doesn’t like vegetables and even he thought it looked good.
Thank you!
Laurie C says
I wasn’t sure about this, but gave it a try for dinner tonight and put a slightly smaller amount of different vegetables in the CrockPot and it worked great! The vegetables I used didn’t generate much in the way of juice at all, so there was nothing to drain off and the bottom layer even developed a bit of browning from the slight coating of oil!
LisaD says
Made this for my family’s Christmas potluck dinner and it was a HUGE hit! I increased the amount of ingredients and had more than enough for the 15 of us. Great for leftovers and everyone loved it! Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Marty Walden says
Going to try this today. Have you thought of having a recipe plugin for you blog? It makes it much easier for the reader and also gives your blog credit when printed. Just a thought!
Suzanne says
Thanks so much! I was searching for days for a simple veggie side dish in the crock pot and most recipes out there had cheese, potatoes, or other things i didn’t want. I just wanted straight up veggies! Thanks!!
d.vallee says
please allow us to print the recipe without having to print all other peoples comments I cannot afford to waste all the paper and ink. The cost is to high. Thank you for understanding . Astruggling old women
Unofficial CCK Helper says
To print, highlight just the recipe itself and right-click “Copy.” Then open a new Word document and right-click “Paste.” You can give this file a name and print it easily. You can also save it in a CCK Recipe folder for later reference or re-printing.
Rowena says
Thanks – I have a heap of veg and herbs in the slow cooker – on their way to being pumpkin soup… Already smells great c:
A-Bomb says
This is going to be my first time getting to host a family holiday since I began dating my husband 8 years ago! This will seriously save time and energy for the pile of root veggies I need for 11 people. Thank goodness I have a big 6 quart crock! Thank goodness for this recipe!
Tony says
Do you think I could get away with using Portobello mushrooms in this recipe?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
I’m sure you could!
Alyssa says
That looks amazing! How did you cook the polenta? Any seasoning?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
It’s an old recipe! https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2007/11/12/you-can-still-make-chili-when-it-isnt-chilly/
Mandy says
the link to the crock pot roasted vegetables won’t open:( could you please send it to me??
Ashley says
Maybe I missed it, but what did you serve the veggies on? I know its not rice, but idk what it is. Thanks!
Unofficial CCK Helper says
Looks like polenta!
https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2007/11/12/you-can-still-make-chili-when-it-isnt-chilly/
Leah Dodge says
This will be a lifesaver for my diet. Thanks!!
Leanne says
Great idea! Please tell me what you are serving the veggies on top of?!? Looks delish.
Chocolate Covered Katie says
https://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2007/11/12/you-can-still-make-chili-when-it-isnt-chilly/
Annie says
Definitely going to be trying this with broccoli, onions, carrots, and maybe beets… I’m going to have to start working out later, so I want to cut my dinner prep time down to like 5 minutes in the evening. Great recipe!
Sharon says
How many does this recipe serve? (Crockpot vegetables)
Thanks
Katy Musolino says
I found this recipe several months ago, and it has become a staple recipe for me. Always so good. I use whatever vegetables I have in the crockpot and there’s so much flavor. I found that cooking it for two hours is enough–not quite as soft and mushy. So easy, and so delicious over rice or whatever your favorite grain is. I’ve even rolled them up in whole grain tortillas, and eaten them over a bed of salad greens. Delicious!
karen cadle says
I’m going to make this for a dinner party soon and I was wondering how long you would time this for and on low or high would you set the heat? thanks so very much!!!
Bailey says
As a working mom I appreciate things that go in a crock pot. These are great.
clint says
Hi Katie, the recipe looks delicious. I have two questions though:
1. In the picture of the cooked vegetables in the bowl, what are they served on (is that couscous or some sort of rice)?
2. What herbs/spices would you recommend for this dish?
Thanks.
clint says
Oh gosh, I read the comments and saw the answer to question 1: its polenta. Thanks,
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Rosemary is always nice. Or oregano or basil or garlic powder, onion powder, etc!
Judith says
I chunked up onion, red bell pepper, carrot, turnip, garlic then tossed with S & P, thyme, red pepper flakes, EVOO then started in the crockpot on high. After an hour, I realized it was cooking too fast and I turned it to low. Halfway through I stirred in zucchini then added two ears of corn (halved) for the last hour. It turned out just perfect after three hours and we loved it. I am so happy for this idea and will be cooking many vegies in this manner.
Janice Mchone says
Thank you for the help on raw veggies in the crockpot. I am starting on a diet for high blood pressure and sometimes I steam them but wondered of I would get a different flavor if I used the crockpot. I also need to know how to fix salmon fillets.
Karen says
These are great! I love using red peppers and sweet potatoes and onions.
mali says
I made this and the vegetables turned out great. Thanks for posting the recipe.
EY says
This sounds awesome. I was just wondering – what do you use the leftover liquid for?
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Maybe use it like vegetable stock?
Sue says
I used sliced sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and chunks of eggplant and green pepper. They were done in about four hours on low. I mixed them with quinoa cooked in vegetable broth. I usually roast the vegetables in the oven, but this works better. More juice and you don’t make the kitchen unbearably hot!
Nigel Hutchinson says
I have a large new Hamilton Beach crock pot, followed the recipe and ended up pulling them out 45 minutes early and they were overdone (yet still delicious!). Next time going to double the amount, and cook on high for 1:30hr… Be mindful of the unit your using, cooking time will vary!
al falah says
Ohhh, I absolutely love this idea! Trying it out tonight. https://www.afu.ac.ae/en/why-afu/
Linda Adsit says
Thank you for this super simple recipe. I can do this. I will do this. Today.
Re the infomercials, have you ever heard the song Vegematic by Steve Goodman. It’s about some guy who orders stuff from TV ads. If you can find it, I promise you will LYAO.
cliff says
I’m going to give it the “go ahead and do it” thing,,,Thanks
angelina morris says
Hi there, thank you so very much for sharing all of the healthy recipes you are sending to us…. would very much to ha a cook book for this all yummly stuff you sending….. please and have a great day….
Kelly B says
This worked marvelously. I usually steam my veggies in the morning to pack in a thermos for lunch, so tried this crock pot method. I turned them on low overnight (good 7 hours) and they were great. Will do this method more often!
Joni Pinkney says
Thanks — been looking for a recipe like this. I love roasted veggies, but don’t like to use the oven because it heats up the kitchen and runs up the electric bill. Think I”ll use some veggies from the farmer’s market, that would be awesome!
Cheryl P. says
Just put this in the crock pit. I added a yellow bell pepper, yellow squash, red,potatoes instead of sweet, and eggplant.
Linda Adsit says
Thank you VERY much for showing us what a walk in the park this is. Mine’s crocking right now.
Pongodhall says
Lovely Katie, dry or with the liquid, I know some think calories counting but wonderful with brown rice?
Jane Ambrose says
Fabulous recipe Thankyou. I’m a busy working Mum, so to come home to a crock pot full of healthy yummy vegetables was great. Everyone cleaned their plates..
Canelo Forum says
Great tip! Thank you!
Nicole says
I have a bunch of vegetables in the fridge that I wanted to use, so this recipe is the perfect one for me!
Mike says
I like this vegetable roast.Thanks for sharing another healthy recipe. It is so easy to have a try at home.
Nobody says
Though I am not a cook but enjoyed reading it. Keep sharing wonderful informative posts..
Ummm… One more thing.. I am thinking to add recipe section in my blog .. What do you suggest?