Food Town Mastering the Art of Simpler, Smarter Slow Cooker Meals

There’s something pretty great about coming home after a long day to a kitchen filled with the aroma of a meal that’s been cooking all day — and knowing the cooking has already been done for you. The slow cooker is a home chef’s secret weapon and a staple for busy families everywhere. And, although January is National Slow Cooker Month, your Food Town believes this kitchen tool deserves its share of recognition all year long.

Here, we’ve pulled together information aimed at helping you make the most of this essential kitchen tool. Whether you’re a seasoned slow-cooking pro or you’re just dabbling in the art of set-it-and-forget-it meal prep, we’re here to help you embrace the art of easy eats.

Slow Cooker Benefits: Why We Love this Approach to Mealtimes
The world of cooking gadgets can feel overwhelming, with consumers often feeling pushed to buy products they don’t truly need. The slow cooker is one exception to the rule. Read on to learn a few of your Food Town’s favorite slow cooker benefits — and why we believe it’s one product no kitchen should be without.

• Time-Saving Convenience: Few people have time to prepare full dinners from scratch each day once work and after-school activities end. Not only does the slow cooker allow you to return home to a fully cooked meal, but because it lends itself to one-pot meals, it reduces the need for multiple sides. (Did somebody say fewer dishes?)
• Healthier Meal Options: The slow cooker’s approach to cooking traps moisture in, reducing — or altogether eliminating — the need for cooking oils. On top of that, it cuts down your risk of overcooking items, maintaining more nutrients in the finished dish.
• Versatility in the Kitchen: Your slow cooker is no one-trick pony. This handy tool can be used to cook up everything from sides such as Crock Pot Macaroni and Cheese and Southern Corn Casserole to main dishes such as Slow Cooker Whole Chicken and Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork, desserts such as Crock Pot Bread Pudding and even creamy hot chocolate! And it does all that while still using less electricity than traditional ovens, microwaves and stovetops. (Hello, energy savings!)
• Robust Flavors in Finished Meals: Cooking meals on low heat for hours on end gives flavors a true chance to meld. The end result is a deeper, richer flavor profile that’s sure to please.

Simple Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Meals
The slow cooker’s sheer ease of use is one of the main reasons we love it as much as we do. Even so, there are a few tricks of the trade that can take this already stellar cooking option to the next level. Here’s some advice for making the very best slow cooker meals.

• Prep the Night Before: Slow cookers are nothing if not, well, slow. They’ll take some time to get the job done, and since most slow cooker recipes require multiple ingredients, it’s a good idea to prepare everything you’ll need the night before to save time. If you’re making a hearty soup, cut up all your vegetables, add your meat and pour in broth and any other ingredients before covering and storing in the fridge overnight.
  Bonus Tip: leave the slow cooker out on the counter for about 20 minutes before turning it on, so the ingredients have time to get back to room temperature.
• Remember, Less Meat is More: When it comes to adding meat to your one-pot recipes, there’s one key area where slow cooking differs from other kitchen techniques. With the slow cooker, you don’t need as much! This form of cooking extracts the flavor of meats such as brisket, pork and chicken, allowing it to permeate the entire dish. This gives you the option to load up on more vegetables instead, making for a healthier dish on the whole. 
• The Best Slow Cooker Meals Cook Slow, on Low: Once you’ve prepped and combined your ingredients, it’s time to let your slow cooker do its thing. One of the best-kept secrets of slow cooker recipes is to use the “low” setting for your dishes as much as you’re able. Your meal’s flavors will pop when given the time to simmer on low heat for several hours. Using this method when slow cooking also allows you to head out for the day without worrying that your food will be overcooked when you return.
• Resist the Urge to Peek: Your slow cooker has everything under control, so there’s no need to keep lifting the lid to check on your ingredients. When you do that, you’re allowing heat to escape, meaning your food may take a bit longer to cook. Consult your recipe to make sure the timing is right. From there, just trust the process!
• Use Slow Cooker Liners for Simple Cleanup: The slow cooker is an incredible tool, but cleanup for baked-on meals can require true elbow grease. Consider purchasing disposable plastic liners that fit directly into the slow cooker. Once the meal is done, it gets tossed — with little to no additional cleaning required!

Where to Find the Best Slow Cooker Recipes
The slow cooker has attained status as a must-have tool for many people these days, and that popularity means you can find recipes all over! (Of course, not all are created equal.) Because your Food Town believes the only thing more fun than selling food is sharing it with our friends and neighbors, we’ve got some tried-and-true slow cooker recipes the whole family will love.

• Peruse Our Pinterest Boards: Our Slow Cooker Style and Soup, Please boards are filled with step-by-step tips for meals that are perfect for the slow cooker. Don’t forget, however, that your slow cooker is extremely versatile! That means you can find great recipes on other boards, such as Beef it Up, Favorite Fan Fare and Pasta Perfection.
• Check Out Our Recipes Page: Our online home has an entire page dedicated to palate-pleasing eats that are easy to make! The Soups/Chili/Stews section is particularly packed with ideas that work well in the slow cooker, but you can find great ideas across every category.

Slow cookers are a game-changer for anyone looking to simplify meal prep without losing out on flavor or quality. With these tips in your toolbox, you’ve got the inspo you need to create mouthwatering meals with ease. And with your neighborhood Food Town, you’ve got the fresh ingredients and pantry staples you need to make that recipe a reality! Stop by and see us soon, neighbor. We’re ready to help you get slow-cookin’!

Normal Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.