How do you make slow cooker meals taste better?

If you take an extra 10 minutes to sauté the aromatics before scraping them into the slow-cooker , the finished dish will have deeper flavor and better texture. (And some new slow-cookers allow you to sauté right in the insert, so you don't have to wash a separate skillet.)

Can you cook 2 meals in a slow cooker?

All you do is use separate liner bags inside the slow cooker, placing each different meal into its own bag . The trick was shared in the Slow Cooker Recipes and Tips Facebook group, where thousands of home cooks are applauding the wisdom.

What is the best meat to cook in a slow cooker?

Choose the right cut: Chuck roasts, short ribs, pork shoulders and lamb shanks (think fatty and tougher meats) become meltingly tender with the moist, low heat of a slow cooker. Leaner cuts like pork tenderloin tend to dry out. Likewise, dark meat chicken — thighs, drumsticks, etc.

How can I make my cooking more flavorful?

Add hardy herbs like thyme, rosemary, oregano, sage, and marjoram to dishes early in the cooking process ; this way, they release maximum flavor while ensuring that their texture will be less intrusive.

What size crockpot is best for 2 people?

Recommended Slow Cooker Sizes Number of Portions Recommended Slow Cooker Size Two Portions Use a 3-4.5 quart slow cooker . 4 quarts is the optimal size. Three Portions Use a 4-6 quart slow cooker. 5 quarts is the optimal size. Four Portions Use a 5-7 quart slow cooker. 6 quarts is the optimal size. 2 more rows

What size slow cooker do I need for 2 adults?

Slow cookers range in capacity, from a compact 1.5 litres up to 7 litres. As a general guide, a 1.5 to 2.3-litre capacity is great for two people, a larger 4 to 4.5 litres will feed four, and 5.5 to 7 litres is ideal for four to six people.

Can you put too much meat in a slow cooker?

Overfilling the slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking . Slow-cooker cookbook author and recipe developer Marye Audet-White told Business Insider that adding too many ingredients can result in undercooked or unevenly cooked food. "Try not to fill the crock more than 3/4 of the way for the best results," she said.

Why is my slow cooker food tasteless?

As to why your meat would be tasteless is surely a matter of what you're actually adding to them as they cook . Herbs, garlic, spices and seasoning are no doubt the easiest things to add, and using any or all of these will make sure your meal will be powerful and punchy.

How do you add flavor to bland stew in a slow cooker?

Tomato paste: you'll use some tomato paste to help thicken the broth and to give it a nice tang of sweetness . Worcestershire: the wonderful addition of Worcestershire gives this beef stew recipe an incredible savory umami flavor. Balsamic vinegar: helps to give the beef stew a little tang and sweetness.

Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker?

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high .

How do you moisten foods while cooking to add flavor?

Baste: To moisten foods with pan drippings or sauces during cooking to add flavor and prevent drying.

12 Crock-Pot Recipes For Two People, Because Dinner Should Always Be Delicious (2024)

Since my household consists of just my husband and I (well, and our dog), finding meals that are delicious — yet don't leave me with enough leftovers to feed a whole other country — can be a bit of a challenge. Needless to say, scouring the Internet for different Crock-Pot recipes for two has become one of my favorite pastimes.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm not what you'd call a whiz in the kitchen. The timing of things always manages to throw me off — which means we usually end up eating garlic bread as our first course and spaghetti as the entree a half hour later. But, that's one of the many things I love so much about Crock-Pot meals.

Crock-Pots are like these magical cauldrons, where you just toss in a bunch of ingredients, turn a dial, and then leave it alone for hours on end. When you finally open the lid again? Voila! You have a tasty dish that makes you look like a world-class chef.

However, I've discovered that many Crock-Pot recipes make enough to feed a small military. Seriously — I've found tons that yield 15-20 servings. And, while I'll never complain about the convenience of leftovers, sometimes I wish I could pull together a meal that's more suitable for just the two of us.

If there's one thing that looking for ideas has taught me, it's that finding Crock-Pot recipes that are perfect for a romantic two-person dinner is nearly impossible. So, in the interest of honest journalism, many of these recipes actually serve somewhere between four to six. But, you can definitely halve the recipe if need be. Or, invite someone else over for dinner. Or, suck it up and enjoy a more reasonable amount of leftovers.

At any rate, you are sure to wind up with less food than those other ridiculous, industrial-sized Crock-Pot recipes. Bon appetit!

1. Honey Garlic Chicken and Veggies

This flavor-packed recipe from Damn Delicious looks like it's straight out of a magazine. But, don't be fooled — it's insanely easy to make. The recipe technically yields four servings, but you're probably going to want a little extra. Trust me.

2. Beef and Broccoli

I love Chinese takeout just as much as the next person. But knowing I can accomplish that delicious, savory taste of beef and broccoli in my own kitchen? Well, the world just got a whole lot brighter. Luckily, this recipe from Table for Two makes it easy.

3. Carne Asada Nachos

Is there anything better than a delicious plate of nachos? What about a Crock-Pot nacho recipe that actually calls for beer? These nachos from How Sweet It Is are just what the doctor ordered. And, as the recipe states, they serve "4 appropriately, 2 obnoxiously." So, go wild.

4. BBQ Chicken

Pulled barbecue chicken is one of those things that you just have to make in a slow cooker every now and then. These sandwiches are perfect for those days when you really just want to dig in with something messy. Admittedly, this recipe from Mel's Kitchen serves six. But, let's be honest, you'll power through those leftovers without a problem.

5. Stuffed Peppers

What's nice about stuffed peppers? Other than the fact that they're unbelievably tasty, they look like you spent hours working on them — when, in fact, they involved very little effort. Whether you want to enjoy them as a meal or keep them around as a filling snack, these stuffed peppers from Damn Delicious are sure to please.

6. Chicken Taco Chili

7. Easy Quiche

Think slow cookers are just for dips, soups, and dinner dishes? Think again. This easy quiche recipe from A Spicy Perspective proves that you can accomplish some pretty impressive breakfast dishes with a Crock-Pot as well. Obviously, this quiche yields way more than two servings — unless you're eating a giant slice. But, it's great for keeping in the fridge in order to have an easy breakfast all week long!

8. Apple Crumble

You thought your Crock-Pot was done surprising you, and then all of a sudden a dessert recipe pops up. How Sweet It Is' apple crumble recipe looks positively mouth watering. Top it off with some cool vanilla ice cream, and you're livin'.

9. Lemon Garlic Chicken

The thing about cooking chicken in a slow cooker is that it becomes so flavor-filled and tender. Sure, roasting makes things go faster. But, we're all about quality here. This recipe from The Kitchn is fall-off-the-bone delicious. Even better? You use the leftover cooking broth to make a delicious gravy — meaning literally nothing goes to waste.

10. Sloppy Joes

Honestly, it's been years since I think I've enjoyed a tasty sloppy joe. But, this recipe from A Pretty life in the Suburbs had me craving one instantaneously. They look like they definitely live up to their "sloppy" name.

11. Sweet and Spicy Chicken Tacos

In my book, there's really nothing better than a great taco. Half Baked Harvest's version looks like it's right up my alley. I can already see myself layering on some avocado and shredded cheese, and totally indulging.

12. Beef and Barley Soup

Soup is one of those things that's great to make in a slow cooker, yet you usually wind up feeling like you need to keep a five-gallon drum of leftovers in your fridge. This recipe from Mel's Kitchen has a much more reasonable serving size. Plus, it looks like the perfect fix for a cold winter day!

For more ideas, check out Bustle on YouTube.

Images: Chungah Ree/Damn Delicious (3); Julie/Table for Two; Jessica/How Sweet It Is (2); Mel/Mel's Kitchen (2); Georgia, The Comfort of Cooking; Sommer Collier/A Spicy Perspective; Faith Durand/The Kitchn; Jo-Anna/A Pretty Life in the Suburbs; Tieghan/Half Baked Harvest