There is nothing worse than ending a holiday and dreaming about the delicious foods that you enjoyed while abroad and wanting them again, well now you can.
With these Mediterranean crock pot recipes for vacation food at home you have the chance to relive those amazing flavors, and what’s even better is you don’t have to slave away for hours in the kitchen making them, the slow cooker does all the work for you.
Now you can enjoy your holiday moments for longer.
#1. Slow cooker Greek chicken recipe
I love Greek food, having been to the country and experienced the local cuisine as it was caught from the ocean on the restaurant’s doorstep, and there is something magical about the Greek food and culture.
It has a light and airy feel to the meals that are evident in the restaurants and cafes everywhere, and most likely due to the hot weather. So when the summer season kicks off why not try these Mediterranean crock pot recipes for a filling, but light meal.
Chicken is healthy and lean and a great choice for the warmer weather, and you can get on with the rest of the meal preparations and set up while this cooks slowly for several hours, needing no supervision. Win-win. We could all use a dish from time to time (if not more) that takes care of itself and has a delicious flavor profile.
If you have ever been to Tuscany you will have a deep appreciation for the love and effort that you can taste in their food, and now you and the family can enjoy it in the comfort of your home.
This is the perfect roast dish to enjoy for outdoor dining with family and friends on the weekend when all anyone wants to do is relax. I like to seal the meat in a hot skillet with olive oil and garlic butter for a full-flavored sear and to lock in those meaty juices, and put in the crockpot on low to work its slow cooking magic while you tidy the house.
One less thing to worry about when you have guests coming over is a big weight off your shoulders, and when the guests arrive they will be hit with a meaty aroma that will have their mouths watering.
Slice and serve straight from the slow cooker, and pair with couscous or even a hearty salad to keep the meal light and fresh in the hot weather.
This is a one-pot wonder that has saved me from much grey hair and tastes unbelievable and is a hit with the kids and hubby.
The traditional way, of course, is to have the filling all stuffed inside a toasted pita pocket and topped with salad ingredients and garlic mayo dressing (and we have had it like that and it is gorgeous) but served without the bread element and rather with rice works just as well.
If you were on the hunt for Mediterranean slow cooker recipes then add this to your findings, you will not be disappointed. Everything goes into the cooker, simmers gently throughout the day while you run errands and get on with the grocery shopping, and when the family comes home from work and school they will be greeted by the Balkan-inspired dish they love.
The ultimate feel-good food and the best way to end a long day.
Note, if you have a nut or seed allergy, omit the Tahini (essentially blended sesame seeds) and opt for hummus when serving or plain yogurt.
Easy slow cooker Mediterranean recipes don’t get better than this.
This dish is packed with flavor, is healthy with light dressing and lean meat, and is complemented by the salad ingredients of your choice (usually cucumber, onion, and tomato salsa with a squeeze of lime). When the weather is humid and sticky outside we don’t want to be indoors let alone in a boiling kitchen, which is why the crockpot is the perfect slow cooking method for summer.
All the ingredients cook unsupervised (another perk from the host of positives of a slow cooker) and the heat is contained so no steam of heat radiating from the stove and oven turning the kitchen into a sauna.
I like to set up a mini buffet for the family to pick and choose from their favorite toppings, and then everyone can roll their wraps with as little or as many fillings as they please. Be sure to have lots of napkins on hand because this is a messy affair, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
A hearty soup goes a long way in our house, and when the winter chill is blowing a gale outside, this is a soup that will fill the gap. I am all about comfort food and feeling cozy when it is cold out, and nothing beats a meal that soothes the soul.
The trickiest part (if you could even call it tricky) of this recipe is the chopping of the vegetables, and I do all the prep beforehand so I can layer and place the ingredients in as I choose. And you don’t have to use these specific vegetables if you have others on hand and in the fridge that need using up, this recipe is completely customizable to your family and preferences. Sometimes we swap out the sausage for chorizo to add a smoky bite to the dish, and sprinkle some fresh jalapeno slices when serving for a nice pop of color and added kick.
#6. Crockpot chicken thighs recipe with sundried tomatoes
The pops of color in this dish make it that much more appealing, and the Italian-inspired flavor profile is a great dish to serve when you have your next gathering. It is simple, elegant, and pairs beautifully with a fresh salad and a hint of citrus to elevate the other flavors.
We have made this a lot (more often than is suitable some would say) this summer and one of the main reasons why is that I don’t have to keep an eye on it for hours on end for fear that it will burn. The slow cooker does all the work and when crock pot Mediterranean dishes are this effortless it is no reason we enjoy making them so much.
I always try to get the kids to eat vegetables (every parent struggles no doubt) and because the tomato, chicken, and artichoke flavors melt together they have no issue tucking into this meal. I would never have thought my children would enjoy artichokes, but it was worth a try and it was a hit, so be sure to give this one a chance next lunchtime.
This South and Central American soup recipe with its Cuban influence has long been passed on in our family, and for good reason too, it is amazing.
Beans offer so much good protein it is hard to ever want to pass up these crock pot Mediterranean recipes, and why should you? They are simple to make, you only need a handful of ingredients (most of which you already have in the pantry and fridge), and the taste suits, everyone.
The ready soup has a dark, rich hue which is the perfect backdrop for a bold pop of color when garnishing. Add a handful of lemon coriander piled high to add freshness and zest, julienne red pepper strips look divine, and even fried corn kernels to complete the look and make it a magazine-worthy meal.
To experience the best of a beautiful country and its cuisine, be sure to give this easy recipe a try.
We all know that the Italians are experts at fantastic tasting food, and even more so with the bare minimum of ingredients, which goes to show that less is certainly more.
Stew has always been a staple in our house when I was growing up and when you combine that feel-good meaty goodness with the humble iconic Italian basic ingredients, you have a winning combination that will be a hit around the dining table.
This is so quick you can prepare it in the morning before heading off to the office, and set it on low to simmer through the day till you come home after what seems like your endless meetings. The recipe does call for wine but the flavor infused into the mix and is absorbed by the meat, helping with the tenderizing, but the rest cooks off and evaporates so this is a kid-friendly dish in case you had any concerns.
The stew is perfectly delicious with chunky pieces of brioche to soak up the flavor-filled liquid or served on top of fluffy rice.
When you plate this up and serve it to friends or family members you will understand and appreciate the effort in this meal (from all the compliments) but also when you taste it. Superb.
The dish not only tastes good, but you always enjoy these Mediterranean slow cooker recipes when they look like foodie magazine images too, after all, we know that people first eat with their eyes.
This recipe is packed with great tasting flavors and does not disappoint in color, all the hues melt seamlessly together, and you will create a well-balanced meal that is a true crowd-pleaser.
My kids love chicken every day of the week if they can get away with it, and in the summer months, dishes like these are a pleasure to make. The meal is light, not overwhelming in preparations, and essentially cooks itself.
And the cream or cherry on top as they say is that this is keto-friendly for those on that specific nutritional eating plan, great-tasting food without the calories is always a yes in my book.
When I make this slow-cooking phenomenon of a dish the family raves about it for days afterward. It is so rich and saucy, the meat is fork-tender and soaks up the spices and flavors with ease making each mouthful heaven in a bite.
I love using Turmeric and Garam Masala when preparing dishes, they have an unmistakable and unique flavor profile that cannot be replaced in any which way. I use them for curries and other comfort food dishes, and now experimenting with them in this meal did not disappoint.
My husband loves meaty saucy dishes with rice so we almost always eat it with fluffy rice, but on occasion, I find some freshly baked garlic brioche baps at the store which the kids love to use as edible scooping vessels.
Both options are divine and feel free to add some chili flakes (my hubby’s choice) for a bite to the meal.
From time to time I like to make a completely vegetarian dish, not for dietary reasons, but to switch things up on the dinner menu rotation (although I’m not sure the family even notices that this dish is meat-free).
What I do know is that the sweet potato which originated from Peru has become a global source of starch that offers a great balance between sweet and filling, and this recipe proves that.
Making chili is a meal that you can’t go wrong with, everything gels together in the crockpot each taking on the other flavor profile, and thus, makes these crock pot Mediterranean recipes so sought after.
A quick and effortless meal that makes a large enough portion to feed the masses or have extra leftovers for the next day. It can stay fresh in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 3 days (if it lasts that long), and freezes, thaws, and reheats perfectly to taste as good as the first time you made it.
This would do well to be made in a double yield and to freeze half down for a rainy day or for later in the month when you know the schedule will be really busy.
Serve with a generous dollop of sour cream for a light touch and a sprinkling of spring onion for color.
For centuries it has been shown that chicken soup was the cure for all illnesses and health ailments.
And I don’t know if it was the feel-good element that mentally allowed patients to recover quickly or if there is some truth to it, but I know that healthy Mediterranean crock pot recipes which taste this good, are a must-have in your culinary arsenal.
The liquid in this hearty meal is absorbed by the chicken and noodles and packs them with flavor so each spoonful is as good as the last.
My kids love to choose which noodles or pasta will be added in and any way I can get them involved in is a yes from me. They take turns choosing and a real team effort.
A winning recipe for the whole family to enjoy and be involved in, you can even get them to grate the parmesan onto the bowls just before serving for a more elegant look.
I love lasagna, I love ricotta so when I found this easy slow cooker Mediterranean recipe for Italian-influenced lasagna I knew I had hit the jackpot.
The layers make the dish and it is so versatile and customizable that you could opt to make each family member’s favorite ingredients in turn, and the ultimate winter comfort dish to warm those hungry tummies.
Garlic butter bread croutons are all you need to make this meal complete and are the best vessel to dip into the tomatoey sauce at the end to ensure you have a clean plate after dinner.
The ricotta is what hooked me to try this dish. To begin with, it has a richness to it that elevates the dish to a more sophisticated level rather than the generic white sauce we saw our grandmothers adding in.
An effortless meal that curbs those hunger monsters from sticking their heads out.
The Mediterranean is magical, it is vast, and has hidden experiences you can only enjoy when you immerse yourself in its rich history and culture completely. And when food is involved you can never go wrong.
These Mediterranean crock pot recipes for vacation food at home allow you to hold onto those great tasting dishes you had while road tripping around the Med that little bit longer. There is always a great recipe or dish to try out, and even more on our blog that you should have a browse through, so give some of these a try for the next family dinner or a simple lunch at home outdoors.
Born and raised in South Africa and being immersed in the rich culture, Candace soon found a passion for all things food related. Exploring and experiencing new flavors and taste profiles she pursued her career as a qualified chef in silver service specialized in fine dining.
