Slow Down to Speed Up: The Slow Cooker Collection
AIP-friendly slow cooker recipes, practical shortcuts and resources to help you slow down, plan ahead and make nourishing meals and life on the AIP a little easier.
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Slowing Down to Speed Up
Life doesn’t slow down just because we’d like it to. But there are little ways to make things a whole lot easier on ourselves.
The premise of this collection: Slow down to speed up. Sometimes giving ourselves a little more time and space is exactly what we need.
So, plan ahead where it helps, let the slow cooker do some of the work, embrace conveniences and accept a little help!
I’ve pulled together some of our favorite slow cooker recipes, practical ideas and resources to help you make life on the AIP a little easier! Spoiler Alert: There’s no need to turn every weekend into a giant batch-cook-sesh!
🖤 Sometimes the fastest way to heal … is by going slow. 🖤
Before You Dive In …
The recipes and resources in this collection come from a variety of recipe creators (some of whom create recipes for broader dietary approaches, not exclusively AIP). While I’ve carefully selected recipes that are AIP-friendly or can typically be adapted for the Autoimmune Protocol, ingredients and formulations can change over time. Always review the ingredient list and only use ingredients and products that are appropriate for your current stage of the AIP.
When in doubt, follow the guidance of your healthcare practitioner and the version of the protocol you’re following.
(Click Here to find the NEW AIP Protocol Guide Book)
What You’ll Find in This Collection
🛒 AIP-Friendly Ingredients & Shopping
📚 This Month’s Resources
🐢 Do Something Your Future Self Will Thank You For
🍽️ Recipe Inspiration
🥣 AIP-Friendly Convenience Options
🧰 Tools to Make Life Easier
🌱 Healing Beyond Food
💌 Stay Connected With AIP Recipe Collection
Looking for AIP-Friendly Ingredients?
Finding compliant AIP ingredients can often feel more challenging than finding the right recipes! Over the years, I’ve spent thousands of hours researching trusted brands, comparing products and building relationships with companies I genuinely feel good about recommending.
Many of the specialty ingredients, pantry staples, kitchen tools and products used throughout the recipes in this collection can be found in my Food Sourcing & Shopping Guide. I’ve organized everything into easy-to-browse categories so you can quickly find what you need without spending hours researching products on your own.
When you choose to shop my recommended brands and affiliate links, you’re helping support AIP Recipe Collection at no additional cost to you. Your support allows me to continue researching, creating curated collections like this one, and providing free resources for our AIP community. Thank you ~ it truly means more than you know. ♥
📚This Month’s Resources
Sometimes a different perspective is exactly what we need. I’ve pulled together a couple of resources that explore slowing down, reconnecting with yourself and taking a little of the pressure out of the healing journey.
Slow & Steady AIP
Think you have to go all-in on the AIP overnight? Not necessarily!
The NEW Autoimmune Protocol still includes Core AIP elimination as the gold standard, but explains how utilizing the Modified AIP may give you the additional flexibility you need. PLUS, the updated protocol emphasizes the benefits of the transition phase … it’s all about taking it slow and steady so you can find your way to a more sustainable, personalized AIP.
If you’re starting the AIP, or starting again with a more compassionate mindset, this is the number one resource I think every AIPer should have.
Ready, Set, Slow
What if doing more actually starts with doing less?
Ready, Set, Slow by Lee Holden explores simple, accessible practices for mindful movement, breathwork, and connection to help you slow down, support your health, and let your body and mind find their rhythm. Welcome to the power of slow!
Such a great reminder that slowing down isn’t the same as standing still.
➡️Find the book: USA | Canada | UK
(As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases)
The Slow Down Diet
The Slow Down Diet by Marc David comes recommended by a functional nutritionist who supports autoimmune healing from the top down instead of the bottom up … meaning brain before bellies and bowels. While she recognizes that the AIP holds value, her approach begins by calming the nervous system – helping people eat in peace and reconnect with joy, rather than obsess over restriction.
If you’ve tried the AIP and haven’t seen healing, or your healing journey seems to have stalled, you may have overlooked the fact that healing isn’t just about food.
Dive into the diet book that doesn’t tell you what to eat!
➡️ Grab your copy on Amazon USA / Canada / UK
(As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases)
♥ Do Something Your Future Self Will Thank You For
One of the things I love the most about using a slow cooker is that it lets you do the work before you’re tired, hungry and wondering what’s for dinner.
While I’m not one for meal-prepping or batch cooking, there’s nothing quite like coming home to the smell of dinner cooking on days when you’re just too tired to cook! A little prep now and your future, hungry, exhausted self will thank you for it.
Make Dinner Work Harder
Slow cooking can make the meals you cook go a little further. Many slow cooker recipes make generous batches (or are easily doubled), so without even trying you’re out there doing that batch-cooking thing you’re too tired to tackle … look at you go!
Here are some of my favorite ways to make the most out of it:
- Chop ahead of time. If you have the time and energy, prep your slow cooker ingredients earlier in the day, or even the night before so there’s less to do when you’re tired.
- Cook extra. Most slow-cooked meals are just as good the next day or even better, so make more than you need and avoid decision fatigue for tomorrow’s lunch or dinner in two days’ time.
- Repurpose the leftovers. Shredded chicken, pulled pork, roast meat and leftover veggies can become the starting point for something completely different. Hello AIP tacos or meal prep bowls!
- Freeze a portion or two. If you cook a big batch, it’s worth setting some aside for the freezer. Freezer meals are the best when you just don’t feel like cooking … AND they keep you from getting bored with the same meal several times in the same week.
- Get things started before the day gets busy. This is where the real magic happens for me. If the recipe allows, I’ll assemble everything the night before and pop the removable crock into the fridge. In the morning, I just set the slow cooker before heading out the door, and dinner takes care of itself while I get on with my day. And here’s a little bonus: some recipes actually benefit from that extra time to marinate, too!
Slow Down, Plan Ahead, Stress Less
What if you could stop wondering what’s for dinner every single day? Meal planning doesn’t have to mean spending your entire weekend figuring out what you’re going to eat. A little planning now can save you plenty of stress later … and that’s where Real Plans comes in.
Whether you’re following Core AIP, Modified AIP, starting reintroductions or cooking for a household with mixed dietary preferences, the RealPlans app lets you choose your dietary approach, set your preferences and favorite cooking methods … including the slow cooker, of course!
RealPlans creates fresh, weekly meal plans, builds your shopping list for you and even reminds you when to take meat out of the freezer or prep your slow cooker ingredients. Those little prompts can make a surprisingly big difference when life is going too fast and you’re feeling a little fuzzy.
➡️ Read my RealPlans review to see how it works and get instructions for saving 40% off your subscription. And, if another subscription isn’t in the budget right now, you’ll also find a FREE 4 week meal plan PDF in my review.
🍽️Recipe Inspiration
Slow & Steady, Dinner’s Ready!
Slow Cooker Breakfast Chicken Soup (yes, soup for breakfast!)
Zuppa Toscana (easily one of our favorites)
Slow Cooker Peach Carnitas (omit jalapeño and use compliant wraps)
Crock-Pot No-Mato “Chilli”
Simple Tender Pot Roast with Holy Grail Gravy
Slow Cooker Chicken Butternut Squash Stew
Slow Cooker Roast Chicken With Lemon And Garlic
Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider (like a hug in a mug!)
Hello Crocktober!
Crockpot Beef Pumpkin Curry
Crockpot Pumpkin Chicken Tikka Masala (even my pumpkin hating husband loves it!)
Honey Garlic Slow Cooker Pulled Pork (this one’s a group fave!)
Lamb & Butternut Squash Stew
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Legs (budget friendly)
Slow Cooker Meatloaf (budget friendly)
Slow Cooker Sweets & Treats
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Butter
Slow Cooker Holiday Wassail (use compliant juices, omit nutmeg, use honey or coconut sugar, not brown sugar)
Slow Cooker Fruit and Spice Applesauce Blends (use a compliant DIY pumpkin pie spice, omit almond extract)
Slow Cooker Baked Apples (use whole or sliced tigernuts in place of nuts)
5-Ingredient Crockpot Apple Crumble (makes an easy holiday dessert!)
🥣 AIP-Friendly Convenience Options
Some of my favorite ways to make the AIP a little more convenient don’t involve a product or an appliance at all. Sometimes the easiest shortcut is sharing the work!
Some of my favourite resources for easier AIP days:
Cook, Share & Connect
Being on the AIP shouldn’t mean doing all the cooking yourself. You’ve heard of a cook-ie exchange, right? Why not try a cook-ing exchange instead!
Slow cooker recipes are perfect for making big batches and sharing the love … without being stuck eating the same thing for days.
You don’t need a whole AIP cooking crew, just a good friend or two — and some recipes that happen to be AIP-friendly and delicious.
Here are a few ways to share the work and have a little fun while you’re at it:
- Swap a batch. Make a big pot of AIP chili, stew or pulled pork and trade half with a friend. You get a ready-made meal and something new for your freezer.
- Cook together. Invite a friend over, put two slow cookers to work and each of you goes home with a couple of different meals.
- Build a freezer stash. An afternoon of cooking together can leave everyone with several meals tucked away for another day.
- Let people help. Not into a full cooking exchange? You can still ask a friend to lend a hand. Have a prep party! Go for groceries together, prep and chop veggies or plan a compliant meal your friend can prepare for you.
Sometimes a little practical help from a friend can make the AIP feel a lot less isolating … and sharing the cooking is a pretty delicious way to stay connected.
Slow Weekends, Easy Treats
I like to keep weekends slow … when I can linger over breakfast, make something fun, enjoy a lazy afternoon, and not feel like every meal has to become a project.
Of course, sometimes a little weekend cooking or meal prep is exactly what makes the week ahead easier. But I think there’s a difference between cooking because you want to and cooking because you feel like you should. The trick is knowing when to slow down rather than adding another thing to the list!
A few shortcuts can help you keep the weekend feeling easy — even if you only manage to slow down for part of it.
🍪 A Little Help from Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R.
These AIP-friendly cookie, cake, brownie, flatbread and waffle/pancake mixes make it easy to bake something delicious without turning your slow weekend into a baking marathon. And honestly, a little treat can make the AIP a whole lot more joyful!
➡️ Grab your Eat G.A.N.G.S.T.E.R. Baking Mixes and SAVE 10% Off Every Order with CODE: AIP10
Take It Easy
A few shortcuts to help you enjoy the weekend without letting meals take over:
- Pull something from the freezer. Remember those slow-cooker meals you tucked away? This is exactly what they were waiting for! And if your freezer is looking a little bare, Urban AIP delivers frozen AIP meals right to your door (check out my post – I include a discount!).
- Keep some AIP-friendly snacks on hand. Having a few AIP-friendly snacks on hand means you don’t have to start cooking the minute hunger strikes. Check out my AIP Snack Guide for some ideas.
- Let your pantry do some of the work. Stock up on easy staples that can be turned into a quick meal without much thought. Browse my AIP Pantry Staples & More for some of my go-to sources.
- Or don’t cook at all! Dining out can be one of the best parts of a slower weekend, and it’s still possible on the AIP. Read my post, Dining Out on the AIP for tips on making it work.
🧰 Tools to Make Life Easier
I’ve rounded up some great slow cooker options in my AIP storefronts on Amazon. You don’t necessarily need the fanciest, most expensive piece of equipment, so I’ve chosen a variety of price points and a range of sizes. From simple manual setting slow cookers to programmable options and multi-purpose appliances like the all-in-one Instant Pot that can slow cook, too!
Explore the Small Appliances section of my AIP storefronts on Amazon
USA / Canada / UK
(As an Amazon Associate I earn a small commission on qualifying purchases)
🌱 Healing Beyond Food
The AIP is about more than what’s on your plate. Food is an important foundation, but slowing down, managing stress, getting enough rest and finding little ways to support your wellbeing matter too.
This collection is about those things that help you care for you — not just what you eat.
Slow Down to Support Your Nervous System
Simple ways to encourage relaxation and shift out of stress mode:
🌿 Spending 15-20 minutes in nature – it’s proven to reduce cortisol & stress.
🌿 Practice “box breathing” (inhale, hold, exhale, hold). Click to practice.
🌿 Humming stimulates the vagus nerve.
🌿 Legs up the wall promotes relaxation.
🌿 Practicing gratitude shifts focus from stressors to positive experiences, supporting emotional regulation, reducing stress, and building resilience.
Slow Down & Get Cozy
Sometimes healing means doing less and making space for things that help you feel grounded, comfortable and cared for.
My Hygge for the AIP post is about creating a little more comfort and calm in everyday life. Think cozy, simple and decidedly not another thing to add to your already-too-long to-do list!
➡️ Get Cozy and Read: Hygge for AIP
30 Days to Slow Down
Need a little nudge to slow your roll?
I created this 30-Day AIP Slow Down Practice to help you pause, breathe and make a little more space in your day. It includes simple daily prompts, from mindful walks to enjoying a slow drink of water or slowing down enough to enjoy your meals, it’s a fun practice to help you check yourself before you wreck yourself.
Give yourself permission to go slow … your to-do list will survive!
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