20 Crock Pot Thanksgiving Recipes - Lydi Out Loud (2024)

FAQs

Can you crowd a crockpot? ›

Don't crowd the ingredients if you want even cooking and a mess-free kitchen. "When slow cooking many recipes with vegetables and meat, [they] will produce more liquid than you are starting with. Make sure your slow cooker is large enough to accommodate the additional liquid so that it does not overspill," Nunez says.

Size Matters: Choose an oven-safe bowl that fits inside your slow cooker. This bowl should be big enough to hold your meal but small enough to allow space around it. Filling Right: Aim to fill the oven-safe bowl two-thirds to three-quarters full to ensure even cooking.

When troubleshooting a meal-gone-wrong, often our first question is “How big is your slow cooker?” The size of your crockpot can affect the outcome of your meal. If your crockpot is smaller than what we recommend, you may need to cook your meal a little longer.

Standard. Standard slow cooker sizes can feed up to six people since they can hold up to 5 quarts. They are perfect for soups, stews, or larger quantities of casseroles and other meals that feed the average family.

The Family Chef: 4- or 5-quart slow cooker

Larger families are well-suited for 4- or 5-quart slow cookers, which can feed up to six people. It's a great choice for bigger dishes—like casseroles, stews and full dinners—and it can fit a roast! Not a huge one—stick to a 3–4 lb.

“Small slow cookers such as the 1 to 1.5-quart models are a great option for those cooking meals for one,” says Grainer. “Whether you're entertaining at home or bringing food to share, small slow cookers are easy to transport and will keep dips, appetizers, sides, and sauces warm.”

Many slow cooker recipes are written for 6-quart models and can simply be halved for this size. If you'd like a little more room for leftovers or the ability to cook for a few guests now and then, a 3 1/2 to 4 1/2-quart pot is big enough for most medium-sized dishes.

Just not an insane amount. In a 1 1/2-quart slow cooker, you'll have enough food for 2–3 servings of soup or stew or braise (or whatever), which is perfect for meal prepping for one person.

Using foil in slow cookers can make serving easy, particularly with casserole recipes. Plus, you can wrap chicken in a foil packet and set it on top of all the other ingredients in the slow cooker, which can lead to more evenly cooked meat. So go ahead and use foil in your slow cooker, because those things are magic.

Fill the crock pot at least half full and no more than two-thirds full. Thaw frozen meats and vegetables before placing in the crock pot. Place dense vegetables in crock pot first, such as carrots and potatoes, since they take longer than meats to cook.

Why do you put a tea towel under the lid of a slow cooker? ›

Soak up the condensation

Taste user Jenny says she puts a tea towel under her crockpot lid to catch water and stop it thinning too much. This technique is also a favourite with taste's food editor Miranda.

The best place to use a crockpot is on the kitchen counter. However, any heat-safe, flat surface will also suffice. Avoid setting your slow cooker on an uneven surface, and never place it near loose fabrics, including curtains, kitchen towels, or napkins.

Overfilling the slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking.

On the other hand, not adding enough ingredients can also be a problem. "The crock should be at least 2/3 full to avoid dry or burnt food," Audet-White told BI.

If the cooker is too full, the food may not cook evenly and could end up being undercooked. On the other hand, if the cooker is not full enough, the food may overcook.

You shouldn't be filling your slow cooker to the brim with ingredients. It needs space between the food and the lid to prevent it from boiling over. The heat inside also needs room to circulate and cook the food the right way. Generally, you shouldn't fill your slow cooker more than three-quarters full.

Slow cookers should be “at least halfway, but no more than two-thirds full,” write Vance and Lacalamita. Anything less may cause your food to overcook, and conversely, if it's too full, your food may not cook fully. 8.