35 Christmas Crock-Pot Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Does the size of the slow cooker affect the cooking time? ›

Size of your Slow Cooker

When troubleshooting a meal-gone-wrong, often our first question is “How big is your slow cooker?” The size of your crockpot can affect the outcome of your meal. If your crockpot is smaller than what we recommend, you may need to cook your meal a little longer.

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

Reduce liquid when using a slow cooker

It should just cover the meat and vegetables. Don't overfill your slow cooker, or it may start leaking out the top, and the food won't cook so well. Half to two-thirds full is ideal – certainly no more than three-quarters.

How To Adapt Recipes To The Size Of Your Slow Cooker. Size Matters: Choose an oven-safe bowl that fits inside your slow cooker. This bowl should be big enough to hold your meal but small enough to allow space around it.

A 5- or 6-quart slow cooker is the most versatile option.

It can be used for everything from dinners to meal prep and more. If you use your slow cooker a lot, you might find it worthwhile to buy both a large and small slow cooker, because the size of the slow cooker called for in a recipe does matter.

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

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.

Using tongs, sear meat on all sides until browned and place on top of vegetables in the crockpot. Add whole garlic cloves into the crevices of the roast (on the top and bottom usually where there is a seam of fat).

"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."

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker.

Can you put a Pyrex dish in a slow cooker? Yes, of course. Pyrex was developed to withstand heat and to be shatter-resistant. Even better - there are commercially available slow cooker liners that are disposable after each use.

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. It's safe to cook foods on low the entire time -- if you're leaving for work, for example, and preparation time is limited.

Overfilling the slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking.

"Try not to fill the crock more than 3/4 of the way for the best results," she said. On the other hand, not adding enough ingredients can also be a problem. "The crock should be at least 2/3 full to avoid dry or burnt food," Audet-White told BI.

If you have a 6 or 8 quart slow cooker that you have had for years while cooking for your family, it might be time to downsize. If you try to make meals for two in your large crock pot, it will likely cook those meals too fast and too hot. Crock pots work best at two-thirds to three-fourths full.

A cooker that's 3-5l will serve three or four people. Any more guests than that (or just big appetites) and you'll need a dish with room for 5-6l. A bigger capacity is also a good idea if you prefer batch cooking and freezing meals for another day.

To reduce your slow cooking time you can adjust the time accordingly based on 1 hour on high is equal to 2 hours on low. Example: 8 hours could be cut to 6 by cooking 2 hours on high and 4 hours on low.