As the days grow shorter and a deeper chill settles in, the transition into winter calls for warmth, comfort, and deep nourishment. For those navigating the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), this seasonal shift is a wonderful time to embrace hearty, delicious meals. It’s the perfect time to let your slow cooker become your best friend in the kitchen, helping you stay compliant, nourished, and cosy.
This week, we are sharing 5 Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) slow cooker recipes that deliver maximum flavour with minimum fuss, helping you build a sense of calm and routine during the colder months. We’ll also explore why the AIP offers such benefits and how using a slow cooker can simplify your life as the weather changes.
Why the Autoimmune Protocol is So Good for You
The Autoimmune Protocol is more than just a diet; it’s a focused, temporary elimination approach designed to give your body a break, reduce widespread irritation, and promote healing from the inside out. It’s about filling your plate with foods that are rich in nutrients while temporarily stepping away from common food items that can aggravate the immune system.
The Gifts of the AIP
- Calms the System – By removing foods like grains, nightshades, eggs, and processed sugars, AIP helps quiet an overactive immune response.
- Feeds the Gut – It places a heavy focus on nourishing foods, especially bone broth and a wide array of vegetables, which are vital for repairing the lining of your gut, the foundation of your health.
- Clear Answers – While the elimination phase is a committed effort, the careful reintroduction phase offers invaluable knowledge, helping you confidently pinpoint the specific foods your unique body tolerates.
If you’re new to this way of eating or looking for more in-depth guidance, be sure to explore our helpful library of AIP articles.
Your Partner for the Changing Season – Slow Cooking
Winter is often a time when we feel called to slow down, establish new routines, and nourish ourselves deeply. Your slow cooker fits perfectly into this need for ease and comfort.
The Great Reasons Slow Cooking is Wonderful
- Saves Your Time and Energy. Imagine this, you do a little bit of chopping in the morning, push a button, and the cooking is done. It liberates your evenings, allowing you to focus on rest, spending time with family, or simply putting your feet up, which is essential when managing chronic health.
- Makes Food Taste Amazing. The long, gentle cooking time allows herbs and spices to fully mingle and permeate the food, creating a deep, complex flavour that often needs very little extra seasoning.
- Economical and Sustainable. Tougher, less expensive cuts of meat become unbelievably tender and flavourful when cooked slowly, helping you stretch your grocery budget.
- A Simple, Warm Welcome. There’s nothing quite like walking in the door after a chilly, busy day to the comforting, savoury scent of a ready-made meal. It’s instant, uncomplicated warmth.
5 AIP Slow Cooker Recipes for Your Winter Table
These recipes are simple to prepare and wonderful for making large batches that you can enjoy throughout the week.
| Recipe | Main Ingredients (AIP Compliant) | Why It’s Great for |
| 1. Classic Root Vegetable Beef Stew | Beef, carrots, parsnips, celery, onion, bay leaves, bone broth, sea salt, dried herbs. | A deeply warming meal that uses grounding, seasonal root vegetables to build inner strength as the temperature drops. |
| 2. Maple-Glazed Shredded Pork | Pork shoulder/loin, a small amount of maple syrup (optional), onion, garlic powder, apple cider vinegar, bone broth. | Excellent for weekly prep! It’s versatile, use it over mashed root veggies, in lettuce wraps, or as a quick side to steamed greens. |
| 3. ‘Creamy’ Chicken with Herbs & Squash | Chicken breast or thighs, butternut, coconut milk, dried chives, dried dill, sea salt, pepper. | Feels rich and satisfying without any dairy. The sweetness of the squash balances the herbs for a perfect comfort meal. |
| 4. Spiced Lamb & Apricot Tagine | Lamb shoulder, butternut squash, onion, garlic, dried apricot, warming spices (turmeric, ginger, cinnamon). | The aromatic, warming spices support good digestion and feel wonderfully comforting on a cool evening. |
| 5. Healing Chicken Soup | Whole chicken or bone-in pieces, kale (add at the end), carrots, celery, onion, fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), chicken broth. | The gold standard for nourishing the body and supporting the immune system during the changing season. Simple, hydrating, and easy to digest. |
4
servingsA hearty, grounding stew perfect for a cool evening.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs Beef Roast, trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
2 medium Carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
2 medium Parsnips, peeled and chopped
2 Celery stalks, sliced
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
3 cups Beef Bone Broth
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1 Tbsp dried Thyme
1 tsp dried Rosemary
1/2 tsp ground Ginger
1.5 tsp Sea Salt
2 dried Bay Leaves
1 Tbsp Arrowroot Starch (mixed with 2 Tbsp cold water) (OPTIONAL)
Directions
- Prep: If time allows, quickly sear the cubed beef in a pan with a little coconut oil for 2-3 minutes per side. This step adds a great depth of flavour, but is optional.
- Combine: Place all the chopped vegetables into the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the seared (or raw) beef cubes on top.
- Liquids & Seasoning: Pour in the bone broth and apple cider vinegar. Sprinkle the meat and vegetables with the thyme, rosemary, ginger, and sea salt. Tuck the bay leaves into the broth.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. The meat should be fork-tender.
- Finish (Optional): If you prefer a slightly thicker stew, stir in the arrowroot mix (arrowroot mixed with cold water) during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Remove the bay leaves before serving.
4
servingsAn incredibly versatile recipe with a hint of sweetness, great for batch cooking and meal prep.
Ingredients
2 lbs Pork Shoulder (Pork Loin), trimmed of excess fat
1 Yellow Onion, sliced
1 large Sweet Potato, peeled and roughly diced
1 cup Bone Broth
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Maple Syrup (make sure AIP compliant)
2 tsp Sea Salt
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1 tsp Onion Powder
1/2 tsp ground Ginger
Directions
- Prep: Place the sliced onion and diced sweet potato in the slow cooker pot.
- Season Meat: In a small bowl, combine the sea salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and ginger. Rub this seasoning mixture generously all over the pork.
- Glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, and bone broth.
- Assemble: Place the seasoned pork on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker. Pour the liquid glaze mixture evenly over the pork.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours. The pork is done when it shreds easily with two forks.
- Serve: Remove the pork and shred it on a cutting board. Discard any large pieces of fat. Return the shredded pork to the slow cooker and mix it with the remaining cooking liquid and soft vegetables to absorb all the flavour before serving.
4
servingsIngredients
1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs or Breasts, cut into chunks
4 cups Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed (about 1 medium squash)
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
1 can (13.5 oz) Full-Fat Coconut Milk (additive-free)
1 cup Bone Broth
1 Tbsp dried Thyme
1 tsp dried Basil
1 tsp Garlic Powder
1.5 tsp Sea Salt
(Optional): 1 Tbsp Arrowroot Starch (mixed with 2 Tbsp cold water)
Directions
- Prep: Place the cubed butternut squash and chopped onion in the slow cooker pot.
- Assemble: Add the chicken pieces on top of the vegetables.
- Liquids & Seasoning: Pour the coconut milk and bone broth over the ingredients. In a small bowl, mix together the thyme, basil, garlic powder, and sea salt, then sprinkle this seasoning mix evenly over the top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 6–7 hours or HIGH for 3–4 hours. The squash should be very tender.
- Serve: Shred the chicken with two forks right in the slow cooker pot. If using a thickener, stir in the arrowroot mix during the last 30 minutes. Stir the mixture gently to distribute the creamy squash and sauce.
4
servingsThe ultimate immune-supporting, hydrating meal for the shifting season.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs Bone-In Chicken Thighs (skin on or off); OR 1 Small Whole Chicken (3-4 lbs)
2 Carrots, sliced
2 Celery stalks, sliced
1 Yellow Onion, roughly chopped
6 cups Chicken Bone Broth
2 tsp Sea Salt
1 Tbsp fresh Thyme sprigs
1 Tbsp fresh Rosemary sprigs
2 cups chopped Kale or Spinach
Directions
- Assemble: Place the chicken (whole or pieces), sliced carrots, celery, and chopped onion into the slow cooker pot.
- Liquids & Herbs: Pour in the water or bone broth. Add the sea salt and lay the sprigs of thyme and rosemary on top.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours. The chicken should be falling off the bone.
- Finish: Carefully remove the chicken, rosemary, and thyme sprigs. Discard the bones and skin, then shred the meat. Return the shredded meat to the soup.
- Greens: Stir in the chopped kale or spinach. Cover and cook for the remaining 15 minutes until the greens have wilted. Taste and adjust salt if needed before serving.
4
servingsTender, flavourful lamb stewed with warming spices and sweet dried apricots for a taste of Morocco.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs Lamb Shoulder or Leg, cubed
1 Yellow Onion, chopped
3 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
1 cup Sweet Potato, cubed
2 cups Lamb or Beef Bone Broth
1 Tbsp fresh Ginger, grated
1 Tbsp Turmeric powder
1 tsp Cinnamon
1 tsp Sea Salt
1/2 tsp Cardamom (optional)
1/2 cup dried Apricots, chopped (ensure they are unsweetened and preservative-free)
Directions
- Prep: If desired, quickly sear the cubed lamb in a pan with a little coconut oil before adding it to the slow cooker to deepen the flavour.
- Combine: Place the chopped onion, garlic, and cubed sweet potato into the slow cooker pot.
- Add Lamb & Seasoning: Add the lamb pieces. Pour in the bone broth. Sprinkle the grated ginger, turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and sea salt over the ingredients. Add the chopped apricots.
- Mix: Stir everything gently to ensure the lamb and vegetables are coated in the spices.
- Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 7–8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours. The lamb should be extremely tender and fall apart easily.
- Serve: Serve warm, stirring gently before dishing to distribute the soft apricots and spices. This pairs beautifully with cauliflower rice or a simple side of steamed greens.
Your Next Step – Booking a Personal Consultation
Taking charge of your health is the most important step you can take. While the AIP is a fantastic tool, getting personalised guidance from a professional is the best way to move forward with confidence.
If you are beginning the AIP or need support for managing your chronic health condition, consulting with a doctor who understands functional medicine is a crucial next step. They can look at your whole picture and help you create a plan that is right for you.
To help you take this essential step, please use our contact form or call our office today to schedule your consultation with one of our functional medicine practitioners.
We look forward to supporting your journey!
