OK, so you’ve just invested in a slow cooker! Great!
You’ve probably got a ton of recipes, none of which are meant for a slow cooker, right?
And, because of your hectic schedule, you haven’t had time to experiment.
No problem. We’ll show you how to adapt your favourite recipes to work in a slow cooker so you can enjoy this magical appliance’s benefits without sacrificing your go-to dishes. Let’s get started!
JUMP TO:
What Is Recipe Adaptation?
Cooking is an art that allows for endless creativity and self-expression. Adapting a recipe is a fun way to play around with the recipe and personalise it to your liking. It involves tweaking the recipe to fit your tastes and dietary restrictions or cooking it differently to experiment with the flavours.
On the other hand, modifying a recipe can be thrilling and lead to something unique that your whole family can appreciate. Try adapting your preferred recipe today and discover the exceptional culinary creations you can produce.
One of the beautiful things about Slow Cookers is that all your flavours are enhanced because of the time it takes to cook the ingredients. And, if you are a meat eater, you can choose the much cheaper cuts and have tender, tasty meals.
One of the most basic things you need to know to adapt your recipes to a slow cooker is that you will usually use ingredients from your recipe. However, there is no need to brown onions, garlic or a “mirepoix” (generally onions, carrots and celery) first. These ingredients can just be tossed into your slow cooker with the rest. But read on below for tips on adapting the original recipe.
Tips For Adapting A Recipe For A Slow Cooker
1. Choosing a Suitable Recipe
Any recipe that requires a longer cooking time, such as soup or stew, or needs to be braised or slow-roasted is perfect to be made in a slow cooker. The slow cooker can also save you lots of money because the cheaper cuts of meat work beautifully with the extended cooking time. It’s not just beef; chicken and vegetarian work equally well.
2. Size Matters!
Slow Cookers come in various sizes, from 2 litres suitable for a single person to 9 or 10-litre models perfect for a family of 4.
It’s important not to overfill your slow cooker, so you must be careful with your ingredients. Depending on the size of your Slow Cooker, you may need to half or even double a recipe you have used in the past.
Less is more when it comes to slow cooking, so don’t go OTT and add every ingredient in the pantry!
3. Defrost Ingredients
It’s always best to defrost frozen ingredients before using them in the slow cooker. For those who travel and work long hours, set an alarm to remove the protein from the freezer the night before you cook. Then, you can add your thawed protein to the slow cooker in the morning.
4. Preparation
Vegetables: Each vegetable type should be cut uniformly so it cooks evenly.
Harder vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, and potato should be cut into smaller pieces than softer vegetables such as carrots, mushrooms, etc.
As you experiment with your slow cooker, you will know the size of the vegetables you prefer in the finished dish.
5. Consider Pre-Cooking Some Ingredients
If you have the time and energy, you can pre-cook certain ingredients.
Some people like to fry their onions and garlic in a pan first; I admit I am time-poor and rarely do this.
Proteins such as beef, veal, pork, and chicken can be browned before adding them to the slow cooker. Browning adds a depth of flavour and colour to the end dish. Browning is also referred to as the Maillard Reaction, and it’s a not-so-secret tactic chefs use to maximise flavour. We’ve written a great post on this – read it here.
However, if you are like most people with a slow cooker, all you have time for is to throw in the ingredients, turn on the machine and come back several hours later. This is fine. You will still end up with delicious dishes.
6. Placement of Ingredients
Placing the ingredients just right is essential to achieve the perfect cooking balance. And the secret to that balance? I add the stock or liquid first so the other ingredients won’t stick to the bottom of the pot. (see point 7 below). I will say it anyway: always add some liquid or your ingredients will just burn on the bottom of the pot.
Then add hard vegetables, like potatoes and carrots, on the bottom layer where it’s hottest, then softer vegetables, and then lay your meat on the top.
7. Add Liquid
Generally, halve the water or stock from your oven-based recipe. In most cases, 1/2 of the liquid in your recipe is all you need for your slow cooker. You need sufficient liquid to cover the ingredients.
8. Set and Forget Except …
In most cases, once you have added your ingredients and liquid and set the slow cooker, you should just let the slow cooker “do its thing” and only open the lid at the end.
When you open the lid, the temperature will drop and need to heat up again. This may mess with your end result, giving you under-cooked food.
As with every rule, there are always exceptions, however! Add the following ingredients in the last 30 minutes for the best results;
- Dairy
- Seafood
- Pasta
- Rice
- Herbs and spices
9. Cooking Time
Calculating the total time could be the trickiest part of the whole equation.
Being prepared to experiment is essential not only for slow cooking but also for any type of cooking.
We recommend using the “low” setting to bring out all the flavours.
When in doubt, shorten rather than lengthen cooking time.
Generally, 1 hour of oven cooking at 175°C equals 6 to 8 hours on low or 4 to 6 hours on high in a slow cooker.
Oven | Slow Cooker on HIGH | Slow Cooker on LOW |
1 Hour at 175°C | 4 to 6 hours | 3 to 4 hours |
30 minutes | 2 to 3 hours | 90 minutes to 2 hours |
2 hours | 8 to 12 hours | 6 to 8 hours |
Takeaway
Adapting your favourite recipes to work in a slow cooker is a game-changer in the kitchen.
You can transform your go-to dishes into slow-cooker wonders with some experimentation and basic knowledge.
Whether you’re looking to save time, add flavour, or take the hassle out of cooking, the slow cooker is a versatile appliance that can help you achieve your culinary goals. So why not give it a try?
With these tips and tricks, you’ll be a slow-cooking pro. Happy cooking!
For Those Who Don’t Already Own One – Our Favourite Slow Cooker
Crockpot Slow Cooker
- Our review found the Crockpot Lift and Serve Digital Slow Cooker's best option today. It is excellent for making perfect, succulent meals with the least effort.
- All you need to do is a little prep work, place the ingredients in the cooker, and then leave the
- Crockpot to cook your dish as you go on with your day.
- Easy to use
- Adjustable timing and temperatures
- Bowl ideal for serving
- Reliable industry brand
- Lacks pressure cook option
- No start cooking button
- Limited colour choices
