WHAT IS SLOW COOKING? HOW TO SLOW COOK
By using low, steady heat over an extended period of time, slow cooking transforms seemingly ordinary ingredients into delectable, tender meals with minimal effort. By learning different techniques for how to slow cook, you can unlock new possibilities in the kitchen.
Keep reading to discover a step-by-step slow cooking guide and additional helpful tips.
WHAT IS SLOW COOKING?
Slow cooking is a culinary method that cooks food on low heat over a long period of time to produce tender, flavorful dishes. Slow cookers work by using the food’s natural moisture to cook, with a lid trapping steam and preventing evaporation so the food remains moist and delicious.
This process is how slow cookers are able to transform tougher cuts of meat into melt-in-your-mouth meals. Slow cooking is typically done with a stand-alone slow cooker, but you can also use special settings and cookware on an oven or stovetop for similar results.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SLOW COOKING?
Slow cooking lets you create flavorful, moist dishes while providing you the freedom to focus on other tasks in the kitchen. This hands-free cooking method can help enhance natural flavors and transform tough ingredients into tender, satisfying meals with minimal active preparation.
Slow cookers also tend to use less energy than ovens. Opting for a slow cooker rather than an oven can help you create delicious meals like pulled pork while helping your home to stay cooler during warmer months.
WHAT CAN YOU SLOW COOK?
Slow cooking opens the door to a variety of mouthwatering recipes, spanning everything from sides and main courses to desserts. Dishes like roasts, stews, soups, chili and ribs thrive under the tender embrace of slow, steady heat. You can even use slow cooking to create beautifully rich fruit cobblers.
SLOW COOKING METHODS
Slow cooking can be done with a slow cooker, oven or stovetop. Oven slow cooking involves baking at around 325°F in covered dishes like Dutch ovens, whereas slow cooking on a stovetop requires simmering over low heat in a covered pot. These methods can be helpful if you don’t have a slow cooker.
SLOW COOKING IN A SLOW COOKER
A slow cooker uses consistent, low heat to cook meals over several hours, making it ideal for unattended cooking. Simply add your ingredients, then set the timer and temperature. Be sure to avoid lifting the lid of your slow cooker to help trap as much moisture as possible.
SLOW COOKING IN AN OVEN
Slow cooking in an oven for a lengthy period of time at temperatures around 325°F makes good use of the low-and-slow cooking process. Cooking recipes in a Dutch oven is ideal for slow cooking, as their cast iron material helps retain heat, trap moisture and develop deep flavors.
SLOW COOKING ON A STOVE
Stovetop slow cooking involves simmering on low heat for extended periods of time to mimic the same method as a traditional slow cooker. This stovetop method can help you monitor your recipe and adjust the temperatures as needed to maintain a controlled boil. Dutch ovens are also useful for stovetop slow cooking.
HOW TO SLOW COOK
Prepping ingredients, setting the ideal temperature and giving your pot or appliance time to develop rich, tender dishes are the basics for how to slow cook. However, the exact process will depend on your recipe, as different dishes may require specific steps or adjustments.
SUPPLIES
Meats or vegetables
Broth, stock or water
Seasonings and herbs
TOOLS
Slow cooker, Dutch oven or heavy pot with lid
Oven or stovetop (optional if using a slow cooker)
1. PREPARE INGREDIENTS
Thaw any meats or vegetables before chopping them into uniform sizes (if the recipe calls for it) to help ensure even cooking. Cut vegetables that have similar density, like carrots and potatoes, into consistent sizes.
2. BUILD FLAVOR
Pan searing or browning meats before slow cooking and adding in aromatics, like fresh herbs, can help enhance the depth and complexity of flavors in your dish. Be sure to increase the amount of herbs in your recipe to help offset the longer cooking times. Layer in vegetables and meats before adding in any liquids, such as broth.
3. SELECT YOUR TEMPERATURE
Select the temperature presets on your slow cooker that are most suitable for your recipe or ingredients. If using an oven, a popular slow-cooking temperature is often around 325°F. If you’re using a stovetop, bring the mixture to a simmer and then lower the heat before covering it tightly with a lid.
4. CHECK FOR DONENESS
Try to avoid removing the lid of your slow cooker or pot as much as possible to help trap in moisture. Once the minimum amount of cooking time has elapsed, you can try to check for doneness to ensure your ingredients have reached your desired tenderness. You can often go a bit longer, if you’d like your food more tender. Just be sure you have enough moisture, such as broth, still left in your pot.
Toward the end of your recipe, adjust flavors with additional seasonings and garnishes as desired.
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TIPS FOR MASTERING SLOW COOKING
A few helpful tips and techniques can be key when attempting to achieve optimal results while slow cooking. When finessing your next pot roast or nailing your signature chili recipe, consider these slow cooking tips:
Resist the urge to lift the lid; each peek releases heat and moisture, which could extend cooking time.
Cut ingredients into uniform sizes for even cooking.
Increase the amount of herbs and aromatics in your recipe to account for longer cooking times.
Slow cookers use a food's natural moisture to cook ingredients, so you might be able to reduce the amount of liquid you’re using when adapting traditional recipes for slow cooking.
- Avoid adding liquids that are colder than refrigerated temperatures to help retain the recipe’s heat while slow cooking.
