Slow Cooker Self-Care
A round-up of comforting meals in my favorite appliance
Anyone who has had even one conversation with me has probably heard me talk about my slow cooker. I believe it to be one of the best kitchen technologies ever invented and will defend it time and time again. Aside from a brief hiatus in 2018 when This Is Us spooked us all, I use mine at least once a week. (I won’t give away any key plot points, but the episode was so universally impactful that the Crock-Pot company had to publish a press release confirming the safety of their products.) As the weather cools down, my trusty slow cooker rarely leaves the counter.
There is something comforting about having a warm, home-cooked meal at the end of the day, even if the person who made it was your earlier chaotic self. My slow cooker is another chef in the kitchen – it works while I go about my day and has dinner ready and waiting for me, thanks to the Keep Warm setting. No matter what time my family arrives home from activities or even if our eating is scattered, this appliance is there for us. Though far from a yoga class, prepping something in the crockpot to make dinner easier and more relaxing later on is an act of self-care. (For the record, ordering takeout is also an act of self-care.)
Typically associated with soups and stews, the slow cooker has acquired a reputation for churning out food that is mushy or unappetizing. While I live for soup season, I can understand this hesitation. However, fresh toppings can go a long way in adding texture (e.g. tortilla chips and fresh avocado on chili) and there are some inspired recipes out there that creatively use crockpots to do the heavy lifting in less soupy dishes.
As the leaves change, temperatures chill, and we all seem to need a little more comfort, I’ve compiled some of the most delicious, easy, and creative recipes I’ve found to make the most of this slow cooker season:
Soups & Stews
Chicken Tortilla Soup, from Pinch of Yum: delicious loaded with toppings, such as tortilla chips, avocado, cilantro, parsley, shredded cheese, etc. See the recipe’s FAQs for slow cooker instructions.
Sweet Potato Chicken Chili, from Life is But a Dish: another family hit when we need a break from our usual pumpkin chili.
Red Lentil Soup, from NYT Cooking: adapt this by moving to the crockpot after Step 2. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high for 3-4. I prefer to skip the blending for easier prep and added texture.
Not a recipe, but Souper Cubes are my favorite way to freeze individual portions of crockpot leftovers for quick lunches or dinners.
Pasta
Slow Cooker Spaghetti Squash Ragù, from Real Simple: the halved squash actually steams on top of the sauce, giving you two separate parts of the meal in one (I promise there are no stray strands). I boil a pot of regular pasta on the side for my family members who prefer “real noodles” with their meat sauce.
Super Easy Veggie Crockpot Lasagna, from Pinch of Yum: a supremely easy recipe that is essentially just opening containers of things (I’ve used bagged spinach) and stacking them up. The key to minimizing sogginess is turning off the crockpot after cooking and letting the dish rest uncovered for at least an hour.
Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs, from Life is But a Dish: with a pot of pasta, this is a crowd pleaser that makes plenty of leftovers. For the skeptics, I can confirm that these meatballs do hold their shape while cooking.
Tacos
Chipotle-Honey Chicken Tacos, from NYT Cooking: these are full of flavor and you can customize the spice level. I stick to 1 chipotle if kids will be eating.
Korean Beef Tacos, from Pinch of Yum: one of the more unique recipes I’ve seen in a slow cooker, this shredded beef is a deliciously savory way to fill a tortilla. See the recipe’s bottom notes for a slow cooker adaptation.