Question about a slow cooker...?

Question

Ok.. I need help with a slow cooker. :)) First off, I don't have one. LOL I was at the store the other day, and I am thinking about getting one. :) The reason I don't have one is because I don't like dealing with raw meat.. LOL (I know, strange, long story ha ha) Anyway... So... here is my question... Now, all I buy is precooked meat, but as you know, that is expensive!! So I was thinking about trying to buy raw meat if I didn't really have to mess with it... Like throw it in a slow cooker LOL So my question is... Can you put RAW meat in a slow cooker??? Like if I get a roast, or chicken, can it I put it in there raw? I might be able to deal with that better. :))) If so, do yall have any good recipies for me? Thank you VERY much.. :)) Take care!

Answer 1

Yes, you typically use raw meat in a slow cooker.

Slow cookers are best for stew type dishes, braised (cooked in liquids), and soups.

Roasting chicken (where you have a nice crispy skin) can be done, but it's not typical.

Dishes that turn out well in a slow cooker:
Chile Verde (Green Chile Stew using pork or chicken)
Beans - bbq, refried, pork and beans
Beef Stew

For recipes, I like allrecipes.com.
Here's a list of recipes (over 200) from the website, plus articles about slow cooking.
http://allrecipes.com/Search/Recipes.aspx?WithTerm=slow+cooker&SearchIn=All

When buying a slow cooker, my one recommendation is to buy a slow cooker with a removeable crock (cooking container). I bought my slow cooker where the crock is built-in. It's a pain to wash since you have to carry the whole unit to the sink and can't submerse it.

Good luck and have fun... Also, in terms of handling meat, you can buy latex gloves at the restaurant supply stores. Buy gloves that are NOT powdered.

Answer 2

Yes, no problem what so ever!
When u buy a crock pot u get a cook book w/ it.
It'll help you get a feel for using the crock.
It's important to put the veggies on bottom
& the meat on top of veggies.
If the chicken is whole,
u either better get a lg pot
or get the butcher to cut it up 4 u.
Bc it'll take a long tome to cook.
If its cut up;
1- u can fit the pieces in there better.
2- it'll cook a lil' faster.
It is still a slow cooker.
Chili is great.
Homemade spaghetti sauce, superb!
And while cooking Don't Open the Lid!
It'll 'seal' as it starts a cookin.'
If u don't mind...?...
The basis spices for meat: (chicken-beef)
onion & garlic / salt & pepper / parsley & paprika,
plus an 'acid'; lemon juice, worchestershire sauce,
lime juice, o.j., an 'acid.'
So the spices 'cut' into the meat.
Italian dressing is Fantastic! for chicken;
I marinate it for 24-48 hours.
The flavors all soak in real nice.
If where u live u can get ur hands on Spanish B-B-Q sauce called "Mojo Criollo" [the second word I don't know if I spelled it correctly, I went into my kitchen to check the spelling, the bottle I have now only says "Mojo"].
Anyways its pronounced MoHo Cree-o-yo.

Answer 3

Actually, you should brown a roast or any kind of beef in a little bit of flour, before putting it in the slow cooker, it will give it good color and enhance flavor. But, you don't have too. Throw some beef chunks, or a whole roast in the cooker, add two cups of water, some onion, garlic, black pepper and salt, celery, carrots, parsley, potatoes (and any other kind of vegetable such as parsnip, turnips, pea, brocolli, green beans etc.) You can also add some fresh tomatoes or a small can of tomato sauce or canned tomatoes. Turn on high until it starts to bubble, turn down to low, cook covered for several hours and you have a nice tasty stew. If you want to thicken it, put a tablespoon of flour in 1/2 glass of cold water and add to the stew. Nice when served with hot biscuits or some nice fresh french bread.

Another one of my favorites if I have company is to put a small roast in the crock pot with garlic and salt and pepper. Cover it with water. When it is half way cooked, add several sliced green peppers. It comes out delicious. Serve on hard rolls with potato chips on the side. You can add a little flour to this to thicken the broth also if you want. Make sure to mix it in cold water first.

What I just brought and am excited about is a pressure cooker. I was at my niece's house and she used one. The meat/food is cooked in 1/4 the time and comes out so tender and moist. It's good for roast, stews, short ribs, oxtails, ham hocks, beans, and things like that. I'm still learning how to use it and am amazed everytime I cook something in it. I bought mine online (it was on sale) and had it shipped to my house. My daughter is going to get one after I told her about how nice they are.

Answer 4

Yes, you can cook raw meat but I read in my Betty Crocker cookbook that while you are cooking the raw meat to know exactly how long it has to cook for and to NOT take the lid off to check it while it's cooking because inside it will lose most of the heat and take a long time to get it's temperature back up to properly cook the meat and it said that it can be a bacterial danger zone. If you have a cookbook, check to see if there is a crockpot section and read up on it.

Crockpot tips:
http://busycooks.about.com/library/howtos/blcrockpot101.htm

Crockpot recipes:
http://www.bettycrocker.com/SearchResults.aspx?searchText=crockpot

I love my crockpot because I love to make home-made soups in it!

Answer 5

Yes, you can cook raw meat in them. I don't have any recipies, though I just deicde to use it every now and then and FIND something to make in it. I have used it to cook the pork and chicken when I make tamales (not together though). I have also used it to cook pinto beans, but if you like your beans thick I wouldn't suggest using a slow cooker, although you can use it to cook them and the next day you can make them refried or just eat them like that. While cooking just add your spices to whatever you are making. :)

Answer 6

Sure! That's what they're made for....to COOK RAW STUFF! You'll get a recipe booklet with your cooker, and there are bunches of good cook books available, and recipes on the Web.

I like mine a lot. I've had two since 1975 that just (finally) quit working, and I couldn't wait to replace them. They are time savers, money savers and really easy to deal with.

Answer 7

Yes I put raw meat in mine all the time. Many times I will cook just the beef or chicken in some water and spices then freeze it for use in other receipes.

One website I have used for good ideas is: http://www.recipesource.com/main-dishes/crockpot/

Answer 8

Most slow-cooker recipes call for raw meat.

Bert

Answer 9

yes, when u buy your slow cooker it will came with recipes and you can always look them up online or the food network on line and there is alot of recipes there. Good luck

Answer 10

sis, I love my slow cooker. you can cook many things in it. you can also get a book for slow cookers at walmart or winn dixie. it also comes with a book to help you get started.