Slow cooker meals: easy, delicious and hands-off

First invented back in 1940, the slow cooker (or crockpot as the American-born invention was called) has become an integral part of many kitchens the world over.

Its name derives from the fact that it cooks food slowly over a period of several hours at a lowish temperature of between 80°C and 150°C.

Slow cookers usually feature a removable inner pot, which is heated by an element in the base, and a lid that keeps the heat and steam inside during cooking.

The more modern slow cookers often have digital control panels and the ability to sear meat before beginning the slow cooking process, while some also have multi-cook abilities, including an air fryer, grill or pressure cooker.

Helen Best-Shaw, the cooking wonder behind Fuss Free Flavours, says she loves using slow cookers because they offer an easy way to cook.

“Once you have done the initial preparation and set everything to cook, you can generally let it do its thing,” she says.

“I love that a slow cooker makes the tougher cuts of meat meltingly soft and is really cheap to buy and run, as well as that you can safely leave it unattended.”

Let’s kick things off with the classic slow cooker dishes: hearty stews and soups. Whether it’s a comforting beef casserole, a rich and creamy potato soup, or a spicy chilli, the slow cooker excels at simmering ingredients to perfection. The long, slow cooking process allows flavours to mix, resulting in a bowl of pure comfort.

Best-Shaw says her go-to slow cooker dish is a curry.

“My favourite dish to cook is probably my easy chicken curry, packed full of flavour with fall-apart chicken thighs in a delicious coconut cream curry sauce,” she says.

“I make a big batch once a month as it freezes well, and actually improves upon freezing.”

Not only are these meals great for feeding larger groups, they’re also very cost-effective. Take, for example, a beef stew. If you use lower-cost braising steak or beef brisket, you can cut the cost but still be able to create a tasty meal.

The one problem you may come across with a slow cooker curry or casserole is that the sauce isn’t thick enough at the end, but Best-Shaw has a solution for that.

“Simply put two heaped teaspoons of cornflour into a small bowl, then scoop out a few spoons of the liquid in the slow cooker and stir into the cornflour to make a thin paste,” she says.

“Pour into the slow cooker and stir through. After a few minutes, the sauce will start to thicken. If you want to go further, repeat. However, never add the cornflour directly to the slow cooker without making the thin paste first. You will never get the lumps out!”

One of the slow cooker’s superpowers is its ability to turn tough cuts of meat into tender, succulent delights.

“Larger cuts of meat, like lamb or pork shoulder, are ideal for the slow cooker,” says Bintu Hardy, founder of the Recipes From a Pantry blog, who creates her favourite pulled pork recipe in her slow cooker.

The low temperature and long cooking time help to break down the connective tissues, resulting in tender, juicy meat, infused with flavour.

Prefer chicken? Hardy’s big tip is to go for darker meat, choosing legs and thighs, which again are often the cheaper cuts of the meat.

“I find that leaner cuts of meat tend to dry out too quickly,” she advises.

Vegetarians and vegans can also enjoy delicious slow cooker meals.

“I make more vegetarian and vegan dishes in my slow cooker than anything else,” says Hardy. “It’s fabulous for cooking up all sorts of soups, like my creamy tomato soup, stews and curries. This flavourful lentil curry is a go-to in my house.”

Best-Shaw makes a slow cooker marinara sauce, which she then freezes into ice cubes. Adding the sauce to pasta or beans makes a super-quick and healthy meal.

Here are a few tips for cooking vegetarian and vegan meals in your slow cooker:

• Use hearty vegetables that can withstand long cooking times, such as sweet potatoes, carrots, onions and potatoes.
• Add more flavourful ingredients – such as spices, herbs, and sauces – to your dishes to enhance the flavour.
• Add any delicate ingredients – such as fresh herbs or dairy products – at the end of cooking.

The short answer is yes! A slow cooker is a good choice for healthy breakfasts. It’s especially good if you’re in a rush every morning, as you can prep the night before then cook overnight so they’re ready for you first thing.

Hardy likes using her slow cooker to make apple cinnamon porridge, perfect for the cooler autumn mornings. She says you can make a big batch and keep the cooked oats in the fridge for a couple of days – they are just as delicious cold as warm.

Other breakfast ideas to try in your slow cooker include French toast casserole, baked beans and even a complete cooked breakfast – how amazing is that?

Don’t forget to finish off your meal with a slow cooker dessert. With everything from warm and gooey chocolate cake to silky-smooth rice pudding, your sweet tooth will thank you. Sponge puddings, cheesecakes and even fudge can all be crafted in the slow cooker for a delightful treat.

“You might be surprised at how many desserts I make using my slow cooker,” Hardy tells us.

“Right now I’m using it to whip up loads of pumpkin bread pudding, but I’ll soon be making batches of classic crockpot Christmas candy. And my slow cooker chocolate lava cake and chocolate peanut butter cake are true family favourites.”

Best-Shaw uses her slow cooker to finish off the Christmas pudding.

“If you don’t have a spare ring on the stove, pop it in a slow cooker,” she suggests.

“It won’t boil dry, and you can safely leave it cooking in the garage or a utility room if you don’t have space on your kitchen worktop.”

“Delicate seafood, shellfish and frozen foods that haven’t been thawed should steer clear of the slow cooker,” advises Hardy. Instead, she recommends using a multi-cooker or air fryer when preparing dishes that include these ingredients.

Furthermore, when it comes to lean meats, they are best suited to the air fryer, as they can become dry over prolonged cooking periods due to their low fat content.

As for dairy products like cream, they are a no-go in the slow cooker. To avoid curdling and ensure a delicious outcome, add dairy to your recipe right before serving, stirring it in gently.

Fresh herbs also appear on the “do not include” list. The extended cooking time causes them to wilt and lose their flavour. Consider switching to dried herbs or incorporate fresh ones at the end of the cooking process to preserve their aromatic goodness.