Slow cooker tips

Using a slow cooker is a great way to make healthy meals, reduce waste and save money, and it’s easier than you might think!

Most winter warmer type recipes can be adapted to suit a slow cooker – just follow these tips:

1. Prep it properly

Make sure you’re cooking whatever forms the base of the sauce (usually onions), with oil and whatever herbs/spices are required beforehand, to ensure you get maximum flavour.

2. Layer your ingredients right

The order in which you put veg in can also enhance a meal; make sure you put things that take longer, such as root veg, nearer the bottom of the pot.

3. Don't water it down

Due to the sealed lid of a slow cooker, any sauce will not evaporate, so consider reducing the amount of liquid you would typically include.

4. Cook slow and low

Getting all the flavours out of your ingredients is even easier with a low, slow cook, so try to stick to this setting when you have time. You can even prepare a meal the night before, if you’re pushed for time in the mornings.

5. Finishing touches

Finally, although you can add most things in one go, you might want to save things like pasta, rice, noodles, or fresh herbs until the very end!

Stews

Bonfire veggie sausages & beans (pictured)

Cheats Sausage Casserole

Celebrate St Patrick's Day with this Guinness beef stew

Curries

Vegan coconut curry (pictured)

Sweet potato and spinach korma

Bombay potato curry

Fairtrade banana curry

Halloumi curry

Mr Huda's Yellowbelly bhuna

Cauliflower korma

Chillis

Meat-free chilli (pictured)

Lentil chilli

Soups

Moroccan-spiced soup (pictured)

Pumpkin soup for hungry monsters

Cream of broccoli soup

Fresh greens soup​

Pumpkin soup

Other ideas...

Cauli Boli (pictured)

Spiced veg tagine

Pulled pork with local BBQ marinade

Spiced veggie noodle bowl