15 Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

How to use an oven instead of a slow cooker? ›

In comparison, when using an oven as a slow cooker, you'll typically set the temperature between 325°F (similar to the low setting) and 375°F (resembling the high setting). Opt for a heavy, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid, like a Staub or Le Creuset Dutch oven, to mimic the moisture retention of a slow cooker.

That means we want to slow-cook at 210F or 220F for an all-day cook or slightly higher 240F or 250F for a shorter cooking time. If you want to safely "hold" a dinner that's ready to eat but nobody's home yet, just lower the oven to 180F. Long Cooking Time The time range can be 8-10 hours or 4-6 hours.

If you have a model that runs “hot", 15 hours may be too much and will result in an overcooked taste. If this is new model to you, try it out on other dishes to get a feel for it. If you are using a lean cut of meat, long cooking time is not the way to go. The meat will get tougher the longer it cooks.

The next best practice is to roast between 80°C (176°F) and 120°C (250°F) for an appropriate amount of time. This is the method I typically use when I roast red meat. You can also vary the temperature according to when the meat should be done. I usually start with the oven at 80°C (176°F) and then see how it goes.

Slow cookers typically cost less to run than an oven. They won't necessarily save you money compared with using an induction hob, or even a gas hob. Making exact comparisons is difficult, because there can be lots of variables, such as the type of hob and how you use it.

The temperature range on the Slow Cooking setting ranges between 80°C - 150°C. After 10 minutes the oven automatically lowers to 80°C. If you are using the Food Sensor on the Slowing Cooking setting the maximum internal temperature you should set is 65°C. Always cook without a lid when using the Slow Cooking function.

The slow cooker cooks foods slowly at a low temperature, generally between 170 and 280 degrees F, over several hours. The combination of direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking and steam, destroys bacteria making the slow cooker a safe process for cooking foods.

and veal. Slow Cooking is a fantastic method that can be used for just about any tender cut of beef, lamb, pork and veal. It involves searing the outside of the meat at a high temperature, and then roasting in a very low oven for a lengthy period.

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Is it safe to put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

"Raw meat is a slow-cooker staple, but you may need to add it to the pot before adding other ingredients like green vegetables," she shared. "Browning meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker has been a game-changer for my slow-cooker meals.

While searing meat before slow cooking can enhance flavors by developing a caramelized crust, it's not strictly necessary. If you skip searing, the meat may lack some depth of flavor, but it will still cook and become tender in the slow cooker.

Converting slow cooker recipes for oven

If you have a favourite crockpot recipe, but would love to hurry things up and cook it in a conventional oven, the main thing to take into account is that you will need to increase the liquid by about a 1/2 cup to 1 cup.

Cover, place in oven and simmer for required time or until beef is supremely tender. Stir occasionally and adjust the heat to maintain a simmer. Add a little water or stock if needed to keep the ingredients just covered.

The low setting on a Crock-Pot is between 145 and 190 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range allows for the food to cook slowly and evenly, without overcooking or undercooking it.

No problem — you can cook large quantities of meat low and slow in your roaster oven.