It may seem close to impossible to use a slow cooker daily. Especially with a family, work, and a busy schedule. While I worked, I wouldn’t be done until 5 PM. And by the time I picked up my girls, and sat down for a meal it was 7PM.
Those days made it hard to eat a healthy dinner since it was easier to eat cereal or order in. Both of those options were not ideal.
The days I wasn’t working, I was either cleaning or running errands. And by the time I came home or had a chance to sit down, the last thing I wanted to do was cook.
I asked myself a simple question. How can I save money and make a nice wholesome meal for my family to enjoy?
Use my slow cooker!
A slow cooker is an essential in any kitchen. It definitely served me well when it was only me and my husband in our new home. Also when I had long days of work, postpartum life, and feeding my family.
So how can I use a slow cooker in my kitchen?
Here are some simple ways to incorporate one in your kitchen and have healthy, homemade meals.
LEAVE THE SLOW COOKER OUT ON THE COUNTER
Pick a spot where it won’t be in the way. Avoid a spot being used for a lot of prep work. A nice thing about slow cookers is the pot can come out of the base. Take this over to the prep area and add ingredients while prepping the meal. Then once all the ingredients are in the pot, it can be put back into the base and it is ready to cook.
START USING THE SLOW THE DAY OR NIGHT OF A GROCERY TRIP.
Now there is homemade stock in the refrigerator for the week to use in many recipes.
- Use in sides, like rice or risotto.
- Use for soups, like stuffed pepper soup.
- Use in one pot meals, like Jambalaya.
SLOW COOKER SUNDAY
Start the week off with a hearty and healthy meal. Nothing lifts my spirits up like having dinner made in the morning, smelling it cook all day, then enjoying the meal at a set dinner table.
My family enjoys these meals with mashed potatoes and corn:
- Pork and Sauerkraut
- Ham and Cabbage
- Mississippi Pot Roast
For more ideas, read my post on simple meal themes.
DELICIOUS TACOS AFTER A BUSY WORK DAY
This one is a delicious treat. Buy all of the necessities for making tacos at the store so everything is ready. Or make the shells homemade. Whatever works best for your kitchen. I like to pickle red onions too. My husband loves them and they last in the refrigerator for a week or two.
I put a beef roast or a pork roast in the slow cooker before I went to work in the morning. When I came home from a long day, it was wonderful to only have to cut up a tomato and avocado. I placed a couple of tortillas on a plate with the meat, and toppings. Dinner was done!
USE SLOW COOKER FOR DRINKS
On a chilly autumn day, I love to have hot apple cider brewing in my slow cooker.
A slow cooker isn’t just for food.
I can cook dinner on the stove or in the oven and serve it with a drink that’s warm from brewing in the slow cooker.
A slow cooker changed my kitchen in a way I can use it daily and spend more time in my kitchen. How do you use your slow cooker? I’d love to hear so in the comments.