15 Slow Cooker Dinner Recipes | Gimme Some Oven (2024)

FAQs

What oven temperature is equivalent to a slow cooker? ›

Conversion to Oven

The low setting of a slow cooker ranges from 190°F to 200°F. To mimic this in an oven, set your temperature to approximately 325°F. The high setting of a slow cooker ranges from 290°F to 300°F; in oven terms, this is roughly equivalent to 375°F.

Generally low is about 200 degrees Fahrenheit and High is 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Given this information, the simplest conversion is to set the oven at the same temperature as your slow cooker and bake the dish for the same amount of time called for in the recipe.

If you'd like to convert a recipe from a slow cooker to oven-slow cooking, dig out a heavy Dutch oven or braising pan with a heavy, tight lid that's used for both browning meats and the slow cooking itself. After that it's easy, a simple balance of oven temperature and time.

I usually start with the oven at 80°C (176°F) and then see how it goes. If it seems like it will not be finished in time, I turn up the temperature to 100°C (212°F). I can also be found to, once in a while, to turn it all the way up to 120°C (248°F). But never any more than that.

As for what kind of pot to use, most commenters agreed that a heavy casserole dish or Dutch oven would do the job nicely. One person particularly recommended using a cast-iron Dutch oven for its ability to evenly distribute heat and for the fact that it supposedly imparts a better flavor on the food.

Slow Cooking on Stovetop

You can also slow cook in a dutch oven or heavy saucepan on a stove over very low heat, for a slow simmer. Note, this is a hands-on process and requires monitoring—stir the pot occasionally and add liquid as needed. Stove top cooking is generally for stews, soups, chilis, or braises.

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

If you don't have a dedicated slow cooker but have oven-safe crockery such as casserole dishes or even clay pots, you can utilise them to achieve slow cooking. These retain heat well and provide a gentle, consistent cooking environment. Simply follow your desired recipe, and adjust the cooking time.

The longer an oven is left on, the greater the chance of an electrical malfunction leading to a fire, especially if it's left unattended. Ovens are designed to heat the small internal area where your food is cooked, not an entire room in your home.

Is it cheaper to slow cook in oven or slow cooker? ›

Slow cookers typically cost less to run than an oven. They won't necessarily save you money compared with using an induction hob, or even a gas hob. Making exact comparisons is difficult, because there can be lots of variables, such as the type of hob and how you use it.

Try putting a tea towel over the top of the slow cooker before replacing the lid. This absorbs the excess moisture, thickening the dish and deepening its flavours. The cloth can be replaced with a fresh one when needed, but usually one tea towel during the final couple of hours will do the trick.

The paper towel will absorb excess moisture and prevent any condensation from dripping back onto the food. Be sure to reach for a good-quality, sturdy paper towel that can absorb moisture effectively without falling apart.

For example, a cool oven has temperature set to 200 °F (90 °C), and a slow oven has a temperature range from 300–325 °F (150–160 °C). A moderate oven has a range of 350–375 °F (180–190 °C), and a hot oven has temperature set to 400–450 °F (200–230 °C).

Slow cookers or crock pots can safely cook food. The slow cooker, a countertop appliance, cooks foods slowly at a low temperature -- generally between 170 °F (76.7 °C) and 280 °F (137.8 °C). The low heat helps less expensive, leaner cuts of meat become tender and shrink less.

From our conversion chart above, 350F instead of 400F will take 1.14 more time. So something that takes 30 minutes at 400F will take 34 minutes at 350F.