Cooking on a budget with a slow cooker
A slow-cooker is always a great appliance to have, and even more so when there is no access to a cooktop.
Key points
- Slow-cookers are fairly inexpensive to buy and use little electricity
- They make it possible to prep food in advance and keep it warm until mealtime
- It’s safe to leave them unattended
- They are ideal for batch cooking soups, stews, chilis, and curries
Slow-cookers are easy on the wallet. They don’t use much more electricity than an incandescent light bulb, and they are very suited to cooking on a budget.
Soups, stews, chilis, and curries can all be made from low-cost staples and won’t burn in a slow-cooker, which often happens in a pot on a stovetop. Actually, there are slow-cooker recipes for pretty much anything you would otherwise cook in a pot or a dutch oven.
Cheaper cuts of meat break down when cooked at a low temperature over a long period of time and become fork-tender.
Slow-cookers can reduce stress around mealtimes, because the actual cooking happens long before. Ingredients can be prepped ahead of time, stored in the fridge, and the slow-cooker can be started hours before the food needs to be ready. Meals will stay warm until being served.
Here are some ideas for inspiration:
Chilis, Curries, and Stews:
- Vegetarian Chili by real food whole life
- Crock Pot Chili by Eating on a Dime
- Curries by The Curry Guy
- Hamburger stew by Budget Byte$
Soups:
- Potato Soup by The Pioneer Woman
- Split-Pea Soup by The Pioneer Woman
- Black Bean Soup by Budget Byte$
Treats:
- Apple Sauce by The Pioneer Woman
- Rice Pudding by Dinner then Dessert
Dips:
- Refried Beans by The Pioneer Woman
- Corn Dip by Lemon Blossoms
