Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew
A nourishing, plant-based stew packed with chickpeas, tomatoes, zucchini, and aromatic herbs for a comforting Mediterranean meal. This mediterranean-inspired slow cooker (vegetarian, mediterranean) ready in about 260 minutes pairs (15 oz), drained chickpeas, diced tomatoes, diced zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz), drained chickpeas
- 2 cups, diced tomatoes
- 1, diced zucchini
- 2, diced carrots
- 1 cup, diced onion
- 3 cloves, minced garlic
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 cup diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 2: Transfer the onion and garlic to a slow cooker. Add 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas (drained), 2 cups diced tomatoes, 1 diced zucchini, 2 diced carrots, 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1 tsp salt. Stir to combine.
- Step 3: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the vegetables are tender and the stew has thickened.
- Step 4: Just before serving, stir in 2 tbsp lemon juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or herbs if needed.
- Step 5: Serve the stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley or crumbled feta cheese if desired.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew take to make?
Total time is about 260 minutes (20 min prep + 240 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (15 oz), drained chickpeas from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Slow Cooker Mediterranean Chickpea and Vegetable Stew vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★☆
Tasty recipe. I'd add a bit more seasoning next time.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 240-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.