Tag: slow cooker

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Sliders

Pulled pork is a popular dish around our house. Normally I make it on the smoker, low and slow. It may take most of the day (or night) but it is well worth the time. Specially when the end result are some slow cooker balsamic pork sliders. These little morsels of goodness disappear in no time. They’re like eating popcorn.

Now, I don’t believe in a grilling or smoking ‘season’, but the other day it was flat out cold and windy here and there was no way I was going to babysit the smoker. Call me wimpy. So, it was time for Plan B. And Plan B was good. Very good.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Sliders

It’s All About The Sauce!

This slow cooked tender balsamic pork has tremendous flavor. It’s sweet. It’s savory. The sauce is so delicious. And the Asian slaw? Fantastic. I was scared (really) of using fish sauce. I mean that stuff has an ‘aroma’. But it was great. I’m not afraid of it at all any more. It adds an amazing and new (to me) flavor that is quite intriguing.

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These slow cooker balsamic pork sliders will definitely become a go-to winter-time recipe for us. Also try my crazy-good bold Ranch slow cooker pork chops.

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Sliders

Slow Cooker Balsamic Pork Sliders

From Just A Taste
This slow cooked tender balsamic pork has tremendous flavor. It’s sweet. It’s savory. The sauce is so delicious. And the Asian slaw? Fantastic.
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 9 hours
Total Time 9 hours 5 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 419 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the Balsamic pork

For the Asian slaw

Instructions
 

For the Balsamic pork

  • Put the pork into a slow cooker set on low.
  • Whisk together the honey, vinegar, jam, Hoisin, broth, garlic.
  • Stir in the onion.
  • Pour sauce over pork and cook 8-9 hours until fall-apart tender. Make the slaw (below) while the pork cooks.
  • Remove pork to a bowl to cool slightly then shred.
  • Pour sauce from slow cooker into a saucepan over medium-high heat.
  • Whisk cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water. Slowly pour into sauce while whisking.
  • Bring sauce to a boil and continue stirring until thickened, 3-5 minutes.
  • Pour sauce back into the slow cooker and add the shredded meat. Stir.
  • Serve meat over rolls topped with Asian slaw.

For the Asian slaw

  • Whisk together all but the cabbage and green onions in a medium bowl.
  • Add in the cabbage and green onions and toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate until ready to use.

Notes

Make sure to get plenty of the sauce on the meat as you assemble the sandwiches. They’ll be messy but its worth it.

Nutrition

Calories: 419kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 35gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 82mgSodium: 352mgPotassium: 689mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 495IUVitamin C: 28mgCalcium: 73mgIron: 3mg
Keyword crockpot, pork, sliders, slow cooker
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Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

I was searching for a new tomato-based sauce that I could use on (whole or ground) Italian sausage sandwiches. It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce. That’s a great way to beat the weather.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

The Perfect Sauce For Anything

This slow cooker marinara sauce is a great all-around marinara sauce. Double the recipe and keep some in the freezer. It’s great to have on hand for those nights when you need a simple meal. Great on pasta, sandwiches, pizza, you name it.

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Add a bit of dried red pepper flake for a little kick, if you want.

Try my quick fix messy meatball sandwich.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

From Budget Bytes
 It was a cold day, so I wanted something that would cook all day, making the house smell great. I like that. Eight or so hours of great smells, culminating in a fantastic sandwich topped with slow cooker marinara sauce.
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 6 cups
Calories 21 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Add all ingredients to your slow cooker set to low heat.
  • Stir and cook 8 hours, stirring every hour or so.
  • If the mixture gets too thick add a little water and stir.
  • Remove the bay leaves before using.

Notes

Store in the fridge until ready to use. Leftovers can be frozen for later.

Nutrition

Calories: 21kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4mgPotassium: 61mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 18IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 1mg
Keyword crockpot, Italian, sauce, slow cooker, spaghetti
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Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

I can now throw away the old recipe I had for making a slow cooker French dip sandwich. You know the one. Beef, French onion soup, beef broth and beer and that’s it. I thought that was pretty good in fact. But there’s better and this is it. This version takes that concept to new places. The combination of soy sauce, red wine vinegar and spices really gives these sandwiches a rich fantastic flavor. It is totally unlike the flavor of any dip sandwich I’d had or made before. Of course the meat is fall apart tender, but it’s tasty through-and-through. And the dipping sauce? Straw-worthy.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

Save The Bun! Save The Bun!

I put fresh mozzarella slices on the bottom slices of bread before piling them high with the moist meat when I made this slow cooker French dip sandwich. The cheese helps keep the bread from getting too soggy. That may seem odd since you’re going to end up dipping the sandwich anyways. But you don’t want the entire thing to just fall apart. The cheese helps prevent that.

My rule with a messy sandwich has always been: once you pick it up, don’t set it down. Then you won’t have any ‘problems’. And remember, the ‘messier the better’ rule applies here. So pile it high and dunk it deep!

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Spice It Up!

If you want a bit of a kick to your sandwiches, I’d go sorta subtle and add pepper jack cheese. Yeah, you can add some spice up front with a good pinches of red pepper flake to kick up the meat as it cooks. I think it’s easy to add too much and over-power the meat. I’d rather add it at the end, on the sandwich. And don’t forget to use a good, creamy mayo! Although not spicy, it’s a must!

I almost always use Blue Plate mayonnaise in the dishes I make. I think it is the best around. If you can’t find it locally you can pick it up online for a fair price.

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

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

Based on a recipe from the Creole Contessa
I can now throw away the old recipe I had for making slow cooker French dip sandwiches. This version takes that concept to new places.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 40 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 2863 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the shredded beef

For the sandwiches

Instructions
 

For the shredded beef

  • Brown the roast in a large pot or Dutch oven if desired.
  • Place remaining beef ingredients into a slow cooker set to high and stir to combine.
  • Add the beef, cover, and cook 5 hours until the beef is fall-apart tender.
  • Remove beef (careful as it will crumble) and shred completely. Return to slow cooker for 30 more minutes.

For the sandwiches

  • Slather rolls with mayo.
  • Add cheese.
  • Top with meat and peppers and serve with a bowl of additional slow cooker juices for dipping.

Notes

Serve with plenty of napkins.

Nutrition

Calories: 2863kcalCarbohydrates: 242gProtein: 71gFat: 180gSaturated Fat: 96gTrans Fat: 2gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 2230mgPotassium: 1658mgFiber: 17gSugar: 142gVitamin A: 310IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 53mgIron: 14mg
Keyword beef, crockpot, sandwich, slow cooker
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Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef

Wow. Just wow. I admit, I usually make quick tacos when I’m making tacos. Ya know the kind. Brown some ground beef with taco seasoning. Add some taco sauce. Boom. Done. And good. Well, that version is good. But this slow-cooker shredded Mexican beef is better.

Sure it takes a day to make the beef, but man is it ever worth it. The meat comes out unbelievably flavorful and tender and juice. It has a bit of a kick, but not so much that your I-don’t-like-heat friends won’t like it. There’s nothing it isn’t good on, from tacos to nachos to quesadillas to burritos to whatever.

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Nachos

Add Some Spicy Sauce

If you’re looking for a great spicy sauce to top your nachos (or tacos) with, try our Southwestern sauce. It really goes well with this slow-cooker shredded Mexican beef. Taco sauce is a great topper too. Or even just ‘plain old’ sour cream.

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Also try my Mexican beef ribs and my slow cooker Mongolian beef.

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef Nachos

Slow-Cooker Shredded Mexican Beef

Based on a recipe from Valerie’s Kitchen
Sure it takes a day to make the beef, but man is it ever worth it. The meat comes out unbelievably flavorful and tender and juicy. It has a bit of a kick, but not so much that your I-don’t-like-heat friends won’t like it. 
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 5 minutes
Course Main
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8
Calories 316 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Combine all but the roast in a small bowl.
  • Rub the spice mixture over the roast, getting all sides.
  • Place roast into a slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours or until fall-apart tender.
  • Remove roast (carefully, as it will tend to fall apart) to a cutting board and chop or shred as desired.
  • Return to the slow cooker for serving.

Notes

The meat gets even better the next day. I made this on a Sunday for several easy weekday meals.

Nutrition

Calories: 316kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 33gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 117mgSodium: 175mgPotassium: 621mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 630IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 47mgIron: 4mg
Keyword beef, crockpot, Mexican, slow cooker
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Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Sure, I normally roast my garlic in the oven or on the grill, but I found this technique which uses a slow cooker to be completely fool-proof, and it has the added benefit of making the house smell wonderful all day long. Slow cooker roasted garlic is easier than the same thing made any other way. And cleanup is a breeze, too.

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Storing Your Garlic

Slow cooker roasted garlic will last up to 1 week in the fridge. Keep the final product in a tightly sealed container or resealable baggie. Roasted garlic is perfect for making our roasted garlic hummus and roasted garlic salad dressing.

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You can always roast garlic in the oven instead!

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Slow Cooker Roasted Garlic

Mike
Sure, I normally roast my garlic in the oven or on the grill, but I found this technique which uses a slow cooker to be completely fool-proof, and it has the added benefit of making the house smell wonderful all day long. 
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 4 heads
Calories 42 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Cut 1/2″ off the pointed end of each bulb.
  • Place bulbs onto aluminum foil and drizzle with a little olive oil.
  • Seal and place into slow cooker.
  • Cook on low 3-4 hours or until the garlic is soft.
  • Remove and let cool slightly before squeezing the heads to remove the roasted garlic.
  • Store in the fridge for up to 1 week.

Notes

Store in an air-tight container or you’ll give your fridge a garlic aroma.

Nutrition

Calories: 42kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 2gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 112mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 9mgCalcium: 51mgIron: 1mg
Keyword crockpot, garlic, slow cooker
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Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Wow. Slow cooker caramelized onions were so much better than I ever thought they could be. They were incredibly tasty. And perfect on grilled cheese sandwiches. And on burgers, in French onion dip or soup. Any recipe that calls for onions needs caramelized onions.

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

The Easiest Caramelized Onions Ever.

You might get thrown out of a fancy (or actually, even a not-so-fancy) restaurant kitchen if you suggested making slow cooker caramelized onions. But you won’t get thrown out of my kitchen. I’d make these again in a heartbeat. My favorite onions to use are Vidalia onions, but unfortunately they aren’t available for very long each year.

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Try my blue cheese burgers with caramelized onions.

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions

Mike
This recipe is sized for a 4-6 quart slow cooker. You want to use enough onions to fill the cooker at least halfway.
4 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 10 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 2
Calories 284 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Add onions to slow cooker set on Low.
  • Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with salt and thyme, if using.
  • Stir and cover and cook 10 hours, stirring occasionally.
  • If you desire a darker, richer color, remove the lid from the cooker cook another hour or two stirring often.
  • Keep in the fridge for up to a week.

Notes

Great on hamburgers and hot dogs, too!

Nutrition

Calories: 284kcalCarbohydrates: 63gProtein: 7gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 835mgPotassium: 994mgFiber: 8gSugar: 42gVitamin A: 74IUVitamin C: 40mgCalcium: 182mgIron: 3mg
Keyword crockpot, onion, slow cooker
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Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

It’s not as good as you think. It’s even better. This slow cooker dulce de leche is creamy, sweet, and oh so tasty. I started a batch first thing in the morning. By the time dinner was done that evening, I was enjoying a nice bowl of ice cream. Drizzled with this amazing caramel sauce, it was fantastic. Creamy. Sweet. So much richer than just caramel. It sorta reminds me of toffee, too. Or maybe even butterscotch. And oh, did the house ever have a fantastic aroma! It actually reminded me of having a caramel candle burning.

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

Storing The Results

Slow cooker dulce de leche sauce will keep in the fridge for up to 4 weeks, but you won’t have to worry about it being around that long. It’s so creamy delicious you’ll find yourself craving it time and time again. Heck, grab some cheap ice cream. This stuff’ll make it taste expensive and fancy fru-fru!

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I love this stuff on some homemade chocolate peanut butter ice cream.

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

Slow Cooker Dulce de Leche

Mike
It’s not as good as you think, it’s even better. This slow cooker dulce de leche is creamy, sweet, and oh so tasty. 
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Total Time 10 hours 5 minutes
Course Sauce
Cuisine American
Servings 2 cups
Calories 3 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

Instructions
 

  • Divide the condensed milk between the jars. Seal tightly.
  • Place jars into your crockpot so they are not touching and add enough water so that it covers the jars by 1″-2″.
  • Turn crockpot on low and cook for 10 hours.
  • Jars will be very hot when you remove them. Use tongs.
  • Let jars cool completely.

Notes

Jars will last in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.

Nutrition

Calories: 3kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 1mgPotassium: 4mgSugar: 1gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 3mg
Keyword caramel, crockpot, slow cooker
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