15 Crockpot Recipes For A Tailgate Party (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep a crockpot warm at a tailgate? ›

Power inverters can plug right into your car lighter for instant electricity. You'll have the means to plug in anything to keep your food warm. Cook it slow. Anything cooked in your slow cooker will keep warm for a few hours after unplugging.

Cooking meat in a slow cooker while still frozen is not recommended as it takes a long time for the meat to reach cooking temperature. This increases the chance of food-borne illnesses. It is alway recommended to defrost meat in the fridge before cooking it in the slow cooker.

For many dishes, particularly soups and stews, you really can just throw all the ingredients in. It can be nice to cook the onions beforehand, as the flavour is different to when you put them in raw, but experiment both ways as you may find you prefer one.

Overfilling the slow cooker can lead to uneven cooking.

Slow-cooker cookbook author and recipe developer Marye Audet-White told Business Insider that adding too many ingredients can result in undercooked or unevenly cooked food. "Try not to fill the crock more than 3/4 of the way for the best results," she said.

Whether you're a fan of the NFL, college football or just came for the food, these sliders are a win-win-win for your next tailgate or watch party! Turn on the slow cooker for at least an hour before heading out and these hot ham sliders will stay warm for up to three hours.

Can you put meat straight into a slow cooker? Meat can be added directly unseared and not browned. However, browning meat and caramelising the beef is a great way to add depth of flavour and improve the visual appearance of the final dish.

Are slow cookers safe to leave on? Yes, it's safe to leave a slow cooker on when you leave the house. The purpose of a slow cooker is to allow you to cook while you aren't home. Slow cookers simmer food slowly, killing bacteria and raising meat to the perfect internal temperature.

Should I Flip My Roast In The Slow Cooker?: There is no need to flip meat in a crock pot. In fact, I don't recommend trying it because it will be more hassle than it's worth.

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? ›

What are the disadvantages of a slow cooker? Slow cookers only apply heat to the bottom of the crock, which cuts down on their ability to reduce liquids and brown foods, and develop flavor the same way a Dutch oven or pressure cooker can.

Slow cookers are easy to use, easy to clean and they save time, which is a huge benefit, especially for busy families. However, leaving them completely unattended does carry risk. Experts tell HuffPost, people should unplug appliances when they're not being used.

Don't open the lid during cooking!

Slow cookers work by trapping heat and cooking food over a long period of time. Every time you remove the lid, the slow cooker loses heat, and it takes a while to heat back up. Follow this tip: Unless it's noted in the recipe, there's no need to remove the lid.

Slow Cooker or Chafing Dishes

For hot vegetables, sauces, stews, and soups, a slow cooker or chafing dish may be used on the low setting to keep the food warm. Similar to an oven, if you plan to store foods for longer than an hour, you may notice a change in texture or taste.

Slow Cooker / Crockpot

Secure the lid tightly to keep the heat in as much as possible. This can be done if there are latches by locking the lid on. If not, pack blankets on top of the slow cooker once it's in the car to keep the lid on and the pot insulated.

If you keep the insulated container closed, the food should stay hot (140 °F or above) for several hours. If you can't keep hot food hot during the drive to your tailgate, plan ahead and chill the food in the refrigerator before packing it in a cooler. Reheat the food to 165 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

Depending on the recipe and how much time you have, you can use the high or low setting on your slow cooker, which will cook your meal at different temperatures. Then there is the warm setting, which will keep your food at the ideal serving temperature until you're ready to enjoy your meal.

You can keep tailgate food cold by storing everything in coolers. Just be sure to keep frozen ice packs in all of them. During the tailgate, it's a good idea to close the coolers once everyone has their food and drinks.