20 Best Slow Cooker Indian Recipes

There’s nothing better than a simmering curry, bubbling away in all its spicy goodness.

And these slow cooker Indian recipes sure are a treat for the body and soul.

20 Easy Crockpot Indian Recipes

I love meals you can just set and forget, and these insanely irresistible dishes deliver.

They’re easy to make, very satisfying, and full of aromatic and exotic flavors.

Serve them with naan bread, rice, or a fun array of Indian snacks. You’ll really can’t go wrong.

That said, you’ll find everything from coconut fish curry to creamy Indian pudding – so there’s something for every craving.

1. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken

The ultimate Indian comfort food, butter chicken is probably one of the best known and most loved curries.

And it’s not hard to explain the appeal. Tender chicken is simmered in a creamy tomato sauce and flavored with spices like cinnamon and cumin. 

It’s even better when it’s a Crockpot chicken breast recipe, too!

2. Slow Cooker Potato Cauliflower Curry (Aloo Gobi) Recipe

Aloo gobi is a great gateway dish for anyone who’s new to Indian food.

It’s mild but fragrant, with chunks of tender potato and cauliflower simmered in a spiced tomato sauce.

This satisfying side is full of complex flavors – turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, coriander, cardamon, and more! 

3. Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dal

A true winter warmer, dal is a gorgeously thick and creamy lentil stew.

This version is ridiculously easy to throw together. Dump lentils, tomato, onion, garlic, and spices into a pot and press a button. That’s all there is to it!

4. Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala

There are two steps to this hearty masala dish, but it’s still one of the easiest and tastiest ways to get your curry on.

Before you turn on your slow cooker, you’ll marinate the chicken, letting it wallow in yogurt until all those lovely probiotics tenderize the meat into juicy perfection.

Coated in a thick and creamy tomato-based sauce, this is a crowd-pleasing curry that’s perfect for weeknight feasts or potluck parties.

5. Slow Cooker Chana Masala

A large percentage of the Indian population are vegetarians, which explains why they’re so good at creating insanely delicious meat-free meals.

This vegan chana masala is packed with plant-based protein in the form of chickpeas (chana). 

The legumes are simmered in a tomato-based sauce until they’re beautifully tender and spicy, making a mild chunky stew that’ll warm you up on cold nights.

6. Slow Cooker Saag Aloo

This effortless vegetarian dish is equally delicious served as a side to your curry, or as a main dish with some naan.

It’s made from spiced onion, potatoes, tomatoes, and spinach, all simmered together until irresistibly delicious.

7. Slow Cooker Paneer Makhani

Cheesy, creamy, and rich, this heavenly dish will make everyone in the house crazy.

Not only will you fight over the leftovers, but you’ll also be drooling at the smell of it simmering on the stove.

8. Vegetable Dum Biryani

Biryani is a rice-based curry, popularly known as a one-pot, anything-goes kind of meal.

You can mix up the meat or serve it vegetarian, as with this healthy and hearty recipe.

Dum refers to the cooking technique. The rice is cooked low and slow while it soaks up the delicious spicy juices. 

9. Slow Cooker Coconut Fish Curry

Indian fish curry is particularly popular in the coastal states of Goa and Kerala where fresh fish is a local delicacy.

This recipe is a beautiful fusion of both Indian and Thai flavors, using a range of exotic spices to turn cod from a basic white fish into a spicy delight.

10. Slow Cooker Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer is a type of Indian cheese closely resembling cottage cheese but with a firmer texture and milder taste.

It’s often used as a handy hit of protein in Indian vegetarian dishes.

Here, chunks of paneer are tossed into the slow cooker along with veggies, spices, and tomatoes.

Open up the lid a few hours later, and you’ll be greeted with a bubbly fragrant stew.

11. Slow Cooker Navratan Korma

This creamy korma is perfect for sweet-toothed curry fans.

It’s delicately sweetened with raisins and cashew cream, making a tasty vegan treat that’ll impress dieters and carnivores alike.

12. Slow Cooker Sweet Potato and Red Lentil Tikka Masala

Plant-based protein takes center stage in this filling dish.

It’s a chunky stew loaded with tender lentils, soft sweet potato, juicy tomatoes, and creamy coconut milk.

Serve it with pita bread and/or rice for a main meal that’ll quickly disappear.

13. Slow Cooker Butter Chickpeas and Tofu

This inventive and addictive dish is a creative way to enjoy butter chicken… without the chicken.

Instead, chickpeas provide the protein while chunks of tofu add extra creamy richness.

14. Crockpot Sambar

Sambar is a South Indian style dal curry made with lentils and lots of healthy veggies.

Nutritious and cozy, this curry makes dieting easy, providing plenty of flavor but zero fat!

15. Goan Beef Curry

Goan curries are known for their rich, spicy flavor and aromatic depth.

This recipe is no exception, combining juicy chunks of beef with tamarind, garam masala, chilies, and a whole heap of spices for a curry you’ll want to make (and eat!) again and again.

16. Slow Cooker Mango Chicken

You can make this fun and fruity curry with fresh, canned, or frozen mangoes, so don’t wait for summer, cook up a big bowl now!

With just 20 minutes of prep time, this recipe is an effortless way to get a delicious dinner on the table.

17. Slow Cooker Tofu Tikka Masala

There’s no marinating involved in this vegan tikka masala, making it a great choice for lazy cooks like me.

It’s versatile, too. Feel free to play with this recipe, replacing the tofu with chickpeas and/or adding your favorite veggies.

18. Slow Cooker Chicken Bhuna

Bhuna is a fairly spicy curry featuring meat in a tangy tomato sauce.

This recipe gives chicken chunks the bhuna treatment, adding tomatoes, chillies, onions, and a whole lot of aromatic spices.

A few hours in the slow cooker, and it’s a heavenly-smelling bowl of fiery goodness.

19. Slow Cooker Yellow Dal

Warming spices like cumin, turmeric, and coriander team up with soft lentils in this dreamy dish.

If you’re looking for extra nutrition, serve with a side of spiced vegetables. Or keep things simple and eat it straight from the pot (no judgment here).

20. Slow Cooker Indian Pudding

Indian cuisine is full of mouthwatering mains, but it has some tasty desserts, too.

This dreamy pudding is a filling and fragrant after-supper snack.

It’s made with creamy cornmeal and sweetened with molasses, cinnamon, ginger, and raisins.