Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Food/recipes

For related content, visit our food content hub.

Original poster

Slow cooker recipes with no pre cooking

36 replies

Bunnybigears · 29/12/2018 12:46

I have got a slow cooker for Christmas
I need recipe ideas where I can bung stuff in on a morning with no browning etc as I have no time for that in the morning and it will be ready in time for tea (about 5ish)
Oh and any that are kid friendly as well would be a bonus. Any ideas?

OP posts:
Kikipost · 29/12/2018 12:47

Watching!

bobstersmum · 29/12/2018 12:51

Some things such as mince or sausages need browning. Some people say brown all meat, I used to put lamb, beef and chicken in without browning any of it. You are probably best to have a few trial runs to get to grips with it as some slow cookers cook slightly different to others. Once you've got to grips with how much water you need to add you've cracked it.

StoorieHoose · 29/12/2018 12:53

Mince and sausages need browning. Beef for stew, pork for pulled pork or chicken doesn’t need browning

GreenTulips · 29/12/2018 12:54

You can prep the night before when cooking tea - then stick the crock pot in the fridge - you can leave it in a cold kitchen overnight and then switch on in the morning

You can also flat freeze all the ingredients so batch up raw food - then empty into the slow cooker the next day

FiveNightsAtMummys · 29/12/2018 12:57

I've just prepared all my veg in a big bowl of water and put in fridge for tomorrow and have some diced beef so it'll he stew for us tomorrow

Cel982 · 29/12/2018 12:59

My 30 second slow-cooker meal
is to empty in a packet of good-quality meatballs (fresh or frozen), pour a jar of bolognese sauce on top and add just a dash of white wine. Put it on medium and head off to work. When you get home all you need to do is cook some pasta. Yum.

mummmy2017 · 29/12/2018 13:01

As soon as you wake add any chopped meat...
Go get ready... This will brown the meat...
Add veg, any.
Add a sauce mix for the meat...
Top up with water lid on. Cook 6 hours.
30 mins before you want to eat you can add dumplings.. Mix in bowl with knife... Cut and add to slow cooker... Do not touch them... So no mess...
Wash up bowl...
Eat after 25 mins.

WhoGivesADamnForAFlakeyBandit · 29/12/2018 13:04

I've never browned mince - sausages in a sauce, yes - but nothing else.

madvixen · 29/12/2018 13:26

The only thing I ever brown is sausages. Anything else just gets bunged in.

Easiest recipe is a whole chicken. Pop the chicken in the slow cooker with some lemon slices, garlic cloves and rosemary. Add a little bit of chicken stock and stick on low.

GrandmaSharksDentures · 29/12/2018 13:29

Meat will look better if you brown it but it is still perfectly edible after all day on slow. I chuck in frozen meat & veg straight from Freezer with some stock & leave it on slow for 8-10 hrs. Ultimate lazy cooking!!

HarrietSchulenberg · 29/12/2018 13:36

I don't brown anything and it still tastes lovely.

foodiefil · 29/12/2018 23:48

Contrary to previous posts I've both browned and not browned mince and noticed no difference 🤷🏻‍♀️

Threeminis · 29/12/2018 23:59

No Need to brown anything. Chuck it in. Low all day. Done.

Whitelisbon · 30/12/2018 00:09

I don't brown anything.
Take it out the freezer after tea and chuck it in the (switched off) slow cooker.
Add water/passata/stock/whatever in the morning and switch on low.
Hey presto, tea ready at 5ish.

PandaG · 30/12/2018 00:14

I don't brown anything either! I buy the lowest fat mince, that may make a difference. Bolognese or chili is great slow cooked, use your favourite recipe but don't add as much liquid. Prep veg the night before then bung everything in in the morning. Casseroles, curry, again use your favourite recipes with a bit less liquid. I regularly do whole chicken in mine - the skin doesn't brown but the meat is really tender.

Ruleof4 · 30/12/2018 00:23

Same here, slow cooker for a new home present. Watching with interest

Weenurse · 30/12/2018 00:32

I do brown meat and onion. I also prepare when doing evening meal then put in fridge overnight. I am often gone for 12 hours so send a reminder to on of the DC to put it on.
I love honey mustard or sweet and sour chicken. They only take 3-4 hours on low though.
Did a nice Hawaiian chicken this week.

Kikipost · 30/12/2018 13:45

@Ricekrispie22

Have you done the macaroni cheese one? Does it freeze well?

mummyneedssweets · 30/12/2018 15:53

Oh honey chicken recipe please?!!

Kikipost · 30/12/2018 15:57

@Weenurse

Oh I second the honey chicken please!!

mummmy2017 · 01/01/2019 10:51

Please remember some things are so quick to make fresh, it is not worth cooking them in the slow cooker... Pasta is one thing that a slow cooker can easily over cook.. Making it slimy.

Original poster
Bunnybigears · 01/01/2019 11:32

I have a gammon and brown sugar in the slow cooker since last night to have for lunch. Im hoping its ok on the inside as the outside has gone very black.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 01/01/2019 11:35

Did you put in some liquid? Water cider apple juice?

GreenTulips · 01/01/2019 11:36

Try pulled pork

Apple juice chili powder brown sugar BBQ sauce

Needs at least 12 hours so over night