Preheat Your Slow Cooker to Maximize Mouthwatering Flavor
Updated: Jul. 15, 2022
Cooking in a slow cooker is a great way to save time, cut down cleanup and ensure your family eats healthy meals. But nutritious eating doesn't mean skimping on flavor.
Flavor and aroma are a big part of creating delicious dishes. There’s onion and garlic; the basil, oregano and rosemary of Italian fare; ginger, lemongrass and chives in Asian dishes; and cardamon, cumin and coriander in spicy Indian foods. Slow cooker recipes often call for sauteeing these flavorsome aromatics before putting them in the cooker and adding the bulk of the ingredients. To ensure those flavors released in the saute process make it into the final dish, preheat your slow cooker.
Adding hot ingredients to a cold cooker means cooking is halted and fragrant flavors subdued while everything heats up again, which could add an extra 15 to 20 minutes to your cooking time. Preheating saves you time.
The best way to preheat your slow cooker is to turn it on high when you start sauteeing your aromatics. The cooker will heat up fast and be ready to turn down to the appropriate temperature when adding your sauteed mix.
Chef Neela Paniz, author of The New Indian Slow Cooker, says preheating makes all the difference. “I found that turning the slow cooker on to preheat while I was sauteeing my aromatics had its benefits,” she says. “I was then adding a hot dish to a hot dish, instead of starting all over again.”
The Indian chef has taken the idea to other cuisines, too. She says she uses it for pot roast, “searing the meat on the stove while the slow cooker is warming up.”
Cooking methods can be all-important in creating fresh and healthy meals, and this one’s a winner. Whether you want to save time or ensure that well-chosen flavors permeate your dish, preheating your slow cooker is worth it, every mouthwatering time.
Pink Grapefruit Cheesecake
Cheesecake from a slow cooker? It's true! I experimented a few times to turn this iconic dessert into a slow-cooker classic. Give it a try. You'll be amazed at the results! —Krista Lanphier, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Enchiladas
As a busy wife and mother of two young sons, I rely on this handy recipe for slow-cooker enchiladas. I layer enchilada ingredients in the slow cooker, turn it on and forget about it. With a bit of spice, these hearty enchiladas are especially nice during the colder months. —Mary Luebbert, Benton, Kansas
Apple Butter
I make several batches of this simple and delicious homemade apple butter recipe to freeze in jars. Depending on the sweetness of the apples used, you can adjust the sugar to taste. —Betty Ruenholl, Syracuse, Nebraska
Slow-Cooker Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Every year my Mom made cream cheese mashed potatoes for Thanksgiving. I tailored the recipe to my family's taste and carried on the tradition. I make them a day ahead and use my slow cooker to free up oven space for other dishes. —Ann Nolte, Tampa, Florida
Slow-Cooked Stuffed Peppers
My favorite kitchen appliance is the slow cooker, and I use mine more than anyone else I know. It does a great job with this good-for-you dish. —Michelle Gurnsey, Lincoln, Nebraska
Easy Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese
My sons always say I'm the best mom in the world when I make this creamy mac-and-cheese perfection. Does it get any better than that? —Heidi Fleek, Hamburg, Pennsylvania
Chocolaty Peanut Clusters
I turn to my slow cooker to prepare these convenient chocolate treats. Making candies couldn't be any easier! —Pam Posey, Waterloo, South Carolina
Black and Blue Cobbler
It never occurred to me that I could bake a cobbler in my slow cooker until I saw some recipes and decided to try to make my favorite fruity dessert. It took a bit of experimenting, but the tasty results are "berry" well worth it. —Martha Creveling, Orlando, Florida
Slow-Cooked Salsa
I love the fresh taste of homemade salsa, but as a working mother, I don't have much time to make it. So I came up with this slow-cooked version that practically makes itself! —Toni Menard, Lompoc, California
Tangy Barbecue Wings
I took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
Fabulous Fajitas
I've enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, Minnesota
Raisin Nut Oatmeal
There’s no better feeling than waking up to a hot, ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats, fruit and spices in this homey meal cook together while you sleep! —Valerie Sauber, Adelanto, California
Slow-Cooker Cinnamon Roll Pudding
A slow cooker turns day-old cinnamon rolls into a comforting, old-fashioned dessert. It tastes wonderful topped with lemon or vanilla sauce or whipped cream. —Edna Hoffman, Hebron, Indiana
Hash Brown Egg Brunch
Slow cookers aren't just for making dinner. I make this often if we're having company overnight. With just a little planning and not much work, I can prep it the night before and have a lovely breakfast waiting in the morning. —Barb Keith, Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Butterscotch Apple Crisp
This sweet treat is a cozy way to warm up winter nights. Sliced apples are sprinkled with a tasty topping made with oats, brown sugar and butterscotch pudding mix. Served with ice cream, the dessert is always well received. —Jolanthe Erb, Harrisonburg, Virginia
Meat Loaf with Chili Sauce
I used to serve this meat loaf in my cafe, where so many of my customers asked for it. I adapted the recipe for my slow cooker at home, where it's quite popular, too. —Robert Cox, Las Cruces, New Mexico
Sweet & Spicy Peanuts
With a caramel-like coating and a touch of heat from the hot sauce, these crunchy peanuts make a tasty anytime snack. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Slow-Simmering Pasta Sauce
Spaghetti with sauce is my kids' favorite dinner, so through trial and error, I came up with my own recipe. This is the winning result. I love that it's made in a slow cooker.—Samantha Vicars, Kenosha, Wisconsin
Sweet Potato Stuffing
Mom likes to make sure there will be enough stuffing to satisfy our large family. For our holiday gatherings, she slow-cooks this tasty sweet potato dressing in addition to the traditional stuffing cooked inside the turkey. —Kelly Pollock, London, Ontario
Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Lasagna
When I make this tasty chicken lasagna at home, I use a whole bottle of Buffalo wing sauce because my family likes it nice and spicy. Increase the pasta sauce and use less wing sauce if you prefer. —Heidi Pepin, Sykesville, Maryland
Moist Corn Spoon Bread
Enjoy this easy take on a southern specialty that utilizes the convenience of a slow cooker. Here’s an excellent side dish for your next summer party or any special feast. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Slow-Cooker Mushroom Rice Pilaf
A few modifications to our dear Great-aunt Bernice's easy mushroom rice pilaf recipe have made this an always-requested dish for potlucks, barbecues and family get-togethers. It'll become a slow cooker favorite in your household, too!—Amy Williams, Rialto, California
Apple-Cranberry Grains
These delicious slow-cooker grains are perfect. I set my slow cooker to start automatically overnight and a hearty breakfast is ready in the morning, making this quick and healthy recipe a favorite in my home. —Sherisse Dawe, Black Diamond, Alberta, Canada
Slow Cooker Spiced Poached Pears
Some of the many reasons I love this dessert recipe are: it's on the healthy side; it's easy to make; the recipe can be mostly prepared in advance of company arriving; and the presentation is lovely.—Jill Mant, Denver, Colorado
