Okay, so I’ve been wanting to use my slow cooker more, you know, for those busy weeknights. I found this list of “7 qt slow cooker recipes” and decided, why not? Let’s try them all!
The Prep Work
First things, first, I gathered all my ingredients. I made a big shopping list – lots of chicken, some beef, veggies galore, and all those spices. My kitchen counter looked like a mini grocery store!
Diving into the Recipes
- First up: Lemon Garlic Chicken. Super simple, just threw in some chicken breasts, lemon slices, garlic cloves, and a bit of chicken broth. Set it on low for 6 hours and boom – delicious, tender chicken.
- Next: Beef Stew. This one was a bit more work. I browned the beef cubes first – that’s key for extra flavor. Then, I chopped up potatoes, carrots, and onions. Everything went into the slow cooker with some beef broth and herbs. 8 hours on low, and it was perfect.
- Recipe number three: Pulled Pork. I rubbed a pork shoulder with a mix of spices – paprika, cumin, garlic powder, the works. Cooked it low and slow for 10 hours. It shredded so easily with two forks, and I mixed it with some barbecue sauce. Amazing!
- Then came: Chicken Chili. I dumped in canned beans, diced tomatoes, corn, chicken breasts, and chili seasoning. So easy! Cooked it for 7 hours on low, and I had a big pot of hearty chili ready to go.
- Number five: Pot Roast. This was classic. I seared a chuck roast, then placed it in the slow cooker with carrots, potatoes, and onions. I added some beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. 8 hours later, it was fall-apart tender.
- Sixth: Honey Garlic Chicken. I whisked together honey, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Poured it over chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Set it on low for 6 hours, and it was sweet, savory, and delicious.
- Finally: Sausage and Peppers.I just threw some italian sausages, bell pappers, and onions. I added some diced tomatoes. After 6 hours, It’s so great!
The Verdict
Honestly, using my slow cooker this much was a game-changer. I prepped everything in the morning, and by dinnertime, I had a hot, home-cooked meal waiting. Some recipes were definitely better than others, but overall, it was a huge win. My kitchen smelled amazing all week, and I barely had to do any actual cooking during the evenings. I’m definitely going to keep experimenting with more slow cooker recipes!
