Why is my crockpot meat tough?

Question

When I cook a roast in the crockpot, its never very tender. HELP!!!

Answer 1

maybe the meat wasn't of quality, or you may have not cooked it long enough....also, try tenderizing the meat first with a wooden tenderizer that beats it first, then cut into chunks and cook

Answer 2

I have been crockpot cooking for years. You can buy a cheaper cut of meat, which when cooked in the crock for the time suggested, should just be so tender it falls apart. I have cooked many a roast in the crockpot, in fact, prefer to do so. You have to cook it slow and long, don't rush it. You should cover the meat with the liquid while it is cooking. I would suggest purchasing a crockpot cookbook and follow instructions given for what you intend to cook.

Answer 3

The good thing about using a crock pot is that you can buy a cheap tough piece of meat that you normally could never chew and using a little water or broth and the meat cook it for at least 8 hours on low. It will always fall apart. You are either cooking on too high a temp or not long enough.

Answer 4

There are two ways of cooking meat in a crockpot, raw or partially cooked first. Usually meat comes out tough if you put in in raw.

Lamb, Beef and Chicken come out perfect for me in a crockpot

Answer 5

First of all buy the best meat that you can afford. The cheaper the meat then generally the tougher it is as it will have come from an older animal. Then when you cook it make sure that you do it for a long time around 160 deg C. If it's a slow cooker follow the manufacturer's instructions. Do not add salt to the meat when cooking as this will make it tough.

Answer 6

When cooking in a crock pot make sure that you keep water in the pot, stir at leat once an hour if possible and replace any evaporated water if cooking on the highest tempature setting. Also an average size pot roast (5-6 pounds) will need to simmer in the crock pot for 6 to 8 hours to become tender. Most people who use crock pots turn them on early in the morning before leaving for work and let it simmer on low all day so that it will be ready for dinner that night. If you choose to cook a pot of beans, vegetable soup, stew or a roast this way be sure that you fill the pot with as much water as possible and turn the crock pot on the low (not "serve" or "high") so that it will cook but not fast enough to burn or scorch. When you return home 9-10 hours later your roast will fall apart and melt in your mouth. I usually cut up potatos, carrots, and a small onion and put in the crock with my roast, and I also add a can of mushroom soup and a can of cream of chicken soup along with some salt and pepper and let it simmer until the water evaporates down and thickens to make a gravy. Bon Appitite

Answer 7

You are not cooking it long enough. I use a crock pot all the time and I have used the cheapest cuts of meat, and I put the pot on low when I leave for work, Leave it cooking all day. When I get home, whatever meat I've used, it falls apart. Don't buy expensive cuts, you are wasting your money. Cheaper cuts usually have more flavour also.

Answer 8

next time put it in the crockpot frozen at night let it cook all night ..meat is only tough when you dont let it cook long enough ..try frozen roast lots of water even more than u need then gravy mix pkgs say 2 split onion bay leaves crushed cloved garlic.Cook all night then set to warm come home and u can make gravy with the juice....

Answer 9

I have found that if you put meat tenderizer on the meat about an hour before cooking it helps, also you might find this yucky, but if you use about 1/2 cup of plain yogurt for a marinade before cooking, the active ingredients in the yogurt actually open the meat up and helps it soak up the seasoning, then boil the meat on low not high!! This is also a cook tip for cooking steak (mmmmm), use yogurt in your marinade, it does help; trust me!!

Answer 10

I have been using a crock pot forever. I put it in (regardless of the cut of meat) early in the morning. I add all the things I want (potatoes, garlic, carrots) and put it on high, I leave it for 10 hours, when I was working it could be on even longer. It would fall apart. Maybe your not giving it enough time. I do hope this helps. Try a meatloaf too.

Answer 11

Always buy chuck roast.It's the most tender and taste better.Before placing it in a crock-pot, salt and pepper meat,coat meat in flour,place in skillet with 2 tablespoons olive oil sear on both sides till light brown.Place in crock-pot with chopped carrots , potato's,1 tsp minced garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper,1 small chopped onion.Pour in enough beef broth to cover it all.turn on heat to high and let cook for 7 to eight hours..It should fall apart it's so tender.