What is the difference between a slow cooker and a Crockpot?

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially . A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

What is faster than a slow cooker?

Time: The pressure cooking function of the Instant Pot allows it to cook food much faster than a slow cooker. For instance, a pork shoulder in a slow cooker takes at least 6 hours on high to become shreddable. In an Instant Pot, you can have pulled pork in an hour.

Can you put raw burger in Crockpot?

Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed . Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.

Can you put aluminum foil on a Crockpot?

They suggest placing "a foil collar over the hot side of your slow cooker (usually the side opposite the control panel) to insulate food from the hotter wall " so the food won't dry out or burn. Using foil in slow cookers can make serving easy, particularly with casserole recipes.

Is it better to cook on high or low in a slow cooker?

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low . However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

Can I put frozen chicken in the Crockpot?

Information. It is best to thaw meat or poultry before putting it into a slow cooker . Frozen pieces will take longer to reach a safe internal temperature and could possibly result in foodborne illness. Frozen or partially frozen foods can also cool everything else in the slow cooker.

Can you cook pasta in a slow cooker?

To keep pasta from becoming mushy in the crock pot, be sure to check for doneness periodically and serve once they are tender. It takes slow cooker pasta 3 to 4 hours on low or 1 to 2 hours on high . Check pasta doneness sooner than later, especially as some slow cookers are more powerful than others.

What is the nickname for a slow cooker?

A slow cooker, also known as a crock-pot (after a trademark owned by Sunbeam Products but sometimes used generically in the English-speaking world), is a countertop electrical cooking appliance used to simmer at a lower temperature than other cooking methods, such as baking, boiling, and frying.

What size slow cooker for most recipes?

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

Is A slow cooker better than a microwave?

Microwave ovens are considered to be marginally more energy efficient than slow cookers . However, if you are preparing meat such as a lamb joint or stewing beef, slow cooking will create a superior meal.

Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker?

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high .

When should I use a slow cooker?

"Slow cookers are excellent for making hearty, sustaining dishes in winter but you can also use them to cook a pot roast or one-pot meal in summer, or corned beef for sandwiches, without heating up the kitchen like an oven does."

12 Easy Recipes You Can Make in a Slow Cooker (2024)

Temps are dropping, days are shortening, and we’re getting hungry for all things cozy and warm – let’s bust out those slow cookers!

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Temps are dropping, days are shortening, and we’re getting hungry for all things cozy and warm – pretty sure it’s alljust a scheme of the universe to get us to bust outour slow cookers.

So today let’sdust off thecrockpots slash slow cookers slash whatever you want to call them and getthem to magically make us something delicious (and easy – always, always easy) for dinner. Magic + delicious + easy: this is how we roll around here.

Let’s just address this right off the bat – there is absolutely a certain amount of food-fancy-ism in the cooking worldrelated to use of the slow cooker. Like, there are people in the world who areabove it. 😭 I know, right? Does the slow cooker have a certain dowdyMidwestern vibe to it? Maybe a little bit. Maybe a lot. But does it make incredible meals that basically cook themselves? I repeat: INCREDIBLE MEALS THAT COOK THEMSELVES?This islife-changing, time-saving magic we’re talking about.

1:Creole Chicken and Sausage

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:The chicken shreds so easily right in the crockpot, and the long cooking time allows all the flavors to blend together into a really delicious flavor combo.The sausage gives it a hearty boost, too. YUM. It’s a good one!

2:Braised Beef Ragu

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:At the risk of sounding Midwestern-slow-cooker-dowdy, this is a classic “dump it in and forget it” recipe. Slow cooker beef always turns out incredibly moist and tender, and this did not disappoint. You should searthe exterior of the meat first for best results, but if it’s Monday morning and you’re on the way out the door – no. Not happening. This is a forgiving recipe that can work either way. It’s really convenient and yummy with polenta or mashed potatoes or pasta.

3:Skinny Veggie Lasagna

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:That’s right. Pasta. In the crockpot. It’s happening. So quick to layer all the ingredients together, and then you can leave it all day until dinner. Easiest recipe on the list, for sure! (and a personal favorite of mine thanks to all those veggies and cheese!)

4:Carnitas

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This is a go-to for me when we are entertaining because I can leave it cooking all day and then just pop it in the oven at the end for browning, right when our friends walk in the door. Also: because of the slow, long cooking time, themeat gets really tender and flavorful, and it’s really easy to shred right in the crockpot once it’s cooked.

5:Whole Roasted Chicken

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:Maybe I’m starting to sound like a broken record here, butit’s easy! Also,the chicken becomes really moist and tender from all the liquids staying in the crockpot. It’ll create a bit of a broth right in the crockpot. Keep the veggies, broth, and some of the meat right in the crockpot and you’ll have your base for chicken noodle soup – just add the noodles! If you prefer to get a crispy skin at the end, you just need to put the chicken under the broiler for a little bit.

6:Granola

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:It’s a good alternative option to making granola in the oven, especially if you don’t have access to an oven or you simply don’t want to use the oven and heat up the kitchen (I’m looking at you, California).It will yield a different (but still delicious) type of granola – one with fewer clusters and a softer texture.

7:Texas Chili Con Carne

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This chili recipe is perfect for the crockpot because the meat gets so tender and flavorful over the long cooking time.My friend Ang introduced us to this recipe and it’s been a favorite in our little friend circle ever since– it’s a great have-people-over-and-put-chili-on-anything kind of meal.

8:Easiest Garlic Mashed Potatoes

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This recipe = less hands-on time, and using the hand mixer saves lots of time and energy in the mashing process. It’s not the same perfect fluffiness as ricing the potatoes one at a time and mashing them by hand, but this is how we have it every year at Thanksgiving with Bjork’s family and it’s really darn good.

9:Peach Cobbler

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:This is a really easy recipe that yields delicious results! The peaches get a little caramelization from the crockpot (!!), and the topping is perfect. Talk about great for when you have guests for dinner–you can do it all ahead of time, but then still serve a nice warm cobbler when dinnertime rolls around.

10:Red Lentil Curry

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:First of all, because red lentil curry is meatless and AMAZING. Secondly, lentils are so perfect for the crockpot because they get a great texture and they soak up all the flavors of the other ingredients during the long cooking time. Plus – easy!

11:Chicken Wild Rice Soup

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:Let me start by saying this one doesn’t look like much, but it is EVERYTHING. The non-slow-cooker version of this soup is what we make at Christmastime, and the slow cooker version is for busy weeknightsall throughout the winter.The chicken gets really tender and is super easy to shred (saves time from boiling chicken and then chopping it), the wild rice can cook at its own super slow pace, and you add in the creamy roux to make it all luscious and velvety at the end.

12:Pot Roast

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Why it’s great for the slow cooker:The meat stays tender and flavorful, and the broth created in the crockpot can be used to make a delicious homemade gravy. GRAVY!!!

And that’s a wrap!

If you have other favorite slow cooker recipe ideas, please leave them in the comments because we’re a champion slow cooking team together and every recipe counts!