Slow Cooker Meal Divider (2024)

FAQs

How to make a divider for a slow cooker? ›

Use a few sheets of foil to form a divider, and place inside your slow cooker. Next, anchor one Slow Cooker Liner on each side of the divider and pour dips inside for a no-mess way to satisfy every guest at your tailgate.

Here's How the Hack Works:

You just mold a few sheets of heavy duty foil—the kind that's hard to crumple, that basically stands up on its own—to form a wall in the center of your slow cooker. Shape it so it fits snugly, then place a Slow Cooker Liner to cover both halves, so the dips stay separated.

In my case, my slow cooker has a depth of 5 inches so I measured a piece of aluminum foil a foot long. Fold the foil in half width wise and the divider will be tall enough to divide the entire slow cooker. Fold the divider length wise until it fits the length of the crock pot.

To use the slow cooker for delicate dishes like salmon, or harder-to-remove items like stuffed peppers and baked goods, line it with a piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil that is long enough to come over the sides. The cooked food can then be easily lifted out and transferred to a serving platter fully intact.

For materials, almost anything is fair game to create a divider: rope, curtains, plastic pipes, chicken wire, repurposed doors, pallet wood, PVC, metal, cardboard, and more. Here are 26 room divider ideas to add to your home.

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.

The heat bounces off from the lid and allows your food to cook faster. Also, you will not lose any of the steam that usually evaporates.

For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in.

To make a couple of roasts in the same slow cooker, make sure they fit snugly into the base of your crock pot before prepping them – you may want to trim off excess fat, truss the meat with kitchen twine, or sear all the sides for extra color and flavor.

How long does it take for meat to fall apart in slow cooker? ›

Cover and let cook for 6 hours on high heat or 8 hours on low heat. If the meat is not falling apart by then, cook for additional 30-minute intervals until it does.

For the easiest cleanup ever, line your slow cooker with parchment paper. This is especially useful for dishes that you might want to remove (or replate) in one piece, like cakes or frittatas, says DiGregorio. Just line with parchment, cook as usual, then lift up and out.

Put This Under Your Slow Cooker To Prevent A Mess

The next best option is to place your slow cooker on a baking sheet, a silicone baking mat, or a large wooden cutting board. All of these heat-resistant surfaces can also withstand moisture to prevent damage to your countertops.

If it comes to serving and you open your slow cooker to find a watery sauce, never fear we have an easy answer. Take the lid off, turn the machine up to high heat and leave it for 30-45 minutes to let excess moisture cook off. The liquid will reduce, leaving you with a thick and delicious gravy or sauce.