Easy Crockpot Recipes With Meat

Meat is the basis for many delicious crockpot meals and there are many different types of meat you can cook to perfection in a slow cooker. You can cook anything from chicken and pork to the toughest cuts of beef.

These economical cuts of beef are broken down gradually by the slow cooking process and they come out incredibly tender and juicy.

You can make easy crockpot recipes using beef, pork or something else, simply by combining the meat of your choice with stock, wine, juice or even a can of broth. Some of the easiest recipes for the crockpot only require three or four ingredients and because slow cooking boosts the flavor of the dish you will not need a lot of herbs, spices and additional flavorings for a well balanced and flavorful meal.

You can roast a joint of beef or pork in a slow cooker and you can do this without adding water or another liquid. You will find that it is best to add some liquid though because this creates a flavorful gravy for the dish. If you are using something fatty and marbled, you will not need to add much liquid because the fat will melt out of the meat. You do need liquid in the crockpot if you are cooking vegetables in there though, to soften them and cook them properly.

Tips for Cooking Meat in a Crockpot

If you want to slow cook something with a lot of fat, it is best to remove as much of it as possible because fat does not cook well in this way. Another option would be to brown the beef or pork beforehand in a skillet and then drain the fat off before adding it to the crockpot. If you are cooking dense vegetables like potatoes and carrots, place the meat on top of them in the slow cooker because the vegetables will take longer to cook and therefore benefit from more heat.

It is not compulsory to brown the meat before adding it to the crockpot and there are many easy crockpot recipes which will just tell you to add the ingredients to the crockpot, stir and leave it to cook.

However, if you do sear the pork or beef before adding it, you will find that the flavor is deeper and better, so it might be worth doing this.

Cooking Meat from Frozen

It is possible to cook meat from frozen when making easy crockpot recipes. If you want to do this you will need to ensure sufficient cooking time for everything to thaw, cook properly and tenderize.

The temperature of the frozen pork or beef will bring down the temperature inside the crockpot but allowing enough time for the meal to cook means this does not have to be a problem.

If you are making easy crockpot recipes using meat which is frozen, it is a good idea to use a cooking thermometer to ensure the meat is not only cooked but safe to eat. It needs to be above 165 degrees F in order to be tender and cooked perfectly.

If you are new to cooking meat in a crockpot, it is a good idea to have a look at some of the best crockpot recipes for more information and to give you some ideas of what to make.

Whichever meat you like best, there are plenty of delicious and easy crockpot recipes you can prepare. You can make stews, soups, casseroles and even a roast dinner in a slow cooker. For tender, juicy meat, a crockpot is nearly always the best cooking method.

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