What is a crock pot?
A crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, is a countertop electrical cooking appliance used to simmer foods at low temperatures for long periods of time. A crock pot consists of a lidded ceramic or stoneware pot containing the food ingredients, surrounded by a heating element. The pot and lid are placed inside a metal housing on a countertop. The crock pot cooks foods over a period of hours at low temperatures, typically between 170-280°F. This long, gentle cooking tenderizes tough cuts of meat and blends flavors in soups, stews, chilis, and more.
Benefits of a crock pot
Crock pots provide several advantages:
- Convenience – Food can be prepared in advance and left to cook unattended for 6-8 hours while you’re at work or running errands.
- Versatility – Many types of recipes can be adapted for the crockpot including soups, stews, roasts, chilis, dips, desserts, and more.
- Budget-friendly – Less expensive cuts of meat become fork-tender after slow cooking. Dried beans can be cooked without pre-soaking.
- Food safety – Long cook times at low heat kill bacteria.
- Energy efficiency – Crockpots use less energy than using the stove or oven.
- Portability – Smaller models can be transported to potlucks and parties.
Can you cook fast in a slow cooker?
While crockpots are designed for low and slow cooking, there are still ways to prepare recipes faster than traditional times. Here are tips for speeding up cooking in a crockpot:
Use the high setting
Crockpots typically have low, high, and sometimes warm settings. The high setting brings the internal temperature to a boil more quickly and then lowers it to a simmer. High cuts down cooking time significantly compared to low.
Keep in mind that going with high heat may mean you need to check more frequently toward the end to ensure food doesn’t overcook or burn. High heat also doesn’t break down connective tissue in tougher cuts of meat as effectively.
Cut food into smaller pieces
Chopping vegetables into 1-inch pieces rather than leaving them whole allows them to cook faster. Cutting meat into smaller chunks exposes more surface area to heat and reduces cook time.
Bite-sized ingredients also blend and meld flavors more quickly into things like stews, chilis, and curries.
Don’t lift the lid
Avoid lifting the lid unnecessarily during cooking, which allows built-up heat to escape. Every time the lid is removed, it can add 15-20 minutes to the overall cooking time.
Preheat the crock
Some newer crockpots have a preheat function that brings the inner crock to temperature before adding ingredients. If yours doesn’t have this function, preheat by filling the crock with warm water and heating on high for 30 minutes. Dump out the water before adding your recipe ingredients.
Use the microwave
Browning meats before adding to the crockpot seals in juices and gives an appealing color. Sautéing veggies in batches in the microwave gives them a head start on cooking.
Deglazing the browning pan with broth on the stovetop helps pick up browned bits then transfer flavor to the crock.
Layer ingredients
Place vegetables, root veggies, and starches like potatoes and carrots on the bottom nearest the heat source. Layer meats and delicate ingredients on top. Denser foods take longer to cook through, so placing them low allows more exposure.
Add ingredients at different times
Put sturdier ingredients like meat and potatoes in at the beginning. Add vegetables and dairy products like cream or sour cream during the last 30-60 minutes so they don’t overcook. Fresh herbs are best added just before serving.
Use the liquid from canned items
The liquid in canned beans, tomatoes, broths, etc. can count toward the overall liquid needed in the recipe, helping ingredients come up to temperature faster.
Skip or alter thickeners
Flour, cornstarch, or thickeners that need to simmer on the stovetop can add extra time. Opt for quick-dissolving arrowroot, reduce the flour amount, or leave it out completely in recipes like stews that will thicken on their own as they cook.
Tips for fast crockpot cooking
Here are some additional pointers to reduce crockpot cook times:
- Cut food into 1-inch or smaller pieces.
- Place veggies near bottom with meat layered above.
- Choose lean meats over fatty cuts which take longer.
- Cook on high rather than low setting.
- Use preheated insert or hot water start.
- Brown meats in microwave before adding to pot.
- Add dairy and fresh herbs at end.
- Utilize liquid from canned items in recipes.
- Avoid excessive opening of the lid.
- Use warmup function if available on newer models.
- Cook recipes with mostly veggies and broths vs. dense meats.
Following these guidelines can dramatically shorten crockpot cook times for many dishes. While traditional recipes call for 8-10 hours on low, cook times can often be reduced to 4-6 hours on high while still producing tender, flavorful meals.
Typical crockpot cook times
To give a comparison, here are some average cook times for common crockpot recipes:
| Food | Traditional Time (Low) | Faster Time (High) |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 4-6 hours | 3-4 hours |
| Pork roast | 8-10 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Beef roast | 10-12 hours | 8-10 hours |
| Stew or chili | 8-10 hours | 6-8 hours |
| Beans (dry) | 10-12 hours | 8-10 hours |
| Soup | 6-8 hours | 4-6 hours |
Tips for fast chops and roasts
For faster cooking of larger pork or beef roasts:
- Choose a 2-3 lb roast rather than 4-5 lbs
- Trim excess fat to reduce cooking time
- Cut roast into 2-3 pieces before cooking
- Use broth or sauce rather than water as the liquid
- Cook on high and check tenderness starting at 6 hours
For fast cooking with boneless chops and chicken pieces:
- Cut chops into bite-sized pieces before adding
- Arrange chops above vegetables and broth
- Cook on high 3-4 hours max before checking doneness
- Use instant-read thermometer to test chicken temp
- Aim for at least 1 cup broth per pound of meat
Monitoring and testing for doneness is important when decreasing traditional crockpot times. But with some simple tweaks, many dishes can be made in 6 hours or less on high heat.
Easy fast crockpot recipe ideas
To get started cooking faster, try these quick and easy crockpot recipes:
4-6 hours on High
- Italian Chicken Over Pasta
- BBQ Pulled Pork
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Pot Roast with Carrots
- Sausage & Pepperoni Pizza Dip
- Sweet & Spicy Beef Chili
2-4 hours on High
- Balsamic Chicken & Vegetables
- Spicy Southwest Chicken Chili
- Hot Crab & Artichoke Dip
- Greek Chicken Pitas
- All-Day Apple Butter
- Overnight Steel-Cut Oats
Don’t be afraid to experiment with decreasing traditional crockpot cook times, especially for simpler recipes like dips, chilis, soups, and dishes with mostly vegetables. With some strategic shortcuts, you can enjoy the convenience of crockpot cooking without spending all day waiting for food.
Conclusion
While crockpots are designed for long, slow cooking, there are many ways to speed things up. Cutting food into smaller pieces, using the high setting, layering ingredients, and avoiding excessive lid-lifting can shave hours off traditional cook times. Simple recipe tweaks can allow you to get dinner on the table faster on busy weeknights while still harnessing the flavor-blending power of the crockpot. With some strategic planning, you can enjoy short-prep, hands-off crockpot cooking even when time is tight.