Crockpot Low vs High Setting?

Question

I usually make goulash on the stove in a large pot (dutch oven). After browning the meat and adding all the seasonings, I simmer it on the stove at low heat for about 2 hours.

I'd like to try the recipe in a crockpot but I have no idea whether to choose the low or high settings. Also, should I brown the meat and seasonings in a dutch oven and then transfer to a crockpot or just put everything in the crockpot right off the bat.

Thanks so much for the help.

regards,
mari

Answer 1

Hi fellow Magyar!! Definitely you'll want to brown the meat and sear the paprika in the dutch oven first, even add your liquids. Let it simmer and scrape all the lovely brown bits from the bottom then transfer it to the crock pot turn it to high until it starts to simmer then to low. It's going to be awesome. :-)
I always make langos with it. Enjoy!

Answer 2

The crockpot is a great way took cook food (like goulash) while you are at work or even home juist busy doing other things like errands.

Go ahead and brown the meat like you usually do. Then put all ingredients in crockpot. Now if your crockpot had a removable insert do this the night before cover and put in your refridgerater. When you get up (or before you leave for work) place insert into crockpot plug in and set on low. Now you can go about your day. And when you come home the house will smell SO GOOD!

You will need to turn the crockpot on no later than 7:30am because you will want it to cook for at least 8 hours at low temp.
IMPORTANT NOTE: DOo NOT remove the lid at any time until about 1 hour (if you have to to stir, add anything or just check on it) before you are going to eat. The crockpot can take up to 1 to 1 1/2 hours to get back up to the cooking temp.

Enjoy!! I use my crockpot all the time.

Answer 3

It'll depend on your crock pot, Mari dear. Some of them can brown your meat on the high setting, but it takes so long the meat dries out, so you're usually better off doing exactly as you describe - brown your meat and seasonings in a dutch oven or a skillet and then transfer it to the crock pot before adding the pasta and the water. I've done mine by dumping everything into the crock pot at once, but when I do that it never turns out quite as flavorful.
When use a skillet to brown the meat and spices, I prefer a cast-iron one and preheat it to medium-high first. Which reminds me - I need to go clean the one I used for breakfast; it's already two in the afternoon. Where'd the day go!

Answer 4

Browning the meat first gives it a wonderful flavor and helps seal in juices. So....... the way I would do this is as follows. Put the liquids and spices in your crockpot set on high. Allow this mixture to get hot. Next brown the meat on the stovetop and gently put it into the crockpot. Add vegetables at this time. Cook on high for about an hour then lower the heat to low and continue to cook for another hour to hour and one half. Enjoy!!

Answer 5

I couldn't live without my crockpot!! If you are using hamburger, then brown & drain before adding to crockpot. If it is stew meat or other cubed meat, you can just throw it all in the crockpot. A rule of thumb on crockpot temps is that every hour on high = 2 hours on low........I would cook on low for 4 hours or on high for about 2 hours.......Sounds yummy!

Answer 6

I would brown your meat first than put it in the crockpot on high for an hour if you have time than put on low for the rest of the day.
I actually just bought the Wolfgang Pucks electric pressure cooker.
Have fun!!!

Answer 7

You don't say the make of the crockpot but on mine warm means just keeping it warm ready for serving and low is the actual low cooking heat - e.g.overnight stews etc.

Answer 8

Brown and drain your meat first. Otherwise you will end up with a very greasy goulash.

The low setting will help prevent the noodles from burning.

Answer 9

it depends on how long be you wish to serve if you only have 5-6 hrs to go use high anything over that 7-9 hrs use low make sure you still brown the meat though

Answer 10

i have been testing the crock pot for years so hear is the 411 slow or low is the best for meat to get it so like the fork could break it a part and fast is for fast cookers how don't like flavor cause they don't want to take the time to make it perfect