Steaming Veggies: Slow Cooker Style

Steaming vegetables in a slow cooker is a great way to prepare a healthy and tasty side dish with minimal effort. It's also a useful way to use up any extra veggies you might have lying around. Simply chop up your desired vegetables, toss them in the slow cooker with a small amount of water and some seasoning, and let the slow cooker do the rest! You can also experiment with adding aromatics like lemongrass or ginger to infuse your veggies with extra flavour.

Use a steaming basket

Using a steaming basket is a great way to steam vegetables in a slow cooker. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your vegetables by rinsing and slicing them into desired sizes and shapes. You can include a variety of vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, peas, corn, asparagus, bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
• Place a steaming basket inside your slow cooker. Make sure the basket is made of heat-resistant material and fits comfortably inside without touching the bottom of the cooker.
• Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the slow cooker, ensuring that the water level stays below the steaming basket. The water will create steam when the cooker is turned on.
• Place the prepared vegetables on top of the steaming basket. Make sure the vegetables are not submerged in the water but sit above the water level.
• Cover the slow cooker with its lid to trap the steam inside.
• Turn on the slow cooker and set it to high heat. The cooking time will depend on the type and quantity of vegetables you are steaming. For most vegetables, a cooking time of 2 to 4 hours should be sufficient.
• Check on the vegetables periodically to ensure they are cooking evenly and to prevent overcooking. The vegetables are ready when they are tender and have reached your desired level of doneness.
• Once the vegetables are cooked, turn off the slow cooker and carefully remove the steaming basket using oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves.
• Serve the steamed vegetables immediately, or let them cool down and store them in the refrigerator or freezer for later use.

Using a steaming basket in your slow cooker is a convenient way to prepare healthy and delicious vegetables. It allows you to cook them slowly, retaining their flavour, nutrients, and texture. You can experiment with different types of vegetables and adjust the cooking time accordingly. Enjoy your perfectly steamed vegetables as a side dish or incorporate them into your favourite recipes!

Wrap vegetables in foil

If you don't have a steaming basket, you can still steam vegetables in your slow cooker by wrapping them in foil. First, add half a cup of water to the slow cooker. Then, wrap your vegetables in foil and place them in the cooker. Put the lid on and turn the cooker to high. Your vegetables will take around 2 to 4 hours to become tender.

When preparing your vegetables for steaming, any large vegetables should be cut into smaller chunks or bite-sized pieces. Root vegetables like carrots should be sliced, unless they are baby carrots. Some vegetables can be kept whole, such as artichokes (just make sure they are well-trimmed). Green leafy vegetables like spinach and chard can be steamed in whole pieces. Vegetables like cauliflower and broccoli should be broken into florets.

You can also add spices and seasonings to your vegetables before wrapping them in foil. For a spicier side, add some cayenne pepper. For a fresh vegetable dish, add fresh herbs like parsley, chives, basil, or thyme. If you want to add a bit of extra flavour to your vegetables, you can swap out the water in the slow cooker for chicken or vegetable broth.

Make sure not to overfill your slow cooker. Depending on the size of your cooker, you may need to cook your vegetables in batches. You can also experiment with different combinations of vegetables to find your favourite flavour profiles.

Use olive oil and seasoning

Steaming vegetables in a slow cooker is a great way to prepare a healthy and tasty side dish with minimal effort. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving perfectly steamed veggies with olive oil and seasoning:

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Start by selecting your vegetables of choice. Almost any vegetable can be steamed, but some of the most popular options include broccoli, carrots, asparagus, green beans, potatoes, and cauliflower. Wash and dry the vegetables, then cut them into uniform sizes to ensure even cooking. You can also leave some vegetables whole, such as artichokes or baby carrots.

Step 2: Assemble the Slow Cooker

Add water to the slow cooker, ensuring there is just enough to keep the vegetables above the water level. You can also use chicken or vegetable broth instead of water for added flavour. Place a steaming basket or a heat-proof dish inside the slow cooker, making sure it sits above the water. If you don't have a steaming basket, you can wrap the vegetables in foil before placing them in the cooker.

Step 3: Add Olive Oil and Seasoning

Drizzle olive oil over the vegetables and sprinkle with your desired seasonings. You can use salt and pepper for a classic flavour boost, or get creative with other seasonings like cayenne pepper, fresh herbs (such as parsley, chives, basil, or thyme), or even a ranch dressing packet. The olive oil will help to distribute the seasonings evenly and add a subtle richness to the dish.

Step 4: Cook the Vegetables

Cover the slow cooker and set it to high heat. Cooking time will vary depending on the type and quantity of vegetables you're using, but on average, it should take between 2 to 5 hours for the veggies to become tender. For example, carrots may take 6-8 minutes, while broccoli florets will only need about 5 minutes. You can also cook the vegetables on low heat for a longer period, typically 6-10 hours, if you prefer a slower cook.

Step 5: Serve or Store

Once the vegetables are tender, serve them immediately as a delicious and nutritious side dish. You can also let them cool and store them in the refrigerator for later use or freeze them in meal-size portions to enjoy at a later date.

Remember, slow cookers are versatile, so feel free to experiment with different combinations of vegetables, oils, and seasonings to find your favourite flavour profiles. Enjoy!

Cook for 2-4 hours

Now that you've prepared your slow cooker, it's time to let it work its magic. Depending on the vegetable, you'll want to cook your veggies for 2-4 hours. This is a good time to relax or get other things done, as your slow cooker steams your vegetables to perfection.

For this step, you'll want to set your slow cooker to high heat. Generally, 2-4 hours is the sweet spot for getting tender vegetables. However, the exact cooking time will depend on the type of vegetable and the size of the chunks you've cut them into. For example, sliced carrots will take 6-8 minutes to steam in a pan, while a whole artichoke will take 25-35 minutes. If you're using a combination of vegetables, aim for the longer cooking time to ensure everything is cooked through.

Keep in mind that different slow cookers can vary in temperature, so you may need to experiment with cooking times to find the sweet spot for your particular cooker. It's always a good idea to keep an eye on your veggies as they cook to prevent overcooking.

Once the vegetables are tender, they're ready to be served! You can also let them cool and freeze them for later if you wish.

Vegetables to steam include broccoli, spinach, and carrots

Vegetables to steam in a slow cooker include broccoli, spinach, and carrots.

Broccoli is rich in fiber, minerals, and vitamins C, E, K, and folate. To steam broccoli in a slow cooker, start with about 2 pounds of broccoli crowns. Wash, trim, and cut them into bite-sized florets. Place them in the slow cooker with a tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 2 to 2 and a half hours, stirring once every hour, until the broccoli is cooked to your desired level of tenderness. You can also add other vegetables to the mix, such as red bell peppers, carrots, and onions.

To steam spinach in a slow cooker, you can try a recipe for Slow-Cooker Spinach & Rice. This involves cooking onion, garlic, and thyme in butter, then adding chicken broth, spinach, cream cheese, salt, and pepper. This mixture is then transferred to a slow cooker along with rice and cooked for 3-4 hours.

Carrots are a versatile and healthy option for steaming in a slow cooker. You can make slow cooker glazed carrots by placing sliced carrots in the slow cooker with butter, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour the brown sugar mixture over the carrots and toss to coat. Cook on high for 3 hours or until the carrots are tender.

In general, to steam vegetables in a slow cooker, you can either use a steaming basket placed inside the slow cooker with a small amount of water at the bottom, or wrap the vegetables in foil and place them directly in the cooker with a small amount of water. The vegetables will usually take around 2 to 4 hours to become tender.

Frequently asked questions