How to Cook Small Meals in a Slow Cooker
Slow cooker meals are so convenient but it can be challenging to cook in a crock pot when you’re cooking for two. Luckily there are some easy methods and tricks that can have you enjoying slow cooker meals for two in no time!
Slow cooker meals are great for busy weekdays or meal prep but adapting recipes for two is a bit of a challenge. Lucky for us, with a few simple adaptations you can easily scale slow cooker recipes down to cook perfectly in small batches. Read on for our best tips for small batch slow cooking.
Right Size Matters
When cooking small meals, choose a slow cooker that’s appropriately sized for your needs. A 2-4 quart slow cooker is ideal for cooking small batches, ensuring your meals cook evenly and don’t get lost in a large cooker.
If you don’t have a small slow cooker you can place a smaller oven-safe dish inside of your larger slow cooker for the same effect. The dish should be small enough for there to be space on all sides within the slow cooker but large enough to hold your meal ingredients.
Don’t Overfill
While it can be tempting to fill your slow cooker to the brim, resist the urge! Overfilling can lead to uneven cooking and spillage. Stick to filling the cooker no more than two-thirds full for best results.
Layering is Key
For optimal flavor and even cooking, layer your ingredients strategically. Place denser vegetables and meats at the bottom, where they’ll be closest to the heat source, and more delicate ingredients on top to prevent them from overcooking.
Adjust Cooking Time
Small meals typically require less cooking time than larger ones. Keep an eye on your dish and adjust the cooking time accordingly to prevent overcooking. Most recipes can be cooked on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Resist the Urge to Open
Try not to remove the lid during the cooking process as this allows heat to escape and can affect the cooking time. Allow the slow cooker to work its magic and wait to open the lid until you begin checking for doneness.
Use the Right Liquid
When cooking small meals, be mindful of the amount of liquid you add. Since there’s less food in the cooker, you’ll need less liquid to create a flavorful sauce or broth. Start with less liquid than the recipe calls for and adjust as needed.
Adapt Recipes
Don’t be afraid to adapt recipes to scale them down. All of the recipes you’ll find here on Empty Nests Cooking are already adapted to serve two or allow you to easily divide and freeze for later.
When adapting other recipes for two you need be mindful not only of measurement scaling but also scaling the cooking time down may also be necessary.
Allow the recipe to cook as directed but start checking for doneness a little while before the recipe calls for it to be finished. Be sure to take notes when you adjust recipes so you will know the proper cooking time next time you make the recipe.
With these tips in mind, you’ll be well-equipped to whip up delicious and satisfying small meals in your slow cooker. Happy cooking!
