If the whole point of using a slow cooker is to make dinner easier, why does it sometimes still feel like work? 😂
For this week’s Toss It In Tuesday, I’m sharing a few little things that can make a BIG difference when you’re using your slow cooker.
None of these are complicated. They’re just simple fixes that can help your dinner cook more evenly, taste better, and actually be ready when you need it.
1. Opening the lid too often 👀
I know…it’s tempting to peek! But every time you lift the lid, heat escapes and your slow cooker has to work its way back up to temperature.
2. Putting everything in at the same time
Some ingredients need a head start, while others can turn to mush if they cook all day.
Root vegetables like potatoes and carrots usually do best closer to the bottom where they get more heat. Things like dairy, fresh herbs, pasta, or delicate vegetables are often better added toward the end.
3. Using too much liquid 💦
A slow cooker holds onto moisture, so you usually don’t need as much liquid as you would on the stovetop.
If you’ve ever opened the lid and thought, “Why is there SO much liquid in here?” 😂 this might be why.
4. Filling it too much—or not enough
Your slow cooker works best when it has the right amount of food in it. Too full and things may cook unevenly. Too empty and food can cook faster than expected.
5. Waiting until 5 PM to decide what’s for dinner 😂
This one may be the biggest one of all! The slow cooker can’t save dinner if we don’t give it enough time to do its thing.
Even deciding the night before what you’re making can make the next day feel so much easier. Put the ingredients together, get everything ready, and you’re already one step ahead.
Want 31 slow cooker dinner ideas? 🙌
If deciding what to make is the hardest part, I’ve got you covered. I put together 31 cozy slow cooker dinners plus a handy shopping list so you can have a whole bunch of ideas ready to go.
And tell me—what’s your biggest slow cooker question? I may use it for an upcoming Toss It In Tuesday. 💕
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