Questions around slower, normally lower temperature cooking methods. Covers preparations, techniques, risks, advantages and equipment.
20
votes
11answers
23k views
Slow cooking without a slow cooker
I frequently hear people telling me about how wonderful their slow cookers (AKA "crock pot") are. In many cases they're right - meat that tends to come out tough in normal cooking comes out very ...
14
votes
2answers
448 views
What flavorants stand up to long cooking?
My answer to this question (link) prompted a question in my own mind. I wanted to share some tips regarding when to add herbs, spices, aromatics, etc., and had a few suggestions (bay leaves and garlic ...
12
votes
2answers
2k views
Converting oven recipe to slow cooker
I have a casserole recipe that I generally cook in the oven. I'd like to try it in my slow cooker for several reasons: convenience, timing, opening up the oven for another dish. Is there a general ...
12
votes
4answers
15k views
How long should I cook pork for (at 100° C)?
I have a pork shoulder in the over right now at 100° C (212° F). I was planning on roasting it for 7 hours, will this be long enough to cook it safely?
I saw the FDA chart about minimum internal ...
11
votes
4answers
2k views
To sear or not to sear - slow cooking beef dishes
I want to make beef goulash in my slow cooker (first time). The instructions call for adding the beef as is. Something in my gut (rightly or wrongly) tells me to sear it first. Will it turn out ...
11
votes
7answers
4k views
Pulled Pork in a slow cooker. To brown or not to brown?
I'm going to make some barbeque pulled pork in a slow cooker. I've done it a few times with some good results, but I'm always looking for ways to improve.
Here's what I've been doing:
1. Brine pork ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Is it ok to leave a slow cooker unattended?
Is it safe to leave a slow cooker (Crock-Pot) on unattended (for example, while you're at work and no one is home)? Or is that a fire hazard?
10
votes
11answers
521 views
What is a simple and easy way to make a meat dish for a college student
I need a bit of variety and more simplicity in my cooking. My 25 minute chicken curry is great, but it can get a bit frantic since I often leave cooking until I am very hungry (studying takes ...
10
votes
8answers
3k views
What is slow cooking and what it is good for?
I've read several question about slow cooking, but I don't know what is it and what it's good for. Can someone explain it? Thank you!
10
votes
5answers
5k views
If a recipe calls for canned beans and I want to use dried beans, what do I need to do to the dried beans first?
This is for chili in a slow cooker and I'll be using red beans of some kind--kidney I suppose. I know I need to soak them, but do they need to be pre-cooked too?
10
votes
6answers
13k views
Can I Brown Beef For Slow Cooking the Night Before
Many slow cooker recipes suggest that beef be browned before being added to the slow cooker, which is definitely better for the flavor of the dish. I've always believed that this browning must occur ...
8
votes
4answers
4k views
Why is there a watery run-off after cooking my bolognese?
It's a fairly standard recipe with passata and wine, simmering on a low heat for a couple of hours. After stirring and putting the bolognese onto the pasta, after a couple of minutes the sauce ...
8
votes
2answers
2k views
Does using a larger slow cooker than called for by the recipe make a difference?
I have a recipe that specifically calls for a 4-quart slow cooker, however the slow cooker that I own is a 6-quart. Will using a 6-quart slow cooker make a difference, or does it not matter?
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is there a difference between a slow cooker and a crock pot?
What is the difference between a crock pot and slow cooker? Both terms seem to be used for the same thing. Is this correct? Are they the same? Or is there some key difference between them?
7
votes
4answers
2k views
What is the difference between roasting, baking, and broasting?
For example, when making a turkey for Thanksgiving, I generally place it in the oven (covered in foil or a turkey bag), and cook it for many hours at the recommended heat setting.
I can crock-pot a ...
7
votes
1answer
1k views
Do canned kidney beans contain Toxins?
I'm attempting my first slow-cook today but, of course right after I started it, I read that there's some nasty chemical in uncooked kidney and cannellini beans that can cause vomiting. And apparently ...
7
votes
2answers
671 views
When is Slow Cooking done - time vs temperature of meat
I have read that slow cookers manufactured recently (not sure what time period that actually means) rise to their cooking temperature faster because of FDA concerns of keeping a food at a dangerous ...
7
votes
2answers
2k views
Should you, and how do you, grease a crockpot?
I know that this may be a silly question but I came across a crockpot recipe that asks for the crockpot to be greased before adding the ingredients into the pot. Do you just grease the pot normally? ...
7
votes
3answers
815 views
How to stop oatmeal from sticking to the sides of my slow cooker?
When I cook oatmeal, I usually do steel-cut oats in the slow-cooker overnight.
They are tasty, etc., but invariably there is a layer of oats stuck/burned on to the side walls of the ceramic ...
6
votes
2answers
186 views
Stuffed pumpkin on a burner
I have been asked to make a main for a potluck this Halloween and I thought I would be "clever" and bake a lamb stew in a pumpkin. I plan to hollow out the pumpkin and add meat, veg, spices, etc. and ...
6
votes
5answers
36k views
Can I put frozen meat in a slow cooker?
I was wondering if I can put meat directly from the freezer into a slow-cooker. I want to be able to put chicken in the slow-cooker without having to let it defrost for a whole day in the fridge.
It ...
6
votes
2answers
938 views
How to cook a pot roast without it tasting like vegetables
I usually cook a beef pot roast by putting the meat and vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions) in a slow cooker with a little bit of water and letting it go for ~8 hours on low. This works well int ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
How do you keep corned beef from falling apart in the crockpot?
I cooked 3.5 pounds of corned beef in the crock pot last week with the intentions of making reubens. Taste wise the dish was great, but the corned beef fell apart and I did not get those pretty deli ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
Advice for low temperature cooking
I want to try out low temperature cooking of some meat, e.g. beef
I don't have a reliable oven and am looking for advice before starting. Or alternatives to ovens.
I heard some people use meat in ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
How long is cooked hamburger able to sit in a crockpot?
I came across a crockpot recipe for burritos. It calls for cooked hamburger (1 lb) as one of its ingredients and specifies that I should cook the mixture on low for 6-10 hours. Is this safe? Whenever ...
5
votes
2answers
659 views
How should I choose a BBQ sauce for root-beer-braised pulled pork?
I made some pulled pork using this slow-cooker recipe a few weeks ago. Ingredients include:
1 (2 lbs) pork shoulder
1 (12 fl oz) can or bottle root beer
1 (18 oz) bottle "your favorite barbecue ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Can I cook couscous for a chicken dish in my crock pot at the same time as the chicken?
I'm wanted to make a lemon garlic chicken in a crockpot and I'd like to serve it with couscous. Is there a way to cook the two together? I know I can cook the couscous and then add it in the crockpot ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Cranberry beans on a slow cooker (crock pot)
I have only made a few stews on my slow cooker so I want to try a different recipe. I want to try cooking cranberry/cargamanto beans for a bandeja paisa (similar to a Brazilian feijoada) on a slow ...
5
votes
4answers
508 views
Uses of leftover vegetables from slow cooker
After slow cooking my pork over a bed of carrots, celery and onions. The pork gets eaten, the juice gets reduced to an amazing sauce base.
What can I do with the vegetables? They are tasty to eat ...
5
votes
2answers
263 views
How can I use a “cook for 3-4 hours” slow cooker recipe when I'm away for 8+ hours?
I've run across several slow cooker recipes that call for a slow-cooker time of 3 - 4 hours on low heat. I'd love to use these, but on work days I'm out of the house for at least 8 hours. What can I ...
5
votes
2answers
370 views
What's the name of this slow cooking technique?
I just discovered the joy of slow cooking meat, separating the juice, then boiling it to a reduction, then simmering the meat in its own concentrated juices (with some other tasty ingredients added).
...
5
votes
2answers
499 views
Do I need to adjust slow cooker recipes for high altitude?
I live at a high altitude and love to use my slow cooker, but I don't think the meals are coming out as expected when I follow the recipes. Do I need to adjust the recipes for high altitudes?
5
votes
1answer
484 views
Techniques for cooking beef shin in the piece
I have a large (1.5kg/3lb) piece of beef shin, in the piece with skin on. I normally use beef shin for stews, but I would like to try slow-roasting or pot roasting it in a single piece.
Have you ...
4
votes
4answers
4k views
Stew in the oven or on the stove, does it make a difference?
What is the advantage (if any) of finalizing a stew or other slow-cooked meals in the oven instead of on a hob?
A lot of recipes tells you to set the pot in the oven to cook for x hours after the ...
4
votes
6answers
3k views
Storage after slow cooking
I love my slow cooker but cooling food seems to take forever. Usually, I just pop the crock into the oven (no heat) and store until the next morning. So we're talking from 9PM (I eat dinner late) ...
4
votes
2answers
2k views
What is the best cut of beef to use for stews?
What cut of beef should I use for a beef stew? I heard that you want a little bit of fat in the meat, but what part the animal is best to use?
4
votes
3answers
2k views
Slow-cooking pork 'chops'?
I was in Austria recently, and at a restaurant there I ate a very simple dish that consisted mainly of two large pork chops in a light, thin gravy. The pork chops were super tender and came apart ...
4
votes
4answers
644 views
Slow cooker lasagne
Can a lasagne be made in the slow cooker, or will that cause the pasta to become unpleasant?
3
votes
3answers
1k views
slow cooker / crock pot temperature confusion (everything boils)
On a whole I'd like someone to explain how slow cooker / crock pot recipes are
supposed to work?
I mean they tell you to cook xxx all day on high, or yyy for 6 hours on high
then switch to low, etc, ...
3
votes
2answers
223 views
Can onion based recipes such as bolognese be cooked in slow cooker?
Slow cookers seem like an easy way to cook a meal if you are prepared to wait the 8 hours or so for the meal to cook.
Can you simply put all the ingredients, including onion, for something like ...
3
votes
1answer
548 views
How can I save my curry - it's way too oily!
I cooked a chicken curry in the slowcooker last night, I came down this morning and its way too oily. I think because of this the coconut milk has separated a little too.
Any way I can save this, ...
3
votes
3answers
81 views
How do I cook large quantities of Boston pork butt?
I am cooking approximately 30 lbs of boston butt pork roast. (one roast is a little over 15 lbs and the other is a little over 16 lbs) Should I cook the roasts together in one big roaster at about ...
3
votes
1answer
336 views
Pulled Pork (with leg)
I have always made pulled pork with the shoulder, but this time I want to make it with the leg of pork.
Will turn out dry, does it need less cooking time?
3
votes
4answers
15k views
Do slow cookers require liquid to operate?
I have a Butterball turkey breast roast that I'd like to cook tomorrow, and I'm planning to do it in my slow cooker.
The recipe as provided online is the same one that is on the turkey packaging:
...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Crockpot recipe when converting temperature from low to high?
I have a crockpot recipe for burritos, located here, that I really want to make. It says to cook the mixture on low heat for 6-10 hours but that is too long/short. I really want to convert the recipe ...
3
votes
1answer
97 views
Slow Cooker & Fat - Blend it back in?
I have a layer of grease on the top of my slow cooker. The recipie is a sausage & bean hotpot with smoked paprika and red wine. My issue is that I added a little too much liquid and now the fat ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Slow cooker- can I turn up the heat
I am cooking French dip, using a chuck roast. And I ended up having to substitute a recipe (I didn't have a can of soup so I improvised). It took a bit longer than I thought and now dinner won't be ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Can I use a larger crockpot than the recipe calls for?
I have a recipe that calls for use of a 4 qt crockpot. However, I only have a 6 qt. Is it okay to use the 6 qt instead? The recipe is for a pudding cake.
3
votes
1answer
304 views
Mutton shoulder versus mutton leg - any difference in length of cooking?
I cooked mutton shoulder like advised in the answer for this question. It was under the foil and was cooked in the oven for like 3 hours.
Now I have mutton leg instead of shoulder. The size is ...
2
votes
7answers
4k views
Sous vide without plastic bags?
I really like the idea of cooking steak using sous vide. However, I am very wary of heating food up together with plastic, and then eating the food, as I believe that at high temperatures, chemicals ...
