Slow cooker recipes it's never too early for (2024)

This healthy chicken curry is as simple as 1, 2, 3 steps! Once you've browned the chicken, it's as easy as tossing everything in the slow cooker.

This veg-packed slow cooker chicken curry is low-cal, gluten-free and really good for you. All you have to do is fry the spices until aromatic then throw everything into the crockpot and let it cook low and slow.

Slow cooking meatballs prevents them from drying out, ensuring they're juicy and moist every time. There’s no need to pre-cook the rice in this easy dish, as it cooks whilst inside the meatballs. Serve with crusty bread to mop up all the sauce.

Succulent, spice-infused chicken thighs, a deliciously creamy and mildly spicy aromatic sauce, a soft tomato taste…my mouth is watering just thinking about this tasty slow cooker Malabar chicken curry. The scent of this fragrant sauce will float around your kitchen and will make you unbelievably excited to dig in. It’s important you wait the proper amount of time, though! I promise the tender, melt-in-your mouth chicken is worth the wait. What’s more, as with all curries, it tastes even better the next day after the spices and flavours have been given even more time to develop and infuse the meat. It’s also a perfect ‘save for another day’ meal as you can freeze it for up to 3 months.

This cosy pumpkin soup has a secret ingredient that makes it extra smooth and thick – cannellini beans! This also increases the vegetable count and keeps it low cal (without losing the creamy factor).

Let the crockpot do all the work with this slow-cooker Indian beef and pumpkin curry. Serve with rice for a super-easy dinner.

Just as day follows night, so too does the appearance of the slow cooker follow the first sign of Autumn. And every year I’m blown away. Not only because my 20 plus year-old slow cooker is in the same fine form it ever was, but how much I love a good old-fashioned beef stew. Yes, beef, you were great on the barbie over summer, but how I love you in this form. In this slow cooker French onion beef recipe, chuck steak is slowly cooked in red wine, with sweet carrots, fresh thyme and, of course, the flavour bomb that is French onion soup mix. I swear this tastes as though you’ve put so much more effort into it than you have. Make a double batch and store in the freezer. I have it on good authority that it makes a perfect pie filling!

Only 15 minutes' prep goes into these slow cooker chicken drumsticks. The classic Diane sauce pairs perfectly with chicken and potatoes.

You can now make this Chinese takeaway classic in your slow cooker! The ingredients are usually stir-fried but in our version you cook the chicken first and then at the end combine with vegies and noodles.

The ultimate winter warmer dinner, this vegetarian slow cooker curry is healthy and packed full of good-for-you ingredients. It's hearty and creamy, thanks to the lentils and coconut milk!

This is a simple stew that just happens to be a complete meal in one as it features beef, potatoes and vegetables. It makes a big batch so if you end up with leftovers, don't worry - it will keep beautifully in the fridge for a couple of days. You can also freeze it for up to three months – dinner done for another day!

Add this vegetarian slow-cooker curry recipe to your list of family favourites. It uses a whole cauliflower and is loaded with authentic Indian flavours!

This is great way to use up some leftover cooked chicken. Fry up the mushrooms and let your slow-cooker worry about the rice. Add everything together in the end. The risotto comes out perfectly cooked and no stirring is involved.

Nothing beats a good ol' beef stew. Except maybe a beef stew in a slow cooker - you barely have to lift a finger to bring this recipe together.

Pop this beef brisket in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to the delicious aroma of bourguignon filling the house. This is easy cooking at its best!

Slow cooker recipes it's never too early for (2024)

FAQs

What cannot be cooked in a slow cooker? ›

10 Foods You Should Never Make in a Slow Cooker
  1. Raw Meat.
  2. Seafood.
  3. Pasta.
  4. Rice.
  5. Delicate Vegetables.
  6. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts.
  7. Dairy.
  8. Wine and Other Liquor.
Jan 19, 2024

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

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.

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker? ›

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

Do you have to brown stew meat before slow cooking? ›

"The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish." If you are making a slow-cooked recipe that calls for ground beef, like chili, beef stew, or meat sauce, browning the meat beforehand makes a huge difference.

What's the difference between slow cooker and crockpot? ›

A slow cooker and a Crockpot are the same thing, essentially. A slow cooker is an appliance of which there are lots of brands. Crockpot is one brand of slow cooker. Crockpot popularized slow cookers when they launched their version in the 1970s.

Which is better a crockpot or a slow cooker? ›

If you're planning to cook your meals mostly when you're not home or overnight, then sticking to a Crockpot might be a better choice, since the heat distribution is more even and there is no need to stir at all.

Can I leave food in a slow cooker overnight off? ›

It is not recommended to keep food warm in a slow cooker overnight by turning it off and not opening it until the next morning. Doing so could create an environment that allows bacteria to grow, which can make the food unsafe to eat.

Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on overnight? ›

Yes, it's safe to leave a slow cooker on when you leave the house. The purpose of a slow cooker is to allow you to cook while you aren't home. Slow cookers simmer food slowly, killing bacteria and raising meat to the perfect internal temperature.

What happens if you slow cook on high instead of low? ›

Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in a crockpot? ›

Slow cooker recipes have (obviously) long cook times, and it's the meat—not the carrots—that benefit from it. By placing the protein at the bottom (closest to the heating element), and vegetables at the top, you can keep your plant parts a little more toothsome, while ensuring your meat is fall-apart tender.

Can you put raw meat straight into a slow cooker? ›

Gravy beef and chuck steak are great slow cooker options, as they are tough and rich in tissues that make for deliciously tender meat. Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned.

What vegetables are good in a slow cooker? ›

The best vegetables for a slow cooker are sturdier veggies like celery, carrots, tomatoes, onions, peppers and green beans, like we used in this recipe.

Should meat or vegetables go in the crockpot first? ›

Fill the crock pot at least half full and no more than two-thirds full. Thaw frozen meats and vegetables before placing in the crock pot. Place dense vegetables in crock pot first, such as carrots and potatoes, since they take longer than meats to cook.

Should you flour beef before browning for stew? ›

The key to a stew that is full of flavor as well as just the right consistency is, surprisingly, flour. The cubes of beef need to be dredged in flour before browning in the pan for the perfect result. As a bonus, this flour also helps thicken the whole thing as well.

What happens if you don't sear meat before slow cooking? ›

You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

Can you just throw everything into a slow cooker? ›

Make everything from stews, curries and even desserts in an easy to use slow cooker. Just simply add your ingredients and let the machine do the work- perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Is it safe to put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Research conducted by USDA FSIS indicates it's safe to cook large cuts of meat and poultry in a slow cooker. Follow the manufacturer's recipes and safety guidelines. Start clean. Start with clean hands, utensils surfaces and a clean cooker.

Can you put raw hamburger in a slow cooker? ›

Absolutely, which is why you should always adjust times and amounts as needed. Smaller amounts of slow cooker hamburger only need a few hours before they are done.

Can you throw raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

Yes, you can totally cook raw beef in a slow cooker. Many slow-cooker chili recipes have a step for browning the beef before it goes into the Crock-Pot. While this step isn't necessary, caramelizing the meat creates richer, bolder flavors.

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