The best slow cooker recipes: get inspired!

Do you have a slow cooker at home? You can easily and quickly run out of recipes in the brochure from the manufacturer.

What now?

We have prepared great recipes for you that taste good thanks to slow cooking.

A huge advantage is that you can prepare such a lunch the night before.

There is no need to stand by the stove and watch so that something doesn’t burn.

Potatoes in a slow cooker

These delicious slow cooked potatoes can be used as a side dish or just on their own. Maybe for dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1 and ½ kg of baby potatoes
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic (press)
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon of dried dill
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• ½ teaspoon of pepper
• ½ lemon (squeeze the juice)

Method:

• Wash the potatoes and cut them in half.
• Add the rest of the ingredients to the potatoes and mix them thoroughly.
• Put them to cook in a lightly greased slow cooker.
• Cook on low for 4-5 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.

Roast duck from a slow cooker

Whether you are expecting a visitor or want to prepare a delicious lunch, the slow-roasted duck will satisfy all requirements. Which side dish you choose is entirely up to you.

Ingredients:

• 1 and ½ kg of duck
• 2 oranges
• 1 onion
• 3 sprigs of rosemary
• 2 spoons of soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ginger puree
• 90 g of brown sugar
• 150 ml of honey

Method:

• Make a marinade from soy sauce, honey, ginger, sugar and honey.
• Cut the onion into large cubes, put them in the slow cooker.
• Also cut the oranges and put them on top of the onion, then the duck on top of that.
• Brush it with the marinade and let it cook on low.
• Cook for about 8 hours.

A Simple Slow Cooker Duck, with Orange and Ginger

We recommend red cabbage and potato dumpling with the duck.

Healthy slow cooker meals

Foods full of nutritional value are a matter of course for this type of cooking. And not only that, it also preserves tastes and specific aromas. Here are 3 recipes for preparing healthy meat dishes. Get inspired!

Roast goose on garlic

Looking for tips on how to prepare an amazing goose? Slow-roasted goose tastes really great. The meat is beautifully tender and juicy. Some things really shouldn’t be rushed.

Ingredients :

• 2 tablespoons of butter
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 small onion
• 1 goose breast
• 1 and ½ spoons of Wolcester sauce
• 2 cups of chicken stock

Method:

• Heat the butter, add diced onion, pressed garlic and sauté for a while.
• Add the goose and let it brown on both sides.
• Transfer everything to a slow cooker, cover with stock, worcestershire and bake on a higher setting for about 6-8 hours.

Goose meat contains vitamins B1, B2 and B6. It is also rich in iron.

Slow Roasted Chicken

Chicken that is baked in a slow cooker is a great treat. If you’re looking for inspiration on what to have for lunch, try this. The meat is baked together with the potatoes, so you no longer have to buy a side dish.

Ingredients:

• whole chicken without giblets (weighing 3.5-3 kg)
• ½ lemon cut into rounds
• spices (paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, black pepper, salt and cayenne)
• 1-2 stalks of celery stalks
• 5-6 cloves of garlic
• 3 medium-sized carrots
• bunch of fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 large onion
• 5-6 medium-sized red potatoes

Method:

• Wash the chicken (portion it according to the size of the pot), dry it and add a marinade of spices and 3 pieces of pressed garlic. Cover the whole chicken with the marinade, place the lemon slices and leave to marinate preferably overnight.
• The next day, cut the onion into small pieces, dice the carrot and celery, and cut the potatoes in half.
• Put everything in the slow cooker together with the chicken (breast side up), add the rest of the pressed garlic, a bunch of thyme and a bay leaf.
• Cook at 75°C for about 4-5 hours.
• Finally, brush with olive oil and bake in the oven set to 200 °C (ideally on the grill function) until crispy (about 15 minutes).
• Serve drizzled with lemon and garnished with fresh thyme.

Slow-roasted pork tenderloin

Although virgin sirloin is a great meat for minutes, it can also be prepared wonderfully in a slow cooker. It is not only full of flavor, but also beautifully juicy.

Ingredients:

• 500-1000 g pork tenderloin
• 1 cup of ketchup
• ¼ cup brown rice
• 1 tablespoon of mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon chili pepper
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tablespoon dried onion (or a teaspoon of onion powder)

Method:

• Mix all the marinade ingredients together.
• Wash and dry the doll, put it in a pot and cover it with marinade.
• Leave to cook for 8 hours.

Pork tenderloin is a very lean meat, which contains a very gentle amount of fat. In addition, it is rich in B vitamins, iron, phosphorus, potassium and proteins.

Marinated pork belly

Our next tip for using the slow cooker is slow-roasted pork belly. If you like fatty meat, then this recipe will surely make you very happy.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of pork belly

For the sauce:

• 1 liter of water
• 1 teaspoon of crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon grated ginger
• 2 spoons of sugar
• 3 spoons of soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons of red wine
• 1 stick of whole cinnamon
• 1 star anise
• a pinch of cardamom

Marinade:

• 2 teaspoons of grated ginger
• 2 spoons of honey
• 4 tablespoons of brown sugar
• 6 spoons of soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon chili flakes

Method:

• Put all the ingredients for the sauce in a slow cooker, add the portioned pork belly.
• Cook on low for 6 hours.
• Then take out the belly, dry it and grill until crispy on all sides.
• Mix the marinade ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Serve the belly covered with marinade.

Tenderloin in a slow cooker

There are very few people who do not love tenderloin on cream. And when a homemade dumpling is cooked with it, that’s just something.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of beef tenderloin (or other meat, for example for fake tenderloin)
• 100 g bacon for skewering
• 1 onion
• 4 pieces of carrots
• 3 pieces of parsley
• ½ head of celery
• 10 pieces of whole pepper and allspice
• 3 bay leaves
• salt
• butter (ideally ghee)
• 500 ml whipping cream

Method:

• We wash the meat, dry it, pierce it with pieces of bacon.
• Fry it in butter on all sides and set aside.
• Then add a little butter and fry the onion, then add the other vegetables.
• Add mustard, spices, meat, cover with hot water.
• Let it cook on low for about 6-8 hours.
• Then remove the meat, spices, and mix the vegetables with a stick blender.
• Pour over the cream and cook until thickened.

Tip: Take a look at how to prepare a really good homemade dumpling .

Pork ribs in marinade

Craving a salty treat? How about some delicious slow-roasted ribs? This recipe is a suitable addition not only to beer.

Ingredients:

• 2 smaller pieces of pork ribs
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon of chili powder
• ⅔ cup barbeque sauce
• ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of grated ginger
• 2 cloves of garlic
• ⅓ cup pineapple jam
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 2 spring onions

Method:

• Wash and dry the ribs, salt, pepper, sprinkle with chili powder.
• Mix the vinegar with half of the barbaque sauce, crushed garlic and ginger.
• Put the ribs together with the stir mixture in a slow cooker and cook for about 7-8 hours.
• Finally, we will grill.
• Prepare the grill and heat it up.
• Place the meat on the foil, coat both sides with ketchup mixed with pineapple jam and the rest of the barbeque sauce.
• Grill for 3-5 minutes, finally sprinkle with sliced onions.

Of course, something with a kick goes well with this delicacy. Get inspired by canning hot peppers .

Vegetarian beans

Not to forget vegetarian recipes, they can also be made in a slow cooker. Here we have one of them. Beans do not need to be pre-soaked!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried pinto beans
• 2 teaspoons of olive oil
• 1 small onion
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 1 and ½ teaspoons of salt
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
• ⅛ to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 cups of water
• 4 cups of vegetable broth

Method:

• Fry diced onions in hot oil, add diced jalapeno peppers and ½ teaspoon of salt.
• Sauté for 2 minutes, then add the crushed garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
• Put everything in a slow cooker, add spices, the rest of the salt, rinsed and drained beans, stock and water.
• Cook on high for 8-10 hours.

Roast beef in a slow cooker

Cooking in a slow cooker gives the beef just the right amount of juiciness. If you love beef in wine, such as boeuf bourguignon, then this will be your favorite.

Ingredients:

• 1 and ½ kg of beef bones
• salt and pepper
• 1 tablespoon of oil
• 1 cup of dry red wine
• 10 cups of water
• 1 large onion
• 1 large carrot
• 1 stalk of celery stalks
• 4 sprigs of parsley
• 3 sprigs of thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper

Method:

• Salt and rub the bones, fry them on all sides for a while in hot oil.
• Pour in the wine, 2 cups of water and bring to a boil.
• Then cover with the rest of the water, add all the vegetables and spices.
• Cook for about 6 hours at a gentle simmer.

Slow-braised pork knuckle

This slow-roasted pork knuckle comes off the bone beautifully. Compared to other knee recipes, it is unique in that it is prepared in an Asian way.

Ingredients:

• 1 pork knee
• ½ cup dark soy sauce
• 1 cup cane sugar
• ¼ cup Chinese (rice) wine for cooking
• 2 cloves of crushed garlic
• 3 leeks
• 1 piece of fresh ginger (about 5 cm long)

• 2 cups Shiitake mushrooms
• ½ teaspoon of black pepper balls
• 5 star anise

Method:

• Make a marinade from all the liquid ingredients, sugar and garlic, in which you put the knee overnight.
• The next day, cut the leeks and Shiitake mushrooms in the bottom of the pot.
• Put the knee on top and cover with marinade water so that the knee is ¾ submerged.
• Finally, add the pepper balls and star anise.
• Cook on high for 7-8 hours.
• Finally, let the stewed juice reduce in the pan so that it thickens.

Soups in a slow cooker

As you have already noticed, a wide variety of dishes can be created in a slow cooker, to which we can add even more flavor thanks to slow cooking.

Chicken soup

Ingredients:

• 230 g of carrots
• 170 g of stalked celery
• 1 small onion
• fresh parsley
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• 1 and ¾ bay leaves
• salt
• 1 kg of chicken thighs
• 8 cups of water
• grinded pepper

Method:

• Cut the vegetables into smaller pieces.
• Just wash the onion, but do not peel it (it will color the broth nicely).
• Add spices, chicken thighs, cover with water and cook on low for 8 hours.
• Finally, add noodles, dumplings or perhaps drippings.

pea soup

Ingredients:

• ½ cup chopped parsley
• 4 sprigs of thyme
• 500 g of halved green peas
• 1 large leek
• 2 stalks of celery stalks
• 2 carrots
• salt
• pepper
• 7 cups of water
• ¼ cup plain yogurt

Method:

• Take the peas and rinse them.
• Cut all vegetables into small pieces.
• Put everything (except yogurt) in a slow cooker, add salt, pepper, cover with water and cook for 6-8 hours on low.
• Finally, you can blend the soup with a stick blender.
• Serve sprinkled with a toasted roll or fried and drizzled with white yogurt.

Pulled potato soup

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bacon
• 1 kg of potatoes
• 3 cups of chicken stock
• ½ onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 2 sprigs of thyme
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• 1 cup grated cheddar
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• ½ cup whipping cream
• salt
• pepper

Method:

• Cut the bacon into pieces and fry until crispy.
• Peel the potatoes and cut them into cubes.
• Also cut the onion, press the garlic.
• Place bacon, potatoes, onion, garlic, butter, spices, salt and broth in a slow cooker and cook on low for 7-8 hours (on high for 3-4 hours).
• Finally, mash the soup with a potato masher, add cream and cheese and let it cook for another 15-20 minutes.

Chicken soup with rice and mushrooms

Ingredients:

• 750 g of chicken breast
• salt
• pepper
• 6 cups of water
• 1 cup Indian rice
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 onion
• 3 carrots
• 3 stalks of celery stalks
• ½ teaspoon of dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon of dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 500 g of cream mushrooms
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup plain flour
• 2 cups of milk
• 2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley

Method:

• Wash the meat and put it in a slow cooker.
• Add the washed rice, diced vegetables, spices and water.
• Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
• In the last 30 minutes, add the sliced mushrooms.
• Remove the meat from the soup and cut into pieces.
• Heat the butter, sprinkle with flour, make a roux.
• Pour milk over it to create a béchamel.
• Slowly add the soup to the finished béchamel.
• You will eventually thicken it this way.
• Serve the finished soup garnished with chopped parsley.

Slow cookers are therefore suitable for straining soups, especially broths. We recommend preparing, for example , beef broth with dumplings in a slow cooker, which really needs enough time.

How to actually use a slow cooker?

If you are going to cook your first meal in a slow cooker, you should definitely know how to use it properly.

But don’t worry, it’s not difficult and anyone can do it.

The biggest advantage of slow cookers is that you don’t have to worry about what’s going on in the pot while you’re cooking.

Food preparation

Prepare all the ingredients to the desired size before cooking. Root vegetables require longer preparation, so it is advisable to place them at the bottom of the pot. You can then place the meat on top, which will simmer nicely over the resulting steam from the liquid.

In general, there should be liquid in the pot every time. Whether it is water, broth or wine.

Depending on the temperature you choose, you can speed up or slow down the cooking process. In practice, this means that with a higher temperature, the preparation time is shortened.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when cooking in a slow cooker:

• do not lift the lid before it is necessary (every wink under the lid will increase the cooking time by 20-30 minutes)
• rather, use dried spices (fresh ones are then boiled until brown and, in addition, they do not retain their aroma as long as dried ones)
• after cooking, do not leave the food under the lid until it cools down (keeping food warm for a long time helps bacteria multiply)

So what do you think? Doesn’t sound difficult, does it?

Do you already have your slow cooker or are you still looking? How to choose the best one that will suit you, we will advise you in our review of slow cookers .

And why buy such an appliance in the end? In particular, it saves the vitamins and nutritional values of the food, the flavors and aromas are preserved, and it also provides an almost carefree preparation.

In the morning, you grab the ingredients, let them cook, set the time, go to work and return to your home smelling of lunch. Doesn’t that sound tempting?

Write in the comments how your slow cooker, baking and stewing recipes are doing.