15 Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

Can I use an oven instead of a slow cooker? ›

In comparison, when using an oven as a slow cooker, you'll typically set the temperature between 325°F (similar to the low setting) and 375°F (resembling the high setting). Opt for a heavy, oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid, like a Staub or Le Creuset Dutch oven, to mimic the moisture retention of a slow cooker.

For low setting, divide the time by 4 and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. For high setting, divide the time by 2 and bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are converting an oven recipe to crock pot, multiply the baking time by 2 or 4 depending on the heat setting you want to use.

You can use an oven as a slow cooker alternative. The temperature of a slow cooker is about 80 C on low and 90 ºC on high. At such low temperatures an oven will function a lot less well. If you use the oven as an alternative slow cooker, you will have to adjust the preparation a bit for many slow cooker recipes.

All Crock-Pot™ Slow Cooker removable crockery inserts (without lid) may be used safely in the microwave and the oven set up to 400°F. If you own another slow cooker brand, please refer to your owner's manual for specific crockery cooking medium tolerances. Need Help ?

Slow cookers typically cost less to run than an oven. They won't necessarily save you money compared with using an induction hob, or even a gas hob. Making exact comparisons is difficult, because there can be lots of variables, such as the type of hob and how you use it.

To mimic a slow cooker, you can use a dutch oven or covered casserole dish in a very low oven preheated to 200° Fahrenheit (United States) or 95° Celsius. Some new wall ovens and ranges include a preset “slow cook” function, then automatically switch to “keep warm” when the cooking time is over.

If you don't have a dedicated slow cooker but have oven-safe crockery such as casserole dishes or even clay pots, you can utilise them to achieve slow cooking. These retain heat well and provide a gentle, consistent cooking environment. Simply follow your desired recipe, and adjust the cooking time.

Most (if not all) ovens are hotter at the top than at the bottom. Thus, if you have two baking sheets in your oven, one on a higher rack and one on a lower rack, the one on the higher rack will cook faster. Therefore, it is important not only to rotate your pans from front to back, but also from top to bottom.

Can you cook meat low and slow in the oven? ›

If I can do it, then you definitely can, too. Recipe notes: If your oven temperature does not go as low as 160 degrees, use the lowest setting it has and be vigilant about monitoring the internal temperature of the meat.

Do not put a slow cooker liner in the oven, Instant Pot, microwave, air fryer, convection oven, toaster oven, grill, or other appliance. Also, note that slow cooker liners are not meant to be used as food storage bags.

Can you use oven bags in a slow cooker? Reynolds Kitchens® Slow Cooker Liners were specifically developed and sized for use in slow cookers, while Oven Bags were designed and sized to hold large cuts of meat for pan-roasting in the oven.

While a slow cooker offers convenience, it's not the only route to slow cooking. With alternative methods like Dutch ovens, stovetop simmering, oven baking, pressure cooking, and utilising crockery, you can still savour the joys of slow-cooked meals. The results will be worth the wait.

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.

The high setting on a Crock-Pot is between 170 and 280 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature range will cook the food quicker, but it is more likely to overcook or dry out the food. We recommend using this setting only when you're in a hurry or if your Crock-Pot doesn't have a low setting.