Days To Fitness
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Blog
    • Newsletters
    • About
    • Contact
    Days To Fitness
    • The Best
      • Choosing the Best Blender for Smoothies
      • Best Superfood Powder
      • Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss
      • The Best Protein Bar for You
      • The Best Blender for You
    • 21 Day Fix
    • Recipes
    • Workout Plans
      • 21 Day Fix
      • 21 Day Fix Extreme
      • P90X3 Complete
      • Home Workout Routines
    • Eating Healthy
      • No-Sugar Days Diet
      • Meal Replacement Diets
      • Healthy Protein Bars
      • The Easy Low Carb Diet
    • Motivation
    • Resources
    Days To Fitness
    You are at:Home»Slow Cooking»Slow Cooking Tips – Make the best of your Slow Cooker
    slow cooking tips

    Slow Cooking Tips – Make the best of your Slow Cooker

    0
    By Sarah on May 12, 2017 Slow Cooking

    You don’t need any kitchen skills to use a slow cooker and you don’t need to follow complicated recipes; just throw all the ingredients into to the stoneware pot and they will come out tasty and healthy. But, to get the best out of your slow cooker, why not learn some easy rules and follow a few recipes to enjoy premium dishes, and surprise and impress your family and friends with amazing meals.

    Simple tips like meat browning makes your meat dishes even tastier and more impressive.

    You still don’t have a slow cooker? I have two models of in different sizes and with different features in my kitchen but, to start, you most probably just need one. Here are my favorite models for features, prices and sizes. Have a look and find the one that best suits your needs – My Favorite Slow Cookers.

    Here are some great tips to help you get more from your slow cooker!

    Opening the lid

    Don’t open the lid during the first hour of cooking and, if you can, don’t open the lid until your meal is ready. If you do, maybe to stir the ingredients, remember that it will lose temperature and since slow cookers heat slowly, consider adding 20 more minutes to the cooking time.

    Only add dairy products 15 minutes before the end of cooking

    Milk, cheese, sour cream, or yogurt should only be added to the slow cooker 15 minutes before it finishes.

    Use Cheap Meat Cuts

    Tough cuts are always best as they are tastier and cheaper.

    Avoid the lean and expensive cuts and go for cheaper cuts like stewing meat and shoulder cuts

    I’ve shared an article all about the best beef cuts for your slow cooker, and another article about the best slow cooker pork cuts.

    For slow cooking, I prefer pork and beef, but you can use white meats like chicken and turkey too. Just add some sauce to avoid it getting too dry

    Meat Browning

    Some people would say “Yeah, sure, just add the raw meat into the mix” and yes, you can do this and it’ll probably taste good but, if you brown the meat before putting it in your slow cooker, it’ll taste even better!

    To do this, get a pan and add some olive oil – extra virgin olive oil would be best. Allow the olive oil to heat up. When the oil is hot and liquified, with a watery texture, add the meat chunks. The meat chunks should not touch each other.

    Keep the temperature medium-high and, after a few minutes, try to flip the meat. If the meat still sticks to the pan, you need to wait a few minutes more. If not, flip it and brown off the other side too.

    After you flip the meat, you will see a brown colored crust which means that side is done. Now you only need to wait for the other side to be browned.

    Browning the meat removes the excess fat in beef or pork, but you usually don’t need to do it for chicken or other lean, white meats. Browning also helps keep the meat chunks on one piece and stops it from breaking apart during cooking.

    Don’t worry if not’s cooked inside; the slow and steady cooking process will make sure it’s cooked properly.

    Beans

    Eight hours before, soak any beans you are going to cook in water so they soften up before they go into the slow cooker.

    Filling the slow cooker

    Your slow cooker should always be, at least, half full and never more than 2/3 full. That’s why the size matters.

    You don’t want to use a six quart slow cooker if you are only cooking for two people (recipes just for two persons will be published soon) unless you are doing a big batch for the next few days or for freezing. (Iris Stew  prepare ahead with slow cooker).

    Whatever you are cooking, always add some water. It’s not good for the stoneware pot if you heat it while empty or only containing dry ingredients.

    Time and Temperature

    Most slow cookers have a Low and High Temperature setting and recipes always include the cooking time and temperature.

    As a rule of thumb, most meals are ready in four hours when using the high temperature setting but, if you want to leave the slow cooker on for a longer period, use the low temperature setting for eight hours

    Recipes and Servings

    Some recipes are written for four quart slow cookers while others are for eight quart cookers.

    So, if you have a eight quart slow cooker but the recipe is for a four quart slow cooker, just multiply the ingredients by two. If it’s the other way around, just divide by two instead – simple!

    Although the quantities will change, the cooking time will not so, if the recipe calls for six hours on the low temperature setting for a four quart slow cooker, it will be the same time for an eight quart slow cooker but with the double of the ingredients.

    Herbs

    Dried herbs can be added on the beginning of cooking for a lovely, rich nice flavor, while fresh herbs should be only added ten minutes before cooking finishes.

    My Favorite Slow Cookers

    I’ve shared my favorite models and help you find you the best slow cooker for your needs and budget here.

    My Favorite slow cookers web
    Find the best model for you here.
    Opt In Image
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    One Email Every Friday

    1 Email Every Friday

    2 Simple & Healthy Recipes

    One Article with Tips and Tricks to Boost your Well-being

     

    100% FREE: One email per week, exclusive content, no ads, and, of course, you can unsubscribe anytime you want.

    simple slow cooking tips
    Previous ArticleAvocado, Egg and Cheese Toast – We have a Breakfast Winner
    Next Article How Long Can I Stay on the Meal Replacement Shake Diet?
    Sarah
    • Website

    Hi, my name is Sarah and I’m so happy that you’re here! I've shared my story here

    Related Posts

    Running Tips for Beginners

    How to Start Running

    How to Stop Overeating Forever!

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    ideal shape meal replacement shake
    Guides
    February 2, 2023

    How to lose weight with Meal replacement Shakes

    October 19, 2018

    Nutrition Guide – What, When and How Much to Eat 

    October 11, 2018

    How to Lose Belly Fat – The Complete Guide

    August 10, 2018

    Running Guide for Beginners 

    July 4, 2018

    Walking for Health – Workout Included

    September 21, 2017

    Inversion Therapy

    April 27, 2017

    Slow Cooking – Quick Start

    February 4, 2017

    Days to Yoga Bliss – A Yoga for Beginners Guide

    September 8, 2016

    My Superfoods – My Superfood Guide

    August 1, 2016

    Nutrition Facts – A Practical Guide About Nutrition 

    July 27, 2016

    Welcome to 20 No-Sugar Days Diet

    July 16, 2016

    What Are Carbs ? A Beginner’s Carbs Guide

    December 5, 2015

    Start your Smoothie Experience

    September 4, 2015

    Beginner’s Guide to Protein Powder

    • Popular
    August 18, 2015

    21 Day Fix Eating Plan

    July 27, 2016

    Welcome to 20 No-Sugar Days Diet

    April 4, 2015

    Shakeology alternatives

    August 10, 2015

    Get Your Copy of Days to Fitness Recipe Book

    March 15, 2023

    Best Meal Replacement Shakes for Weight Loss

    April 3, 2015

    3 Approved Breakfast Recipes for 21 Day Fix

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    One Email Every Friday

    1 Article + 2 Healthy Recipes

    Lose Weight and Boost Your Well-being

    Days To Fitness
    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    One Email Every Friday

    1 Article + 2 Healthy Recipes

    Lose Weight and Boost Your Well-being

    Copyright ©2018 Days to Fitness | Affiliate Disclosure | Privacy Policy | Designed by Plus Attitude|Newsletters

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.