Super Summer Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is a slow cooker good for the summer? ›

It's hot enough outside so let's keep it as cool as possible inside. Slow cookers will help you save money both inside and outside the home. This small appliance is much more energy-efficient than your oven and stove, while also keeping your AC bill down by not heating up your home.

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in. It can be nice to cook the onions beforehand, as the flavour is different to when you put them in raw, but experiment both ways as you may find you prefer one.

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? 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.

Absolutely! If you feel comfortable leaving your crockpot on while you're at work, you should also feel safe using it overnight. However, if your slow cooker is old, it may be time to toss it.

If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low.

The short answer: Yes. slow cookers are made to cook food for extensive periods of time (some can be left up to 24 hours). But, of course, follow safe practices outlined in your instruction manual, and keep the appliance on low or warm, as opposed to high, overnight.

While slow cooker recipes are designed to cook for extended periods of time, they can still become overcooked if left on the wrong setting for too long. In general, it's best to stick to the indicated cook time on the recipe you're following.

You should thaw meat or poultry before putting it in a slow saucepan. Slow cookers can take several hours to reach a safe sterilization temperature. Continuous refrigeration ensures that bacteria that multiply rapidly at room temperature will not be "preempted" in the first few hours of cooking.

Why are my carrots not cooking in the slow cooker? ›

Not enough liquid: Slow cookers rely on moist heat to soften food. If you don't have enough liquid in the pot, the carrots won't cook evenly and may stay tough. Aim for at least a cup or two of liquid, enough to reach about a third of the way up on the ingredients.

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

Why did my noodles turn to mush in the crockpot? One of the most common reasons for mushy noodles is overcooking. Pasta, including noodles, has a relatively short cooking time compared to other ingredients typically prepared in a crockpot.

If you overcook meat, it becomes dry and tough. Often people using a slow cooker and don't check when the food is actually done. If a recipe says cook for 8 hours on low, people may not check the food for 8 hours.

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Benefits of a Slow Cooker

Even though it may take all day to cook something, a slow cooker uses less power than an oven and doesn't heat up your entire kitchen when in use.

While slow cookers do emit a little heat, it is nothing like turning on the oven or cooking on the stove top. The heat is kept low and mostly contained, so you can cook without heating up your house even more. Try it with Crockpot Polenta.

It Won't Heat Up Your House

During the dog days of summer, we'd rather make no-cook recipes than turn on the oven. But don't forget your trusty slow cooker. This appliance won't warm up your kitchen while preparing a home-cooked meal.

Slow cookers not only conserve energy—meaning they won't heat up your house—they also bring out rich flavors in meals and do the cooking for you throughout the day. Multi-cookers also use less energy, and many meals can be done in one hour or less.