Slow cookers have become an essential appliance in many kitchens, and for good reason. They offer a convenient and hands-off way to cook a wide variety of delicious meals. From hearty stews and soups to tender roasts and flavorful curries, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we’ll explore the many things you can put in a slow cooker, providing you with inspiration and ideas to take your cooking to the next level.
Meat and Poultry
Slow cookers are ideal for cooking tougher cuts of meat, which become tender and fall-apart with slow cooking. Here are some popular meat and poultry options:
Beef
- Chuck roast: A classic slow cooker favorite, chuck roast is perfect for pot roast, beef stew, or tacos.
- Brisket: Slow cook brisket with your favorite spices and sauces for a tender and flavorful main dish.
- Short ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender, short ribs are a slow cooker staple.
- Ground beef: Use ground beef to make tacos, spaghetti sauce, or chili.
Chicken
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cook chicken breasts with your favorite sauces and spices for a healthy and easy main dish.
- Chicken thighs: Thighs are perfect for slow cooker recipes like chicken tacos, chicken curry, or chicken and rice.
- Chicken wings: Yes, you can even cook chicken wings in a slow cooker! Try them with BBQ sauce or buffalo sauce.
- Ground chicken: Use ground chicken to make chicken tacos, chicken meatballs, or chicken and vegetable soup.
Pork
- Pork shoulder: A slow cooker favorite, pork shoulder is perfect for pulled pork, carnitas, or pork tacos.
- Pork chops: Thick-cut pork chops can be cooked to tender perfection in a slow cooker.
- Baby back ribs: Fall-off-the-bone tender, baby back ribs are a slow cooker staple.
- Ground pork: Use ground pork to make pork tacos, pork and vegetable soup, or pork and bean chili.
Lamb
- Lamb shanks: Slow cook lamb shanks with your favorite spices and sauces for a tender and flavorful main dish.
- Ground lamb: Use ground lamb to make lamb tacos, lamb and vegetable soup, or lamb and rice.
Vegetarian and Vegan Options
Slow cookers are not just for meat-lovers! There are many delicious vegetarian and vegan options to try:
Legumes
- Lentils: Cook lentils with your favorite spices and vegetables for a hearty and healthy main dish.
- Chickpeas: Use chickpeas to make hummus, chickpea curry, or chickpea and vegetable soup.
- Black beans: Cook black beans with your favorite spices and vegetables for a flavorful and filling main dish.
- Kidney beans: Use kidney beans to make chili, bean soup, or bean and rice bowls.
Vegetables
- Root vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes are all perfect for slow cooking.
- Leafy greens: Add leafy greens like kale, spinach, or collard greens to your favorite slow cooker recipes.
- Mushrooms: Sliced or whole mushrooms can be cooked to tender perfection in a slow cooker.
- Corn: Fresh or frozen corn can be added to slow cooker recipes like chili, soup, or casseroles.
Grains
- Rice: Cook rice with your favorite spices and vegetables for a flavorful and filling side dish.
- Quinoa: Use quinoa to make salads, bowls, or as a side dish.
- Barley: Cook barley with your favorite spices and vegetables for a hearty and healthy main dish.
Seafood
Slow cookers can even be used to cook seafood! Here are some popular options:
Fish
- Salmon: Cook salmon fillets with your favorite spices and sauces for a healthy and flavorful main dish.
- Tilapia: Use tilapia to make fish tacos, fish and vegetable soup, or fish and rice bowls.
- Cod: Cook cod with your favorite spices and sauces for a tender and flaky main dish.
Shrimp
- Shrimp: Cook shrimp with your favorite spices and sauces for a quick and easy main dish.
- Shrimp and vegetable soup: Add shrimp to your favorite vegetable soup for a protein-packed meal.
Desserts
Yes, you can even make desserts in a slow cooker! Here are some popular options:
Fruit-based desserts
- Apple cobbler: Cook sliced apples with cinnamon and sugar for a delicious and easy dessert.
- Peach cobbler: Use fresh or canned peaches to make a sweet and tangy dessert.
- Pineapple upside-down cake: Cook pineapple rings with cherries and a brown sugar crust for a moist and flavorful dessert.
Chocolate desserts
- Chocolate lava cake: Cook a mixture of chocolate, sugar, and eggs for a rich and decadent dessert.
- Chocolate fondue: Use a slow cooker to melt chocolate and serve with fruit, marshmallows, or cake.
- Brownies: Cook a mixture of chocolate, sugar, and flour for a fudgy and delicious dessert.
Breakfast and Brunch
Slow cookers can even be used to make breakfast and brunch dishes! Here are some popular options:
Oatmeal
- Steel-cut oats: Cook steel-cut oats with milk and your favorite spices for a hearty and healthy breakfast.
- Rolled oats: Use rolled oats to make oatmeal with fruit, nuts, or seeds.
Eggs
- Scrambled eggs: Cook scrambled eggs with your favorite spices and vegetables for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Frittatas: Use a slow cooker to make frittatas with eggs, vegetables, and cheese.
Breakfast casseroles
- Breakfast strata: Cook a mixture of bread, eggs, and cheese for a delicious and easy breakfast casserole.
- Quiche: Use a slow cooker to make quiche with eggs, cream, and your favorite fillings.
In conclusion, the possibilities are endless when it comes to what you can put in a slow cooker. From hearty stews and soups to tender roasts and flavorful curries, slow cookers offer a convenient and hands-off way to cook a wide variety of delicious meals. Whether you’re a meat-lover, vegetarian, or vegan, there’s something for everyone in the world of slow cooking. So why not get creative and experiment with new recipes and ingredients? Your taste buds will thank you!
What types of meat can I cook in a slow cooker?
You can cook a wide variety of meats in a slow cooker, including beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and turkey. These meats can be cooked as roasts, stews, or even shredded for tacos or sandwiches. The slow cooker’s low heat and moisture help to break down the connective tissues in the meat, making it tender and flavorful.
Some popular slow cooker meat recipes include pot roast, pulled pork, chili, and chicken tacos. You can also cook sausages, such as Italian sausage or Chorizo, in a slow cooker. When cooking meat in a slow cooker, it’s essential to brown the meat first to create a rich, caramelized crust. This step adds depth and complexity to the dish.
Can I cook vegetables in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook a wide variety of vegetables in a slow cooker. In fact, slow cookers are ideal for cooking vegetables because they help to retain the nutrients and flavors. You can add vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions to your slow cooker recipes. These vegetables can be cooked alongside meat or as a vegetarian dish.
Some popular slow cooker vegetable recipes include vegetable stew, lentil soup, and roasted vegetables. You can also cook vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and green beans in a slow cooker. When cooking vegetables in a slow cooker, it’s essential to adjust the cooking time based on the type and texture of the vegetable. For example, delicate vegetables like green beans may require less cooking time than heartier vegetables like carrots.
Can I cook grains in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook grains like rice, quinoa, and oats in a slow cooker. In fact, slow cookers are ideal for cooking grains because they help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent burning. You can cook grains as a side dish or add them to your slow cooker recipes for added texture and nutrition.
Some popular slow cooker grain recipes include slow cooker rice, quinoa bowls, and oatmeal. When cooking grains in a slow cooker, it’s essential to use the right liquid ratio to prevent the grains from becoming mushy or dry. For example, when cooking rice, you should use a 1:1 ratio of rice to liquid. You can also add flavorings like herbs and spices to the grains for added flavor.
Can I cook legumes in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook legumes like beans, lentils, and chickpeas in a slow cooker. In fact, slow cookers are ideal for cooking legumes because they help to break down the proteins and make them tender. You can cook legumes as a main dish or add them to your slow cooker recipes for added protein and fiber.
Some popular slow cooker legume recipes include chili, lentil soup, and hummus. When cooking legumes in a slow cooker, it’s essential to soak them first to reduce the cooking time. You can also add flavorings like onions, garlic, and spices to the legumes for added flavor. Legumes are a great source of protein and fiber, making them an excellent addition to your slow cooker recipes.
Can I cook desserts in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook desserts like cakes, puddings, and custards in a slow cooker. In fact, slow cookers are ideal for cooking desserts because they help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent burning. You can cook desserts as a sweet treat or as a special occasion dish.
Some popular slow cooker dessert recipes include slow cooker apple cake, chocolate pudding, and cheesecake. When cooking desserts in a slow cooker, it’s essential to use the right type of sugar and sweetener to prevent the dessert from becoming too sweet or caramelized. You can also add flavorings like vanilla and cinnamon to the desserts for added flavor.
Can I cook soups in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook soups like stews, chowders, and bisques in a slow cooker. In fact, slow cookers are ideal for cooking soups because they help to extract the flavors from the ingredients and create a rich, savory broth. You can cook soups as a main dish or as a side dish.
Some popular slow cooker soup recipes include slow cooker chili, beef stew, and creamy tomato soup. When cooking soups in a slow cooker, it’s essential to use the right type of broth and stock to create a rich, flavorful base. You can also add flavorings like herbs and spices to the soups for added flavor. Soups are a great way to warm up on a cold day, and slow cookers make it easy to cook them.
Can I cook frozen meals in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can cook frozen meals like frozen vegetables, frozen meats, and frozen meals in a slow cooker. In fact, slow cookers are ideal for cooking frozen meals because they help to thaw and cook the ingredients evenly. You can cook frozen meals as a quick and easy dinner solution.
Some popular slow cooker frozen meal recipes include slow cooker frozen chicken, frozen vegetable stew, and frozen meal casseroles. When cooking frozen meals in a slow cooker, it’s essential to adjust the cooking time based on the type and texture of the meal. For example, frozen vegetables may require less cooking time than frozen meats. You can also add flavorings like herbs and spices to the frozen meals for added flavor.