Now that we’ve talked about what to avoid, let’s give the slow cooker some credit!
It’s fantastic for foods that benefit from gentle, extended cooking, including:
- Beef chuck and other tough cuts of beef
- Pork shoulder
- Chicken thighs
- Dried beans that have been prepared according to safe cooking guidance
- Lentils
- Root vegetables
- Stews
- Soups
- Chilis
- Pulled pork
- Braised dishes
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How to Get Better Results From Your Slow Cooker
Don’t Overfill the Cooker
A slow cooker generally works best when filled according to the manufacturer’s recommended range. Overfilling can interfere with proper heating and cooking.
Don’t Keep Lifting the Lid
I know it’s tempting!
You want to peek. You want to smell it. You want to stir it.
But every time you remove the lid, heat escapes and cooking time can increase. Keep that lid closed unless the recipe specifically tells you to open it.
Layer Ingredients Thoughtfully
Dense vegetables such as potatoes and carrots generally do well toward the bottom, where they can receive plenty of heat.
Then add meat and other ingredients according to the recipe.
Follow Tested Recipes for Timing
Slow cookers vary, and ingredients vary even more. A recipe developed specifically for slow cooking will give you much better results than simply converting a stovetop recipe without adjusting liquid and cooking times.
What Should You Add at the End?
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