Cooking Marinated Meat in the CrockPot
Day 113.
I get a few emails here and there from new crockpotters asking for an easy fool-proof recipe to get them started.
I'm pretty sure that I answer differently each time I answer, but today's answer would be this: use marinated meat.
As I was digging through the freezer over the weekend, I found a package of frozen chicken from Trader Joe's that was marinated in some curry seasoning. I have no idea when I bought it (I must have been on something because the sodium content is through the roof..) but do know that it wasn't purchased in 2008. Which meant I better cook this meat before it went bad.
There is nothing easier than cooking marinated meat in the crockpot.
Nothing.
Except for---
Nope.
Couldn't think of anything.
The Ingredients.
--Frozen, marinated meat. Unless you're fancy and get the fresh stuff from a butcher.
--1/2 cup of water
PLEASE, please, please check all ingredients four times if you have food allergies. If something doesn't sound right, please call the manufacturer and check. Saving a tad bit of time isn't worth it if you end up getting sick.
In our case, the celiac in the house had no interest in tasting this meat whatsoever, so I wasn't terribly worried about calling the manufacturer to check on the seemingly "safe" ingredients.
I am not going to label this dish gluten free.
The Directions.
put hunk o' meat into your crockpot.
top it with a half cup of water.
cover and turn on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6, depending on the type of meat you are using and the cut.
You won't need any added liquid other than the 1/2 cup of water, unless you are a peeker. If you are a peeker, add a touch more near the end of the cooking time if you'd like more gravy.
Serve with some rice. We had this over coconut saffron rice.
The Verdict.
The chicken was really tasty and so very easy. Before this year of crockpotting, I always had a few packages of different meat in the freezer, ready to pop into the crock whenever I didn't have a fresh meal planned.
You can make your own marinated meat packets with teriyaki sauce, barbecue sauce, and other pre-packaged marinade mixtures (read ingredients! duh.) when you buy meat in bulk. Plop the meat into ziplocks in family-sized portions and top with your favorite sauce. Meat will keep nicely in your freezer for a good six months.
PS: Costco also has lots of marinated meat -- pot roast, tri tip, etc. Sometimes the flavor is kind of salty and overwhelming so I just do a super quick rinse and then plop it in the pot.
PPS: You can also make your OWN marinated meat by making "crockpot TV Dinners"
easy peasy pumpkin squeezy! ;-)
PS: Costco also has lots of marinated meat -- pot roast, tri tip, etc. Sometimes the flavor is kind of salty and overwhelming so I just do a super quick rinse and then plop it in the pot.
PPS: You can also make your OWN marinated meat by making "crockpot TV Dinners"
easy peasy pumpkin squeezy! ;-)
awesome!
ReplyDeleteI have 4 or 5 packages of meat in sauce that I bought on sale. I usually bake them, but now am going to throw them in the crock.
I'm on the Core program at Weight Watchers and so many of your recipes will work wonderfully with that. You are a life saver. I was running out of ideas for meals. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI discovered this site about 2 weeks ago .. I say discovered because it is a Treasure. For years I (ONLY) used my crockpots on a buffet table to keep food warm . Now I COOK in them . UMMMMM I think I cook ? PLOP food In -- turn ON -- turn OFf.
ReplyDeleteLater I will share comments on good things I cook in it but Now I will share what not to Buy-- that SLOWER COOKER frozen dinner(sirloin) (McCAINS)? I think .Horrible Horrible Horrible . No wonder in the commercial the family screams when dinner is ready. Cost $8.99 --not worth the cost of a can of chunky soup $2.00. And thats no crock.
I love love love the dump and leave alone crockpot recipes.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely an advocate for using fresh meat from the butcher. My results always seem to come out better when I use fresh meat same day.
ReplyDeleteYour site is indeed a treasure. Thanks for helping me understand why none of my crockpot recipes were working. I finally filled it up enough today and bam! Delicious mouthwatering chicken ready to go for dinner! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMeat looks delicious :)
ReplyDelete