How to Save Time & Money Using a Slow Cooker

Moneymagpie Team

7th Feb 2025

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5
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How do you save time and money slow cooking?

I’ve long been a fan of slow cooking – specifically in an electric slow-cooker. You put all the ingredients in the pot at the start of the day; leave them on a low setting, and when you get home from work – voila! It can take a little extra planning, but the results are delicious.

Also, it’s a great method of cooking CHEAPER cuts of meat – the only way, in fact, to make them tender and meltingly succulent.

I personally use the Morphy Richards Sear and Stew and it has been a real game-changer. Using the metal pan creates that gorgeous flavour and rim of deliciousness that you often lose with a slow cooker. I liken it more to using a cast iron pot in flavour.

Slow Cooking means:

• Tenderer meat – as the connective tissues are broken down
• More flavour – the seasoning becomes infused without drying
• Better desserts – the cooking process is easier on delicate puddings
• No burning or boiling – the food is cooked at low temperatures
• Less power usage – the slow cooker is in continuous simmer mode

Save Money and Energy with Slow Cooking

Slow-Cooking saves energy on multiple kitchen appliances. You don’t have to switch on the hob, oven, grill and possibly microwave all for the same recipe – everything’s done in the one pot. It saves on washing up too. And CrockPot is proud to say it only uses the energy of a light bulb. Very green.

Slow Cooking Tips

Slow Food Tip 1: Brown the meat first

I think searing or browning meat (in a separate frying pan) adds flavour and makes the meat look caramelised, not just a stewed, soggy brown. It also kills bacteria on the meat, although these will die during cooking anyway. If it makes a difference, Jamie Oliver has tested his Beef Stew with and without searing and he’s now reported to cook all stews without.

However we highly recommend you use the Morphy Richards Sear and Stew. This machine is very well priced and there is a smaller one for only £29.99 at the moment. The inner mechanism is metal so you can use it on your hob to brown the meat and then add the pan to the slow cooker outer and use it like a regular pan. This saves on using multiple pans and allows you to keep the flavors and juices in the pan post-sear.

Slow Food Tip 2: Sauté and season vegetables

Likewise, sautéing the vegetables with herbs and spices can add considerable flavor, but this is up to you or if the recipe suggests. You will, of course, then have an extra pan to wash up.

Slow Food Tip 3: Cook tough meat cuts on a low heat

Tougher meats like roasts or brisket need extra cooking time as they have more connective tissue. To compensate, lower the heat and increase the cooking time (one hour on a high heat usually equals two hours on low heat).

Slow Food Tip 4: Use half the liquid

Most hob or oven recipes require liquid to be added which reduces naturally during the cooking process. However, liquid doesn’t escape from slow cookers so use 50% less liquid to avoid a watery dish.

Slow Food Tip 5: Cook poultry for less

While red meats take longer to tenderize in a slow cooker, chicken cooks relatively quickly. Most poultry recipes require 5-6 hours on a low heat.

Slow Food Tip 6: Cut root vegetables into small pieces

Many root vegetables (such as potatoes, carrots, and parsnips) cook even slower than meats in a slow cooker. To ensure root vegetables are cooked thoroughly, cut them into small pieces no bigger than an inch across.

Slow Food Tip 7: Add leafy vegetables last

High-moisture vegetables (like leafy greens, peppers, peas, courgettes, and squash) can become soggy, so add them in for the final 15-30 minutes of slow cooking.

Slow Food Tip 8: Avoid lifting the lid

Each time the lid is removed from the slow cooker, it adds twenty minutes to the overall cooking time! So only lift the lid to add extra ingredients or check meat towards the end.

Slow Cooking Safety

As with any type of cooking, there are certain ground rules to follow, particularly with meat in order to avoid food poisoning. Here are some top slow cooking safety tips:

Safety Tip 1: Don’t overfill the slow cooker

Rather than slow cook a whole roast, cut it up into small pieces to speed up the cooking process. Never fill the pot more than two-thirds full.

Safety Tip 2: Never use frozen meat

Thaw frozen meat before placing it in the slow cooker. Also defrost vegetables so as not to reduce the overall temperature.

Safety Tip 3: Refrigerate leftovers within two hours

To prevent bacteria growth in meat.

I don’t know how much meat you can eat in one sitting but I am happy with about 150g. I was going to do one lamb shank EACH for this recipe until I saw how vast they were, and decided one between two would be fine, bearing in mind 2 of my guests were children. But if you need more meat, do one shank each. The shank is the part of the lamb’s leg just above the knee.

There is plenty of connective tissue in the lamb shanks, but they become tender in this recipe.

Lamb Shanks in the Slow Cooker (serves 4)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp olive oil + 1 tsp chili oil (optional)
• 2 lamb shanks (approximately 820g total = £5.73)
• 1 tbsp flour
• 1 onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
• 200ml red wine
• 450ml passata/400g chopped tinned tomatoes
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 tsp mixed dried herbs
• 1 stock cube (beef or lamb)
• Salt and pepper
• Big handful of black olives

For added flavor, anchovies (5) and capers (a small handful) can be used, but they are optional.

Method:

1. Heat the oils in a frying pan and sear the shanks until browned on all sides.
2. Transfer the shanks to the slow cooker.
3. Sprinkle flour over the shanks.
4. In the same frying pan, add the chopped onion and garlic and cook for a minute or two.
5. Pour in the red wine and passata.
6. Allow the mixture to bubble and deglaze the pan.
7. Pour the liquid over the shanks and add vegetables, herbs, crumbled stock cube, and seasoning.
8. Ensure everything is covered by liquid, adding boiling water if necessary.
9. Cook on high for 8 hours or low for 12 hours.
10. Serve with a side of green vegetables or carbohydrates.

Tip: The meat can be served bone-in or removed from the bones before serving.

Sarah Lockett’s new book The Dish is now available (£9.95, Troubador, £8.96 on Amazon). Join her for a Q&A and book-signing event with co-author Penny Isaacs on Sat 25^th April at Borders flagship store at 203 Oxford St, London W1, from 1-2pm.