Tillie Doyle
Slow cookers, or crock pots, are a convenient way to cook hearty meals with minimal effort. They are ideal for cooking cheaper cuts of meat, making them tender and tasty, as well as for preparing vegetarian and vegan dishes. With a slow cooker, you can make a variety of meals, from soups and stews to braised meats and even desserts like cheesecake. The best part about crock pot cooking is that it's a dump and go method, requiring little preparation and allowing you to come home to a delicious, ready-to-eat meal. But what if you don't have a crock pot? Is it still possible to enjoy the convenience and taste of slow-cooked meals? The answer is yes, and this article will explore just how to do that.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of dishes | Soups, stews, braising meat, pulled pork, roast, cheesecake, chicken pot pie soup, apple chicken, whole chicken and vegetables, drumsticks, tomato soup, red lentil soup, black bean stuffed sweet potatoes, veggie coconut curry, sweet potato apple cider chili, vegetable and quinoa soup |
| Benefits | Easy to use, tasty results, low effort, less prep, less stress, less clean-up, ideal for cooking less expensive portions of meat to make them more tender, suitable for vegetarians and vegans |
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What You'll Learn
Slow cooker chicken recipes
Slow cookers, or crock pots, are great for cooking chicken. The low and slow method of cooking helps to prevent chicken from drying out, and the meat is easy to shred inside the slow cooker. Here are some slow cooker chicken recipes to try:
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
This recipe has only eight ingredients and results in juicy chicken thighs or breasts in a sticky honey garlic sauce. The honey gives the sauce its signature sweetness and stickiness, while soy sauce and tomato paste add saltiness and richness. The recipe recommends adding cornstarch to thicken the sauce and suggests serving the chicken with rice.
Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
This recipe involves a cream sauce, so it's important to stick to the low setting to avoid scorching. Heavy cream should be whisked in during the last 30 minutes of cooking. The sauce goes well with pasta, rice, mashed potatoes, or a side salad. The recipe has been tested with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but other types of boneless chicken could be used with adjustments to the cooking time.
Slow Cooker Chicken Chili
This is an easy and flexible recipe that involves simmering chicken, spices, and vegetables in the slow cooker for anywhere between 2 hours on high to 8 hours on low. Beans, corn, and vinegar are added at the end to prevent them from becoming mushy.
Slow Cooker Chicken and Rice Casserole
This recipe involves sauteeing vegetables and browning chicken in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker. The chicken is cooked until it can be shredded, and then beans are added.
Slow Cooker Moroccan Chicken
Chicken thighs are coated in an array of dried spices and cooked with olives and sliced lemons.
Slow Cooker Chicken Stock
This recipe involves making a homemade chicken stock in the slow cooker using a rotisserie chicken carcass. The stock can cook for 12 to 24 hours and can be used as a base for cozy meals such as chicken and dumplings.
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Vegetarian crockpot meals
Vegetarian Chili
Chili is a versatile dish that can be made with or without meat. For a vegetarian version, you can use beans, which are an excellent source of fiber and protein. To make it special, add a secret ingredient like beer, which gives it a unique flavor. You can also make it dairy-free by adding cheese just before serving.
Veggie Soups
Soups are a classic option for slow cookers, and vegetarian soups are a great way to pack in a variety of vegetables and flavors. Try a vegetable soup with barley, which is low in calories and fat, or a sweet potato and peanut stew for a hearty and addictive meal. For a lighter option, go for a minestrone soup, which is even better when made in a slow cooker as it allows the beans to soften and become tender without turning mushy.
Indian Vegetable Curry
This dish is perfect for those who want a healthy, make-ahead meal. It's bursting with flavors of ginger, coconut, and curry, creating a warm and complex dish. By quartering the cauliflower, you can ensure it keeps its shape even during long cooking periods.
Vegetarian Lasagna
Lasagna is another dish that can be easily adapted for vegetarians. With mushrooms for heft and spinach for veggies, you can create a hearty and satisfying meal.
Oatmeal
For a comforting breakfast, prepare oatmeal in a slow cooker overnight. Top it with fresh blueberries and sliced bananas for an even more delicious start to your day.
Squash Stew
A slow cooker squash stew is an excellent option for an easy and nourishing weeknight meal. It's a "set and forget" kind of dish that will be ready when you are.
These recipes showcase the versatility of vegetarian crockpot meals, proving that you don't need a crockpot to enjoy delicious, slow-cooked vegetarian dishes.
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Soups and stews
One option is to use a slow cooker, which can be a convenient way to prepare soups and stews. Many soup recipes can be adapted for slow cookers, allowing you to throw all the ingredients into the pot and let it cook slowly while you go about your day. Slow cookers are also convenient for serving, as they keep the food warm and reduce cleanup time.
Another option for cooking soups and stews without a crock pot is to use a stove-top pot. This method requires more attention, as you'll need to stir the pot occasionally to prevent sticking and burning. However, it can be a faster way to cook, especially if you're short on time. Simply combine all the ingredients in a large pot, bring it to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer until the ingredients are cooked through.
Some popular soup and stew recipes that can be made without a crock pot include:
- Beef stew: This classic dish is perfect for fall and winter. It typically includes tender bites of beef, potatoes, carrots, peas, and a rich broth. You can cook it on the stove-top or in a slow cooker.
- Chicken tortilla soup: A tasty and easy option that involves combining chicken, spices, beans, and diced peppers in a slow cooker or stove-top pot.
- Tomato soup: A simple yet delicious recipe that can be made in a slow cooker or on the stove top. It typically includes tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices.
- Chicken noodle soup: A comforting and healthy option that can be made on the stove top or in a slow cooker. It includes chicken, noodles, and vegetables in a broth.
When preparing soups and stews without a crock pot, keep in mind that the cooking times and textures may vary. Stove-top cooking tends to be faster, while slow cookers allow for a more hands-off approach. Additionally, some ingredients, like pasta and potatoes, may have different textures when cooked on the stove top versus a slow cooker.
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Braising meat
Braising is a cooking technique that involves browning meat in a pan and then cooking it in a sealed container with liquid. This technique is perfect for cooking cheaper cuts of meat, making them tender and tasty.
To braise meat, start by choosing a thin, boneless cut of meat. A chuck roast is a good choice for braising because of its beautiful marbling, but other roasts like a rump or round roast will also work.
Next, brown the meat in a braising vessel on the stovetop or in a roasting pan in the oven, depending on the quantity of meat. If using a stovetop, add aromatics like onions, carrots, celery, and garlic to the braising vessel and sauté until softened. Then, add the braising liquid and bring it to a simmer.
Once the braising liquid is simmering, place the meat into the braising vessel, cover it, and transfer it to the oven. Braising works best with low heat, allowing the cook to leave the dish unattended while it cooks. The oven is ideal for braising because the even heat surrounds the pot, resulting in gentle, even cooking and a flavorful liquid that becomes the sauce. Aim for an oven temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and cook the meat for 1 1/2 to 3 hours, checking occasionally to ensure the liquid level remains the same.
The meat is done when it is fork-tender. Be careful not to overcook it, as this will dry out the meat. Once the meat is fork-tender, remove it from the pot and strain the braising liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into a fat separator. Let it settle for 5 minutes, then return the defatted braising liquid to the braising vessel and simmer until it reaches the desired consistency. Serve the meat with the sauce and enjoy!
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Slow cooker desserts
Slow cookers are a great way to make indulgent desserts with minimal effort. The gentle, steamy heat of a slow cooker transforms basic ingredients like canned fruit and cake mix into warm, bubbling treats. Since slow cookers trap heat and moisture, you won't get crunchy toppings or flaky crusts, but you will get delicious desserts like:
- Fruit cobblers
- Creamy pudding
- Tender cakes
- Cinnamon apples
- Bread pudding
- Lemon self-saucing pudding
- Mint aero bubble cake
- Nutella giant scone cake
- Brownies
- Cookies
You can even make a cheesecake in a slow cooker! For best results, keep the lid on during cooking to maintain an even temperature and avoid overcooking.
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Frequently asked questions
Some easy crockpot meals that can be cooked without a crockpot include chicken pot pie soup, apple chicken, whole chicken and vegetables, red lentil soup, black bean stuffed sweet potatoes, and slow cooker veggie coconut curry.
Some good vegetarian crockpot meals that can be cooked without a crockpot include vegetable and quinoa soup, black bean stuffed sweet potatoes, and slow cooker veggie coconut curry.
Some good crockpot meals for meat lovers that can be cooked without using a crockpot are chicken pot pie soup, whole chicken and vegetables, sun-dried tomato chicken, meatball subs, and crockpot chicken.
Some good crockpot soup recipes that can be made without a crockpot include chicken pot pie soup, red lentil soup, and vegetable and quinoa soup.
Yes, while it may be unconventional, cheesecake can be made in a crockpot.
