Tag: crockpot

Slow Cooker Kid’s Sloppy Joe

This slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe is the easiest recipe ever. The beef soaks up all that great seasoning after a few hours in the crockpot, making it better than the old skillet version in my opinion. I don’t know where it went, but summer up and left and it got cool, fast. I instantly went into hunker-down, comfort food mode. One of my all-time favorite cooler weather foods is a Sloppy Joe. Messy, beefy, tasty sandwiches. You can’t beat that.

Slow Cooker Kid's Sloppy Joe

I don’t put anything on my slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe. No cheese. No extra onions. And no jalapenos. Nothing. I keep it simple, like I remember as a kid. This isn’t the time for fru-fru, this is the time for good ole eats.

Now, I do have one sort of indulgence. I have to toast my buns. I just cannot stand soggy slow cooker kid’s Sloppy Joe buns. The longer that saucy sauce sits the more the buns soak it in and they get soggy and mushy. As a kid I would request (nicely of course) that my mom get my hamburger buns extra crispy. Not burned, just crispy.

Also try my grown-up Sloppy Joes and my crazy-good open-faced garlic toast Sloppy Joes. Or my even more grown-up mango jalapeno version!

Slow Cooker Kid's Sloppy Joe
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3 from 2 votes

Slow Cooker Kid’s Sloppy Joe

I like to keep these simple, like I remember as a kid.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Servings 12
Calories 394kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from the Southern Slow Cooker Bible

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Brown the meat in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease.
  • Add the bell pepper, ketchup, Sloppy Joe seasoning mix and mustard to a large slow cooker that has been sprayed lightly with non-stick spray.
  • Add the cooked beef and stir well.
  • Cover and cook on low for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over buns (toasted if desired).

Nutrition

Calories: 394kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 636mg | Potassium: 421mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 256IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 104mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds, with nothing but empty bowls between rounds. That same great flavor as a traditional pot roast, completely amped up with BBQ flavors. This is surprisingly different and really a treat to eat!

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I used a sweet and spicy BBQ sauce when I made this slow cooker BBQ pot roast. You want something with a smoky flavor, and maybe even a bit of a spicy kick. After all, this isn’t your normal pot roast. I wouldn’t go with something that’s over-the-top sweet but a little bit is ok. Just like with the heat. A little heat is a good thing.

The broth in this pot roast screams ‘dip something in me’. So I made some Italian breadsticks on the side. I saved as much of the broth as I could for the end, at which point I got to soppin’ with my breadsticks!

Also try my slow cooker Mississippi pot roast.

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker BBQ Pot Roast

I’m not ashamed to say it. I can put away some pot roast. Put a bowl of pot roast in front of me, and there’s only one outcome: an empty bowl. Put a bowl of this slow cooker BBQ pot roast in front of me and there’s only one outcome: me asking for seconds and probably thirds.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, pot roast, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 627kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Lauren Greutman

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place everything into your slow cooker, starting with the meat first.
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours or until the meat is fall-apart tender, stirring every hour after the first 4 hours. Add more water as you go if the pot roast is thicker than you prefer.
  • Serve hot.

Nutrition

Calories: 627kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 196mg | Sodium: 1038mg | Potassium: 1481mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 227IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 79mg | Iron: 7mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Cauliflower and Cheese

It’s not that you have to hold me down and force me to eat my veggies, it’s just that I think they need a little ‘help’ to make them good. If you add cheese, then they’re great and I’m going to eat them like they’re going out of style. This slow cooker cauliflower and cheese is a super-simple way to make a delicious side dish that anyone will love.

Slow Cooker Cauliflower and Cheese

I’ve made slow cooker cauliflower with cheese a number of times. Sometimes I mix it up by using half a head each of cauliflower and broccoli. Or just broccoli. Whatever you prefer, it’s good stuff!

For a little kick, add a few pinches of red pepper flake. For a little crunch, serve topped with a few good sprinkles of French fried onions.

Also try my mashed cauliflower.

This recipe is based on a recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen.

Slow Cooker Cauliflower and Cheese
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Cauliflower and Cheese

This slow cooker cauliflower and cheese is a super-simple way to make a delicious side dish that anyone will love.
Course Side
Cuisine American
Keyword cauliflower, cheese, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 251kcal
Author Inspired by a recipe from Spicy Southern Kitchen

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Lightly spray a 3-4 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • Add the florets.
  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the remaining ingredients. Stir until the cheddar has melted.
  • Pour the cheese mixture over the florets. Cover and cook on low 3 to 4 hours or on high for 2 hours, or until crisp-tender. Cook longer if you like your veggies more tender.

Nutrition

Calories: 251kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 742mg | Potassium: 632mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 648IU | Vitamin C: 48mg | Calcium: 373mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

I would’ve liked to have made this slow cooker tomato sauce using tomatoes from our garden. For some reason, our tomatoes just didn’t produce this year. Usually I have to worry about the raccoons stealing them but not this time. They just didn’t come out. So, Plan B, I picked up a big batch of ripe tomatoes at the grocery store. The end result came out very, very flavorful. Quite honestly, I had my sights set on using this sauce to make pizza sauce, but it’s so good by itself you could easily serve it as-is as tomato soup.

Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

I used Roma tomatoes because I like how they taste. You can substitute any good tomato, just make sure they’re good and ripe. Do not use those hard-as-cardboard tomatoes you often find at your grocery store. If you’re lucky enough to be near a farmer’s market, it’s well worth the trip. When tomatoes are at peak you’ll want to make several batches of this slow cooker tomato sauce and freeze it for later.

Also try my roasted tomato sauce.

Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Tomato Sauce

I would’ve liked to have made this slow cooker tomato sauce using tomatoes from our garden. For some reason, our tomatoes just didn’t produce this year.
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, sauce, slow cooker, tomato
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 15 minutes
Servings 4 cups
Calories 203kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Grow A Good Life

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Rinse tomatoes and cut in half. Place into a large slow cooker.
  • Add the garlic, onion, carrot, oil, bay leaf and parsley.
  • Lightly grind the basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary and pepper flakes using a mortar and pestle. Add to the slow cooker.
  • Cook on low for 4-6 hours or until the tomatoes have softened, stirring occasionally.
  • Let cool for 30 minutes.
  • Working in batches, transfer the tomato mixture to a blender or food processor and process until smooth.
  • Transfer the pureed liquid to a strainer and remove the pulp, seeds, etc, leaving the tomato sauce.
  • If the sauce is too thin you can slowly simmer it in a sauce pan on the stove until thick.
  • Add honey or sugar to sweeten the sauce if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 1523mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 7460IU | Vitamin C: 86mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

All the flavors of pizza in a casserole, made in a slow cooker. There’s plenty of cheese and pepperoni so you can overlook the lack of a crunchy crust. The perfect one-pot meal on a rainy, cool late winter evening. You can make it more ‘your way’ by adding Canadian bacon, mushrooms, different cheeses… whatever you prefer.

Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

Be careful to not overcook the pasta. Pasta is not the most slow cooker-friendly item in the world. If you over cook the pasta it will become mushy. Not happy mushy either. So error on the side of caution and serve this slow cooker pizza casserole as soon as the pasta is cooked. It’s sorta like my pizza pasta bake, but with a twist.

Also check out my slow cooker ravioli lasagna. It has all the flavors of lasagna in a simple slow cooker dish.

Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Pizza Casserole

All the flavors of pizza in a casserole, made in a slow cooker. There’s plenty of cheese and pepperoni so you can overlook the lack of a crunchy crust. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword casserole, crockpot, pizza, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 45 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 376kcal
Author Based on a recipe from 101 Cooking for Two

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Italian sausage
  • ½ medium sweet onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 28 ounce crushed tomatoes
  • 1 cup water
  • 4 ounces pepperoni sliced, divided
  • 1 small green bell pepper. chopped
  • 2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese shredded, divided (plus more for garnish if desired)
  • 2 cups pasta
  • parsley chopped, for garnish
  • Parmesan freshly grated, for garnish

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Crumble in the sausage and cook until almost done.
  • Add the onion and cook until the meat is completely done.
  • Add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
  • Transfer meat to a slow cooker set to low.
  • Stir in the tomatoes, water, all but 12 slices of the pepperoni, the oregano, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of the cheese. Mix well.
  • Add the pasta and stir.
  • Top with the remaining pepperoni and cheese and cover.
  • Cook for 5 hours and serve garnished with parsley, Parmesan and more mozzarella cheese.

Nutrition

Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 1746mg | Potassium: 461mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 499IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

As much as I prefer cooking outdoors, I still love cooking dishes inside in a slow cooker, specially on days when the weather is a bit questionable. Preparation is almost always simple, even though the final results can be quite fantastic. I went into making this slow cooker ravioli lasagna thinking it’d be ‘ok’. I came out thinking ‘wow, that was excellent’.

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

All the flavors of a great lasagna, but done so easily with very little effort. The sauce was nice and tasty, the ravioli cooked up perfectly, and of course, there was ooey-gooey cheese.

You can substitute frozen raviolis if you like. Nothing beats the taste of fresh ravioli in this slow cooker ravioli lasagna. Even though this is a quick not-much-from-scratch dish, there’s no reason to not add some fresh ingredients. Fresh ravioli can be found in a tiny fridge in the pasta aisle in our local grocery store.

It’s possible that I added a few pinches of red pepper flake to this lasagna because, well, I like a little kick in everything I make. I left it out of the recipe below.

Also try my slow cooker spaghetti and meatballs and also my slow cooker pizza casserole. They’re yummy too!

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Ravioli Lasagna

All the flavors of a great lasagna, but done so easily with very little effort. The sauce was nice and tasty, the ravioli cooked up perfectly, and of course, there was ooey-gooey cheese.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, lasagna, ravioli, slow cooker
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 285kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Crumble in the sausage and cook until almost done.
  • Add the garlic, garlic powder, salt and pepper and cook another minute.
  • Add in the pasta sauce, Italian seasoning, basil and oregano.
  • Add a layer of the meat mixture to a slow cooker.
  • Top with some of the ravioli.
  • Add another layer of meat followed by more ravioli. Continue until all of the meat and ravioli are used.
  • Cook for 4 hours on low.
  • Top with cheese and cook 1 more hour until the cheese is melted.

Nutrition

Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 884mg | Potassium: 184mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 201IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 165mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

It was a cold, rainy day. The kind of day that screams slow cooker. Since I work from home I get to enjoy the aroma of a great dish cooking all day long. By dinner time I’m starving and anticipating that first bite. I’d been wanting to make a beef stroganoff for a while. An easy version, in the slow cooker. This recipe for slow cooker beef stroganoff fit the bill perfectly. The end result is creamy, beefy, and delicious.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

This slow cooker beef stroganoff could not possibly be any easier to make. It is perfect over egg noodles.

Also try my slow cooker pot pie.

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff
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4 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Beef Stroganoff

 I’d been wanting to make a beef stroganoff for a while. An easy version, in the slow cooker. This recipe fit the bill perfectly.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 315kcal
Author Mike

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add soup, onion, Worcestershire, water, garlic salt and paprika to the slow cooker. Stir.
  • Add meat and stir. (Optional: brown the meat in a skillet with a splash of oil first. I prefer to do this).
  • Cook on low for 8 hours.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Increase heat to high.
  • Add the cream cheese and stir to melt, about 10 minutes.
  • Serve over cooked egg noodles.

Nutrition

Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 1050mg | Potassium: 601mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 396IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

I have a slow cooker (er, crockpot) for the same reasons everyone else does. I on occasion like a great, easy meal that I can toss into the pot and not have to fuss with. A Dutch oven over low heats works just as well, specially if you need to brown something first. For this slow cooker spicy spaghetti and meatball soup it doesn’t matter whether you go low-and-slow in the crockpot or Dutch oven, the end result is great. It’s like having Campbell’s SpaghettiOs™ but with much better, richer flavor, and a nice kick. And really big meatballs. Who didn’t want more meatballs in their SpaghettiOs™ when they were a kid? I sure did. I probably threw fits about it, too! Well, problem solved!

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

I used packaged frozen meatballs for this slow cooker spicy spaghetti meatball soup, but our homemade Italian meatballs (made on the stovetop or in the Char-Broil Big Easy) would be great too. Outstanding, even.

You can leave out the red pepper flake, but I think you’ll want to add at least a little. And don’t be shy with the basil either.

If you’re feeling adventurous, try out my homemade SpaghettiOs. They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat.

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Spicy Spaghetti and Meatball Soup

I have a slow cooker (er, crockpot) for the same reasons everyone else does. I on occasion like a great, easy meal that I can toss into the pot and not have to fuss with
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword crockpot, meatballs, slow cooker, soup, spaghetti, spicy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 118kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Plain Chicken

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place all ingredients except the pasta into a slow cooker. Add more basil or red pepper flake as desired.
  • Cook on high for 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Set slow cooker to high and add the pasta. Cook for another 20 minutes.
  • Serve with more Parmesan cheese as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 62mg | Potassium: 75mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 100IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 49mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Spicy Italian Beef Sandwiches

My wife and I definitely both agreed that these slow cooker spicy Italian beef sandwiches were absolutely fantastic. And besides tender, juicy beef, you also get great Italian spice flavors. All served on a sub bun with plenty of smoky provolone cheese. Every bite of this sandwich is perfect.

Slow Cooker Spicy Italian Beef Sandwiches

To really kick up your slow cooker spicy Italian beef sandwiches use hot pepperoncini and Giardiniera, and substitute habanero jack cheese for the provolone. You’ll have the perfect game-time sandwich.

You may or may not need all of the peppers and Giardiniera I listed for the sandwich build. It all depends on how much you like on your sandwiches. Me, I like pepperoncini, and lots of it, on top. I only used the Giardiniera in the slow cooker and didn’t add any to the sandwich. To each his own!

I love sandwiches topped with tender slow-cooked beef. Try my beef debris po boy and French dip sandwiches too.

Slow Cooker Spicy Italian Beef Sandwiches
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Spicy Italian Beef Sandwiches

Besides tender, juicy beef, you also get great Italian spice flavors. All served on a sub bun with plenty of smoky provolone cheese. Every bite of this sandwich is perfect.
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword beef, Italian, sandwich, slow cooker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 5 minutes
Servings 10
Calories 493kcal
Author Based on a recipe from Iowa Girl Eats

Equipment

Ingredients

For the Italian beef

  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 envelopes Italian salad dressing mix zesty
  • 1 tablespoon dried red pepper flake
  • 1 12 ounce peperoncini slices, plus some of the liquid from the jar
  • 1 12 ounce Giardiniera drained
  • 3 pound chuck roast trimmed

For the sandwiches

  • 10 Hoagie buns or steak sandwich rolls
  • 10 slices Provolone cheese sliced
  • 1 12 ounce peperoncini slices, drained
  • 1 12 ounce Giardiniera drained, lightly chopped

Instructions

For the Italian beef

  • Add beef broth to slow cooker set to high.
  • Stir in the dressing seasoning and red pepper.
  • Add the peppers and Giardiniera.
  • Add meat and cover.
  • Cook on high for 6-8 hours or low for 10-11 hours until the meat can be shredded.
  • Remove meat, shred, and return to the slow cooker and cook another hour.

For the sandwiches

  • Open buns and add cheese slices. Make sure to cover the bread with the cheese – it’ll help keep the buns from getting overly soggy.
  • Add shredded meat. Top with pepperoncini and chopped Giardiniera as desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 790mg | Potassium: 520mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 422IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 179mg | Iron: 14mg

Nutritional values are approximate.

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The absolutely perfect, easy dish for a cold winter day. The sauce is not too thick, not too thin, with a little sweet and a little heat. The beef is incredibly tender. This slow cooker Mongolian beef was a big hit here, and is definitely going to end up on our dinner menu on a very regular basis.

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

I added a bit of dried red pepper flake to offset the sweetness of the brown sugar and carrots in this slow cooker Mongolian beef. You can leave it out, of course, or substitute your favorite hot pepper, chopped. The dish is going to be great either way, that’s for sure!

Also try my slow cooker Fiesta meatballs and my slow cooker Teriyaki chicken.

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef
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5 from 1 vote

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Melt-in-your-mouth delicious. The absolutely perfect, easy dish for a cold winter day. The sauce is not too thick, not too thin, with a little sweet and a little heat. The beef is incredibly tender. 
Course Main
Cuisine American
Keyword Asian, beef, crockpot, slow cooker
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 30 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 401kcal
Author Based on a recipe from The Recipe Critic

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the chuck in the freezer for 15-30 minutes. This will make it easier to slice.
  • Slice beef thin and place into a resealable bag.
  • Add the cornstarch and seal. Shake to coat.
  • Add oil, garlic, soy sauce, water, brown sugar, carrots and red pepper flake to taste to a slow cooker set to low. Stir.
  • Add the coated meat and stir.
  • Add lid and cook for 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve over cooked rice garnished with green onion.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 1763mg | Potassium: 557mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 3591IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional values are approximate.