Can we talk about crock pot cooking?

[Deleted]

Do you chop veggies and things the night before, then throw in the meat the morning of? If so, do you leave the cut veggies out overnight or do you put them back in the fridge? 

And do you brown your meat before putting it in? 

Any other tips you have? 

[kwpnjumper55]

I generally don't put veggies in the crock pot, I think it makes them mushy. The exception to this is Onions.

Browning depends on the meat, Pork and chicken, no browning. Beef yes.

Make sure there is enough liquid and flavoring.

[georgeharrison]

I've made a beef roast in the crock pot before, and seering is a must. If I'm cooking chicken, pork, or turkey, that goes in raw (even frozen). The only veggies I put in are, like kwpnjumper55 said, onions, unless I'm making a stew and want it to be kind of mushy. Any other veggies go in like an hour before I'm anticipating eating.

[FrozenSunshine]

I brown roasts and stuff like that but don't precook ground meats or chicken. Another that doesn't like veggies in there or if I do, I add them in at the end.

I usually prep the night before and throw it all in the crockpot bowl and put it in the refrigerator.

[ilovebed]

I hate the mushy veggies so I usually just use the crock pot for meat (like pork verde), or for soups or spaghetti sauce. My one exception is for pot roast. I'm okay with everything getting kind of soupy and mushy.

[tacocat]

I do not do a ton of veggies in the crock pot because like PP I don't like them mushy.

I brown roasts/beef but nothing else.

If I cut up anything I put it back in the fridge.

[FrozenSunshine]

I brown roasts and stuff like that but don't precook ground meats or chicken. Another that doesn't like veggies in there or if I do, I add them in at the end.

I usually prep the night before and throw it all in the crockpot bowl and put it in the refrigerator.

[dana86]

I usually don't pre-sear or cook anything because i'm to lazy. I usually just chop my veggies if needed right before cooking but if I were to pre chop them I'd leave them in the fridge. I don't have a problem with my veggies getting mushy though so not an issue for me.

[alias]

I usually do crock pot stuff in the weekend. I'm too lazy to start it in the morning. I'm doing one tonight and I'll put it on high for four hours instead of low for eight.

I only brown meat if receipts says too, but I usually avoid those recipes b/c the whole point is to throw it all in and be done.

[fiddles]

Sept 22, 2014 17:44:58 GMT -5 dana86 said:

I usually don't pre-sear or cook anything because i'm to lazy. I usually just chop my veggies if needed right before cooking but if I were to pre chop them I'd leave them in the fridge. I don't have a problem with my veggies getting mushy though so not an issue for me.

Ha me too. I've never seared meat before the crock pot.

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[Deleted]

Wait, what are you guys making in your crock pot that isn't a stew or soup?

There's only 2 other things that I know how to make in the crock pot that isn't a stew or soup...

Have you been holding out on me?!?!!?!?!

[Tiff]

I've never seared meat before putting it in the crock pot. If I make taco soup with ground turkey or beef, I cook it first and then toss all of the canned veggies/beans in with it.

When I put veggies in, yes, I cut them up the night before. Sometimes I'll toss them in the crock pot after they're cut up and then I put the whole thing in the fridge - my time in the mornings is limited.

I make pulled pork sandwiches in the crock pot, season the meat and put it and BBQ sauce in to cook all day, then shred before serving.
Ribs in the crock pot are also really good and typically fall right off the bone (if you like ribs, I know some people don't).
I also make chicken for chicken tacos in the crockpot often, because it's easy and makes for a quick dinner during the week.

[fiddles]

Sept 23, 2014 3:36:26 GMT -5 @uwhuskygirl said:

Wait, what are you guys making in your crock pot that isn't a stew or soup?

There's only 2 other things that I know how to make in the crock pot that isn't a stew or soup...

Have you been holding out on me?!?!!?!?!

Oh man. You are missing out.

I do pork roasts, corned beef, pot roast.  Pretty much anything.  

[dana86]

Yeah I make just about everything in mine. Ribs, lasagna, pulled pork, pulled chicken, whole chicken, pot roast, french dip. bunch of stuff.

[FrozenSunshine]

If you're only doing soups and stews, you're missing out!

[ilovebed]

I also have made some bomb steel cut oatmeal in the crock pot.
Sometimes I will throw in some frozen chicken breasts with sliced peppers and onions and fajita seasoning and then when I get home all I have to do is make rice and beans.

[fiddles]

Sept 23, 2014 17:55:30 GMT -5 ilovebed said:

I also have made some bomb steel cut oatmeal in the crock pot.
Sometimes I will throw in some frozen chicken breasts with sliced peppers and onions and fajita seasoning and then when I get home all I have to do is make rice and beans.

A favorite recipe of ours is salsa chicken.

Chicken
Jar of salsa
Cheddar cheese soup

Bam

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