Slow cooker recipes it's never too early for (2024)

This healthy chicken curry is as simple as 1, 2, 3 steps! Once you've browned the chicken, it's as easy as tossing everything in the slow cooker.

This veg-packed slow cooker chicken curry is low-cal, gluten-free and really good for you. All you have to do is fry the spices until aromatic then throw everything into the crockpot and let it cook low and slow.

Slow cooking meatballs prevents them from drying out, ensuring they're juicy and moist every time. There’s no need to pre-cook the rice in this easy dish, as it cooks whilst inside the meatballs. Serve with crusty bread to mop up all the sauce.

Succulent, spice-infused chicken thighs, a deliciously creamy and mildly spicy aromatic sauce, a soft tomato taste…my mouth is watering just thinking about this tasty slow cooker Malabar chicken curry. The scent of this fragrant sauce will float around your kitchen and will make you unbelievably excited to dig in. It’s important you wait the proper amount of time, though! I promise the tender, melt-in-your mouth chicken is worth the wait. What’s more, as with all curries, it tastes even better the next day after the spices and flavours have been given even more time to develop and infuse the meat. It’s also a perfect ‘save for another day’ meal as you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

This cosy pumpkin soup has a secret ingredient that makes it extra smooth and thick – cannellini beans! This also increases the vegetable count and keeps it low cal (without losing the creamy factor).

Let the crockpot do all the work with this slow-cooker Indian beef and pumpkin curry. Serve with rice for a super-easy dinner.

Just as day follows night, so too does the appearance of the slow cooker follow the first sign of Autumn. And every year I’m blown away. Not only because my 20 plus year-old slow cooker is in the same fine form it ever was, but how much I love a good old-fashioned beef stew. Yes, beef, you were great on the barbie over summer, but how I love you in this form. In this slow cooker French onion beef recipe, chuck steak is slowly cooked in red wine, with sweet carrots, fresh thyme and, of course, the flavour bomb that is French onion soup mix. I swear this tastes as though you’ve put so much more effort into it than you have. Make a double batch and store in the freezer. I have it on good authority that it makes a perfect pie filling!

Only 15 minutes' prep goes into these slow cooker chicken drumsticks. The classic Diane sauce pairs perfectly with chicken and potatoes.

You can now make this Chinese takeaway classic in your slow cooker! The ingredients are usually stir-fried but in our version you cook the chicken first and then at the end combine with vegies and noodles.

The ultimate winter warmer dinner, this vegetarian slow cooker curry is healthy and packed full of good-for-you ingredients. It's hearty and creamy, thanks to the lentils and coconut milk!

This is a simple stew that just happens to be a complete meal in one as it features beef, potatoes and vegetables. It makes a big batch so if you end up with leftovers, don't worry - it will keep beautifully in the fridge for a couple of days. You can also freeze it for up to three months – dinner done for another day!

Add this vegetarian slow-cooker curry recipe to your list of family favourites. It uses a whole cauliflower and is loaded with authentic Indian flavours!

This is great way to use up some leftover cooked chicken. Fry up the mushrooms and let your slow-cooker worry about the rice. Add everything together in the end. The risotto comes out perfectly cooked and no stirring is involved.

Nothing beats a good ol' beef stew. Except maybe a beef stew in a slow cooker - you barely have to lift a finger to bring this recipe together.

Pop this beef brisket in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to the delicious aroma of bourguignon filling the house. This is easy cooking at its best!

Slow cooker recipes it's never too early for (2024)

FAQs

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low? ›

A general rule of thumb from Luis Sanchez, senior category manager for the appliance manufacturer Breville: To go from "High" to "Low" (or vice versa), multiply (or divide) the original time by 1.5 to 2.5 hours. And as with the cooking times for specific ingredients, these times are approximate.

Is it OK to slow cook for 24 hours? ›

People do this all the time, but many aren't truly confident that it's 100 percent safe — I, for one, am one of those people. So I did a little digging to get the hard facts. The truth is, yes, leaving the slow cooker on and going about your day is safe, as long as you are using the appliance properly.

What foods should not go in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Why do you put a tea towel under a slow cooker lid? ›

Soak up the condensation

Taste user Jenny says she puts a tea towel under her crockpot lid to catch water and stop it thinning too much. This technique is also a favourite with taste's food editor Miranda.

What happens if you don't brown meat before a slow cooker? ›

Browning Is Better

And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

What happens if you slow cook on high instead of low? ›

Let's say you want to slow cook a pork roast recipe that calls for 8 hours on Low, but you need it done in much less than 8 hours. Switching to High for the sake of time savings can leave you with a roast that's dried out or even burned on the exterior, but undercooked and not at a food-safe temperature in the center.

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

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. It's safe to cook foods on low the entire time -- if you're leaving for work, for example, and preparation time is limited.

Is it better to start a crockpot on high or low? ›

The LOW setting takes longer than the HIGH setting. Once that temperature is hit, the appliance stabilizes at that temperature to allow for the ingredients to be cooked. This means most recipes can be cooked on either setting.

Can I leave my crockpot on low overnight? ›

Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

Should meat or vegetables go in the crockpot first? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

Why is my beef still tough after slow cooking? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

Food texture changes: Canned foods, such as vegetables, can become too mushy in a slow cooker. It's better to use them fresh or frozen. But, frozen veggies tend to make the texture of the dish more “watery”. Defrosting and draining the extra liquid before cooking can help minimize this.

Why are my carrots still hard in the slow cooker? ›

Carrots may remain firm in a slow cooker if they're not cooked long enough or if the temperature is too low. Ensure sufficient cooking time and consider cutting carrots into smaller pieces for even cooking.

Why can't you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Raw meat

A crockpot's gentle heat means meat will never get a chance to brown, but it's the golden colour from frying that gives it depth of flavour. If you don't want your stew to taste bland, brown the meat first, then put it in the slow cooker.

How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

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.

How not to use a slow cooker? ›

7 Slow Cooker Mistakes to Avoid, According to Chefs
  1. Adding Delicate Vegetables Too Early. ...
  2. Overfilling the Slow Cooker. ...
  3. Using a Slow Cooker to Reheat Food. ...
  4. Not Reducing Liquid for Soups and Stews. ...
  5. Not Searing Meat Before Putting It in a Slow Cooker. ...
  6. Putting Frozen Foods in a Slow Cooker. ...
  7. Adding Fresh Herbs Too Early.
Sep 15, 2023

Why does my slow cooker burn everything? ›

Editor: It sounds like the temperature might be too high on your slow cooker, or the dishes might be cooking too long.

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