30 Cozy Vegan Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

How do you make slow cooker meals taste better? ›

If you take an extra 10 minutes to sauté the aromatics before scraping them into the slow-cooker, the finished dish will have deeper flavor and better texture. (And some new slow-cookers allow you to sauté right in the insert, so you don't have to wash a separate skillet.)

This moist environment allows you to leave food to cook for hours without risking it drying out. But because there is no evaporation, the liquid isn't able to reduce and thicken naturally in a slow cooker, often resulting in watery sauces and loose gravies.

“Small slow cookers such as the 1 to 1.5-quart models are a great option for those cooking meals for one,” says Grainer. “Whether you're entertaining at home or bringing food to share, small slow cookers are easy to transport and will keep dips, appetizers, sides, and sauces warm.”

Size of your Slow Cooker

When troubleshooting a meal-gone-wrong, often our first question is “How big is your slow cooker?” The size of your crockpot can affect the outcome of your meal. If your crockpot is smaller than what we recommend, you may need to cook your meal a little longer.

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

It can help with cooking

This far side of your slow cooker apparently is prone to be hotter than the other side, and the foil helps keep the temperature even throughout. Wiggly Wisdom points out that the side benefit of using foil is the easy clean-up we all long for.

Not adding enough liquid can lead to burning.

"It's important to add enough liquid to ensure the bottom of your dish doesn't burn." If your meal does burn, the chef said to avoid scraping the bottom of the pot while stirring and serving because it can give the entire dish a burnt flavor.

However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

✔️ Instant Pots are multi-functional.

Many people think that Instant Pots are just electric pressure cookers, but they're actually multi-cookers that cover a wide variety of functions: They slow cook, steam, warm, saute and work as a rice cooker in addition to pressure cooking.

What is the best small slow cooker for 2 people? ›

Cookworks 1.5l compact slow cooker

Another Cookworks model, this slow cooker is the perfect size when making dinner for just one or two people. It's compact and will fit into any kitchen, so don't worry if you're tight on counter space, as you'll hardly notice it's there.

The hack is easy enough: Simply place a sheet or two of paper towel between the lid and the pot, ensuring the seal remains tight. The paper towel will absorb excess moisture and prevent any condensation from dripping back onto the food.

Set on a Flat Surface

The best place to use a crockpot is on the kitchen counter. However, any heat-safe, flat surface will also suffice. Avoid setting your slow cooker on an uneven surface, and never place it near loose fabrics, including curtains, kitchen towels, or napkins.

For a family of three to five or a leftover-obsessed couple, a 5 to 6-quart slow cooker is the perfect size. It will fit almost all recipes, including typical roasts. If you've got a big family and plenty of storage room, go for the big 7 or 8-quart models.

At high heat you are drawing moisture out of the meat. You will also lose more of the flavours that you tried to preserve all along by the low heat. Just start with very little liquid. It may just take some time to figure out which meals work well for you in a slow cooker.

Add hardy herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and marjoram to dishes early in the cooking process; this way, they release maximum flavor while ensuring that their texture will be less intrusive.

Not skillet browning the meat prior to putting it in the slow cooker. Not salting enough. Not using fresh herbs. Not using complimentary vegetables to add more flavor such as onion, garlic, bell peppers, celery, carrots.

All you gotta do is add some flavor enhancers like Spices or extra frozen/canned Veggies. If anything, just douse the whole meal in a good Sauce, Sour Cream, or Salsa to disguise the flavor altogether.