I resisted the pull of the slow cooker — or Crockpot — for years. I wasn’t sure what I’d make in it that my family would like and my bladder would agree with. And then I started trying a few things.
Fast forward a few years, and now I not only regularly use my slow cooker, but I bought a larger 8-quart Crockpot and recently got two smaller slow cookers as well. I use all of them!
A decent amount of slow cooker use is for keeping foods hot for serving larger crowds, like my church youth group or at holiday meals. But, I’ve also learned all sorts of yummy and simple ways I can put my slow cooker to use for our family alone.
One of the great things about Crockpot meals is you can usually set them and forget them in just a few minutes. I quite enjoy when dinner prep is finished at lunchtime. Whether it’s hot weather so you don’t want to heat your kitchen with the stove or it’s cold weather and you just need something warm, slow cooker recipes really work well.
Try these IC diet slow cooker recipes to take care of dinner prep in a snap!
About the IC Diet
All references to “IC diet” are based off the “IC Diet List” and recommendations for what foods are typically IC bladder friendly and what are more risky. All of the following recipes that have ingredients outside of the “Usually Bladder Friendly” category are marked as such with suggestions for how to make them completely IC friendly. The only exceptions are for onions and black pepper.
Please note, many of the recipes include onion, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category. You can certainly omit the onion to keep such recipes even more bladder friendly, but also note that cooked onion is often better tolerated by IC bladders and really could be worth trying.
Many recipes also include some amount of black pepper. Fresh pepper is in the “Usually Bladder Friendly” category while black, white and green powders are in the “Foods Worth Trying” category. If you aren’t sure, just omit the pepper completely.
Diet really is trial and error. What might be considered “Usually Bladder Friendly” might irritate your bladder. Likewise, what is considered “Foods to Avoid” might not irritate your bladder. The best way to determine your dietary triggers is with an elimination diet.
Chicken Slow Cooker Recipes
From plain chicken breasts to elaborate dinners, you can make all sorts of Crockpot chicken dishes that are IC friendly. Chicken itself is in the “Usually Bladder Friendly” category on the IC diet. The only issues that come up with chicken are what is added to it.
- Frozen chicken in the Crockpot (I do this and don’t add butter. I just put 1/2 cup of water in the slow cooker, add the chicken breasts and then season with salt and poultry seasoning.)
- Slow cooker chicken casserole
- Crockpot chicken and gravy (This recipe includes a can of low-sodium cream of chicken soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
- Slow cooker shredded chicken
- Crock Pot chicken alfredo
- Crockpot chicken marsala (Use the suggestion to skip the wine and replace it with chicken broth to keep this IC friendly.)
- Slow cooker pesto chicken (Leave out the optional cherry tomatoes.)
- Crispy, juicy chicken thighs in the slow cooker (Leave out the paprika to stay within the IC diet “Usually Bladder Friendly” foods.)
- Slow cooker chicken and potatoes (Lemon zest is usually IC friendly because it isn’t acidic like the fruit. Proceed with caution or omit it if you’re unsure.)
- Slow cooker brown sugar garlic chicken
Beef Slow Cooker Recipes
Just like with chicken, beef itself is good to go on the IC diet. Things added to beef recipes, though, are often where the problems lie. So fire up your Crockpot and get to cooking some delicious beef for dinner tonight!
- Slow cooker roast beef dinner
- Slow cooker pot roast
- Slow cooker broccoli beef (This recipe includes 1/2 cup soy sauce for the entire recipe. Soy sauce is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category in small quantities. If you’re unsure, omit the soy sauce.)
- London broil for the slow cooker (This recipe includes a can of cream of mushroom soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
- French dip sandwich (This recipe includes 1/2 cup soy sauce for the entire recipe. Soy sauce is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category in small quantities. If you’re unsure, omit the soy sauce.)
- Slow cooker beef tips and rice (This recipe includes a can of cream of mushroom soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
- Slow cooker shepherds pie (Leave out the Worcestershire sauce to keep this IC friendly.)
- Slow cooker beef stew (Omit the canned tomatoes and add an extra 1/4 to 1/2 cup of beef stock instead.)
- Slow cooker ground beef (Cook ground beef ahead of time with this recipe and freeze in zip-top bags in portions for easy cooking later.)
- Slow cooker hamburger hash (Use mild cheddar cheese. And note that this recipe includes a can of cream of mushroom soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
Soup Slow Cooker Recipes
You just can’t beat a nice warm soup for comfort food. I love soup in winter, but I also love it in hot weather. You and your Crockpot can make some deliciously IC friendly soups!
- Slow cooker chicken noodle soup
- Slow cooker potato soup (The use of frozen hashbrowns makes this a super simple recipe.)
- Slow cooker cheeseburger soup (Omit the Worcestershire sauce. Substituting for soy sauce would be more IC friendly, but you can leave it out all together to remain completely IC friendly.)
- Slow cooker creamy chicken and wild rice soup (This recipe includes a can of cream of potato soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
- Slow cooker ham and black-eyed pea soup
- Slow cooker split pea soup
- Slow cooker veggie pot pie stew
- Slow cooker butternut squash soup (Omit the cayenne pepper.)
- Leftover turkey soup (This recipe includes an optional can of cream of mushroom soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
- Slow cooker corn chowder
Pork Slow Cooker Recipes
The other white meat can also make some great slow cooker options. From hot dogs to pork chops, grab your Crockpot and get to cooking!
- Hot dogs (This is great for parties or large groups. Just make sure to keep the toppings on your hot dog IC friendly.)
- Slow cooker ham
- Slow cooker pork chops (Omit the paprika.)
- Saucy ranch pork and potatoes (This recipe includes two cans of cream of chicken soup, which is in the “Foods Worth Trying” category.)
- Brunch burritos (Omit the green chiles and use mild sausage.)
- Hashbrown egg brunch
- Slow cooker pulled pork
- Slow cooker pork zuppa (Omit the crushed red pepper.)
- Pork loin in the Crockpot (Omit the paprika.)
- Slow cooker ham and sweet potatoes
Dessert Slow Cooker Recipes
Slow cookers aren’t just for savory foods. Don’t forget you can use your Crockpot for some delectable desserts as well!
- Slow cooker pumpkin pudding
- Slow cooker apple-cinnamon cobbler (Use sweet, mild applies like Gala, Fuji or Pink Lady.)
- Slow cooker caramel-toffee bread pudding
- Slow cooker white chocolate bread pudding
- Slow cooker caramel maple pears
- Cinnamon spiced apples (Use sweet, mild applies like Gala, Fuji or Pink Lady.)
- Slow cooker flan in a jar (Omit the optional rum.)
- Slow cooked blueberry grunt
- Slow cooker brown sugar cheesecake (Top with blueberries instead of peaches.)
- Slow cooker rice pudding
