Are Slow Cookers Worth It for fall and winter? YES! ES!! It's hard for me to imagine life without my many Crockpots! But if you don't have one, I'm sharing all the good reasons you should go ahead and grab one TODAY so you're ready for cooler weather and lazy weekends!
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Slow Cookers for Fall & Winter
What could be more cozy than coming home after a long day in chilly weather and smelling the delicious aroma of a meal that's ready to serve up, right from your slow cooker?
Slow cooker recipes have a reputation of being mostly hands off, so that's one major benefit, especially in a season where life seems to speed up with school, work and holiday commitments. This is one appliance that's super useful during this season.
Here are some of the top reasons you should have a slow cooker in your kitchen this fall and winter!
Easy and Convenient
There's probably no appliance that's easier or more convenient to use than a slow cooker. There's no need to spend hours in the evening chopping up vegetables and standing over a hot stove when you could easily use a slow cooker.
It's as simple as putting all your recipe ingredients inside the slow cooker in the morning, turning it on low, then returning several hours later to your dinner being done. The low setting cooks for 6-8 hours, medium cooks for 4-6 hours and high cooks for 2-4 hours. This appliance makes it easy to plan your day and meals.
Check out this recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast with Mushrooms or Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken with Steamed Broccoli.
Healthier Meals
Many meals that you make in the slow cooker can end up being healthier. Since you are leaving the ingredients as-is, there is nothing sticking to the pan, so you don't need to use any extra oil and add more fat and calories to the meal.
Most dishes use water as the main liquid source, where the ingredients cook in water and seasonings until the dish is finished. This is also a good way to make healthy vegetable side dishes.
We love Easy Crockpot Collard Greens!
Slow Cookers For All Seasons
While a slow cooker is undoubtedly convenient for fall and winter, it's an appliance that can be used year-round. It's great in cold weather when you want to make soup, chili, stew, and stuffed peppers, for example.
It can also be used for a full dinner, side dishes, and even desserts. Consider using it in the summer, as well. The benefit here is that it won't heat up your kitchen like a conventional oven. Slow cookers are also great for barbecues or potlucks.
Here's a great recipe for Slow Cooker White Hot Chocolate.
Entertaining
Slow cookers are perfect for entertaining large gatherings of family and friends. Many folks have more than one slow cooker, especially when they need to cook multiple items and keep them warm on the buffet table while the party is in progress. Letting the slow cooker do its job leaves you to focus on getting ready and spending time with your guests.
Consider using your slow cooker more this season and see if its convenience factor helps you have a more enjoyable autumn this year. Imagine coming home to a delicious meal just waiting to be served, devoured and appreciated by your hungry family!
These 3 Ingredient Sweet & Spicy Meatballs are perfect for parties!!
My Favorite Slow Cooker
Having raised six kids and cooked very large meals for many years, I actually own five slow cookers. I also use them often for entertaining so they have always been used!
Last year I invested in one of these newer styles of slow cooker and it quickly became my favorite! Granted, I still use my others (they are different brands, styles, and sizes) but this one is so pretty and versatile!
My most recent meal in our slow cooker? Easy Taco Soup.
Gina Duran
Do you like the Ninja slow cooker? I was wondering if the fact that it sticks so far out of the base affects the cook times?
I do like that it’s more quarts.
Rose Atwater
I've only used it a handful of times but so far all of my recipes have turned out fine without making any changes.