7 Tasty Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is best in slow cooker? ›

Classics like chicken Alfredo, pepper steak, beef & broccoli, chicken cacciatore, and more might just taste even better in the crockpot (and are certainly way more hands-off than their skillet or baking dish counterparts).

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker.

Feeds 8+ people; perfectly sized for family meals or feeding a crowd. The removable stoneware is oven-safe up to 400 degrees F, so you can easily add a finishing crisp to your dish.

When we look at the material, it's evident that slow cookers and Crockpots consist of the same three components: Glass lid, pot, and heating element. However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot.

The difference is the time it takes to reach that temperature. Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point.

If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease. Instead, you're better served by browning raw meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker with your other ingredients.

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

The Small-Batch Queen: 2- or 3-quart slow cooker

These are great for small-batch cooking, as they prep just enough food for a couple of people. You won't be able to fit larger cuts of meat in this model, so if you cook for two people, but like cooking roasts, opt for a larger model.

Do small crock pots cook faster? ›

Size of your Slow Cooker

The size of your crockpot can affect the outcome of your meal. If your crockpot is smaller than what we recommend, you may need to cook your meal a little longer. If it's larger than what we recommend you may need to shorten the cooking time.

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

The longer cooking time and the low heat complement each other perfectly. As a result, even though the meat is cooked for far longer, it doesn't dry out because the temperature is low. As a result, this is the best way to retain all the natural juices of the meat. It also makes the meat far more flavorful.

Water or liquid is necessary to create steam. When cooking meat or poultry, the water or liquid level should cover the ingredients to ensure effective heat transfer throughout the crock. Some manufacturers of slow cookers recommend adding liquid to fill the stoneware 1/2 to 3/4 full.