Jumpstart the new year by getting your eating habits under control. These 11 January Whole30 crockpot recipes are nutritious, easy to prepare, and affordable!
Now is the perfect time to commit to a healthy lifestyle. And what better way to get your eating habits under control than by joining the January Whole30 challenge? With these 11 Whole30 crockpot recipes in your weekly rotation, sticking to a nutrient-rich diet isn't so hard. They're easy to make, affordable, and delicious.
Before getting to the recipes, let's recap what January Whole30 is all about:
Those are the foods to avoid for the first 30 days of the Whole30 diet. After that, you can start reintroducing the foods you love that make you feel good. But remember: the goal is to prioritize whole foods on a day-to-day, but leaving some room for enjoying more processed foods sporadically.
Here are some ideas for Whole30 crockpot meals to enjoy throughout January.
Tomato soup is a childhood comfort food for many, and it can fit into a Whole30 diet. In summer, use fresh tomatoes if you have them. In winter or on a tighter budget, use canned tomatoes and sundried tomatoes. This recipe's secret is cashews: once blended, they add richness to the soup without you needing to add dairy.
Looking for a hearty, filling soup? You should try making ham and potato soup in your crockpot. The ingredients are very affordable, with the most expensive being ham, but you won't need much. Instead of using cream (which traditional recipes call for), use full-fat coconut milk. It'll add creaminess and subtle notes of flavor to the soup.
You can pack a lot of flavors without using many ingredients. The hardest part of making this recipe will be to find sugar-free salsa verde (or you can make your own). It's worth it, though, because this soup will warm you up on bleak January days.
Another Whole30 crockpot chicken recipe, this one is bright and fresh. Use shredded chicken (or frozen turkey leftover from the holidays), carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and dried herbs. Then pour in lemon juice for a zingy kick. Make it pasta-free for January Whole30.
Don't love vegetables? This recipe could change your mind. It brings together kale, carrots, and potatoes in a creamy, flavorful broth. To save money but add even more nutrition, you can swap these veggies for others in season locally. Use coconut milk instead of cream to keep it Whole30-friendly.
Ground beef is often cheaper than other meat products, so it's the perfect addition to a budget-friendly Whole30 challenge. You can easily turn it into meatballs and cook them in a homemade marinara sauce that's diet-friendly. Serve with roasted veggies or with a garden salad.
Chicken and vegetables are a winning combination. Layer vegetables (green beans, carrots, and brussels sprouts work well here, but you can use whatever is in season) at the bottom of a crockpot and place an entire chicken over it. Add the seasonings and balsamic vinegar, and let it cook. You'll have a beautiful meal ready for dinner.
These stuffed peppers take a bit more effort than other recipes on this list, but they're so worth making. Ground turkey (or your preferred ground meat) is the star of the dish: it's rich in protein and extra flavorful because of the tomato sauce and spices. And if you've never tried cauliflower "rice," this is the perfect time to do it.
You should make carne asada the next time you find flank steak at the grocery store. This often inexpensive cut of meat becomes buttery soft and juicy when you cook it in the crockpot. Lime and lemon juice add a really refreshing flavor, which blends well with the cumin and cilantro. Instead of serving the meat on tortillas (which are not allowed on the Whole30 diet), serve it on cupped lettuce leaves.
If you manage to get your hands on fresh peaches, you won't want to skip making this dish. It's pretty easy to prepare and the crockpot does most of the work. You could even use frozen or canned peaches (as long as they have no sugars added). Serve with a garden salad or roasted veggies, for extra nutrition.
A bowl of chili is a great way to warm up on a cold January night. Fortunately, you can make chili without beans during January Whole30. You'll need ground beef, sweet potatoes, onion, fire-roasted canned tomatoes (be sure to look for a sugar-free recipe!), green chilies, broth, tomato paste, and a handful of spices. That might sound like a lot of ingredients, but this is still a budget-friendly meal.
One of the best things about these Whole30 crockpot recipes is that they're easy to prep for the week. Store individual portions in airtight containers and keep them in the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze the portions you've made so you can have healthy homemade meals later.
Cooking in bulk and meal prepping allows you to save money, stay on track with your diet, and reduce waste in the kitchen.
Preparing satiating nutrient-dense meals doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. You can save a lot of money by choosing seasonal produce, buying in bulk, and shopping for deals. You'll find the hottest discounts in a Save Coupon Book near you. Don't forget to peruse it before your next grocery shopping trip—you could save a lot of money on healthy ingredients!
