20 Healthy Holiday Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is a slow cooker a healthy way to cook? ›

A slow cooker can help with eating healthily, as this way of cooking doesn't need much (if any) fat, which can help to lower the calorie content. It also intensifies flavours – which is helpful when cutting down on salt.

Yes, if you use them correctly. 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.

The crock pot may just be the best kitchen appliance in the world. You throw in a few ingredients in the morning, go about your day, and you come home to a meal ready to go. That's why easy crock pot recipes are such a mainstay for meal prepping—low effort, delicious rewards!

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.

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.

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker? ›

Tender vegetables

Vegetables such as peas, asparagus and peppers can become a flavorless, mushy mess in a slow cooker. Stick to heartier root vegetables like potatoes, onions, leeks and yams, or wait to add the tender vegetables until the last 30 minutes or so of cooking time.

Thus professional chefs have a mixed relationship with crock pots. While they appreciate the convenience for certain dishes, their preference often leans toward traditional methods that allow for more precise and versatile cooking techniques.

While it's perfectly ok to use your crock pot in this way, try to avoid leaving food on the warming setting for more than four hours. According to the USDA, food kept at between 40 and 140 degrees is more at risk of forming bacteria. In this temperature range, bacteria can double in number within just 20 minutes.

For safe and successful cooking

Never let food sit more than two hours before turning on the crock pot. Keep the lid on.

Does slow cooking destroy more nutrients than stove top cooking? Slow cooking does not destroy more nutrients. In fact, the lower temperatures may help preserve nutrients that can be lost when food is cooked rapidly at high heat. What's more, food cooked slowly often tastes better.

The low temperature of slow-cooking makes it almost impossible to burn even food that has been cooked too long. However, some meats and most vegetables become nearly tasteless or "raggy" if over-cooked. Food can be set to slow-cook before leaving for the day so it is ready on return.

While the slow cooker will be on for longer than if you cooked in an electric oven, that doesn't mean you'll be spending more on electricity as they use far less energy. In addition, slow cookers are suited to both cheaper cuts of meat and cheaper varieties of vegetables.

While there are some disadvantages to using a slow cooker, such as the risk of overcooking food or forgetting to turn it off, these generally pale in comparison to the benefits. For busy families or those who enjoy coming home to a hot meal, a slow cooker can be a great addition to any kitchen.