In my house, a slow cooker was on my husband's Christmas list that was enthusiastically unboxed and used for a total of three times in the past four years. It's an appliance that has been taking up precious cabinet space in my compact New York City apartment. The abandoned appliance got me thinking about how much untapped potential might actually be sitting inside of it. Slow cookers are often called the ultimate “set it and forget it” appliance, yet for many home cooks, they end up feeling limited to a few repetitive recipes.
Many households seem to have a similar handful of go-to recipes and we tend to fall into a rut when it comes to using Crock Pots and similar appliances. Depending on the volume of the slow cooker you own and the number of people you're cooking for, it can work perfectly for an easy weeknight dinner. Larger models work very well for a hands-off dish for a dinner party or a big, versatile base that can be used to create multiple types of meals to keep things interesting without extra effort. But there is so much more to slow cookers than just this.To explore what this everyday appliance is truly capable of, I reached out to chefs to learn which slow cooker dishes they think are most underrated, and the tips and hacks they rely on to get exceptional results.
Read on to find out more about their insights on unexpected recipes you can make in a slow cooker—as well as chef-approved tips and tricks for using your appliance.
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3 Underrated Slow Cooker Dishes, According to Chefs
Here, three chefs tell Parade the #1 Crock Pot or slow cooker meal they believe is the most "underrated," and why they'd encourage more people to try it out themselves.
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1. Beef Bourguignon
Beef bourguignon might sound like a dish you make only on special occasions but at its core, it's just a really flavorful beef stew. The only thing is that a beef bourguignon can only be called so if it has red wine as a back bone, lardons as a source of fat, mushrooms and pearl onions.
“One of the best dishes to make in a slow cooker is beef bourguignon,” says Franklin Becker of Manhattan’s acclaimed Point Seven restaurant. This classic French stew is generally simmered for hours on the stovetop, and therefore is especially well-suited for the slow cooker, where the steady heat allows the meat to become fork-tender while absorbing the flavors of the aromatics and red wine perfectly. “First, sear cubes of beef chuck well in rendered bacon fat and transfer them to a plate. In the same pan, sauté mirepoix until softened, then add garlic and tomato paste and cook until fragrant," explains Becker. "Deglaze with red wine, letting it reduce slightly before transferring everything to the slow cooker along with the beef, bacon, stock and herbs. Let the mixture cook on the low setting for six to seven hours."
He finishes the dish by stirring in pearl onions and buttery sautéed mushrooms just before serving.
Related: 37 Simple and Healthy Crock Pot Recipes That Basically Make Themselves
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2. Pulled Pork
Pulled pork might sound like a very generic and overdone slow cooker dish, but it isn't just about the pulled pork. What you do once the pork has been slowly cooked for hours and pulled apart makes all the difference. Matt Abdoo, chef and co-founder of Pig Beach BBQ calls it his "blank canvas."
“My favorite underrated slow cooker dish is pulled pork as it is one of the most versatile things you can make and something you can use to easily turn into different meals,” Abdoo tells Parade. “It’s the true definition of 'set it and forget it,' and it’s also incredibly forgiving. As long as you remember to turn the slow cooker on, it will come out juicy and full of flavor every time."
He starts with large chunks of pork shoulder and seasons it well with salt and pepper. Then, he transfers it to the slow cooker with a little chicken broth or even just water, and allows the slow cooker to do the work on a low setting for up to eight hours.
From there, the meat can easily be transformed into a hearty addition to mac n cheese, tossed into a green curry, or shredded into pasta sauce for a great pulled-pork ragu.
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Kevin Curry, founder and author of Fit Men Cook, highlights black-eyed pea and butterbean soup as his favorite underrated slow cooker meals.
“It has soul food roots with a Cajun nod, and it always tastes way more complex than the ingredient list suggests, which is exactly why I love it,” he says.
To build that depth, he soaks the beans, browns the sausage, and sautés the classic holy trinity of onion, bell pepper and celery in a Dutch oven. Then, he blooms his seasoning blends, Taco Titan and Land, Herb and Garlic, in the sautéed mixture with a spoonful of miso for an umami boost without extra salt.
“Everything goes into the slow cooker with stock and bay leaves,” Curry explains, “until the beans are tender and the butterbeans start to break down and thicken the broth.”
He recommends cooking this on the low setting for seven to eight hours and on the high setting for four to five hours. And, in a pinch, you can absolutely used canned beans, which also reduces cook time to 30-45 minutes on the high setting.
Curry finishes the soup with a splash of apple cider vinegar and serves it over fresh kale that has been massaged with lemon juice, which takes it to the next level.
Related: 8 Genius Tips for Better Crock-Pot Cooking, According to the Internet’s Slow Cooker Queen (Exclusive)
1. Cook low and slow for the best texture
Any chef will tell you that cooking meat especially, low and slow is the way to go.
“Although the slow cooker generally has three settings, I like to cook my dishes on the low setting for the best texture,” says Abdoo. He suggests allowing yourself up to eight hours for the cooking to be done, depending on what it is.
“Smaller proteins such as chicken thighs will take around three to four hours, whereas larger proteins like pork shoulder or chuck roasts could take up to eight hours, depending on their size,” he explains.
Related: 63 Vegetarian Crock Pot Recipes for Light and Easy Weeknight Meals
Unlike stovetop cooking, very little liquid evaporates from the slow cooker. “Ensure there is enough liquid but not too much for the most flavor,” says Becker.
Filling the slow cooker to a maximum of about two-thirds of its volume is a good gauge, allowing ingredients to release their own moisture without diluting the final dish. Too much liquid can mute flavors and leave sauces thin instead of rich and concentrated.
3. Keep the lid on at all times
It is tempting to check in, but resist the urge. “Every time you lift the lid, heat and moisture escape, slowing down the cooking process further,” Becker, Abdoo and Curry all tell Parade. Trusting the process is key so allow the slow cooker to make its magic without interruption!
Related: 27 of the Best Crock Pot Chicken Recipes to Simplify Your Dinner Routine
If you are making a non-vegetarian dish, searing the meat first can make a world of difference. Becker, Abdoo and Curry agree that the Maillard reaction on the surface of the meat when seared, creates complex, flavorful compounds that you can’t get from simply cooking alone.
“The caramelized exterior adds depth to the final dish, especially in slow-cooked recipes where all the ingredients simmer together for hours,” they say.
5. Add delicate ingredients last
There are some ingredients that don’t do well sitting in a slow cooker for hours. Slow cooking certain ingredients can ruin the texture or add off-putting flavors to a dish.
“Fresh herbs, dairy, quick cooking vegetables such as mushrooms or zucchini, and citrus are best added at the end of the cooking process to allow them to truly shine,” suggests Curry. They are also the best way to add another layer of flavor.
Up Next:
Related: The Genius Crock-Pot Trick I Use All the Time
Sources:
Franklin Becker, chef and co-owner of Point SevenMatt Abdoo, chef and co-founder of Pig Beach BBQKevin Curry, founder and author of Fit Men CookHence then, the article about we asked 3 chefs for their favorite underrated slow cooker dish and their answers surprised us was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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