Last Updated on February 6, 2023
If you’re looking for a delicious, low-effort meal that will keep your kitchen smelling great all day long, the answer is a slow cooker. This magical device can be used to whip up tasty soups, stews, curries and even desserts. But how do you get started? What type of food should you make with it? Don’t worry – we’ve got plenty of recipes and tips to help get your creative juices flowing so you can start cooking in your slow cooker today. So let’s dive into the question “what can you cook in a slow cooker?”.
Table of Contents:
- Slow Cooker Soups
- Slow Cooker Stews
- Slow Cooker Curries
- Slow Cooker Desserts
- FAQs in Relation to What Can You Cook in a Slow Cooker
- Conclusion
Slow Cooker Soups
Slow cooker soups are a great way to make delicious and nutritious meals with minimal effort. They’re also perfect for busy weeknights when you don’t have time to stand over the stove. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your slow cooker soup recipes:
• Use flavorful ingredients like garlic, onions, herbs, spices, and stock cubes. These will add depth of flavour to your soup without having to spend hours simmering it on the stovetop.
• Start with sautéed vegetables or aromatics such as onion and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker. This will help bring out their natural sweetness and give your soup an extra boost of flavour.
• Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try different combinations of vegetables, meats, beans, grains or legumes in your soups for variety and texture. You can even use leftovers from previous meals in new ways by throwing them into a pot of broth or tomato sauce along with some fresh herbs for a quick dinner solution.
• If you’re looking for something heartier than just broth-based soups then try adding potatoes or other root vegetables like carrots which will thicken up the liquid while cooking in the slow cooker giving it more body and texture.
• For added protein try using cooked chicken breast pieces (or any other type of meat) which can be thrown into the pot at any stage during cooking – this is especially useful if you want a meal that’s ready quickly but still has all those comforting flavours associated with long-simmered dishes.
• Lastly don’t forget about seasoning – salt & pepper go a long way towards bringing out all those wonderful flavours so make sure you taste test before serving up.
Soups are a great way to get creative with your slow cooker, allowing you to make flavorful dishes that require minimal effort. Now let’s explore the possibilities of making delicious stews in your slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Stews
Slow cookers are a great way to make delicious and hearty stews. By cooking the stew slowly, you can bring out all of the flavours of the ingredients while ensuring that everything is cooked through properly. Plus, it’s an easy way to get dinner on the table with minimal effort.
When making a slow cooker stew, start by browning any meat or vegetables in a skillet before adding them to your slow cooker. This will help enhance their flavour and give your stew more depth. Then add broth or stock along with any other seasonings such as herbs, spices, garlic, onions etc., and let it simmer for several hours until all of the ingredients are cooked through and tender.
Beef stew is one classic dish that tastes amazing when made in a slow cooker. Start by browning cubed beef chuck roast in oil over medium-high heat until lightly browned on both sides then add it to your slow cooker along with diced potatoes, carrots, celery and onion plus some beef broth or stock for moisture. Season with salt and pepper then cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours until everything is nice and tender. Serve over egg noodles or mashed potatoes for an extra comforting meal.
Chicken stew also works well in a slow cooker – just substitute chicken thighs instead of beef chuck roast when preparing this recipe. You can also use boneless skinless chicken breasts if desired but keep in mind they won’t be quite as flavourful as dark meat cuts like thighs or drumsticks since they don’t have much fat content which helps impart flavour into dishes like stews during long cooking times like these do.
Slow cooker stews are a great way to make delicious, comforting meals with minimal effort. With just a few ingredients and some patience, you can create hearty dishes that will warm your soul – now let’s explore the world of slow cooker curries.
Slow Cooker Curries
Curries are a delicious and easy way to add flavour to any meal. With the help of a slow cooker, you can make some truly amazing curries that will have your family asking for seconds.
When it comes to slow cooker curries, there are many different types to choose from. From Thai green curry and Indian butter chicken curry to Malaysian beef rendang – there’s something for everyone. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of your slow cooker when making curries:
• Start by sautéing onions and garlic in oil or butter before adding them into the slow cooker with other ingredients like meat, vegetables, spices and stock. This helps bring out more flavour in your dish.
• Add plenty of herbs and spices such as cumin, coriander powder, turmeric powder, garam masala etc., which give an extra depth of flavour to your curry dishes.
• Don’t forget about chillies – they add heat but also provide a great balance between sweet and savoury flavours in curries. You can use fresh chillies or dried chilli flakes depending on how spicy you want it.
• If you’re using canned tomatoes or coconut milk in your recipe then be sure not to overfill the slow cooker as this could lead to burning at the bottom of the pot due to too much liquid being added all at once.
• Finally don’t forget about garnishes like chopped fresh coriander leaves or roasted cashews which can really take your dish up another level.
For those who love Thai food why not try making a classic Thai Green Curry? It is simple yet packed full of flavour thanks mainly due its fragrant blend of lemongrass paste, galangal (Thai ginger), kaffir lime leaves and fish sauce – all cooked together slowly in coconut milk until everything is tender and infused with wonderful aromas and tastes. Or if you prefer something more traditional then why not try cooking up an Indian Butter Chicken Curry? This creamy tomato-based dish has been around since Mughal times and is still one of India’s most popular dishes today – just remember that patience is key here so let it cook low and slow until all those rich flavours come together perfectly. And lastly, if Malaysian cuisine is what takes your fancy then why not whip up a Beef Rendang? This aromatic stew combines ingredients such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, cardamom pods, cloves, nutmeg plus freshly grated ginger and garlic – again letting these simmer away gently inside a closed lid will result in nothing short than pure deliciousness.
From the classic beef stew to a spicy Thai curry, slow cooker curries are an easy and delicious way to make dinner. Now let’s explore how you can use your slow cooker for sweet treats.
Slow Cooker Desserts
Not only can you create amazing flavours, but slow cooking also helps keep all of your ingredients moist and tender. Plus, it’s an easy way to get creative with your dessert recipes.
When making slow cooker desserts, it’s important to think about how long each ingredient needs to be cooked. For example, some fruits may need more time than others or certain spices may require longer cooking times. It’s best to experiment with different combinations until you find something that works for you.
One of the most popular slow cooker desserts is apple crumble. To make this classic dish even better, try adding a few extra ingredients like cinnamon and nutmeg for added flavour. You can also add some chopped nuts or raisins if desired – just remember not to overfill the crockpot as this will affect the cooking time.
Chocolate cake is another favourite when it comes to slow cooker desserts – simply mix together all of your dry ingredients in one bowl before transferring them into the crockpot and then pour over melted chocolate chips or chunks for an extra indulgent treat. Just remember that cakes usually take around 3-4 hours on low heat so plan accordingly when setting up your timer.
Banana bread is another fantastic option when it comes to slow cooker desserts. Mash up ripe bananas before mixing them with sugar, butter and eggs before pouring them into a greased pan inside the crockpot (ensuring there’s enough room left at least 2 inches from top). Cook on high heat for 1-2 hours depending on how soft you want your banana bread – serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
FAQs in Relation to What Can You Cook in a Slow Cooker
What is best to cook in slow cooker?
Slow cookers are great for making hearty, comforting meals with minimal effort. Stews and soups are some of the most popular dishes to make in a slow cooker as they can be left to simmer away while you get on with other tasks. Meats such as beef, pork or chicken work well when cooked slowly over several hours; just add your favorite vegetables and stock for a delicious meal. Other favourites include pulled pork, chilli con carne, lasagna and macaroni cheese – all of which require little more than adding ingredients before leaving it to do its thing.
What can’t you cook in a slow cooker?
However, there are some dishes that you should not attempt in a slow cooker. These include delicate items such as fish, pasta and vegetables, which can become overcooked or mushy if cooked for too long. Additionally, fried foods like omelettes and pancakes cannot be made in a slow cooker due to the lack of direct heat source. Finally, many sauces and gravies should not be cooked in a slow cooker as they may separate or curdle when exposed to prolonged low temperatures.
Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker?
No, you should not put raw meat directly into a slow cooker. It is important to pre-cook the meat before adding it to the slow cooker. This can be done by browning or searing the meat in a skillet on the stovetop or baking it in an oven. Pre-cooking helps reduce bacteria and ensure that your food is cooked thoroughly. Additionally, pre-cooking will help lock in flavour and create a more tender texture for your dish.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for a hearty soup, a comforting stew or an exotic curry, there’s something that can be cooked in your slow cooker. So the answer to the question “what can you cook in a slow cooker?” is you can cook almost anything in the slow cooker. Get one now!
Paul is the type of person who never met a problem he couldn’t fix. He can always be found tinkering with something in his house, even if it isn’t broken! His tips and tricks are often shared on our site. He’s the one you call when something breaks because he has been known to improvise fixes for everything from leaky faucets to malfunctioning dryers.