Why does everything I cook in my slow cooker come out so dry when I follow the slow cooker recipe?

Question

I have a 6.5 qt Toastess slow cooker, I have made a Hungarian Goulash and an African Boboti (with ground beef). Both recipes didn't call for any liquid, yet both came out bone dry and slightly burnt when I cooked it on the low setting. Am I supposed to add liquid even when the recipe doesn't call for it? How much liquid?

Answer 1

Yes you could add liquid but that's not your problem. From what I'm thinking is most slow cookers give you a generic cooking instruction so they can cover all models they produce. If you look at the ID tag on the bottom you'll see a wattage range anywhere from 30-300, if you have a high wattage range then even at the lowest temp it's still cooking hot and you end up over cooking your product. Personally I have 5 slowcookers/crockpots in different ranges just for that reason. Hope that helps, Cook on!

Answer 2

even on low setting you have to be careful not to leave your foods in the pot for too long (6-8 hours). Usually when you cook in a slow cooker - you generally add vegetables and they will produce the moisture not introduced by adding water. Your foods will dry if there is not some kind of moisture (vegetables, added water or broths, or fats) in the dish.

Try adding a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water or broth to your dishes that come out too dry (better to add too little than too much as you can always add more later); you may have to alter the amounts of liquid until you get it to the perfect consistency.

~D

Answer 3

your slow cooker could be up to high, you may not have enough liquid or you may be cooking it to long try this recipe for chicken and Dumplings one that i have had great success with
INGREDIENTS
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10.75 ounce) can cream of celery soup
1 onion, finely diced
2 (10 ounce) packages refrigerated biscuit dough, torn into pieces
DIRECTIONS
Place the chicken, butter, soup, and onion in a slow cooker, and fill with enough water to cover.
Cover, and cook for 5 to 6 hours on High. About 30 minutes before serving, place the torn biscuit dough in the slow cooker. Cook until the dough is no longer raw in the center.

Answer 4

Maybe there isnt enough liquid - make sure you continue to add liquid as it cooks. Also it could be turned up too high. Some appliances have different temperature settings. I know my new microwave cooks faster than my last one. They are all built differently... Next time try turning it down a notch or two.

Answer 5

Are you lifting the lid and peeking? This is the most common reason that slow-cooker recipes are dry.

Answer 6

Can you adjust the temp?? Cook on Low if possible. I even put roasts in my crock pot and they are not dry. Sounds like your cooker is just hotter than other models.

Answer 7

Add extra water and cook to your liking rather than the recipe

Answer 8

check it every so often and see if it's drying out if it is add quarter cup of water but it sounds like your cooker is getting way to hot

Answer 9

there are only some things that you can cook in crockpots goulash is not one of them onley use crockpot recipes

Answer 10

about a cup.