This slow cooker version of sauerbraten skips the gingersnap cookies and uses ground ginger instead to flavor the gravy.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Crock Pot Cooking
Don't overlook the slow cooker as being just as valuable a kitchen tool as your stove or oven. While it's long been recognized as an ideal way to cook roasts and stews, it can do so much more - and we'll show you how.
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Pro Tip:
The crock pot should be filled 2/3rds full when cooking for best results. Scale recipes up or down to fit your size crock pot.
Crock Pot 101
A properly working crock pot uses as about as much electricity and resources as a light bulb - making it more economical than using your stove! Also, it won't heat up your kitchen in the summer months.
crock pot cooking time conversion chart
| Crockpot | ||
| Oven Or Stovetop | High Temp 300F | Low Temp 200F |
| 15-30 minutes | 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours | 4 - 8 hours |
| 35-45 minutes | 3 - 4 hours | 6 - 10 hours |
| 50 minutes - 3 hours | 4 - 6 hours | 8 - 16 hours |
Cooking Times
Times listed with the recipes are guidelines - actual cooking times may vary based on the brand of crock pot, size, amount of liquid or food, how full your crock pot is, how dense the ingredients are, and the temperature of the foods when you add them.
German Sauerbraten Without Gingersnaps
Root Beer Pot Roast
Made with garlic, chili sauce, eye of round or chuck roast, salt, black pepper, vegetable oil, onion, root beer
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Fontina And Gruyere Cheese Fondue
Don't miss out on the magic (and romance) of fondue just because you don't have a fondue pot. A good old crockpot works like a charm for making this melty mixture of...
Method: crock pot
Time: 30-60 minutes
Country Pork Stew
This slow-cooker stew is one of those recipes that's pretty darn tough to mess up. As long as your pork and veggies have all day to cook 'til tender, you'll be alright.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Cabbage Chili Soup
A hearty slow cooked soup that is delicious any time of year. Made with cabbage and kidney beans in a chili-flavored tomato-based broth.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
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Rabbit (or Pheasant) Stew
Looking for something new in your stew? Lean rabbit meat is a delightful choice in this creamy crockpot stew, which would go great with some roasted carrots and potatoes on...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Tender Tenderloin Tips
Only three ingredients, but thanks to the clever addition of onion soup mix this recipe doesn't shy away from savory flavor. Whether over egg noodles or rice, this savory, saucy...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Menudo
Learn how to make Mexican menudo in your crock pot. This traditional recipe features tripe, calf's foot, and posole, slow-cooked with onion, garlic, and mild red chile for a hearty and flavorful...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Firehouse Chili
Chili night just got an upgrade, courtesy of the firehouse. It's the kind of meal that says, "I'm here to extinguish your hunger."
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Creamy Cheddar Cheese Grits
These rich and cheesy grits are made extra creamy by being slowly simmered in half and half with cream cheese stirred in.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Texas Pulled Pork
Texas may be known for their beef brisket, but that doesn't mean the Lone Star state can't make a mean pulled pork. Starting with a big pork shoulder in the slow cooker is definitely...
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Shredded Salsa Beef
Only three ingredients and a few hours in the crock pot and you have tender, shredded beef that is perfect in a variety of Mexican and Tex-Mex recipes.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Slow Cooked Asparagus
This is a great way to cook fresh asparagus that isn't as tender to cook by other methods. It's perfect for those thicker stalks, just be sure to trim off the tough woody ends.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Ground Beef And Refried Bean Tacos
Slow cooking this gives the ground beef a chance to blend with onions, taco sauce, and refried beans for a terrific ready-to-go taco filling. Top the tacos to your...
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Cooked Cabbage
See how easy it is to cook cabbage in the crock pot with this simple recipe.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Broccoli Cheese Noodle Soup
Broccoli soup, simplified! Frozen broccoli, cooked noodles, and cheese are cooked in the crockpot for a few hours to make a rich, and tasty soup.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Mexican Short Ribs
Short ribs are slow cooked with Mexican-style flavors. An easy fix-and-forget recipe.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Tavern Beef
Tavern beef is like a classier name for a sloppy Joe. Ground beef cooked with onion, ketchup, and spices in the crockpot makes a yummy topping for toasted burger buns.
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Easy Overnight Oatmeal
Start breakfast the night before in your crock pot! The oatmeal will be perfectly cooked when you wake up.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Easy Beef Shanks
There's something magical about a slow-cooked meal after a long day, and these easy beef shanks do exactly that, transforming meat and some pantry staples into a comforting creation.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: over 5 hours
Beef Stroganoff
Everybody loves a classic stroganoff, but it's not exactly a hands-off recipe. The crockpot comes to the rescue as it always does with a thick, creamy sauce that turns out perfect.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Seasoned Lamb Chops
You don't need to be a pro chef to cook up some spectacular lamb chops. Just rub the chops in some oregano and thyme, give them a quick sear, and toss them in the crockpot with...
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Mock Prime Rib
This rump roast makes a great cheap alternative to prime rib. A bit of Italian dressing provides the au jus with a nice herby quality that infuses all through the roast for a juicy...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Shrimp Marinara
A popular Italian seafood recipe made easy with the slow cooker. Shrimp are simmered in a slow-cooked seasoned tomato sauce and served over pasta.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Swedish Meatballs
Tender meatballs made from a combination of pork and beef and served in a traditional-style sauce.
Method: crock pot, oven
Time: 2-5 hours
Couldn't Be Easier Beef Stew And Vegetables
This hearty crock pot beef stew is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner and can be made in just a few simple steps, using convenient staples such as frozen...
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Spiced Beef Tongue
Beef tongue needs to be cooked just right and the crock pot makes that easy. The seasoned cooking liquid not only adds flavor but it helps tenderize the meat.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Kentucky Burgoo
This hearty slow cooker stew is made with a combination of beef, pork, and chicken.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Beef Shank Soup
Beef shank soup is the kind of dish that smells amazing as it cooks and tastes even better when served. Grab your ingredients and let's whip up some home-cooked happiness.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Lima Beans and Corn
The crockpot is an ingenious solution to the hassle of dried beans. Corn, celery, and onions with dried limas is a fantastic "set it and forget it" option for a healthy...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Albondigas
Crockpot albondigas cooked with tomatoes and green chiles go great on warm flour tortillas with fresh chopped cilantro.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Adzuki Bean Soup
A combination of cilantro, ginger and cumin brings plenty of flavor to this soup chock full of beans, carrots, and onion.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Spinach Souffle
Say hello to your new favorite spinach dish. This souffle mixes cheddar, cream cheese, and spices, all easily cooked in your crock pot.
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Basic Navy Bean Soup
Navy beans and ham go together like mac n' cheese, gin and tonic, or this recipe and your kitchen. Starting with a bone-in hock adds tremendous savory flavor to the broth.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Chicken And Eggplant Parmigiana
This crockpot parmigiana combines the best of both worlds--breaded chicken and sliced eggplant, topped off with pizza sauce and a two-cheese topping of melted goodness.
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Greek Shrimp
A slow cooker version of the classic Greek dish, shrimp saganaki. Serve it with bread for sopping up the delicious sauce.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 1-2 hours
Spinach and Artichoke Dip
A great twist on traditional spinach-artichoke dips made in the slow cooker and without using any soup mixes.
Method: crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Chicken And Rice Soup
This chicken and rice soup is as "set it and forget it" as it gets. Plenty of chopped veggies help make up a savory soup that's a whole meal in a bowl.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Beef Sirloin Tips
Beef tips cooked with onions and mushrooms in a savory beef broth sauce make this slow cooker recipe a winner.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Chicken Barley Soup
Something about barley just feels right in a hearty, veggie-stuffed soup. This recipe is great for using leftover chicken, and is pretty accomodating to whatever spare veggies you...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Barbecued Boston Butt Roast
Shredded pork sandwiches don't get much easier than this. Let the pork slow cook in the crock pot then mix it with your favorite bbq sauce.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Five Bean Casserole
Why stop at three or four beans? Five bean casserole is the way to go. With bacon, sausage, and onion, this sweet and smoky slow-cooked bean bonanza is sure to satisfy.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Chicken Tortilla Soup
This slow simmered tortilla soup isn't just delicious, it's also easy to make and forgiving if you want to adjust the ingredient quantities.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Sombrero Dip
Made with refried beans, cheddar cheese, ground beef, onion, taco sauce, jalapeno peppers, green olives, chili powder
Method: stovetop, crock pot
Time: 1-2 hours
Parsley Potatoes
Want a super easy side dish? These slow cooked potatoes are just the seasoned recipe you are looking for.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Mushroom Chicken In Sour Cream Sauce
This effortless slow cooker chicken dish is really elevated by the fresh sliced mushrooms, which go beautifully in the rich sour cream sauce.
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
Chicken Sloppy Joes
Change up your sloppy joes with this chicken-based crock pot recipe. These joes are tender and tangy and are sure to be a hit.
Method: crock pot, stovetop
Time: 2-5 hours
Brown Rice
A foolproof way to cook brown rice by using the slow cooker. Perfectly cooked every time.
Method: crock pot
Time: 2-5 hours
Creamy Chicken Ramen Casserole
Made with skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, frozen mixed vegetables, butter, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, garlic powder, onion powder, ramen...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
10 Hour Beef Stroganoff
Spend your day doing anything but cooking. This 10-hour beef stroganoff cooks itself in the crock pot, blending beef, creamy soups, and sour cream into a delicious meal served...
Method: crock pot
Time: over 5 hours
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