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Recipe Ideas For Slow Cookers and Crockpots

Recipe Ideas For Slow Cookers and Crockpots

Best Menu, RecipesΒ andΒ Ideas for Slow CookersΒ &Β Crockpots

If your slow cooker or crockpot are not front and center onΒ yourΒ kitchen counter, it’s time to get them out and start cooking! They are so easy to useΒ andΒ cut down on clean up time in the kitchen!Β Many recipesΒ consist ofΒ simply putting all the ingredients in the pot, set it and forget it or an effortless, quick second step. Plus, how wonderfulΒ isΒ itΒ to come in the kitchen at the end of the day and smell a completely cooked meal, ready to go!Β Β 

Yes, comfort foods are high on the list of go-to recipes for crockpots and slow cookers – but you can adjust the ingredients to workΒ bestΒ for you and your family. Modern recipesΒ and ingredientΒ twists are also available so you can make dinners that are not justΒ ho-humΒ stews and soups.Β 

So, let’s get started!Β TakeΒ a lookΒ at some of the updated recipe ideas you will want to make tonight…  

2Step Carnitas

Pork shoulderΒ can beΒ magically transformed into tender, tasty, pork tacos – that is the definition ofΒ carnitas. In this case, the meat isΒ perfectlyΒ shreddable after 8 hours in the slow cooker or crockpot, but an extra quick step will add a bit ofΒ colorΒ to the edges of the meat,Β making this recipe a go-to favorite.Β 

Ingredients:Β 

  • 3-poundΒ pork shoulderΒ Β 
  • 2 cups of chicken or vegetable brothΒ 
  • 1 medium onion (yellow or white)Β 
  • Salt and pepper,Β to tasteΒ 
  • Juice of 1 limeΒ 

Serving Suggestions:Β 

  • Taco shellsΒ 
  • Diced onionΒ 
  • Lime wedgesΒ 
  • Sour creamΒ 
  • Cilantro,Β for garnishΒ 

Directions:Β 

  1. Place all carnitas ingredients in the slow cooker or crockpot.Β 
  2. Set on high for 8 hoursΒ andΒ cook.Β 
  3. Remove meat from the pot with a slotted spoonΒ and shred with two forks on a sheet pan.Β 
  4. Drizzle reserved cooking liquid over meat.Β 
  5. PlaceΒ pan under broilerΒ on high for about five minutes, turn meat over and return to broil for an additional five minutes to produce crispy edges on the pork.Β 
  6. Serve with suggestionsΒ listed above or use pork inΒ quesadillasΒ or over nachos.Β 

*Note:Β SinceΒ this pork has only been seasoned forΒ cooking,Β it is also a great pulled pork recipe to be used for sandwiches. JustΒ addΒ your favorite barbecue sauce.Β 

Jambalaya JazzedΒ Up with Kielbasa

Breaking the rules ofΒ standardΒ recipes is encouraged,Β but here is a bit of history aboutΒ true Jambalaya. The Creole version always includes the use of the β€œholy trinity” which is celery,Β onionΒ and green bell pepper. But,Β if you want to have a bit more color and a bright, confetti look once the dish is cooked – go ahead and add one green and one yellow or redΒ pepper. Feel like adding more vegetables like carrots or okra?Β GoΒ rightΒ ahead.Β 

The use of andouille sausage with kielbasa and shrimp is also not traditional. Jambalaya typically consistsΒ ofΒ chicken or pork withΒ andouille, but these trades make for a delicious dish with a kick.Β 

Ingredients:Β 

  • 1 pound andouille sausageΒ 
  • 1 pound kielbasaΒ 
  • 2 chopped bell peppers – any colorΒ 
  • 2 stalks of chopped celeryΒ 
  • 1 diced yellow onionΒ 
  • OneΒ 28ounce canΒ ofΒ crushed or diced tomatoesΒ 
  • 1Β 1/2Β cups chicken brothΒ 
  • 1 cup of uncooked riceΒ 
  • 2Β bayΒ leavesΒ 
  • 1 pound of cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp* (the shrimp are added after the bulk of cooking time – do not add with the sausage/kielbasaΒ or they will overcook)Β 

Seasoning/Spices – feel free toΒ adjust to taste.Β 

  • 1/2Β teaspoon paprikaΒ 
  • 1 teaspoon dried oreganoΒ 
  • 2 teaspoons of prepared Cajun seasoning (consider reducing cayenne if using a prepared mix)Β 
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepperΒ Β 
  • 1/2Β teaspoon dried thymeΒ 
  • 1Β toΒ 2 tablespoons ofΒ chopped freshΒ parsley,Β for garnishΒ 

Directions:Β 

  1. Keep cooked shrimp in theΒ refrigeratorΒ until needed.Β 
  2. Combine all other ingredients and seasonings in the slow cooker or crockpot and set on low for 4 hours. Cook.Β 
  3. Stir contents, add shrimp, and cook an additional 15Β toΒ 20 minutes.Β 
  4. GarnishΒ and serve.Β 

Perfect Pairing: Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese

There areΒ so many opportunities toΒ customizeΒ a mac & cheeseΒ dish!Β Need gluten free pasta?Β OK. Prefer cavatappi, smallΒ shellsΒ or rigatoni to elbows? Perfect. Trying to get more vegetables on the plate and inΒ your family’sΒ bellies? Voila! Searching for a side dish to go with just about anything? All set. Need a meatless Monday main dish? Here it is.Β Β 

Ingredients:Β 

Phase 1Β 

  • 1 pound of diced butternut squash (check the produce section of your grocery store for pre-cut,Β if desired)Β 
  • 1 cup of vegetable stockΒ 
  • 1 diced clove of garlicΒ 
  • 1 diced onionΒ 
  • 1 teaspoon dried sageΒ 
  • Salt and white pepper,Β to tasteΒ 

Phase 2Β 

  • 1 cupΒ cooked pasta of choiceΒ 
  • 8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddarΒ Β 
  • 1/4Β cup milkΒ 
  • 2 tablespoons ofΒ unsaltedΒ butterΒ 

Directions:Β 

  1. Add all the Phase 1 ingredients: squash, stock, garlic, onion andΒ seasoningsΒ to the crockpot and set on low for 6Β toΒ 8 hoursΒ to cook.Β 
  2. Blend wellΒ using an immersion/hand blenderΒ or traditional blender and return the puree to the pot.Β 
  3. Combine with Phase 2 ingredients: cooked pasta, cheese,Β milkΒ and butter. Heat through until the cheese is melted and all pasta is well coated.Β 

Using appliances like a slow cooker or crockpot does not mean you have to make old-fashioned meals. Remember to modify the ingredients and seasonings to make dishes zestier or milder based on your preferences and switch up proteins or vegetable combinations to keep the menu fresh and fun!Β Β 

About The Author

Sharon MacGregor

Writing from her desk in New York, Sharon MacGregor is a contributing reporter, freelance writer, and blogger with a passion for human interest stories as well as meals shared with friends and family. Her blog, Fed Well includes recipes with upcoming tips to prepare foods for infants and toddlers, simple and seasonal cocktails, and easy modifications to create dishes respecting dietary restrictions including dairy and gluten intolerances. She loves entertaining for the ones she loves including her new grandbabies!

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