When using a crock pot, are yousupposed to put the veggies down first or the meat down first?

Question

I started my meal almost 2 hours ago and it just dawned on me that maybe I should have put the veggies down first.

ANd, now that I have put the meat down first can I open up the crock pot and swutch it around without messing up dinner?

Answer 1

always your meat and liquid on bottom then the veggies that take longer to cook such as potatos and carrots,corn,then the celery onions garlic and such..... i think your ok!! cause the pot produces steam and as it rises and falls it savors the pot !!

Answer 2

I usually put the veggies in first only because they take a little longer to cook but, I'm sure it will be fine if you don't. And yes, you can take the lid off and switch it around but, everytime you take the lid off add about another 1/2 hour cooking time on low.
I'm sure your dinner will be fine. It's pretty hard to mess up a meal in the crock pot

Answer 3

I don't think it totally matters. I prefer putting the meat in first, so most of the meat is submerged to cook in the liquid. But a lot of recipes I see say to put the veggies in first.

When I make brisket, I put the brisket in, then the water/beer, then start it while I chop veggies and throw those in around it. And it always turns out great!

Answer 4

I never put the veggies first, in fact I always put them in after the meats been cooking a couple hours. The reason being the I don't like my veggies cooked to mush.

Answer 5

You put the meat down first, since it takes longer to cook than the veggies.

Answer 6

I don't think it matters much but I tend to put the veggies on the bottom so they don't dry out. I often remove the lid and move things around in the pot and it hasn't hurt a thing.

Answer 7

I always put the larger pieces of meat on the bottom so it won't smash the veggies. If it's small pieces of meat, then it's all mixed together. It doesn't effect the cooking process either way.

Answer 8

I thick slice onions and line the bottom of the cooker with them. Then put the meat on top. Then put your other veg. on top of the meat. This method keeps the meat from sticking to the bottom.

Answer 9

Crockpots are very patient. Forgiving. Stress relieving. I could go on. Do it any way you want and the Crockpot will do its best to sort things out. Personally, veggies like carrots, etc, go in first when I'm cooking. :>)

Answer 10

the heating element is on the bottom so you need to put in the longest cooking items in first and the faster items on the top. so meat first with hard veggies like potato and carrot and soft veggies on top like onions and celery.