6 Tips For Getting the Most Out of Your Slow Cooker

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The slow cooker is amazing. I can just put it in and forget it, and for a busy mom like me, that is awesome. Slow cooker meals work perfectly on the days that I work. My husband just has to dump in the already prepared food and turn on the slow cooker. This way he doesn’t have to figure out what to have for supper, and it is ready to eat when he gets home from picking the kids up from daycare. My husband is good at a lot of things, but cooking is not his forte, so I try to make it as easy as possible for him. I mean, frozen pizza and chicken nuggets are fine on occasion, but not every night. Plus, I want to kids to eat something homemade and healthier than frozen pizza.

The slow cooker can make you life a lot easier. It is really nice to have some slow cooker meals prepared and in the freezer so all you have to do is thaw them in the fridge overnight and dump them in the slow cooker. The author’s of my favorite cookbook, From Freezer to Table, are coming out with a new cookbook next year called, From Freezer to Cooker. All the recipes are either slow cooker recipes or instant pot recipes. I can not wait for it to come out.

Now, let’s talk about my slow cooker tips. Below are my 6 tips for getting the most our of your slow cooker.

1. Use Slow Cooker Liners

Whoever invented these was a genius.  I always use them. My time is worth something and cleaning a dirty slow cooker is the worst job.  Honestly, I sometimes don’t even wash the slow cooker after I pull the liner out.

2. Sear Your Meat First

When you are cooking any meat, sear the sides of the meat first in a pan on the stove.  I know this seems like extra work and extra dirty dishes, but it is totally worth it. Searing the sides helps to keep the moisture in your meat when it is cooking in the slow cooker.  Plus the browning of the sides adds flavor.

3. Do Not Open the Lid

Now, if you are simply warming something up in the slow cooker, like my Slow Cooker Hot Chicken Sandwiches, it’s okay to lift the lid to stir it, but otherwise, leave it alone.  I know, it is so tempting to lift the lid to see how everything is cooking, but just don’t do it. You will increase your cooking time by 30 minutes every time you lift that lid.

4. Do Not Overcook Your Slow Cooker Meal

Slow cookers are definitely convenient, but people tend to dump food into the slow cooker before work, at 6am and let it cook all day until they get home from work at 6pm.  Most recipes should not cook this long. This can lead to dry and overcooked meat, and mushy, overcooked, vegetables. Follow this guide.

5. Put Your Ingredients in the Slow Cooker in the Correct Order

Yes, there is a correct order. Here is a guide that shows you the correct order.  Harder root vegetables need to be closer to the heat source so they get cooked through.

6. Add Certain Ingredients at the Very End

Things like Parmesan cheese, milk, sour cream, Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, citrus juices, olive oil, and hot sauce should be added just before serving it. Dairy products will curdle if cooked for too long.  Herbs, citrus juices, and hot sauce will lose their flavor or spiciness if you cook them for a long time.