Slow cookers or crockpots are the definition of set it and forget it. They're ideal for those working families or anyone who doesn't feel like cooking. I use my slow cooker not only because it's convenient, but I get to smell the aromas of all the ingredients marrying together. Below are the internet's most popular full-proof slow cooker meals you and your family will love!
1. Slow Cooker Pork Chops
I personally can only eat pork chops if they're fork-tender. I grew up in a household that favored well-done meats. I hated pork chop days as a kid because it was too dry and flavorless for me. I didn't start eating them again until later in my adult life. I make this slow cooker pork chop recipe a few times a month and now look forward to pork chop days. Dredging the chops in the seasonings and flour is the key to retaining the juices.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 tsp. ground mustard
1/2 tsp. garlic pepper
1/4 tsp. seasoned salt
4 boneless pork chops (4 oz. each)
1 can (14oz.) chicken broth
2 tbsp. canola oil
How To Make It:
1. In a medium-sized bowl, combine the garlic pepper, 1/4 cup flour, mustard, and seasoned salt. Dredge the chops one at a time, and then add to a skillet with oil browning on both sides.
2. Transfer to a slow cooker. Pour chicken broth over the chops. Cover and cook on low for 2-3 hours until tender.
3. Remove the pork chops and plate them. Whisk together the remaining flour into the cooking juices until smooth. Cover and cook until gravy is thickened.
2. Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken
This is one hearty and comforting dish and one of my family's most requested dinners. Chicken aside, the potatoes coated with parmesan cheese and fresh herbs are a meal in itself.
Ingredients:
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
Salt & pepper to taste
1 lb. baby red potatoes, quartered
2 tbsp. butter, softened
5 cloves garlic
Freshly chopped parsley
2 tbsp. fresh thyme
2 tbsp. freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving
How To Make It:
1. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden (about 3 minutes per side).
2. Add the quartered potatoes, butter, 2 tablespoons of oil, parsley, thyme, garlic, and Parmesan to the slow cooker. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Place the chicken on top, cover, and cook on high for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high. I cook it for 8 hours on low and the chicken comes out fully cooked and the potatoes fork tender. Generously sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.
Recipe from Delish
3. Fall-Apart Pot Roast
There's nothing else quite like pot roast that falls apart and is bathed in gravy. The choice is yours if you want to cook it with the holy trinity (carrots, celery, onion) and potatoes or by itself.
Ingredients:
3 lbs. beef chuck pot roast
1 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup red wine
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 carrots
2 celery stalks
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 tbsp. flour
1 cup beef broth
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
3 tbsp. tomato paste
2 bay leaves
1 tbsp. rosemary or thyme finely chopped
Salt & pepper to taste
1/4 cup parsley, chopped for garnish
How To Make It:
1. Use a slow cooker liner or spray it with cooking spray. Add to it the garlic, onion, celery, and carrots. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and stir.
2. In a large skillet, brown the roast on all sides over medium heat.
3. Whisk together the mustard tomato paste, beef broth, herbs, salt, and pepper. Lay the roast in the crockpot over the veggies. Cover and cook for 10-12 hours on low, or 5-6 hours on high.
4. Remove the roast from the slow cooker and set aside tented with foil for 5-10 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Slice or break apart the roast into pieces and return to the slow cooker. Pour the sauce over the meat and cover to keep warm. Garnish with the chopped parsley and leftover sauce on the side.
4. Slow Cooker Beef & Broccoli
This slow cooker beef and broccoli dish will satisfy those cravings for Chinese takeout. It's so simple and delicious, it will probably show up at your dinner table regularly.
Ingredients:
2 lbs sirloin steak, or boneless beef chuck roast, sliced thin
1 cup beef broth
1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tbsp. sesame oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tbsp. cornstarch
4 tbsp. water
1 head broccoli, cut into florets
white rice, cooked, for serving
How To Make It:
1. Whisk the soy sauce, minced garlic, beef broth, sesame oil, and brown sugar in the slow cooker. Add the slices of beef and toss to coat.
2. Cover and cook for 4 hours on low.
3. When the 4 hours are up, mix together the water and cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour into the slow cooker, add the broccoli, and stir.
4. Cover and cook 30 minutes more until the sauce is thickened and the broccoli is cooked.
5. Sweet & Tangy Chicken Wings
It doesn't have to be gameday to try out these sweet and tangy wings. In my opinion, this is the easiest way to make chicken wings. There is no deep-frying or dredging in flour (which also makes them more unhealthy). You simply throw them in, set them on low, and wait for them to cook perfectly.
Ingredients:
12 chicken wings
1/2 tsp. salt, divided
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. minced garlic
(Optional: finely chopped red onion, sliced jalapeno and sesame seeds).
How To Make It:
1. Cut through the 2 wing joints using a sharp knife and discard wing tips. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Broil in the oven until golden brown (about 6-7 minutes) on each side. Place the broiled chicken in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, mix together the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, and mustard. Pour the mixture over the wings and toss.
3. Cover and cook for 2-3 hours on low until the chicken is tender. Garnish with onion, jalapenos, and sesame seeds if desired.
Comments
Post a Comment