Slow Cooker Vegetables

This is how to cook slow cooker vegetables with potatoes, zucchini, squash, carrots mixed together to fork tender and delicious. Healthy Crockpot recipes served as an easy side dish are a game changer.

I have cooked all sorts of veggies slow cooked in my day. Most of them are cut into bite size pieces but you can even cook a Whole Head of Cabbage in Slow Cooker too!! Let’s talk about how long to cook mixed vegetables in a Crockpot tonight though so you can pair them with dinner this week.

I love prep, set and go meals. One I can throw in before running errands throughout the day or mid day to pair with my main dish. You can do this a number of ways; roasted in the oven, Air Fryer Vegetables or on the stovetop but if those are occupied it is great knowing I can throw a few into my Crock and have them tender with tons of flavor this way!

We will explore the best veggies to slow cook to get the ideal texture and how to season them well to be served with your next dinner.

Slow Cooker Vegetables and Potatoes

Crockpot baked potatoes would need to be cut into small bite size chunks so they would get done at the same time as the others. I would suggest that these be added with firmer more sturdy varieties (listed below).

You should keep like for like together so they cook at the same rate. Root will take the longest, firm can be added in with root if desired to add flavor. Squashes, tomatoes and bell peppers are the quickest. That is if you remove the rind and chop the inside flesh into large bite size pieces before adding in.

What vegetables are good for slow cooking?

I always like to use a bag of peeled and already rinsed Baby carrots because they are easy to throw in and are already prepped for me.

Bell peppers don’t take long to prep either. I just discard the top and seeds inside and slice. The larger and thicker each piece is the more they will stay together.

Zucchini and/or yellow squash should be sliced rather thick into dials. Too thin and the heat will cause them to break down too much and get mushy.

I like to add some Pearl onions or slices of larger ones go well with any combo really.

Root Vegetables

Crock pot Carrots will hold their shape well and become tender and sweet. Potatoes; russet, Yukon Gold or red potatoes work well. Sweet Potatoes become soft and develop a deep, sweet flavor. Parsnips will add a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. Turnips will provide a mild, slightly peppery taste. Beets will retain their color and become sweet and tender.

Firm Vegetables

Slow cooker onions we add to everything and will add sweetness and depth of flavor. Can be used in slices or chopped. Garlic can be added in with any of them adding a rich, savory flavor. Use whole cloves or minced. Celery adds a subtle, earthy flavor and maintains some texture.

Slow Cooker Cauliflower is one of the firmest to start but softens up nicely and can be made cheesy. Leeks will offer a milder, sweeter onion flavor. Fennel adds a slight anise flavor that mellows with slow cooking. Slow cooker cabbage will hold up well and add texture to any dish as well as a mild, sweet flavor.

Salt and pepper are given seasonings but others such as thyme and onion powder are great too You will need a bit of liquid like water, but vegetable broth is better to get them to steam.

How Long to Cook Vegetables in Slow Cooker

You don’t want them in too long unless you just have varieties that can handle a longer heat like carrots and potatoes only. With more delicate selections like you see here you only want to cook on low heat for 2.5-3 hours or until as tender as you’d like them to be.

In the case of those that you want to cook whole and keep the skin in tact (and not wet) like our Crockpot Sweet Potatoes you’d want to wrap those in foil after washing and poking with a fork.

How to Make Cheesy

If you wanted to add cheese just shred some cheddar and sprinkle on top the last 30 minutes with the lid closed. Then it will melt and get ooey gooey for serving and kids love this add in for sure.

Can you add meat?

Absolutely you can but they should have the same cook time. We did this with bell peppers and spaghetti sauce instead of broth for a heartier dish when we made a batch of Crockpot Sausage and Vegetables for dinner. Great when served inside hoagie rolls!

Can you cook frozen vegetables in a slow cooker?

You can but there are some things to keep in mind; Frozen vegetables may have a different texture than fresh ones, as the freezing process can sometimes make them softer. Some will hold up better than others, so choose varieties that are firmer. If you prefer a firmer texture, add in the last 1-2 hours of cooking.