Your Slow Cooker is Your Best Friend: Easy, Tasty Meals That Save Time and Money

If you’re like most busy parents or professionals, getting dinner on the table can be a real challenge some days. Wouldn’t it be amazing to walk through your door after a long day and have a delicious meal waiting for you?

That’s exactly what happens when you make friends with your slow cooker!

There’s nothing quite like a slow cooker for creating hearty, nutritious meals that you can have on the table within minutes of arriving home. Many people already own a slow cooker but don’t use it nearly enough. If that’s you, you’ll definitely want to dust it off after watching this helpful video:

I learned so much from this video about maximizing my slow cooker’s potential, and I’m excited to share the key points with you!

What to Look for in a Slow Cooker

Modern slow cookers come in various shapes, sizes, and with different features. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right one for your household:

Size Matters

For families of 4 or more people, a 6-quart slow cooker is typically ideal. If you’re cooking for just 2-3 people, a 4-quart size will work perfectly. Remember that for safe and effective cooking, your slow cooker should be at least half full, so selecting the right size is important.

Shape: Round vs. Oval

While round slow cookers work wonderfully for soups and stews, oval models offer more versatility. With an oval slow cooker, you can easily fit larger items like roasts or whole chickens. If you’re in the market for a new one, I’d recommend going with the oval shape for maximum flexibility.

Key Features to Consider

Today’s slow cookers offer numerous convenient features that weren’t available in older models:

• Clear, snug-fitting glass lid – This allows you to check on your food without lifting the lid, which releases heat and steam, slowing down the cooking process.
• Removable insert – This makes serving and cleaning much easier. Look for inserts with large, sturdy handles for safe transport from counter to table.
• Digital controls and programmable timers – Modern slow cookers often include programmable timers that automatically shift to “keep warm” mode once cooking completes. This is perfect if you’ll be away longer than the cooking time required.
• Indicator lights – These helpful lights show that your slow cooker is working, preventing you from accidentally leaving it unplugged or turned off.
• Multiple heat settings – Look for models with at least high, low, and warm settings for maximum versatility.

While mechanical models with simple dials are still available (and often more affordable), programmable slow cookers with digital displays offer more control and convenience. They generally range from $40 to $200 depending on size and features.

Why Your Slow Cooker Saves You Money

Beyond the convenience of having dinner ready when you get home, slow cookers offer another significant advantage: they can help you save money on grocery bills.

Slow cookers excel at transforming tougher, less expensive cuts of meat into tender, flavorful meals. The low, slow cooking process breaks down connective tissues that make cheaper cuts tough, resulting in meat that melts in your mouth. This means you can skip the pricier premium cuts and still enjoy delicious results!

Safety First: Using Your Slow Cooker Properly

Modern slow cookers are designed with safety in mind, but following these guidelines ensures the best and safest results:

• Keep it clean – Always start with clean hands, utensils, and work surfaces.
• Store properly – Keep perishable foods refrigerated until you’re ready to add them to the slow cooker.
• Thaw completely – If using frozen meat or poultry, thaw it completely in the refrigerator before adding it to your slow cooker.
• Layer strategically – Place raw vegetables at the bottom of the pot since they cook more slowly than meat.
• Choose the right setting – For all-day cooking and less tender cuts of meat, use the low setting. If time permits, you can start on high for the first hour, then switch to low.
• Power outage plan – If the power goes out while cooking and you’re not home, discard the food even if it looks done. If you are home, you can finish cooking using another method like a stove or grill.
• Handle leftovers properly – Don’t use your slow cooker to reheat leftovers (it takes too long to reach safe temperatures). Instead, reheat food using conventional methods, then transfer to a preheated slow cooker to keep warm if needed.

Perfect Slow Cooker Recipes

The best slow cooker recipes typically have plenty of moisture – think soups, stews, chilis, and roasts with liquid. Here’s a simple chicken chili recipe to get you started:

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1 pound boneless chicken, cut into chunks
• 1 can each: chickpeas, kidney beans, and black beans (rinsed)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 2-3 tablespoons chili powder (adjust to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: 1-2 cups chicken broth if you prefer a soupier chili

Directions:

1. Place diced peppers, onions, and carrots in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Add chicken chunks on top of the vegetables.
3. Add beans, tomatoes, and seasonings.
4. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
5. Serve with your favorite toppings like cheese, sour cream, or avocado.

Modern Slow Cooker Innovations

Today’s slow cookers have evolved considerably from their original designs. Some newer models offer:

• Multi-cooking functionality – Many modern units double as pressure cookers, rice cookers, and more.
• Wi-Fi connectivity – Some high-end models can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps.
• Sous-vide capabilities – Certain premium slow cookers now include temperature precision for sous-vide cooking.
• Sauté functions – This allows you to brown meat directly in the insert before slow cooking, eliminating extra pans.

Whether you opt for a basic model or one with all the bells and whistles, a slow cooker is truly a worthwhile investment for any busy household looking to enjoy home-cooked meals with minimal effort.

Do you have a favorite slow cooker recipe? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!