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If you haven’t tried making dishes in the crock pot yet, nows the perfect time to start! Here’s how to use a crock pot.
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Crock Pot Meals are Lifesavers!
If you’ve ever been in a time crunch, you know that an easy dinner is a must! With six kids, we’ve been saved by crock pot meals a time or two. They are also great to use if you like to meal prep. The best part is you can make ALL kinds of recipes in the crockpot, from appetizers and sides to soups and dinner dishes.
Crockpots are all about convenience—just toss in the ingredients, set it, and come back to a delicious meal. It doesn’t get much easier! But knowing a few handy tips and tricks can make your crock pot meals even better. Whether it’s how to layer ingredients or getting the timing just right, these little hacks can help you make the most of your slow cooker.
Why We love the CrockPot:
- Set It and Forget It. Crockpots are a lifesaver for busy people. Just toss in your ingredients, set the timer, and let your crockpot do the magic!
- Make Delicious Meals: Crockpots are perfect for creating hearty, flavorful meals that are also budget friendly.
- Easy Cleanup. Crockpots are a breeze to clean up. The non-stick inner liner makes it so easy to wipe clean, and most crockpots are dishwasher-safe.
Best Slow Cooker
Never used a crock pot? No worries! It’s a super convenient kitchen appliance that cooks your food low and slow, making meals with hardly any effort. Unlike an oven, which uses high heat for fast cooking, a crock pot simmers food over several hours. You can find one at most stores or order it from Amazon (we love this Hamilton Beach one on Amazon), and for easy cleanup, just use slow cooker liners—no scrubbing required!
Steps to Use a Crock Pot
Now that we’ve covered what a crockpot is and how it works, let’s dive into how to use a crock pot!
- PREP INGREDIENTS. Chop your veggies, season your meat, and get everything ready. If you’re cooking a Pot Roast or other meat, sear it in a hot skillet for a few minutes on each side before adding it to the crock pot. This adds extra flavor and give it a nice texture!
- LAYER INGREDIENTS. Place denser items, like root veggies (think potatoes, carrots), at the bottom and put the meat or lighter ingredients on top. Keep meat on top of veggies to allow it to cook evenly.
- ADD LIQUID. Pour in some broth, sauce, or water to help with slow cooking and prevent anything from sticking or burning. You don’t need much liquid—the crock pot traps moisture inside as it cooks.
- SET TEMPERATURE. Choose “Low” for slow cooking (6-8 hours),”Medium” for faster cooking (4-6 hours), or “High” for the fastest cooking setting (2-3 hours). Use “Low” for more tender results, especially with tougher cuts of meat like a roast.
- COVER AND COOK. This is the easiest part—set it and forget it! Try to avoid lifting the lid while cooking. It takes 20 minutes for the pot to return to the set temperature.
- SERVE AND ENJOY! Don’t forget to check for doneness. Use a food thermometer to make sure meats are at a safe temp and make sure vegetables are nice and tender!
Must-Know Slow Cooker Tips
- Plug in the pot and start heating it up while you prepare the ingredients for the dish.
- High on a crock pot is about 300°F. Low heat is about 200°F. 1 hour on high equals about 2 hours on low.
- Avoid putting frozen meat in the crock pot. Thaw first if necessary!
- Make sure to use the right size crock pot. Fill your crock pot no more than two-thirds full to ensure proper cooking. Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking and a mess!
- Dairy products (sour cream, milk, cheeses, heavy whipping cream etc… ) can curdle if cooked for too long. Add those during the last 30-40 minutes of the cook time.
- Cut all the ingredient the same size. For example the chucks of meat and pieces of potatoes should be similar in size.
Our Favorite Crock Pot Recipes
We have SO many slow cooker recipes and even more that can be adapted for the slow cooker. Here are some of our favorites:
Chicken Recipes
Pork Recipes
Beef Recipes
Soups and Stews
FAQs
Uneven cooking can happen if the crock pot is overcrowded or if ingredients aren’t layered properly. Always follow layering tips—denser items should be at the bottom—and avoid overfilling the pot.
If your crock pot is boiling, it may be set too high for the recipe or too full. Reduce the heat to Low and remove some ingredients if it’s overcrowded. Stirring occasionally can also help distribute heat more evenly.
Yes! You can bake certain dishes in a crock pot, such as cakes, bread, and even brownies. Just be mindful of the cooking time, as they usually take longer than traditional baking methods.
