In this episode of Everyday Cooks Recipe Club, Stephanie and Kelly go back to the crock pot to test another recipe. This time they are making dinner.

In this episode, we talk about:

• 10 Crock Pot tips for the best experience
• We review the Beef and Bean Chili recipe below
• Stephanie gives us a bonus idea of cooking a whole chicken in the crock pot
• How each of us prepared the meal (and where we improvised!)
• Our honest thoughts on flavor, texture, and whether it’s worth making again

Resources & Links

https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/slow_cooker_beef_and_bean_chili/

Here are crock pot tips for beginners:

1. Don’t Overfill It - Aim to fill the crock pot ½ to ⅔ full. Overfilling can cause uneven cooking, and under-filling can make food cook too fast.
2. Layer Ingredients Wisely - Heavier, tougher ingredients (like root vegetables and meats) should go on the bottom, closest to the heat source. Lighter ingredients go on top.
3. Brown Meat for Better Flavor (Optional) - While you can throw raw meat straight in, searing it first adds richer flavor and better texture.
4. Keep the Lid Closed - Every time you open the lid, you lose heat and add 15–30 minutes to the cooking time. Peek only when necessary.
5. Use the Right Amount of Liquid - Crock pots don’t let moisture escape. Use less liquid than you would on the stove—usually 1 cup or less unless you’re making soup.
6. Choose “Low and Slow” When Possible - Most dishes turn out more tender and flavorful when cooked on Low for 6–8 hours vs. High for 3–4 hours.
7. Add Dairy and Fresh Herbs at the End - Milk, cream, cheese, and fresh herbs can curdle or lose flavor if cooked too long. Stir them in during the last 15–30 minutes.
8. Use Cheaper Cuts of Meat - The slow cooker excels with budget-friendly cuts like chuck roast, pork shoulder, chicken thighs. They become super tender with long cooking.
9. Prep Ahead to Save Time - Chop veggies, measure spices, or assemble entire freezer-to-crock-pot bags the night before for easy morning cooking.
10. Clean Up Easily - Use crock pot liners or fill the pot with warm soapy water right after dinner to avoid stuck-on food.

If there are recipes you want us to try or questions you want to ask, email us at everydaycooksrecipeclub@gmail.com

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Disclaimer

Everyday Cooks Recipe Club is a podcast for home cooks who love exploring new recipes and sharing the experience. We feature recipes from talented chefs, cookbook authors, and food creators, always giving full credit to the original source. We do not claim ownership of these recipes, and we encourage listeners to support the chefs by purchasing their cookbooks or visiting their websites or social channels. For copyright reasons, we do not share full recipes in our show notes. Instead, we talk about our own cooking experiences, tips, and takeaways.

Credit

Original Music by Matthew J. Smith

Recipe Testers are Matt, Ryan, Matt and Cameron