You Won't Miss the Meat in These Easy Vegetarian Slow Cooker Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is a slow cooker worth it for vegetarian? ›

Many of our meat-based recipes can be easily made vegetarian by removing or substituting the meat for a veggie alternative, and there are certain ingredients and recipes that are perfect for veggie slow cooking! You don't need to pre-cook any of your vegetables, the slow cooker will do it all!

If you simply pop some raw meat in your slow cooker, it won't have a chance to brown, which adds some much-needed flavor and cuts down on plenty of unappealing grease. Instead, you're better served by browning raw meat in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker with your other ingredients.

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

secondary cuts of meat work the best. This is because they're generally from the 'harder working' parts of the animal, so the meat tends to be tougher. They benefit from being cooked for longer and at lower temperatures than leaner meat, as the connective tissue breaks down to give that deep flavour and rich texture.

Because your slow cooker will have a tightly sealed lid, the liquid won't evaporate so if you're adapting a standard recipe, it's best to reduce the liquid by roughly a third. It should just cover the meat and vegetables.

1. Cooking Times Are Long. Perhaps the biggest single downside is that slow cookers take a long time to make meals. Even the shortest meals can take take three or four hours to make, and a moderately-sized piece of meat can easily require more than nine hours when cooked at a low setting.

Insufficient Liquid: If there wasn't enough liquid in the crockpot, it could have caused uneven cooking. Potatoes need to be fully submerged in liquid to cook evenly. Old Potatoes: Very old or stored potatoes can become starchy and may not soften as well during cooking. It's best to use fresh, firm potatoes.

Tender vegetables such as zucchini and beans can be added to your dish in last ¾ - 1 hour of cooking when cooking on High, or 2 hours if cooking on Low. Hard, starchy vegetables like potato and carrots are best added around 3 hours before the meal is done if cooking on High, and 4 hours on Low.

Transfer the potatoes to the slow cooker (I use a 4.5-quart Crock Pot for reference). Toss with olive oil and seasonings. Cook until fork-tender, about 2 to 3 hours on high or 4 to 6 hours on low.

Why does meat get tough in a slow cooker? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

Should I Flip My Roast In The Slow Cooker?: There is no need to flip meat in a crock pot. In fact, I don't recommend trying it because it will be more hassle than it's worth.

But don't be fooled: slow cookers are great for plant-based cooking and I recommend that you use yours at least once or twice per week.

Vegetables cooked in a slow cooker or crock pot retain more of their natural vitamins and nutrients than harsher cooking methods – such as boiling – because the temperatures are lower.

The answer is yes. LiveStrong says cooking your food too long in a slow cooker can cause the ingredients to shrink and lose any tenderness they once had. However, other ingredients might turn mushy, which is also something no home cook is looking to achieve.

Pressure cookers are amazingly useful kitchen appliances that can dramatically expand your vegan cooking possibilities. They let you cook any number of meals that would otherwise be prohibitively time-consuming. If you cook beans often, or live in a place with long winters, you should strongly consider purchasing one.