These keto slow cooker recipes use metric measurements and ingredients commonly available in UK supermarkets. Choose from creamy chicken, beef and swede casserole, lamb curry, sausage hotpot or pulled pork.
Each recipe requires approximately 15–20 minutes of preparation and works best in a 5–6-litre slow cooker. Estimated carbohydrate values vary between brands, so always check sausages, stock cubes, sauces and spice mixes.
Which Keto Slow Cooker Recipe Should You Make?
Choose the recipe that best matches your preferred flavour and cooking time.
| Recipe | Best for | LOW setting | Approx. carbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creamy garlic chicken | Family dinner | 5–6 hours | 5g |
| Beef and swede casserole | Traditional comfort food | 7–8 hours | 8g |
| Lamb and spinach curry | Rich, spicy flavour | 7–8 hours | 6g |
| Sausage and cabbage hotpot | Budget-friendly dinner | 5–6 hours | 8g |
| Keto pulled pork | Meal preparation | 8 hours | 4g |
Carbohydrate estimates are per serving and do not include side dishes.
What Makes a Slow Cooker Recipe Keto-Friendly?
A keto slow cooker meal normally combines meat, fish or poultry with low-carbohydrate vegetables and moderate amounts of natural fat.
Replace potatoes, pasta, rice, beans and flour-thickened gravy with:
- Swede or celeriac
- Cauliflower mash or rice
- Cabbage
- Mushrooms
- Courgettes
- Double cream
- Cream cheese
- Xanthan gum
When reading UK food labels, use the main carbohydrate value rather than only checking “of which sugars.” Sausages, stock pots, curry pastes and ready-made sauces may contain hidden starch or sugar.
How Do You Make Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Chicken?
Chicken thighs stay tender during slow cooking, while cream cheese and double cream create a rich sauce without flour.
Slow Cooker Creamy Garlic Chicken Recipe Card
Serves: 6
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 5–6 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
Ingredients
- 800g boneless chicken thighs
- 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced
- 80g onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 250ml chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 150g full-fat cream cheese
- 100ml double cream
- 150g spinach
- 25g grated Parmesan
- Salt and black pepper
Instructions
- Place the mushrooms, onion and garlic in the slow cooker.
- Arrange the chicken thighs on top.
- Mix the stock, thyme, mustard and pepper, then pour it around the chicken.
- Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Remove the chicken briefly and stir in the cream cheese, double cream and Parmesan.
- Return the chicken and add the spinach.
- Cover for 10 minutes, until the spinach wilts.
Serve with broccoli, cauliflower mash or buttered cabbage.
How Do You Make Keto Beef and Swede Casserole?
Swede provides the comforting texture of a root vegetable while keeping the casserole lower in carbohydrates than a traditional potato-based stew.
Keto Beef and Swede Casserole Recipe Card
Serves: 6
Preparation: 20 minutes
Cooking: 7–8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH
Ingredients
- 1kg diced stewing beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 500g swede, cut into 3cm chunks
- 250g mushrooms, halved
- 150g celery, sliced
- 100g onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 500ml beef stock
- 2 tablespoons tomato purée
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 bay leaves
- ¼ teaspoon xanthan gum, optional
Instructions
- Brown the beef in the oil, working in batches.
- Add the swede, mushrooms, celery, onion and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Place the beef on top.
- Mix the stock, tomato purée, Worcestershire sauce and thyme.
- Pour over the beef and add the bay leaves.
- Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
- Remove the bay leaves and season to taste.
- Stir in a small pinch of xanthan gum if the gravy needs thickening.
How Do You Make Keto Lamb and Spinach Curry?
This slow cooker curry uses coconut milk and spinach instead of potatoes, lentils or a sugar-heavy curry sauce.
Keto Lamb and Spinach Curry Recipe Card
Serves: 6
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 7–8 hours on LOW or 4–5 hours on HIGH
Ingredients
- 900g diced lamb shoulder
- 100g onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 20g fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tablespoon garam masala
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon chilli powder
- 400g chopped tomatoes
- 400ml full-fat coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 150g spinach
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Add the lamb, onion, garlic and ginger to the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle over the spices and stir well.
- Mix the tomatoes, coconut milk and tomato purée, then pour over the lamb.
- Cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours.
- Leave the lid off for 15 minutes if the sauce is too thin.
- Stir in the spinach and lemon juice before serving.
Serve with cauliflower rice or roasted cauliflower.
How Do You Make Keto Sausage and Cabbage Hotpot?
Choose high-meat sausages and compare carbohydrate values because the amount of rusk and starch varies considerably between UK brands.
Keto Sausage and Cabbage Hotpot Recipe Card
Serves: 6
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 5–6 hours on LOW or 3–4 hours on HIGH
Ingredients
- 800g high-meat pork sausages
- 600g savoy or white cabbage, sliced
- 200g leeks, sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 300ml chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 150ml double cream
- 25g butter
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Brown the sausages in a frying pan for 5 minutes.
- Add the cabbage, leeks and garlic to the slow cooker.
- Arrange the sausages on top.
- Mix the stock, mustard, sage and pepper, then pour it into the pot.
- Cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours.
- Check that the sausages are fully cooked.
- Stir in the double cream and butter during the final 15 minutes.
How Do You Make Keto Slow Cooker Pulled Pork?
Pulled pork is useful for meal preparation because it can be served in lettuce wraps, with cauliflower mash or over shredded cabbage.
Keto Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Recipe Card
Serves: 8
Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 8 hours on LOW or 5 hours on HIGH
Ingredients
- 1.5kg boneless pork shoulder
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic granules
- 1 teaspoon onion granules
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 150ml chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon tomato purée
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Mix the paprika, cumin, garlic, onion, salt and pepper.
- Rub the seasoning over the pork.
- Place the pork in the slow cooker.
- Mix the stock, vinegar, tomato purée and Worcestershire sauce.
- Pour the liquid around the pork.
- Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 5 hours.
- Remove the pork, discard excess fat and shred it with two forks.
- Return the meat to the cooking juices and stir well.
How Do You Prevent Watery Slow Cooker Meals?
Slow cookers retain moisture, so use less stock than you would in an oven casserole.
To thicken a keto slow cooker sauce:
- Remove the lid for the final 15–30 minutes
- Add cream cheese near the end
- Use a small pinch of xanthan gum
- Reduce the sauce in a saucepan
- Avoid adding frozen vegetables directly
- Add spinach and courgettes late
Do not add flour or cornflour without checking how the extra carbohydrates affect the whole recipe.
When Should You Add Dairy and Vegetables?
Add double cream, cream cheese and grated cheese during the final 10–30 minutes to reduce the risk of splitting.
Spinach needs only 5–10 minutes. Courgettes and broccoli should usually be added during the final 30–60 minutes. Swede, cabbage, celery and mushrooms can cook for longer.
How Should You Store and Reheat the Recipes?
Cool leftovers promptly and refrigerate them in airtight containers for up to three days.
Beef casserole, lamb curry, creamy chicken and pulled pork can normally be frozen for up to three months. Cream-based sauces may separate slightly but usually come together again when reheated gently.
Reheat leftovers until steaming hot throughout and avoid reheating the same portion more than once.
What Are the Final Tips for Better Keto Slow Cooker Recipes?
Use chicken thighs, pork shoulder, stewing beef or lamb shoulder because these cuts remain tender during long cooking.
For better results:
- Brown meat for deeper flavour
- Check packaged ingredients for hidden carbohydrates
- Keep the slow cooker between half and three-quarters full
- Avoid repeatedly lifting the lid
- Add dairy and leafy vegetables near the end
- Season after the sauce has reduced
- Add lemon juice or vinegar when a dish tastes flat
The best keto slow cooker recipes do not require expensive replacement products. Meat, low-carbohydrate vegetables, herbs, stock and carefully measured sauces are usually enough.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Put Raw Chicken in a Slow Cooker?
Yes. Make sure it cooks completely and is steaming hot in the centre before serving.
Can You Cook Frozen Meat in a Slow Cooker?
Thaw meat fully before slow cooking so it reaches a safe cooking temperature evenly.
What Size Slow Cooker Do These Recipes Use?
The recipes are designed for a 5–6-litre slow cooker. Halve the ingredients for a 3.5-litre model.
Are Carrots Keto-Friendly?
Small portions may fit some keto diets, but carrots contain more carbohydrates than spinach, mushrooms, cabbage and courgettes.
Can You Use Gravy Granules on Keto?
Some gravy granules contain wheat flour or starch. Reduced stock, cream cheese or xanthan gum may be better options.
Which UK Sausages Are Best for Keto?
Choose high-meat sausages with the lowest carbohydrate value per 100g rather than relying only on the product name.