This 2-Minute Crockpot Hack Is a Must For Summer Meal Prep (Plus 12 Lunch Recipes!)

Published on 7/30/2019 at 2:45 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Jenny Sugar

If I had to pick one food I'd want to eat for the rest of my life, it would be sweet potatoes. Roasted sweet potatoes taste much more flavorful than steamed (IMO), but I don't want to turn on my oven when I'm battling the Summer heat outside and running the A/C inside. Try this superfast hack — you can cook sweet potatoes in your slow cooker!

It couldn't be easier! Just wash whole sweet potatoes, place them in your empty slow cooker — no water, piercing, cutting, or wrapping in foil necessary. Cook on low for eight hours or on high for three to four. And the result is perfectly soft, sweet, incredibly moist, and delicious sweet potatoes, just like when you roast them whole. You can put as many in as you can fit with the lid fully closed; I fit five medium-size, which made for the perfect meal prep for my week's lunches.

You can store your cooled sweet potatoes in an airtight glass container in the fridge to use for dinner later that week, or if you're meal prepping for lunch, here are 12 delicious recipes that will leave you satisfied and make your coworkers jealous!

Roasted Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad

Here's a salad that includes roasted sweet potatoes and cooked quinoa to make your salad extra full of fiber and filling.

Get the recipe: mason jar sweet potato black bean quinoa salad

Roasted Sweet Potato and Black Bean Burrito

Roasted sweet potatoes swirling with tender black beans and corn, succulent red peppers, and juicy tomatoes wrapped in a warm whole-wheat tortilla make this one delicious and gratifying meal.

Get the recipe: roasted sweet potato and black bean burrito

Sweet Potato Veggie Burger

At around 150 calories, each patty is packed with sweet potato, white beans, and rice that offers almost five grams of fiber and six grams of protein. Enjoy yours on a bun, in a wrap, or on top of a fresh salad.

Get the recipe: sweet potato veggie burger

Chili-Stuffed Sweet Potato

This chili-stuffed sweet potato will keep you full and satisfied while also delivering some major protein.

Get the recipe: chili-stuffed sweet potato

Maple-Roasted Butternut Squash, Kale, and White Bean Salad

Massaged kale is topped with warm maple-cinnamon roasted butternut squash, white beans for protein, cucumbers and almonds for a satisfying crunch, and raisins for a little added sweetness.

Get the recipe: maple-roasted butternut squash, kale, and white bean salad

Tofu Scramble With Sweet Potatoes and Kale

While tofu scramble is a typical breakfast meal, there's no law that says you can't enjoy it for lunch! Pair yours with avocado toast or a side salad.

Get the recipe: sweet potato breakfast scramble

Spicy Sweet Potato Salad

Pair this sweet potato salad with a protein like grilled chicken, tofu, or black beans for a satisfying lunch.

Get the recipe: spicy sweet potato salad

Sweet Potato Crust Pizza

Veggie-filled and gluten-free? You read right! This sweet potato pizza crust is a much healthier way to satisfy pizza cravings.

Get the recipe: sweet potato crust pizza

Banana, Almond Butter, Sweet Potato Breakfast

If you've become a fan of sweet potato toast, here's a little twist that offers tons of complex carbs and protein to fuel your morning, and it's gluten-free, Paleo, Whole30, and vegan. This makes a fun, sweet, and satisfying midday meal.

Get the recipe: banana-and-almond-butter-topped sweet potato

Roasted Tofu, Sweet Potato, Pepper 1-Pan Meal

For this original recipe, you roast all the ingredients on one pan. But you can just sauté tofu and red peppers in a cast-iron pan on the stove, then add diced sweet potatoes that you've cooked in your slow cooker. Fast, easy, and so delicious! Make a week's worth of lunches, and store them in mason jars — you can even freeze them!

Get the recipe: roasted tofu, sweet potato, pepper savory breakfast

Sweet Potato, Tofu, and Avocado Bowl

Meal prep the sweet potatoes and tofu, then add fresh avocado and salted cashews when you're ready to eat.

Get the recipe: sweet potato, tofu, and avocado bowl

Sweet Potato, Chickpea, and Broccoli Buddha Bowl

Your taste buds will delight in roasted sweet potatoes, baked tofu, sautéed spiced chickpeas, steamed broccoli, red peppers, kale, and quinoa. Topped with an easy-to-make creamy peanut sauce; dinner is going to be so awesome!

Get the recipe: sweet potato, chickpea, and broccoli Buddha bowl