How to Convert Conventional Recipe for a Slow Cooker

by eHow Food & Drink Editor

Slaving over a hot stove isn't anyone's idea of a day well spent, but 

if you want to have a good homemade meal at the end of the day is there 

any other choice. You can convert some of your favorite recipes to be 

cooked in a slow cooker.

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1:

Know which conventional recipes will work best in the slow cooker. 

If the recipe is labor intensive and has many different steps, this 

is probably not the best choice. Ones with most of the work involved 

in the prep stages are easier to convert.

Step 2:

Lengthen the time for recipes that need to be cooked on medium heat 

for 30 minutes to cook in the slow cooker on low for 4 to 6 hours or 

high for 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

Step 3:

Change recipes that are to be cooked for 45 minutes on medium to 

6 to 10 hours on low or 3 to 4 hours on high in the slow cooker.

Step 4:

Convert recipes normally cooked for an hour on medium heat to 8 to 

10 hours on low heat or 4 to 6 hours on high heat in the slow cooker.

Step 5:

Understand when and where to add certain ingredients. Harder vegetables 

will take longer to cook in the slow cooker and should be cut up into 

small pieces and layered on the bottom. Brown meats before adding them, 

add herbs, spices and dairy towards the end of cooking.

Step 6:

Presoak beans if possible overnight or as long as possible, before adding 

to the slow cooker. Avoid adding acidic or salty things to the meal until 

the beans are cooked, because they will make the cooking time longer and 

your beans tougher.

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