Dumb question about crockpot cooking

Francl27
Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Do you always need to add water? The recipe uses some frozen food.
«1

Replies

  • cdanie13
    cdanie13 Posts: 108 Member
    Not always pending what other ingredients you are using in your dish. Typically if I am using something that requires a liquid of some form then I don't add water. However if there are no liquids being used or minimal liquids being used I'll add a little water so whatever I'm cooking doesn't stick/burn. It just depends. What are you planning to make?
  • poedunk65
    poedunk65 Posts: 1,336 Member
    Don't use a crock pot. You can time bake things like that. lol
  • maleva720
    maleva720 Posts: 165 Member
    If its just meat, no liquid is necessary. If there are veggies added you need liquid.
  • AlsDonkBoxSquat
    AlsDonkBoxSquat Posts: 6,128 Member
    No. For example, a bost but renders enough juice that you don't need to add water. However, I always add wine and vinegar at somepoint in the meat cooking process just for taste.
  • healthymissfit
    healthymissfit Posts: 648 Member
    No, I don't add water to my chili at all. My pot roast recipes calls for added water though. If it doesnt call for it, DONT add it, chances are whatever you're making has plenty of juice in it that WILL drain from the meat/veggies and into the pot and you can end up with watery food if you add water when it doesnt call for it!
  • angiechristi
    angiechristi Posts: 8 Member
    It really depends on what you are cooking. If it is a high moisture food, cooking for 4-6 hours, you may not need to add anything extra. Big Tip - look for crock pot bags at the store. They act just like the roasting bags used for baking roasts in the oven. You place the bag in the crock pot before you add your ingredients. No muss, no fuss, no cleaning!
  • sugarkissprincess
    sugarkissprincess Posts: 2,595 Member
    Some foods wont require it, if it has its own moister. I think the added water just helps with it not burning since the it cooks all day
  • Determined82
    Determined82 Posts: 455 Member
    I just add enough water to slightly cover the bottom. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE the slow cooker bags!
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Don't use a crock pot. You can time bake things like that. lol

    :huh: Now we have crock pot shaming... I have really seen it ALL. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Some recipe from the recipes board... frozrn ravioli, frozen spinach, diced tomatoes snd cream cheese.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    Unless the recipe specifically says add water, then no you don't necessarily need to. Like someone else said-veggies you'd add a bit.
  • train_01
    train_01 Posts: 135 Member
    Another alternative is to add Coffee to it instead of water. It makes the meat super moist and it gives it a bit of flavor. :)
  • UsedToBeHusky
    UsedToBeHusky Posts: 15,228 Member
    I used to completely submerge my food in the crockpot because that was the way mom taught me. But I have recently learned that you can use much less water and end up with some serious deliciousness.
  • twixlepennie
    twixlepennie Posts: 1,074 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.

    Say what? I cook frozen chicken in my crock pot all the time-dump some frozen chicken breasts in and then either add spices or bbq sauce and a few hours later dinner is good to go. I've never heard of not cooking frozen meat in a crock pot before.
  • 135OHK
    135OHK Posts: 33 Member
    I find that if I am roasting meat it tastes better if I wrap it in aluminum foil with spices and put it in the crock pot that way. It cooks in it's own juices and doesn't have that 'boiled in water' taste. It comes out wonderful and tender. Sometimes I make a pork roast and shred it, then add barbecue sauce for sandwiches.
  • DeliriumCanBeFun
    DeliriumCanBeFun Posts: 313 Member
    Don't use a crock pot. You can time bake things like that. lol

    :huh: Now we have crock pot shaming... I have really seen it ALL. :noway: :noway: :noway: :noway:
    :huh: For real...
    I use my oven as much as anyone, but I love my crockpot. Anyone with a problem with that is obviously someone who doesn't work full time and still provides meals for their family.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.

    Say what? I cook frozen chicken in my crock pot all the time-dump some frozen chicken breasts in and then either add spices or bbq sauce and a few hours later dinner is good to go. I've never heard of not cooking frozen meat in a crock pot before.

    http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/a181017c-cc51-4261-bfeb-f78cfc24c022/Slow_Cookers_and_Food_Safety.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

    ETA: Not saying I've never done it -- but I guess depending on how hot your crock pot cooks, it can be an issue.
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    Some recipe from the recipes board... frozrn ravioli, frozen spinach, diced tomatoes snd cream cheese.

    If it was me, I wouldn't because of the liquid on the tomatoes and the liquid the spinach will release.
  • Determined82
    Determined82 Posts: 455 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.

    Say what? I cook frozen chicken in my crock pot all the time-dump some frozen chicken breasts in and then either add spices or bbq sauce and a few hours later dinner is good to go. I've never heard of not cooking frozen meat in a crock pot before.

    http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/a181017c-cc51-4261-bfeb-f78cfc24c022/Slow_Cookers_and_Food_Safety.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

    ETA: Not saying I've never done it -- but I guess depending on how hot your crock pot cooks, it can be an issue.

    I've heard about not cooking frozen foods as well but I'll keep doing it until the day I get sick! ha ha
  • lkweber21
    lkweber21 Posts: 27 Member
    It depends on what you are making. This morning I put a whole chicken in the crockpot with no water. The chicken is full of moisture itself and so you don't need to add water. The recipe confirmed this.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I use the crockpot once every 3 months and I'm trying to use it more, lol. Just trying to avoid using broth and creams to limit sodium.
  • pawsnpurrs
    pawsnpurrs Posts: 39
    Wow thanks for posting about the crock pot bags...I will be going low carbs more meat and it sounds like a great way to keep the meat moist tender juicy..easy breezy with the bags too..
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I've never seen any!
  • devil_in_a_blue_dress
    devil_in_a_blue_dress Posts: 5,214 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.

    Say what? I cook frozen chicken in my crock pot all the time-dump some frozen chicken breasts in and then either add spices or bbq sauce and a few hours later dinner is good to go. I've never heard of not cooking frozen meat in a crock pot before.

    http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/a181017c-cc51-4261-bfeb-f78cfc24c022/Slow_Cookers_and_Food_Safety.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

    ETA: Not saying I've never done it -- but I guess depending on how hot your crock pot cooks, it can be an issue.

    I've heard about not cooking frozen foods as well but I'll keep doing it until the day I get sick! ha ha

    I worked in a restaurant for a while, so I know all kinds of weird food rules. I break most at home -- but this one is definitely one I think people should be aware of. If you have a crock pot that doesn't get hot enough and you use frozen meat (esp. chicken), foods can appear "cooked" even though their internal temp never got to a safe number. My crockpot can boil liquid after 4 hours on the high setting, so I don't really worry about it. But I've had crockpots that never got close to boiling on high for like 8 hours, so.
  • chemteacher1987
    chemteacher1987 Posts: 68 Member
    I will only add water (and a little bit at that) if what I am making is something that is dry. If it is a high moisture food, then adding the water is unnecessary
  • chemteacher1987
    chemteacher1987 Posts: 68 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.

    Say what? I cook frozen chicken in my crock pot all the time-dump some frozen chicken breasts in and then either add spices or bbq sauce and a few hours later dinner is good to go. I've never heard of not cooking frozen meat in a crock pot before.

    http://www.fsis.usda.gov/wps/wcm/connect/a181017c-cc51-4261-bfeb-f78cfc24c022/Slow_Cookers_and_Food_Safety.pdf?MOD=AJPERES

    ETA: Not saying I've never done it -- but I guess depending on how hot your crock pot cooks, it can be an issue.

    I've heard about not cooking frozen foods as well but I'll keep doing it until the day I get sick! ha ha

    I worked in a restaurant for a while, so I know all kinds of weird food rules. I break most at home -- but this one is definitely I think people should be aware of. If you have a crock pot that doesn't get hot enough and you use frozen meat (esp. chicken), foods can appear "cooked" even though their internal temp never got to a safe number. My crockpot can boil liquid after 4 hours on the high setting, so I don't really worry about it. But I've had crockpots that never got close to boiling on high for like 8 hours, so.

    I always cook the meat first. That way I know that it is cooked. And when I use the crock pot the meat does not dry out, because of the other ingredients that I am cooking it with.
  • extra_medium
    extra_medium Posts: 1,525 Member
    What kind of frozen food? Technically, I don't think you're supposed to use frozen meat for food safety reasons.

    Frozen meat in a crock pot, or even a pressure cooker is just fine. You just probably don't want to pan fry a frozen chicken breast.
  • just_Jennie1
    just_Jennie1 Posts: 1,233
    I put frozen meat in my crock pot all the time. The whole point is to just dump all the ingredients in and let it cook for the day. If I have to defrost the meat then cook it to make sure it's cooked before I put it in the crock pot I might as well just make that for dinner since I'm going through the process any way.
  • ren_ascent
    ren_ascent Posts: 432 Member
    Nope. I made a chicken burrito mix and all the tomatos provided enough liquid. Any extra would have made it a soup and that wasn't what I was looking for.

Categories