There’s no doubt that a slow cooker is an awesome versatile appliance that can be used to cook a range of different meals from a range of different ingredients. One of the most popular things to cook in a slow cooker is meat dishes.
Slow cookers are completely safe for raw meat. In fact, the slow cooker is actually our favorite meat cooking appliance right now!
You can put any meat into your slow cooker provided that the slab is not bigger than the inside of the pot.
However, as slow cookers work by creating steam that braises the meat until it’s nice and tender you’ll need to add some liquid. This can be either water, stock, or wine.
The amount and recommended type of liquid vary depending on the meat you’re cooking – I’ve recommended amounts and types below based on my slow cooking experience.
Slow cookers are incredibly popular appliances for those looking to cook meat. This is due to how the meat is cooked at a set temperature over time. This time often curates the meat and leaves it soft, tender, and flavourful.
How To Cook Beef In A Slow Cooker
Begin by dusting your beef in with a tablespoon of plain flour before seasoning with salt and pepper. Then sear your beef all over in a hot pan to begin the Mailliard reaction.
Move the beef over the slow cooker and 500 ml of beef stock, make sure most of the beef is covered in liquid to keep it from drying out in the slow cooker. Cook on high for 3 hours of on low for 6 hours.
You can alter the cooking time depending on the rarity in which you prefer your beef. The more time in the slow cooker it will be well done and less time will be rare. You can also add red wine to the stock to add a rich flavor.
How To Cook Lamb In A Slow Cooker
Begin by using a small sharp knife to create small holes in the flesh of the meat. Place in the holes garlic and rosemary – change these to fit your recipe or taste and season well.
Place the lamb in the slow cooker and pour in 500 ml of lamb stock, place it around the bottom and not to wet the top and take the seasoning away. Make sure at least half of the lamb is sat within the liquid to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out during cooking.
Cook the lamb for 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low. Once the lamb is thoroughly cooked through, you can place it on a roasting tray in the oven to brown and crisp for 20 minutes.
How To Cook Veal In A Slow Cooker
Start by browning your meat in a pan with a little oil, this will help seal in the flavours of the meat.
Remove from the pan and place in the slow cooker, if you are using cubed meat you may be making a stew which you will then want to add your vegetables.
Pour in 2 cups of stock, chicken is most common but you can use beef. Place on low heat for 4 hours until the meat is tender.
How To Cook Pork In A Slow Cooker
You can start cooking your pork by searing it in a hot pan with oil to seal in the juices and create a crisp skin around the edges. If you don’t want to do this you can simply place the port in the slow cooker.
Season well with salt and pepper along with any added spices and herbs you wish to use. Poor in 1/4 – 1/2 a cup of water to allow the meat to stay quite moist while cooking. You can also substitute the water for stock and wine if you prefer more flavor.
Cook on low and slow for up to 6 hours depending on the size. Once cooked, slice and serve.
How To Cook Sausages In A Slow Cooker
Sausages are a great family meal whether they are for putting with mash or in a casserole. Either way they best way to start cooking sausages is to lightly brown them in a pan first. Place in a hot pan with a little oil until the outside is golden.
Transfer to the slow cooker to cook on low for 3 hours, turn halfway through.
If you are cooking to make a casserole place all the ingredients in the slow cooker at the start.
How To Cook Chicken In A Slow Cooker
Chicken unlike many of the other meats doesn’t need searing or browning before placing in the slow cooker. You can place a whole chicken or chicken pieces in a slow cooker.
Season your chicken meat with salt and pepper along with any other herbs and spices you want to use. Using hot water or chicken stock pour roughly 100ml in the base. This will add flavor to the chicken and keep it from drying out. You can also add a tablespoon of butter to give it extra flavor.
Cook a whole chicken for 5 hours on medium and for chicken pieces 3 hours on high.
How To Cook Turkey In A Slow Cooker
Whether you are cooking a small but fulll turkey or turkey breast you can cook both in a slow cooker. Much like the chicken it doesn’t need searing or seeling before placing in the slow cooker.
Start by rubbing on butter on the skin of the turkey to cover every part. Season the meat well with salt and pepper and place in the slow cooker.
Add half a cup of stock or water into the bottom of the bowl to ensure the meat doesn’t dry out. Cook on high for 4 hours for a full turkey and 2 – 3 for turkey breasts. To brown the full turkey and skin place in a roasting dish with some of the juices from the slow cooker and brown for 20 – 30 minutes.
How To Cook Duck In A Slow Cooker
Whether you are cooking a whole duck or parts of the duck you won’t need to sear or seel the meat first. Start by seasoning the meat well with salt and pepper and any other herbs, spices and flavorings.
Place in the slow cooker and add in any vegetables or other ingredients to the bottom. Place a chicken or vegetable stock cube with no more than 100ml of water in the bottom.
Place on the lid and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours depending on the size. For pieces and breast cook for 3 – 4 hours.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.